Delivery trucks can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt in an accident with one, a Long Beach truck accident lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Delivery trucks are everywhere in Long Beach. With so many on the road, accidents are unfortunately common and often devastating.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has recovered millions for accident victims. If you’ve been on the wrong end of a collision with a delivery truck, a Long Beach delivery truck accident lawyer can help you obtain compensation.
Why Hire a Long Beach Delivery Truck Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been in a crash with a delivery truck, a lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident: An attorney can gather black box data, driver logs, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
- Identify all liable parties: A lawyer can determine who’s responsible for the crash.
- Negotiate with insurers: A lawyer can handle the insurance companies and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Represent you in court (if necessary): If a fair settlement can’t be reached, an attorney can take your case to trial.
A Long Beach personal injury lawyer can give you much better odds of securing fair compensation.
How Much Are Most Delivery Truck Accident Settlements?
Settlements for delivery truck accidents can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. The value of your settlement will depend on factors such as injury severity, clarity of liability, and insurance policy limits. A delivery truck accident lawyer in Long Beach can help you pursue the maximum possible payout.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
After a delivery truck crash, you may be eligible for several types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing care.
- Lost income: You can seek compensation for any wages you’ve lost due to your injuries.
- Loss of earning capacity: If you can’t return to your previous job, you can recover for future lost income.
- Pain and suffering: You can be compensated for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property damage: You can receive compensation to repair or replace your vehicle and other personal property.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, additional damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer.
A delivery truck accident attorney in Long Beach can calculate your damages and make sure your settlement accounts for them all.
How Long Do I Have to File a Delivery Truck Accident Lawsuit in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits, including delivery truck accidents, is two years from the date of the crash. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to file a lawsuit altogether.
There are exceptions. For example, if a government entity (like a city garbage truck) is involved, you may need to file a notice of claim within six months. A Long Beach delivery truck accident attorney can help you file your claim before the applicable deadline.
Who Is Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident?
Parties who can be held liable for a delivery truck accident include:
- The delivery truck driver if they were speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent
- The trucking or delivery company for engaging in poor training, scheduling pressures, or maintenance failures
- The manufacturer if the truck had a mechanical defect that contributed to the crash
- Government entities if unsafe road conditions or missing signage led to the collision
A Long Beach truck accident attorney can help determine which parties were liable for the crash and hold them responsible.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case?
To win a truck accident claim, you must prove that someone else’s negligence caused the crash. This requires demonstrating:
- Duty of care: The truck driver or company had a responsibility to act safely.
- Breach of duty: That duty was violated through careless or reckless behavior.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered losses (financial or otherwise) as a result.
Evidence such as accident reports, witness testimony, dashcam footage, and expert analysis can all be used to establish negligence. A truck accident lawyer in Long Beach can gather this on your behalf.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents can happen for many reasons. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue from long hours and tight delivery schedules
- Distracted driving, such as using a phone or GPS
- Speeding or aggressive driving to meet deadlines
- Improperly loaded or shifting cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance, including brake or tire failure
- Inadequate driver training or lack of experience
Common Injuries in Delivery Truck Accidents
Due to the size and weight of delivery trucks, injuries in these types of crashes tend to be serious. Some of the most common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Lacerations and burns
- Wrongful death
If you or someone you love has sustained any of these injuries, a truck accident attorney in Long Beach can help you file a claim.
What to Do After a Delivery Truck Accident
To build a strong claim after a crash with a delivery truck, take these steps:
- Call 911: Notify the police and file a report.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the damage, your injuries, and road conditions.
- Collect contact information: Gather names, insurance details, and company information from all drivers involved.
- Talk to witnesses: Obtain statements and contact information from anyone who witnessed the crash.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you feel okay, get checked out by a doctor to document your condition.
- Don’t talk to insurance adjusters: Say as little as possible until you consult an attorney.
- Contact a lawyer: Call a delivery truck accident lawyer to discuss your options.
Speak to a Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer in Long Beach
The aftermath of a delivery truck accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re injured. A Long Beach delivery truck accident attorney from Omega Law Group can handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery.
Let our family take care of your family. Schedule a free consultation to find out how much your claim is worth.