The California Trucking Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase have represented injured victims of big rig, semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and tractor-trailer accidents for over 45 years. Our law firm has the skill, resources, and experience to take on complex cases and win maximum compensation for our clients involved in commercial truck crashes.
Many top-rated law firms in the country do not want complex cases that can fail, but the legal team at Bisnar Chase often takes previously denied claims and wins them.
We have taken on many trucking accident defendants and their legal teams and spare no cost if you have a solid case. From hiring experts to taking the case to trial to obtain a favorable verdict, we fight for you.
Bisnar Chase has a 99% success rate and has won over $800 Million for our clients.
You are probably here because you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial or large truck and are wondering about your rights. Our skilled legal staff and California Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help.
After receiving medical care, securing your rights with a plaintiffs’ truck accident attorney is next essential. Time will be an important factor in determining the value of your case.
If you’ve been injured and are not at fault or only partially at fault, contact a seasoned California truck accident lawyer like those at Bisnar Chase. 800-561-4887.
California Trucking Accidents
We Take on Complex Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking accidents can be complicated. Bisnar Chase has a long and successful track record of representing injured victims and their families to obtain fair compensation for their losses.
We know how trucking companies’ insurers work and have been able to help victims secure payment for many challenging semi and commercial truck accident cases. More than anything else, we are all about the passionate pursuit of justice for our clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a California truck wreck involving a semi, tractor-trailer, dump truck, trash truck, or big rig, don’t hesitate to contact our truck accident lawyers at 800-561-4887 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
We’ve also taken on other obscure trucking accidents like street sweeper injuries. These accidents can leave victims as traumatized and injured as a large commercial truck and require months of medical treatment.
Types of commercial truck accidents we handle
- Semi-trucks or tractor-trailers
- Dump trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Tanker trucks (carrying liquids or gases)
- Box trucks (also known as delivery trucks)
- Cement trucks (concrete mixers)
- Garbage trucks
- Tow trucks
- Refrigerated trucks (reefers)
- Logging trucks
- Livestock carriers
- Car carriers (auto transporters)
- Crane trucks
- Fire trucks (if involved in a commercial context)
- Utility trucks
- Construction vehicles (e.g., bulldozers, excavators) used in commercial operations
Statute of Limitations for California Truck Accident Claims
The California statute of limitations refers to the legal time limit within which plaintiffs involved in a commercial truck accident must file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries or damages. It is important to note that statutes of limitations can vary depending on the type of claim and jurisdiction.
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from a commercial truck accident is generally two years. This means that individuals injured in a truck accident have two years from the accident date to file a truck accident lawsuit against the responsible parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, or other potentially liable entities.
However, certain circumstances may affect the statute of limitations for a commercial truck accident case in California. For instance, if the accident resulted in a wrongful death, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the individual’s death.
It is crucial to take prompt legal action within the specified time frame. Failing to file a lawsuit within the prescribed period may result in the court dismissing the case and barring the injured party from seeking compensation for their losses.
Contact a top-rated truck accident lawyer for immediate representation if you have been hurt.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company
The number one priority of the insurance company is to reduce how much they pay out in injury claims. An insurance adjuster is often rewarded for paying out injury claims quickly to avoid a dragged-out lawsuit that could cost them substantially more.
As customers, we automatically assume the insurance company is on our side, but their job is the opposite of what you think. Avoid giving details about your truck accident injury to any insurance company; communicate with your truck accident lawyer and his team only.
You may say something that could hurt your claim. Even if you think you are being careful, you may say something that could be used to deny your claim or reduce the amount of money you receive. For example, if you say you were not seriously injured, the insurance company could use that to argue that you are not entitled to more compensation.
You may not know all the facts about the accident. It is often difficult to assess the full extent of your injuries immediately after an accident. You may not know what your long-term medical needs will be. By talking to the insurance company too soon, you may give up your right to seek compensation for future injuries.
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney in California before talking to the insurance companies about your claim.
Truck, Big Rig & Semi Accidents
Even careful and vigilant driving may not be sufficient to prevent a catastrophic semi-truck accident and garbage truck accident. Very often, the occupants of the smaller passenger vehicle end up suffering major injuries in a semi-truck accident or other large commercial truck.
These types of collisions could also result in fatalities. Those injured in large commercial truck wrecks take weeks, months, or even years to recover from their injuries. Some of them may never recover due to the nature and extent of their injuries. Truck accident victims and families of deceased crash victims must understand their legal rights and options.
