Santa Clarita Truck Accident Lawyer

Santa Clarita Truck Accident Attorney

Santa Clarita is a vibrant city that has much to offer, leading to congested roads and many distractions that cause serious truck accidents. Individuals involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler or big rig in Santa Clarita or surrounding areas can face serious damages, including long-lasting emotional, physical, and financial consequences. If you are suffering in the aftermath of a truck accident, a Santa Clarita truck accident lawyer can help you fight for just and fair outcomes.

The empathetic and skilled personal injury legal team at Duque & Price understands how devastating truck accidents can be. Whether you have suffered from complicated fractures after being hit by a big rig or if your loved one is in critical medical condition after a crash with an 18-wheeler, it is critical to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Together, we can gather evidence, document your damages, and negotiate or litigate an optimal compensation package.

Common Truck Accident Injuries in Santa Clarita, California

Due to the sheer size and mass of 18-wheelers and big rigs, the impacts upon crashing can be devastating, leading to myriad injuries. The skilled legal team at Duque & Price has commonly helped individuals receive compensation for the following types of injuries after a truck accident:

• Broken bones and fractures. High-impact truck collisions can commonly cause broken bones or multiple fractures that affect body parts like the ribs, arms, legs, and collarbone. These types of injuries may require casts, multiple surgeries, and long-term physical therapy to adequately recover.
• Spinal cord injuries. These serious types of injuries can happen from truck accident impacts damaging the spinal cord, which can cause partial or complete paralysis. These types of injuries typically come with the demand for serious medical care, including assistive devices and long-term physical therapy.
• Traumatic brain injuries. Truck accident victims can suffer from serious head trauma that leads to concussions or more serious life-threatening brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury symptoms can range from dizziness to cognitive impairment and can involve prolonged treatment and costly medical care.
• Internal injuries. Internal injuries can be highly dangerous and even life-threatening, especially if left untreated. As internal injuries may be initially asymptomatic, it is crucial for all truck accident victims to consult with a medical professional after their crash.
• Psychological injuries. Truck accident victims can suffer from psychological and emotional injuries after their crash, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress distress order. After being hit by a truck, accident victims may have traumatic flashbacks and have difficulty reintegrating back into their normal lives.

Whether you have suffered from fractures or a traumatic brain injury, a skilled attorney from our firm can fully document the extent of your injuries and damages, working to ensure that your final compensation package truly reflects your losses and suffering.

Compensation for Fatal Injuries

Unfortunately, the impact of truck accidents can commonly lead to fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one in a truck crash in Santa Clarita or surrounding areas, you may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for your emotional distress, loss of financial support, and any funeral or burial expenses. An empathetic attorney from our firm can help you today.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Santa Clarita Truck Claim?

Before you can pursue compensation, you will need to establish liability. Many of these types of cases involve wrongful death claims. In 2023, 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks, which was an 8% drop from 5,969 in 2022.

Following a truck collision in Santa Clarita, the commercial truck operator is often at fault. Truck drivers put in long hours, which can lead to fatigue. Distracted driving can also cause preventable collisions. When the truck driver works for a company, the trucking group can be held liable for the collision.

In certain cases, multiple parties may share liability for a collision. One example would be when a truck hits a car, and both vehicles were driving over the speed limit. Under the state’s pure comparative negligence framework, the amount of compensation one party can seek would be proportional to their percentage of fault.

Digital Evidence That Can Support Your Claim

Locally, Santa Clarita recorded 768 injury or fatality collisions in 2022 along major corridors such as Bouquet Canyon Road, McBean Parkway, and Soledad Canyon Road. Nearly 80% of Pasadena’s fatal and serious-injury crashes occur on just 13% of its streets. When serious injuries occur in Santa Clarita, victims are often transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355, the area’s primary trauma facility.

Electronic data is critical in truck-collision cases, and much of it disappears quickly without action.

A truck’s electronic logging device (ELM) or event data recorder (EDR) “black box,” engine control module (ECM) engine data, driver record of duty status (RODS), GPS/telematics, dashcam footage, pre- and post-trip inspections, driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs), bills of lading, dispatch texts, and weigh-station or fuel receipts can all show how the driver operated the vehicle in the hours leading up to the crash.

Because federal rules require carriers to keep ELD/RODS data for only six months, sending a spoliation letter immediately is essential to stop auto-overwrite and preserve the evidence needed to prove fault.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) hours-of-service rules limit truckers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, require a 30-minute break after eight hours, and allow limited extensions in adverse conditions.

Violations of these rules often involve skipped breaks, logbook falsification, or exceeding driving hours. That’s why logs, dashcam footage, telematics data, and GPS records are crucial for proving fatigue or breaches of standing rules and regulations. The MCS-90 endorsement also matters because it is required under federal law.

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a collision due to the other party’s negligence or misconduct, your first priority should be to hire a Santa Clarita truck accident attorney who understands truck accident laws and how to secure maximum compensation for your truck accident claim.

Trucking groups are often represented by large law firms. Without strong representation, you could fail to secure the compensation you are owed. An attorney can manage the complexities of negotiations or litigation so you can focus on rest and recovery. During a difficult ordeal, your truck accident lawyer can provide you with the support and encouragement you need to see your claim through.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a California Truck Accident Lawyer?

The cost of hiring a California truck accident lawyer is dependent on a variety of factors, including the location of the firm, the experience of the lawyer, the complexity of your case, and the evidence available. Most truck accident lawyers in California will work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will only have to pay for their services if you win your case. Payment will be awarded as a percentage of your final settlement.

What Should I Do if the Truck Driver’s Insurance Company Contacts Me After an Accident in California?

If the truck driver’s insurance company has gotten in contact with you after your California truck accident, it is crucial not to engage with them without first consulting a skilled California accident attorney. Insurance companies commonly attempt to shake truck accident victims down into settling for an amount that is much less than what they are actually entitled to.

A skilled attorney can handle communications and negotiations on your behalf to protect your interests.

What Are Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents in California?

Big rig accidents in California are commonly caused by distracted truck drivers, truck drivers who have not taken adequate breaks and are fatigued, and reckless driving behavior, such as speeding. These accidents can also be caused by violations of state or federal trucking regulations, in addition to mechanical part failures or improper loading of the truck. A skilled attorney can look into your truck accident case to determine how it was caused.

What Should I Do if a Big Rig Accident in California Involves a Government-Owned Truck?

If a big rig accident in California involves a government-owned truck, the claims process is different than if a private entity would have been involved. Cases that involve government entities have shorter timelines to file claims, in addition to different steps that need to be taken. A skilled California truck accident lawyer can help walk you through the process of filing a claim if your case involves a government entity.

Can Passengers in Another Vehicle File a Claim After a Truck Accident in California?

Yes, passengers injured in another vehicle can file a claim after a truck accident in California against any liable parties, such as the truck driver or trucking company. A skilled California truck accident attorney can assist any truck accident victims facing injuries or damages as a result of negligence or wrongdoing to pursue the compensation they’re entitled to. Passengers and drivers alike are entitled to pursue compensation after a truck accident.

Navigate the Complex Claims Process With a Santa Clarita Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have recently been in a truck accident, you are likely trying to focus on yourself and your health during this difficult time so that you can make a strong recovery. Therefore, the last thing you’re likely interested in is navigating a complex and overwhelming web of bureaucratic and legal matters. That’s where a skilled attorney from Duque & Price comes in. We can do the heavy lifting for you and get you the compensation you need.

Contact us today to design and implement an optimal legal plan that facilitates your recovery.