Dedicated Legal Counsel You Can Trust
Weighing an average of 80,000 pounds, semi-trucks usually cause a significant amount of damage when involved in an accident. A collision involving a commercial truck can be destructive and expensive — not to mention life-threatening. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, we want to help.
Our Fresno truck accident attorneys at BD&J have recovered more than $2 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. Not only are we driven to obtain significant results for our clients, but we are also passionate about defending the rights of the wrongfully injured. When you trust our legal team with your case, you can rest easy knowing you are in caring, competent hands.
Truck Collisions in California
Each year, approximately 4,000 people die in the United States from accidents involving buses, commercial vehicles, or semi-trucks. While trucking accidents only make up about 4% of all motor vehicle accidents, roughly 8% of all fatal collisions involve trucks. This means trucking accidents are far more likely to be fatal than most other types of motor vehicle crashes.
Most accidents involving semi-trucks fall into one of the following categories:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Brake failure incidents
- Blind spot accidents
Whether the accident was caused by an error made by the driver or the trucking company, even the smallest mistakes can have serious repercussions. If you were injured in an accident involving a truck, it is important that you contact a legal representative who can investigate the circumstance of your crash and determine who may be held liable. In most trucking accidents, either the driver or employer is liable, although other parties may also be responsible.
Common causes of trucking accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver intoxication
- Improper loading of the truck bed or trailer
- Inadequate truck inspection
- Poorly maintained truck
- Manufacturing error regarding the truck or vehicle part
- Negligent driver hiring practices
- Inadequate driver training
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The impact of a collision with a large truck often results in significant injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage, TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can range from partial to complete paralysis and be costly and complex to treat.
Fractures and broken bones: The force of a truck collision can result in multiple fractures. This may require surgeries and prolonged recovery periods. - Internal injuries: High-impact crashes can cause damage to internal organs, leading to life-threatening conditions.
- Burns: Accidents involving trucks carrying flammable materials can result in severe burns, often requiring long-term treatment.
These injuries affect physical health and have profound emotional and financial implications for victims and their families.
Damages You Can Receive
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, such as:
- Medical expenses: Coverage for immediate medical costs and future treatment needs, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and therapy
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery, as well as future earnings if the injury affects the capacity to work
- Pain and suffering: Damages accounting for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and its aftermath
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of damaged property, including vehicles involved in the accident
- Loss of consortium: Damages for the loss of companionship or support due to the victim’s injuries
To help you win the compensation you deserve, your semi-truck accident lawyer can work closely with you to examine how your life has been impacted by the accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally 2 years from the date of the injury. This means you have a 2-year window to file a lawsuit.
However, if the claim is against a government entity, a formal administrative claim must be filed within 6 months of the incident. Start your claim today to avoid missing these time frames.
What Does a Truck Accident Investigation Involve?
When investigating an accident, our Fresno truck accident attorneys will look at all available evidence in support of your claim, as well as all possible avenues of compensation.
A typical truck accident investigation will involve:
- Reviewing dispatch records, hours-of-service logs, dashboard cameras, personnel records from the trucking company, truck maintenance logs, cell phone records, and other relevant information from the trucking company
- Obtaining access to the truck’s event data recorder (EDR), also known as a “black box,” which records things like the vehicle’s speed, gas pedal position, brake application, lane departure, acceleration/deceleration, GPS data, and more
- Assessing physical evidence at the accident scene, such as tire skid marks and debris, as well as damage to your vehicle, the truck, and other involved vehicles and nearby infrastructure (if applicable)
- Recording official statements from the truck driver, any witnesses to the crash, trucking company employees, and other involved parties
- Analyzing truck and truck part recall databases to determine if the truck or a component was defective, which may have led to the crash
After gaining a clear picture of everything that happened before, leading up to, and during the crash, our attorneys can begin building a solid case covering all of your damages.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. From distress and injuries to loss of earnings, there are many ways your life can be impacted. A skilled personal injury attorney provides invaluable assistance by:
- Investigating the accident: Collecting and analyzing evidence, such as dispatch records, maintenance logs, and black box data, to establish fault
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Engaging with insurers to pursue fair settlements that reflect the true extent of your damages
- Representing you in court: Advocating on your behalf in court to secure the compensation you deserve
- Providing legal guidance: Offering advice on legal rights and options, ensuring you make informed decisions throughout the process
At BD&J, our Fresno truck accident attorneys are dedicated to supporting victims through every step of their recovery journey, striving to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Seek Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries
At BD&J, we understand how traumatic a trucking accident can be, which is why we want to help you obtain fair compensation for any injuries or damages you’ve sustained. Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, as well as pain and suffering. Our Fresno team has extensive experience representing clients involved in semi-truck accidents, and we are happy to help clients throughout the state of California.