Southern Californias highways can be the stage for truck accidents that cause extensive harm and property destruction. One factor contributing to these accidents is the truck driver fatigue experienced by truckers. When drivers are tired, their ability to react swiftly and make decisions on the road is compromised, ultimately increasing the risk of major accidents.
Trucking accidents can cause major damage
Truck accidents often result in injuries like fractures and broken bones which unfortunately occur frequently. These types of injuries can have long-term consequences for victims leading to disabilities and an impact on their overall quality of life.
Spinal cord injuries specifically can cause paralysis or loss of sensation and motor function from the injury. Fractures and broken bones can bring about serious pain and restrict mobility, and extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation are often required.
Trucking accidents wreak havoc on property
It’s not just people who are harmed by truck accidents, they also cause damage to property. Truck collisions can wreak havoc on vehicles, infrastructure, and surrounding property. The costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged property can be considerable.
In the aftermath of a truck accident, victims may pursue legal action by filing a truck accident lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, property damage, and any other losses they may have suffered.
It’s crucial for individuals who have been involved in commercial truck accidents to seek advice from attorneys specializing in these cases. Trucking lawyers can guide the process and assist in building a strong case.
With their expertise, attorneys can investigate the accident gather evidence and negotiate with insurance companies and trucking companies on behalf of their clients.
What to do After a Truck Accident
1. Check for Injuries: First and foremost, check yourself and others involved in the truck accident for any injuries. Call for medical assistance immediately by dialing the emergency services if there are serious injuries.
2. Move to a Safe Location: If the accident is minor and safe, move the vehicles involved to the side of the road to avoid obstructing traffic and further collisions.
3. Contact Law Enforcement: Report the accident to the police, even if it’s minor. This will create an official incident record, which may be important for insurance claims and legal purposes.
4. Exchange Information: Exchange contact, insurance, and driver’s license details with the other party involved in the accident. Also, gather information from any witnesses present at the truck accident scene.
5. Document the Scene: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. This documentation can be valuable when dealing with insurance companies or legal proceedings for maximum compensation.
6. Avoid Admitting Fault: Avoid discussing who is at fault for the accident with the other parties involved. Do not admit guilt even if you believe you may have been at fault, as fault determination can be complex and may involve other unknown factors.
7. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company immediately. Provide them with accurate and detailed information about the incident.
8. Seek Proper Medical Attention: Even if you don’t have visible injuries, getting a medical evaluation after a truck accident is essential. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and documentation of your medical condition is crucial for insurance and legal purposes.
9. Preserve Evidence: Keep all relevant documents, such as medical records, police reports, and communication with the insurance company. These will be important if you decide to pursue a claim or lawsuit.
10. Consult an Attorney: If you sustained significant injuries or the truck accident was severe, consider consulting our personal injury attorneys with expertise in truck accidents. We can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
11. Avoid Discussing the Accident Publicly: Refrain from posting about the accident on social media or discussing it with others, as this could potentially harm your case. Insurance adjusters will monitor all your public social media activity and use it against you.
Causes of California Truck Crashes
There are many potential causes of California truck accidents, particularly being cut off by other motorists. Some of the worst motorcycle accidents are caused by lane splitting or cutting off a semi-truck. Some of the most common contributing factors include:
Truck Driver fatigue
Truck drivers are often required to work long hours. Truckers who fail to obey federal regulations regarding the number of hours they can work without rest are likelier to drive while drowsy. Under federal law, truck drivers must maintain logs detailing the hours they drove and the hours they rested.
Excessive speed
Large tractor-trailers are hard to stop on flat roadways at reasonable speeds. Truck drivers who go too fast downhill or exceed the speed limit run the risk of rear-ending vehicles in front of them or losing control on a turn.
Poor vehicle maintenance
Truck owners must properly maintain their vehicles, and drivers must inspect the truck before each long trip. Tire and brake failure are the most common causes of devastating truck accidents that can also impact other vehicles.
Improper loading
How a trailer is loaded can significantly impact how the truck handles it. If a trailer is overloaded to the front, back, or side, it may cause the vehicle to veer out of control. Jackknifing accidents are usually caused by an overloaded or improperly loaded big rig.
