Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Michael A. Akselrud
- Last Modified January 30, 2023
What are the most common causes of large truck accidents in Los Angeles?
Who are the responsible parties in commercial truck accidents?
Los Angeles Trauma Centers and Medical Treatment for Truck Accident Injuries
What is the average amount of compensation after a Los Angeles commercial truck accident?
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
What if the accident was partly my fault?
How long will it take to receive compensation for a Los Angeles truck accident?
Is it better to settle or go to court?
How long will it take to receive compensation for a Los Angeles truck accident?
The City of Angels is no stranger to heavy truck traffic. The Port of Los Angeles is our nation’s largest port, receiving 40 percent of goods imported into the country. Disruptions in the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in significant backlogs of shipping containers at the port, drastically increasing trucking traffic.
Heavy truck congestion increases the potential for truck crashes. Injuries from crashes with 18-wheelers are often catastrophic, as they are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles.
Truckers and their employers owe a duty of care to the people of Los Angeles. When they are negligent, The Lanier Law Firm will hold them accountable.
What are the most common causes of large truck accidents in Los Angeles?
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. This can be especially true in Los Angeles, where port truck drivers have been forced to work 20-hour days, in violation of federal safety regulations that limit truckers to 11 hours of drive time per day.
Contributing factors in big rig accidents also include the following:
Speeding
Who are the responsible parties in commercial truck accidents?
California law holds trucking companies liable for damages caused by their drivers. The driver may also be liable if the accident was caused by drunk driving.
In some cases, third parties may have contributed to the accident. Third parties could include manufacturers of defective parts, the City of Los Angeles, and property owners.
The truck accident attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm work with forensic investigators to determine the causes of accidents and identify all responsible parties. Such diligent investigation can increase the plaintiff’s compensation.
Los Angeles Trauma Centers and Medical Treatment for Truck Accident Injuries
While we do not offer medical advice, we know from our experience representing truck accident victims that the most common injuries they sustain include broken bones, whiplash, burns, and injuries to the spinal cord and head.
If you are severely injured in a truck accident, a trauma center will likely be best equipped to provide acute medical care for a range of truck accident injuries.
Below is a list of Level 1 trauma hospitals in LA:
Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
UCLA Medical Center
LAC+USC Medical Center
This list is intended as a local reference only and does not constitute a referral for medical services.
Contact Our Firm
- Last Modified January 30, 2023
Our Los Angeles Office
2829 Townsgate Rd.
Suite 100
Westlake Village, CA 91361
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What is the average amount of compensation after a Los Angeles commercial truck accident?
Every truck accident case is unique, and compensation can vary widely. Cases involving catastrophic injuries can result in substantial compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are verifiable monetary losses resulting from the accident. These damages can include the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Economic damages can be substantial when injuries are severe and permanent. You are entitled to receive compensation for future losses as well. You may require ongoing medical care. You may be unable to return to work or care for your own needs. Economic damages include your future medical costs and projected lifetime loss of income.
In the tragic event that a loved one dies in a truck accident, immediate family members or next of kin can recover the following:
- Medical bills of the deceased
- Burial expenses
- Funeral expenses
- The monetary value of the decedent’s life, which is the projected lifetime income of the deceased and financial losses to the family
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are losses that cannot be measured by a monetary figure. Examples of non-economic damages include the following:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of society
- Pain and suffering
Non-economic damages can be significant when the losses will last for a lifetime. In the case of wrongful death, family members can claim the following non-economic damages:
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering of family members in some cases
- Damages that would have been recoverable by the deceased, such as disfigurement and pain and suffering
Although many states limit the non-economic damages you can receive, the state of California does not impose such limits.
Punitive Damages
Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are awarded in personal injury cases and wrongful death claims when the legal team can prove that the defendant’s actions involved oppression, malice, or fraud.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
The statute of limitations to file your truck accident lawsuit is two years. This applies to personal injury claims and wrongful death cases. It is important not to wait to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney. Witnesses can forget important details, and evidence degrades and becomes lost over time.
Additionally, auto accident cases require extensive preparation. Your attorney may need to hire forensic analysts, interview witnesses, and consult medical experts. Early involvement will give your attorney time to build a strong case.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
Accidents happen quickly, and sometimes both parties make mistakes. California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means you can claim compensation even if you were at fault in the accident, regardless of your share of the fault, as long as it is not 100 percent. However, the court will reduce your compensation accordingly.
How long will it take to receive compensation for a Los Angeles truck accident?
The length of time to recover your compensation is usually several months, especially in cases of serious injuries where the full lifetime impact is not yet known. Our law firm works with life planners and medical experts to determine your total lifetime damages. Sometimes health care providers cannot determine a prognosis immediately.
As soon as the lifetime impact becomes clear, our attorneys can calculate your damages and determine how much compensation you need for ongoing medical care and financial security. The negotiation process can take weeks or months — longer if the case goes to court.
Is it better to settle or go to court?
In an ideal world, all insurance companies and at-fault parties would agree to pay fair compensation, and every case would settle. However, we live in an imperfect world where insurance companies and at-fault parties dispute fault, offer lowball settlements, and use legal maneuvering to escape paying benefits.
Litigating in court comes with uncertainties. However, the attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm are world-class trial lawyers, and we know how to win in court. Here are just a few of the prestigious honors our attorneys have received:
- Trial Lawyer of the Year by National Trial Lawyers
- Best Law Firms, Tier 1 Ranking by U.S. News & World Report
- Most Impressive Plaintiff Verdict by Courtroom View Network
- Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters
- Largest Verdict in the Nation by VerdictSearch
- Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame by National Trial Lawyers
- Most Feared Plaintiffs’ Firm by Law360
Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys negotiate skillfully on your behalf for a settlement, but we prepare every case as if it is going to court. We’re always prepared to litigate your case in court if that is what it takes to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
How long will it take to receive compensation for a Los Angeles truck accident?
Insurance companies resort to every trick in the book to minimize your benefits or avoid paying them altogether. They know better than to employ these tactics when dealing with The Lanier Law Firm.
We are renowned for our passionate and relentless advocacy while protecting the legal rights of our clients. We spend time with our clients to ensure that we understand the full impact of their losses.
We value our relationships with our clients and treat each of them with compassion, dignity, and respect. Our clients know they can expect the highest levels of integrity and transparency when working with our legal team.
Our Los Angeles personal injury law firm is located in Westlake Village at 2829 Townsgate Rd., Suite 100. We don’t charge upfront fees, and your case evaluation is free. Our law office handles cases throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
