If you find that the expenses and injuries associated with your truck accident are too much to handle, a Mountain View truck accident lawyer can take the burden off of you and get you the compensation you deserve.
Anyone who’s been in a truck accident can tell you how serious these crashes can be. Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers have the potential to do much more damage than cars and motorcycles. That means your injuries are more likely to be serious, so you might face enormous medical bills, lost time at work, and severe pain, among other problems.
Compensation for your injuries won’t undo them, but it can certainly help offset the difficulties truck accidents can bring about. If you weren’t at fault for the accident, you have a right to compensation, but getting that compensation by yourself is easier said than done.
You can expect the trucking company and the insurer to resist you at every opportunity. But a Mountain View truck accident lawyer at Golden State Lawyers, APC can help you get fair compensation for your truck collision.
Understanding Comparative Negligence
California follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. Put simply, that means multiple parties, including you, can be found partially responsible for your crash.
If you’re found to be partially responsible, you’ll miss out on a proportionate amount of compensation. For example, if you were going slightly over the speed limit when a truck ran a stop sign and hit you, you might be found 15 percent responsible for your collision. As a result, you would only receive 85 percent of the compensation you asked for.
By showing that you weren’t responsible for the crash, your attorney can increase the amount of compensation you might receive.
Identifying Who Was Responsible
Determining who to name in your truck accident injury claim can be more complicated than it is for other vehicle accident claims. But your Mountain View truck accident lawyer will know the ins and outs of these types of cases.
While many different parties can be involved for various reasons, a few parties are often named in semi-truck and 18-wheeler accident claims:
- Truck Drivers – If you can prove that the semi-truck or 18-wheeler driver you collided with was drunk, drowsy, distracted, or otherwise reckless, you can name the driver in your claim.
- Trucking Companies – The trucking company might share much of the blame. For example, the firm may force or encourage employees to drive for long periods without a break, fail to maintain its trucks, or hire incompetent drivers.
- Freight Owners – The freight owner may be liable if he or she didn’t properly secure the truck’s cargo and that cargo contributed to the accident.
- Other Parties – A local government agency, for example, can be held liable if road design or conditions are insufficient and caused your crash. Another example of third-party liability is if another vehicle caused the truck driver to crash into you.
Deciding on Your Damages
Once your lawyer has determined the responsible parties, he or she can help you determine the appropriate claim type and amount.
Some examples of damages for which you can receive compensation include medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair, and emotional distress.
Contact a Mountain View Truck Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of a truck accident can make a mess of your life, especially if you try to get the compensation you deserve by yourself. Golden State Lawyers, APC can simplify the process and fight on your behalf while you focus on recovering.
To schedule a consultation with a Mountain View truck accident lawyer, give us a call at 408-279-4222 or fill out the online contact form at the bottom of the page.