Riverside Truck Accident Attorney

You need help from a distinguished Riverside truck accident attorney after a collision with a big rig in the Inland Empire. Only an attorney can help you explore your rights and legal opportunities, go up against major trucking companies and their insurers and fight for full compensation for your injuries and damages.

Bentley & More LLP is a trusted law firm with Riverside personal injury lawyers ready to assist with even the most complex truck accident claims. We are a dedicated, award-winning law firm with experienced Riverside truck accident lawyers ready to take your call. Reach out to our legal team today to receive a free truck accident claim evaluation.

Riverside Truck Accident Resources:

• What Makes Riverside Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
• Types Of Truck Accidents In Riverside
• Who Is Liable For A Riverside Truck Accident?
• What Damages Can Be Recovered From A Riverside Truck Accident?
• Proving Negligence In A Truck Accident Case
• What To Do After A Truck Accident
• Time Limit For Filing A Claim
• Can You Afford A Riverside Truck Accident Attorney?
• Do I Need A Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer?

Why are Riverside Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Trucks and average passenger vehicles are not an even match during collisions. Truck accidents can often turn deadly for those in passenger vehicles. Loaded commercial trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds (or more with special permits). Passenger vehicles, on the other hand, weigh an average of just 4,000 pounds.

This drastic difference can mean extreme damage to smaller vehicles and their occupants in a car accident. Semi-truck drivers may fall asleep at the wheel, drive recklessly, engage with distractions such as cell phones, or make other mistakes that cause vehicle collisions. Victims with serious injuries should seek legal counsel from experienced accident injury attorneys in the event of Riverside big rig crashes.

Types of Commercial Truck Accidents in Riverside

The unique size, weight, and style of commercial trucks make for specific types of wrecks. Each type is often preventable with due care and proper driving techniques behind the wheel of a big rig. A jackknife accident, for example, often happens when the truck driver uses the incorrect braking technique downhill or around a curve. Common types of truck crashes in Southern California include:

• Jackknifing
• Tire blowouts
• Rollovers
• Rear-end collisions
• Underride accidents
• Blind spot accidents
• Wide turn accidents
• Lost loads

Whether your car accident involved an 18-wheeler, a delivery truck, a tanker, a firetruck, a flatbed, or a tractor-trailer, contact Bentley & More LLP for assistance. Our personal injury legal team has years of experience handling Riverside truck accident claims. Our Riverside accident lawyers have successfully filed claims against Riverside Truck & Equipment, All Freight Trucking Inc., Bob Hubbard Horse Transportation Inc., and other Riverside County trucking companies in pursuit of fair compensation after a semi-truck collision.

Common Injuries in Truck Accident Claims

Trucking accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and devastating consequences for those involved. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions with smaller vehicles often result in severe injuries that may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Some common injuries sustained in trucking accidents in California include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): The force of impact in a trucking accident can cause traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage. TBIs may lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments that can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life.
• Spinal cord injuries: Trucking accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, which may result in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can be life-altering and often require lifelong care and assistance.
• Broken bones and fractures: The force generated in a trucking accident can cause broken bones and fractures in various parts of the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Severe fractures may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation and could lead to permanent disabilities.
• Internal injuries: The impact of a trucking accident can cause damage to internal organs, such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, or spleen. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and often require emergency medical treatment.
• Lacerations and contusions: Truck accidents can result in deep cuts and severe bruising due to shattered glass, twisted metal, or other debris. These injuries may lead to scarring, disfigurement, and the risk of infection.
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Whiplash is a common injury in truck accidents, caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head and neck during the collision. Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains, can also occur in various parts of the body.
• Crush injuries and amputations: The immense weight and size of a commercial truck can lead to crush injuries or even the loss of limbs in severe accidents. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Trucking accidents can be traumatic events, causing victims to experience emotional and psychological distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder may result in flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and difficulty coping with daily life.

At Bentley & More LLP, our California truck accident lawyers will fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Riverside?

The trucking company will be liable for most truck accidents. Even if the company leases trucks from other truck owners and hires independent contractors instead of employees for drivers, federal laws hold the company legally responsible for car accidents involving their trucks and drivers. A third party such as another driver, auto part manufacturer, or roadway maintainer might also hold or share responsibility for a large truck accident depending on the circumstances of the wreck.

Damages You Can Recover in a Riverside Truck Accident

When you experience a truck accident injury, you’ll likely sustain more than one type of financial loss. In many cases, the settlement value offered by your insurance company will be insufficient to cover these expenses, including medical bills, property damages, and non-economic losses.

The experienced truck accident lawyers at Bentley & More LLP work diligently to recover every ounce of compensation that our clients are entitled to. We want to ensure clients recover economic and non-economic damages for their losses.

• Economic damages. Economic damages for a truck accident claim in Riverside will revolve around calculable expenses that victims will likely incur as a result of the incident, their injuries, and the aftermath. Our team will work with experts to gather bills and receipts to adequately reflect the following:
  • Emergency medical services and ER services
  • All hospital or doctor visits resulting from the incident
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
  • Over-the-counter and prescription medication costs
  • Medical devices
  • Any in-home medical treatment needed
  • Lost wages if a victim is unable to work
  • Property damage expenses
• Non-economic damages. These types of losses are more immeasurable than the economic damages mentioned above. Even though there are no direct bills or receipts available for these types of expenses, they are equally important. We work diligently to gather evidence to show a truck accident victim’s:
  • Physical pain and suffering damages
  • Emotional and psychological distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages

There is no set amount of compensation paid to a truck accident victim in Riverside. However, there are several factors that can influence the total settlement or jury verdict amount. These factors include the severity of any injuries as well as the length of the recovery time. Also taken into consideration will be whether or not the individual is able to work along with any allegations of shared fault for the incident.