Motorhome dangers
Another common danger involving trucks is accidents involving motorhomes. Both vehicles are so large that they often drift into each other’s lanes, causing sideswipe accidents. The injuries from RV vs. truck accidents can be catastrophic, involving severe injuries and a lot of property and vehicle damage.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in California, contact a truck accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase for a free case evaluation. There is no fee if we don’t win your case.
Regulations for Trucking Companies
Several different authorities are responsible for enforcing rules and laws designed to make trucks safer. In some cases, those laws are aimed at helping the environment, such as emissions restrictions and plant and produce rules.
However, most of the laws are specifically aimed at making it safer for trucks to transport goods across California. For example, those laws control the maximum weight a truck can carry, how big it can be, how the truck should be loaded, and when a pilot car is required to guide oversized freight.
When trucking companies ignore these laws, it puts other road users in danger. Click to read more about the shipping regulations for commercial trucks in California.
ROR Truck Accidents (Run Off-Road)
Run-off road truck accidents are a real problem and a danger to the public. These accidents tend to be more serious, resulting in serious injuries to truckers and anyone in their path.
Large dump trucks are especially susceptible to these accidents, and when hauling tons of dirt or debris can result in catastrophic injuries.
This study focused on understanding the factors contributing to the severity of run-off-road (ROR) crashes involving large trucks in rural and urban areas. The study findings significantly affect the trucking industry, transportation agencies, and safety practitioners.
Developing appropriate and cost-effective countermeasures based on these findings makes it possible to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries in ROR crashes with large trucks.
The study identified factors influencing injury outcomes, such as undertrained drivers, speed limits, roadway characteristics, population density, seatbelt usage, driver fatigue, distracted drivers, and crashes on horizontal curves.
The distinct differences between urban and rural areas regarding contributing factors were highlighted. This research provides valuable insights to enhance safety measures and protect individuals involved in ROR crashes with large trucks.
To learn more about semi-truck accident statistics, you can visit FMCSA.
Determining Liability for a California Truck Accident
One of the reasons why truck accident claims are more complicated than other claims is because of the many potential liable parties. The truck driver can be held accountable for his or her negligence.
The trucking company is a potentially liable party in cases where negligent hiring or poor vehicle maintenance was involved. The truck’s owner can also be held responsible for failing to maintain the vehicle properly. Even the truck’s manufacturer can be held accountable if a defective truck part contributed to the crash.
Determining liability for a California truck accident is crucial for plaintiffs seeking compensation for their injuries and damages. In these injury cases, multiple parties may be held responsible for the accident, including:
1. Truck Driver: If the truck driver’s negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, contributed to the accident, they can be held liable for the damages.
2. Trucking Company: The trucking company may be held liable for the actions of their employees, including the truck driver. If the company fails to train, supervise, or maintain their vehicles properly, resulting in the accident, they may be held accountable.
3. Vehicle Owner: If the truck involved in the accident is owned by someone other than the driver or the trucking company, the vehicle owner may also bear liability for the accident, especially if they failed to ensure the truck’s proper maintenance.
4. Vehicle Manufacturer: In some cases, a defective part or mechanical failure of the truck may have contributed to the accident. In such instances, the manufacturer or distributor of the faulty component may be held liable.
5. Third Parties: Other parties, such as cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, or government entities responsible for road maintenance, may also share liability if their negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the accident.
To determine liability in a California truck accident, it is crucial to gather evidence, such as police reports, eyewitness testimonies, photographs, and expert opinions. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney specializing in truck accidents is highly recommended. They can thoroughly investigate, analyze the evidence, and identify the responsible parties.
California follows the rule of comparative negligence, which means that liability can be assigned based on each party’s degree of fault.
Even if the plaintiff is partially at fault for the accident, they may still be eligible to recover damages. However, the amount awarded may be reduced based on the percentage of fault.
Seeking legal guidance from knowledgeable commercial truck accident attorneys can significantly increase the chances of obtaining fair compensation for your losses.
Preserving the Evidence After a Truck Crash
It will be necessary to thoroughly inspect the crash site, and review the police report, the damaged vehicles, and the driver’s log. Unfortunately, unless the trucking company is contacted soon after the crash to preserve logs and records, much of it may be lost, destroyed, or misplaced.
For example, driver’s logs, vehicle maintenance records, and cell phone records can be valuable evidence when determining fault and liability for semi truck and other truck accident cases.
That is why it is crucial for injured victims and their families to move quickly to protect their rights. Trucking companies usually have insurance companies and defense lawyers working tirelessly to collect evidence and look out for their best interests.
