Have you been hurt in a truck accident in Los Angeles? If so, you’re likely worried about how you’ll pay for your medical care and make ends meet while you’re unable to work. The good news is that the people responsible for the accident should have to pick up the tab. The bad news, though, is that trucking companies and their insurance companies are more interested in protecting their bottom lines than your recovery. You need legal help to recover the fair compensation you deserve.
Dordick Law Corporation has spent 40 years helping Angelenos hold careless truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. Our truck accident lawyers have won substantial compensation on their behalf, including one case where we recovered $10.9 million for a client who was rear-ended by a construction truck. Let us put this experience, skill, and tenacity to work for you, and at no upfront cost. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Los Angeles.
What Makes Big Rig Crashes Different from Car Accidents?
Several factors make commercial truck accidents different from typical car crashes, including:
- Greater Size and Weight – A single big rig with a trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s about 20 times more than a typical passenger car. The massive difference in size means cars often absorb most of the damage in a crash.
- More Severe Injuries – Truck crashes are more likely to cause life-altering injuries due to how big and heavy they are. People in smaller cars often suffer brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, or permanent disabilities. Fatalities are also more common in truck crashes.
- Industry Regulations – Truck drivers and carriers must follow a long list of state and federal safety rules. These include limits on hours driven, maintenance checks, and licensing. It takes in-depth knowledge and experience to identify if a truck driver or trucking company broke these rules and, if so, hold them accountable.
- Special Equipment Hazards – Trucking involves complex machinery. Knowing how these systems work—and how they can fail—is often crucial for identifying who caused a crash.
- Complex Insurance Issues – Commercial trucking may involve several insurers and layers of insurance policies. These factors can make the claims process confusing for crash victims.
- More Than One Liable Party – The truck driver, their employer, the cargo loader, or the manufacturer of defective parts could all share the blame for a crash. Accident victims may need to file multiple claims to recover full compensation, complicating the legal process.
- More Extensive Property Damage – Truck crashes often involve significant damage to vehicles, cargo, roadways, and surrounding property. Repair and replacement costs are typically much higher than in standard car accidents.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney
After a truck accident, you’re likely facing serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and a long recovery. You could be owed compensation, but there are confusing rules and big financial interests standing in your way. You need someone who knows how to deal with powerful trucking companies and aggressive insurers.
That’s where Dordick Law Corporation comes in. Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys understand the system and know how to make it work for you. We can investigate every detail of your case and preserve key evidence before it disappears or is conveniently lost. That process includes compelling the trucking company to hand over maintenance records, driver logs, and black box data, which we examine to find violations or errors. If more than one party shares the blame, we’ll work to hold them each one accountable.
We also know how to deal with layered insurance policies and high-powered defense teams. We’ll handle all communication with the insurers as we fight to recover maximum compensation for what you’ve lost. If the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. We’re here to stand up for you and protect your rights. Let us handle the legal pressure so you can focus on healing.
Common Causes of Los Angeles Truck Accidents
Many LA truck crashes happen because the truck driver, trucking company, or someone else was careless. Common examples of careless or dangerous behaviors that cause truck accidents include:
- Speeding – Truck drivers who drive too fast for traffic or road conditions have less time to react and avoid crashes. They also tend to cause more damage in collisions.
- Distracted Driving – Texting, using GPS devices, or eating while driving take a driver’s attention off the road, increasing the chances of a crash.
- Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can impair truckers’ judgment, reaction times, and coordination behind the wheel.
- Improper Lane Changes – Semi-trucks and other big rigs have much larger blind spots due to their design. Truckers who fail to signal or check blind spots before merging often cause collisions with vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- Brake or Tire Failure – Poor maintenance or defective parts can lead to equipment failure, reducing a truck driver’s ability to stop or steer safely.
- Ignoring Hours-of-Service Rules – Drivers who work too many hours may become fatigued, which slows their reaction times and reduces their situational awareness.
- Hiring Unqualified Drivers – Trucking companies that fail to vet drivers properly may put dangerous or unskilled operators on the road.
- Failing to Inspect and Maintain Vehicles – Skipping required maintenance checks increases the risk of mechanical failures that can cause severe accidents.
- Inadequate Driver Training – Drivers without proper training may not know how to handle difficult road conditions or emergencies safely.
- Unsecured or Overloaded Cargo – Cargo that shifts or exceeds weight limits can cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, or lost-load crashes.
Who’s Liable for a Los Angeles Truck Accident?
The people or companies responsible for causing the truck accident are liable for the consequences. Depending on the crash’s cause, the potentially liable parties include:
- The Truck Driver – The driver may be liable for an accident resulting from negligent behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
- Trucking Company – A truck company can be liable for actions that often lead to crashes, such as poor hiring practices or encouraging unsafe schedules to meet deadlines.
- Cargo Loaders – If a separate company loaded the truck improperly or failed to secure the cargo, it may be liable for a crash caused by these mistakes.
- Truck Owners – The truck driver doesn’t always own their vehicle. Third-party truck owners can be liable for negligent actions like failing to maintain the vehicle properly.
- Maintenance Providers – Companies that perform repairs or inspections can be liable if they overlooked defects or performed poor-quality work.
- Parts Manufacturers – Defective brakes, tires, or other components can cause accidents if they fail while in use. In these cases, the company that made the faulty part may be liable.
- Government Entities – In rare cases, poor road design, lack of signage, or unsafe construction zones can make government agencies liable for crashes.
- Other Drivers – Sometimes, another motorist’s careless actions may cause a truck driver to swerve or lose control, triggering a crash.
What To Do After a Los Angeles Truck Collision
There are crucial steps to take once you’ve sought medical attention after a truck crash. First, make sure you report the collision to law enforcement if they did not respond to the scene. You can do so by filing a report with the local police or California Highway Patrol.
Next, gather any documents related to the crash, including your medical records, hospital bills, and repair estimates, as applicable. These records will help prove your injuries and expenses.
Preserve any evidence you may have from the scene, such as photos, video, or witness contact information. Don’t delete any messages you may have received about the accident.
Do not speak with the trucking company’s insurer or accepting any settlement without legal advice. Remember, their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
Finally, call a Los Angeles personal injury attorney before taking any further steps. Your truck accident lawyer can deal with the insurance companies, protect your claim, and fight for fair compensation.
Compensation in Los Angeles Truck Accident Claims
There are two main categories of compensation in LA truck accident claims. The first is your economic damages, which compensate you for your direct financial losses. For example, you can demand compensation for your:
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Current and future medical expenses
- Cost to repair or replace your car
Your second category of compensation is your non-economic damages, which cover the crash’s intangible losses. For instance, your injuries may prevent you from doing certain activities. You might also experience intense stress, anxiety, or depression after a crash. Your non-economic damages compensate you for these losses and are a core component of your claim.
Contact a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney Now
Hurt in a truck accident in Los Angeles? If so, there is no time to waste. You only have two years to file your truck accident lawsuit, and time goes by fast when building a claim. Dordick Law Corporation can start building your legal case while you treat your injuries and rebuild your life. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.