Proving Negligence In A Truck Accident Case 

Determining negligence in the aftermath of a truck accident claim can be challenging, but is not impossible. Our team will work diligently to investigate the claim. Your experienced truck accident lawyer will begin by gathering as much evidence as possible to prove the negligence of one or more parties involved. Some of the main types of evidence that we will work to obtain include:

• Photograph taken from the scene of the incident
• Surveillance from any cameras near the incident
• Statements from eyewitnesses and other passengers or drivers
• The police report
• The truck driver’s electronic logging device
• The truck’s electronic data recorder
• Maintenance and inspection records from the trucking company
• Truck driver training records and driving history

The goal of a successful truck Accident Investigation is to show that the elements of negligence are present. This means demonstrating that there was a duty of care owed by the liable party to the plaintiff (the injury victim).

Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are common carriers, and they owe a heightened duty of care to those around them. They can breach their duty of care in a variety of ways, including failing to follow traffic laws, not properly inspecting the truck, operating for too many hours, and more. However, trucking accidents may potentially have more than one liable party, including:

• Truck driver: The truck driver may be held liable if their negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident. Examples of such behavior include speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws.
• Trucking company: The trucking company can be held liable if they failed to maintain the truck properly, hired an unqualified or inexperienced driver, or encouraged drivers to violate safety regulations such as hours-of-service rules.
• Truck owner or lessor: If the truck is owned or leased by a separate entity other than the trucking company, this party may be held liable if the accident resulted from improper maintenance, faulty equipment, or other issues related to the truck’s condition.
• Cargo loaders: If the accident occurred due to improperly loaded or secured cargo, the party responsible for loading and securing the cargo may be held liable for the accident.
• Truck or parts manufacturer: If a defect in the truck or any of its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or the faulty part may be held responsible.
• Maintenance and repair companies: If the accident was caused by inadequate maintenance or repair work performed by a third-party company, that company may be held liable for the accident.
• Other drivers: In some cases, other drivers on the road may be partially or fully responsible for the truck accident. If their actions, such as sudden lane changes, speeding, or other reckless behavior, contributed to the accident, they may be held liable.
• Government entities: In certain situations, government entities may be held liable if the accident resulted from poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or other roadway issues that should have been addressed by the responsible agency.

If a breach of duty causes injury or property damage to another, then it is likely that a claim will be successful. However, determining liability in a truck accident can be a complex process, and it often requires the assistance of a team of experienced California truck accident attorneys to investigate and gather evidence to build a strong case.

What To Do After A Truck Accident 

There are various steps that individuals should take after a truck accident occurs to help ensure their well-being and to uphold the integrity of their claim.

Medical Care

Perhaps the most important thing any truck accident victim can do after a commercial or semi-truck accident is to go to the doctor. Individuals who sustain obvious injuries must go to the hospital right away. However, the signs and symptoms of some truck accident injuries may not show up for hours or days after the incident. Individuals should go to the doctor for an evaluation to uncover any possible unseen injuries.

Obtaining Evidence

At the scene of the incident, it may be possible for truck accident victims to obtain evidence. This can include using a cell phone to take pictures of everything present. However, the initial incident will likely be chaotic, and gathering evidence may be left to an attorney in the days and weeks that follow the incident.

Reporting the Incident

Individuals will need to report the incident to their insurance company as soon as possible. If you are involved in a truck accident, let your insurance carrier know that the incident occurred, along with basic information about the others involved. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance carrier, and let them know that you are acquiring legal assistance to help with the case.

Contacting an Attorney

A truck accident attorney in Riverside will be your advocate throughout the entire case. They will get involved quickly, investigate the incident, and take over all communication with other parties involved, including the insurance carriers. Your attorney will fully prepare the case for trial if necessary.

Continuing all Medical Treatment

Individuals harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company must continue all medical treatments recommended by their doctor. Failing to do so could jeopardize their claim.

Time Limit for Filing A Truck Accident Claim In Riverside

For semi-truck accidents in Riverside, we will have to look at the California personal injury statute of limitations to understand the deadlines in place. Collision victims have a two-year window with which to file a truck accident lawsuit against the alleged negligent truck driver, trucking company, or other entity. Failing to file a lawsuit within this statute of limitations time frame will likely result in the victim becoming unable to recover compensation for their losses.

It is important to understand that the insurance carriers involved will have their own reporting deadlines, often within a day or two after the incident occurs. Please report the incident to the insurance carrier promptly, but do not give a recorded statement, and do not go into much detail.

Our Riverside Truck Accident Lawyers Will Not Put You At Financial Risk

Paying for a truck accident attorney in Riverside does not have to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, the team at Bentley & More LLP is proud to take these truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Our clients never have to worry about paying upfront or out-of-pocket costs for their cases.

Our team handles all the expenses related to handling insurance carriers and preparing for trial. Additionally, clients will only pay legal fees after we successfully recover compensation for their losses. If we do not win, our clients do not pay anything.

Why Do You Need a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer?

The sooner you talk to an attorney after a California truck accident, the better. Your claim is important and deserves attention from experienced lawyers. Legal representation can give you the power to stand up to major insurance companies with confidence. Our Riverside truck accident lawyers won’t take no for an answer and won’t let the liable parties take advantage of you as a crash victim. You can sit back, relax, and focus on your family while a capable Riverside injury attorney takes care of the legwork of your truck accident claim.

Call Bentley & More LLP for a Free Riverside Truck Accident Case Review

Clients choose Bentley & More LLP for complex commercial truck accident claims because we have the expertise, resources, and successful case history to give them hope for the future. Contact us online today, or call (949) 870-3800 to talk to an attorney about your case during a free initial case review.