Injured victims and their families also need a committed advocate who will fight for their rights and protect their best interests. Contact our California commercial truck accident lawyer for a free case evaluation.
The Value of Your Trucking Accident Claim
It is important to understand the potential value of your claim because it is common for insurance companies to offer inadequate settlements. By accepting your first offer, you are forfeiting your right to pursue additional compensation.
In other words, if your settlement covers your immediate medical bills but doesn’t compensate you for future treatment procedures, those financial burdens will fall onto your shoulders. You may have to pay for your own future expenses, such as the cost of rehabilitation services or lost future wages.
There are several ways to calculate the amount of damages you have suffered. A medical professional can estimate your medical bills, hospitalization fees, and future treatment costs.
You may be able to calculate on your own how much you have lost in terms of wages.
Remember to consider lost future income, earning potential, and loss of livelihood if your injuries prevent you from returning to work. You may need help, however, in determining the financial value of non-economic damages such as emotional losses such as pain and suffering.
One way to do that is to compare your case to recent similar claims. Our truck accident lawyers in California have taken on hundreds of these cases with winning results. Our main priority is to get you the best compensation we can.
Common damages awarded in truck accident cases:
1. Medical Expenses: This includes the costs of medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any other necessary medical care related to the injuries sustained in the truck accident.
2. Lost Wages: If the victim cannot work due to their injuries, they may be entitled to compensation for the income they lost during their recovery period.
3. Pain and Suffering: This type of damage compensates the victim for the physical pain and emotional distress they experienced as a result of the accident and their injuries.
4. Emotional Distress: Beyond physical pain, victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the accident. Compensation may be awarded for this psychological impact.
5. Disability and Impairment: If the truck accident results in a long-term or permanent disability or impairment, the victim may receive compensation for the impact on their quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
6. Property Damage: If the victim’s vehicle or personal property was damaged in the accident, they may be entitled to reimbursement for repair or replacement costs.
7. Loss of Consortium: In some cases, the injured party’s spouse may be able to claim damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and support resulting from the injuries sustained in the truck accident.
8. Punitive Damages: In situations where the truck driver or trucking company’s actions were particularly reckless or intentional, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.
Injuries from Commercial Truck Accidents
1. Whiplash: Whiplash is a common injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck and head during a collision. It can result in neck pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
2. Broken Bones: The impact of a commercial truck accident can lead to broken bones in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, ribs, and the pelvis.
3. Head and Brain Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can occur when the head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or window during the collision.
4. Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a commercial truck accident can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
5. Internal Injuries: Internal injuries to organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs can occur due to the impact of the collision.
6. Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, sharp metal edges, or flying debris can cause cuts and lacerations, varying in severity.
7. Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be strained, sprained, or torn in the accident, leading to pain and limited mobility.
8. Burn Injuries: If the accident involves a fire or explosion, individuals can suffer burn injuries of varying degrees.
9. Psychological Trauma: Commercial truck accidents can be traumatic, leading to emotional and psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
10. Crush Injuries: Victims may sometimes experience crush injuries if trapped in their vehicles during the collision.
Trucking Accident Statistics
1. In California, truck accidents accounted for 4.3% of all reported traffic accidents in 2019.
2. Of the 4.3%, approximately 20% of truck accidents resulted in fatalities.
3. In 2019, there were 4,814 truck accidents in California.
4. Of the 4,814 truck accidents, 1,966 resulted in injuries.
Importance of Hiring a California Truck Accident Lawyer
Having an experienced truck accident lawyer is imperative now and in the future with an injury claim.
An experienced truck accident injury attorney can advise you of your best options, determine what actions you need to take, protect you against any insurance companies trying to take advantage of you, and improve your odds of a higher settlement or verdict.
We can handle all of the paperwork and legal process while you focus on recovering and getting back to your life. Our highly skilled and experienced legal staff and seasoned attorneys have represented clients for over 45 years.
Our law firm has left an impressive footprint in the legal world and justice system, with some cases resulting in changes to the law to protect injured plaintiffs further.
Every client is a client for life; check out our client reviews and video testimonials to see the positive feedback and how we changed these people’s lives.
Contact a trusted trucking accident attorney at Bisnar Chase if you’ve been injured in a commercial truck crash. Big rigs and semi-truck accidents need a qualified attorney for maximum compensation. Call 800-561-4887 for a Free Consultation
