Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer

Irvine Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents always happen when the victims least see them coming, and can suddenly lead to devastating damages and injuries, ranging from traumatic brain injury to spinal cord injury to even death. Therefore, if you or your loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Irvine or surrounding areas, it’s crucial to have an experienced Irvine truck accident lawyer on your side who can help you navigate complex laws and processes to pursue compensation.

At Duque & Price, our skilled personal injury legal team has years of combined experience representing individuals who have been hit by 18-wheelers or big rigs. Whether the at-fault party is the trucking company, truck driver, truck loader, or maintenance company, we can gather the evidence and construct the legal arguments necessary to hold them accountable for their negligence. Together, we can pursue compensation that facilitates strong recovery.

Building a Truck Accident Case in Irvine

It’s common to see large commercial trucks on the busy highways around Irvine, like the I-5, I-405, and State Route 133. Many local businesses rely on commercial trucks every day, so they can be found on smaller local roads as well. When accidents happen, they can happen in the same ways that other passenger vehicle accidents happen, but large trucks also entail additional risk factors.

There are many industrial parks and areas with lots of warehouses that see a great deal of commercial truck traffic on a regular basis. Irvine also sees a great deal of commuter traffic that can make driving difficult in many circumstances. In California, all vehicle accidents that involve more than one vehicle are resolved based on fault, so whoever caused your recent truck accident is liable for the resulting damages.

Some of the most commonly cited causes of truck accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and other driver negligence. Unique risk factors for large trucks include fatigued driving, which could indicate a violation of the hours-of-service rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), or accidents caused by improperly loaded cargo.

Truck accidents can also happen in various ways. For example, when the trailer swings out to one side, it is known as a jackknife and can potentially damage multiple other vehicles. Truck trailers may also roll over, or improperly secured cargo may fall from the trailer. Additionally, commercial trucks have greater maintenance needs than most other vehicles, so faulty maintenance or defective parts can also cause accidents.

How We Prove Fault

In California, all vehicle accidents, including truck crashes, are resolved based on fault. However, commercial truck accidents can raise complex questions of liability that the average person will not be able to answer without an attorney’s help.

Depending on how the accident happened, the truck driver, the driver of another vehicle, or a combination of multiple parties could be responsible. It is also possible for the employer of the truck driver to be found vicariously liable for the actions of their employee.

When you hire Duque & Price to represent you, we can prove fault by gathering physical and digital evidence such as truck black box data, cell phone records, trucking company documentation, police reports, and statements from any witnesses who saw the accident happen.

We can determine whether any trucking industry regulations have been violated and, if so, what this could mean for your recovery. For example, it’s possible for a plaintiff to be awarded punitive damages in addition to the civil damages won from the defendant if their damages resulted from any type of illegal misconduct or a trucking company’s regulatory noncompliance.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to for Your Truck Accident in Irvine

Whether your truck accident is caused by driver fatigue, improperly loaded cargo, reckless driving, or mechanical failures, it is important to prove fault or negligence and hold the party responsible for paying compensation for damages.

After your initial consultation with Duque & Price, we can conduct our investigation to build the framework of your case and accurately calculate your claimable damages. Next, we create a demand for compensation, and it is possible for this to lead to a settlement negotiation or a civil lawsuit. We prepare all cases for trial to ensure the strongest positions in pretrial settlement negotiations.

A skilled Irvine truck accident lawyer can help you understand whether your case may qualify for the following compensation:

• Medical costs. Medical costs can vary depending on the type of injury you have suffered. Expenses can include hospital bills, prescription medications, clinic visits to monitor your state, and long-term physical therapy.
• Lost income. If you’ve been out of work as a result of your injuries, you may be entitled to receive compensation for any income or benefits missed during the time you would have been working. If your disability is permanent, an attorney can help calculate your lost earning capacity and work to get you financial compensation.
• Property damage. Due to the sheer impact of truck accidents, the other smaller vehicle typically gets severely damaged — or even totaled. A compensation package can reflect the cost of making any repairs or replacements of your vehicle or any other personal items that were damaged in the accident.
• Pain and suffering. Unfortunately, truck accident victims not only suffer physically after the aftermath of a crash but also emotionally. A skilled attorney can fully evaluate the extent of your physical pain and emotional suffering to fight for a fair and just compensation package that truly reflects all you have lost.

Wrongful Death in an Irvine Truck Accident

If you’ve lost your loved one in a truck accident in Irvine or surrounding areas, a compassionate and skilled attorney from Duque & Price understands how devastating this can be. Losing a loved one is always unbearable, especially if it happens suddenly and as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.

A skilled attorney from our team can help you recover crucial compensation to honor the life of your loved one — such as funeral and burial expenses, in addition to compensation for loss of companionship and any income that dependents were reliant upon. While there is no amount of money that can ever replace your loved one, we can fight for a compensation package that ensures your future financial security and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions.

FAQs

What Should I Do After a Big Rig or 18-Wheeler Accident in California?

After a big rig or 18-wheeler accident in California, you should immediately work to protect your safety and health. Call 911 immediately to report the accident, including any severe injuries that may have occurred, so they can dispatch adequate medical personnel. If possible, at the scene of the crash, collect crucial evidence, such as contact information from witnesses and videos and photos of damages and skid marks, in addition to conditions that caused the crash.

See a medical professional and contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in California?

For truck accidents in California, multiple people may be held liable for contributing to the crash, including the trucking company, the truck driver, the maintenance company, the employee who loaded the truck, and the defective truck part manufacturer. An experienced attorney can help determine all potentially liable parties in your case and conduct an in-depth investigation to hold parties responsible for their negligence or wrongdoing.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?

A: When it comes to truck accident claims in California, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the date the accident happens. It’s important to note, however, that the statute of limitations may vary depending on the specific details of your case, such as if a government entity is involved. A skilled truck accident lawyer can analyze the details of your case, helping you understand any pertinent deadlines you may face.

Can I File a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for a Truck Accident in California?

A: Yes, even if you were partially at fault for a truck accident in California, you can still file a claim to recover damages. California truck accidents follow a comparative negligence rule, which means that you can still recover compensation for accidents you are partially liable for; however, your final settlement will be reduced proportionally by the degree to which you are at fault. A skilled attorney can help you understand how these laws may impact your case.

How Are Damages Calculated in a California Truck Accident Case?

In a California truck accident case, damages that an accident victim may be entitled to include financial recovery for lost income, property damages, pain and suffering, medical costs, and any future expenses, such as at-home care for cases with disability. As calculating non-economic damages can be highly complex, it is crucial to work with a skilled California truck accident lawyer, as they can ensure all your damages are adequately accounted for.

Get Protection After Your Accident With an Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from an Irvine truck accident, you are likely reeling from significant damages and injuries. In the aftermath of a truck accident, it’s crucial to work with skilled legal assistants who can help you navigate the complex trucking regulatory landscape, in addition to complicated liability circumstances. A skilled Irvine truck accident lawyer from Duque & Price can ensure you get the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today.