Indio Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Indio, CA

If you or your loved one has been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or big rig in Indio or the surrounding areas, you are likely reeling from significant physical, emotional, and financial damages. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles cause significant force upon impact, commonly totaling cars and leading to serious or even fatal injuries. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, an Indio truck accident lawyer can fight for your recovery.

Why Choose Duque & Price

At Duque & Price, our experienced personal injury team has extensive experience handling complicated truck accidents that involve specific rules and regulations, multiple parties, and extensive damage. Since 2006, our legal team has provided results-driven legal services to residents in and around Indio, helping our clients secure the compensation they were owed.

We have successfully represented clients by cutting through the red tape to build up a strong case on their behalf and negotiate or litigate an optimal compensation package. Together, we can help you recover the compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Understanding the Complexity of Truck Accidents

Due to the sheer force upon impact caused by truck accidents, catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, shattered bones, and traumatic brain injuries can commonly be a result. Furthermore, truck accident liability may extend beyond the truck driver to include the trucking company, maintenance or repair provider, manufacturers or distributors of defective parts, and even the person who loaded the truck.

As the trucking industry is highly regulated on both the federal and state levels, if the truck drivers’ companies are found to have breached these regulations, and this led to the accident that caused your injuries, this could indicate significant fault. A skilled attorney can help you navigate these complex truck accident cases, protecting your rights and interests and helping you receive a compensation package that truly reflects all you have lost.

How Truck Accidents Are Commonly Caused in Indio, California

Determining the cause of a truck accident in Indio, CA, is a crucial step in collecting evidence to prove liability and hold negligent parties accountable. The skilled personal injury team at Duque & Price has successfully represented clients in recovering comprehensive compensation after truck accidents commonly caused by the following:

• Distracted driving. Truck drivers who are on their cell phones, using the GPS, messing with cabin controls, eating, or talking with other truck drivers on the radio can be distracted, increasing the risk of a collision.
• Driving with fatigue. As truck drivers are increasingly pressured by companies to meet strict, unrealistic deadlines, they may be forced to skip adequate breaks to meet these goals. This could result in driver fatigue, putting everyone on the road in danger.
• Poorly loaded cargo. Overloaded, unsecured, or unbalanced cargo can lead to loss of truck control and potential rollovers.
• Mechanical failures. If engines, tires, brakes, or other truck parts are inadequately maintained or incorrectly designed, manufactured, or labeled, this can commonly contribute to truck accidents.
• Reckless driving. Swerving through lanes, speeding, running red lights, and other reckless driving behaviors can create unsafe road conditions that lead to truck crashes.

Whether you have been hit by a truck driver who did not take adequate rest breaks or your loved one was impacted by a rollover caused by the unbalanced loading of a big rig, it is critical to get the compensation you’re entitled to. A skilled attorney from our firm can gather crucial evidence, such as black box data, traffic camera footage, and maintenance logs, to establish the cause of your accident, hold liable parties, and recover compensation.

What to Do After an Indio Truck Accident

Understanding the steps to take after a truck accident in Indio can be crucial for protecting your safety and your right to compensation. If you are not familiar with the proper measures, we offer these recommended instructions. 

1. Call 911 and get medical care immediately, even if injuries seem minor, so the crash is documented, and symptoms are evaluated early in Indio.
2. Document the scene by photographing vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and the truck’s USDOT number, license plate, company name, and trailer number.
3. Collect witness information, including names and contact details, and note which agency responded so you know where to request the collision report.
4. Avoid recorded statements to the trucking company or its insurer and do not sign medical or liability releases at the scene.
5. Preserve evidence by saving dashcam footage, photos, tow receipts, repair estimates, and all medical paperwork.
6. Notify your insurer promptly, but stick to basic facts and avoid guessing about fault.
7. Consider legal guidance early if you were injured, as truck crashes often involve multiple insurers, companies, and time-sensitive evidence.

Seeking medical attention at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, located at 47111 Monroe Street, or Eisenhower Health can help create a paper trail that supports your injury claim.

Who Is Liable in an Indio Truck Accident

Whether a collision occurs in Colony Park or along Ave 48, establishing liability is a crucial first step for anyone seeking compensation for injuries from a truck collision. A truck collision can involve multiple parties, which is why it is crucial to identify all potential defendants in your injury claim. The truck driver may be liable for negligent conduct such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, or distracted driving.

Additionally, the motor carrier or trucking company can share liability when company policies, negligent hiring or training, or poor supervision contribute to the crash. If the trucking company used a leased driver, multiple business entities may be liable. The trailer owner or equipment lessor may also be responsible for faulty inspections or inadequate maintenance.

Cargo loaders or shippers may be responsible for improper load securement or overloading. In certain cases, the manufacturer of a defective truck part can be held civilly liable if the part they fabricated failed and caused a collision.

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

In a state where Californians travel over 300 million miles a year, collisions involving trucks are an unfortunate but very real reality. When you hire a truck accident lawyer, you gain insight into truck accident laws and how they can affect your truck accident case. An Indio truck accident attorney can guide your case with a focus on maximizing the compensation that you are owed.

Truck accident lawyers understand the tactics used by trucking companies to deny or minimize claims. They can take the time to learn about your setbacks and review your medical records so your settlement accounts for the full scope of your injuries.  In 2022, 6,050 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. Injury lawyers can also help families navigate the aftermath of a fatal injury.

FAQs

How Are Trucking Companies Held Accountable in California?

Trucking companies in California can be held accountable for trucking accidents, depending on the specific details of the circumstances that caused the crash. A skilled truck accident lawyer can investigate the details of your crash, working to find whether there were violations of state or federal safety regulations, failure to properly maintain the truck, or inadequacy regarding hiring or training of drivers. They can collect robust evidence to build up your case.

Are Independent Contractors Treated Differently in California Truck Accident Cases?

Yes, in California truck accident cases, independent contractors are generally treated differently from employees. A skilled California truck accident attorney can analyze the details of your case, including the truck driver’s employment status, to determine whether the trucking company can be held liable for the accident according to local and state regulations. They can help you explore your legal options for pursuing compensation.

What Is a Black Box, and How Is It Used in California Truck Accident Cases?

A black box is also known as an electronic logging device, which collects essential data regarding the operations of the truck, including the hours the vehicle is in service, in addition to speeding and braking behaviors. A skilled California truck accident attorney can leverage black box data from a truck to prove the liability of either the truck driver or trucking company, ultimately strengthening your case to optimize the compensation you’re entitled to.

Can I Recover Compensation for Emotional Distress After a Truck Accident in California?

Yes, after a truck accident in California, you may be entitled to recover compensation for emotional distress. This is a type of non-economic damage recognized by California courts. A skilled truck accident attorney can assist you with getting the compensation you’re entitled to for the negative psychological impacts of your crash, including depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

What Are the Insurance Requirements for Trucking Companies in California?

Insurance requirements for trucking companies in California tend to have higher liability insurance limits, as trucking accidents tend to be more damaging or even lethal than car accidents. Depending on the type of cargo and the jurisdiction where the truck is operating, minimum coverage can vary widely. A skilled attorney can help you understand how insurance policies may potentially impact your final settlement.

Pursue the Compensation You’re Entitled to With an Indio Truck Accident Lawyer

Due to the sheer size and mass of trucks, compounded by the increasing vehicle congestion in Indio, truck accidents are becoming common, leading to long-term or even permanent disabilities.

A skilled Indio truck accident lawyer from Duque & Price can help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to if you or your loved one has been involved in a devastating truck accident. Contact us today to start exploring your legal options.