Truck accidents can be frightening at best and deadly at worst. The sheer size difference between large commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means these accidents can be particularly disastrous. Fortunately, victims injured in truck accidents have the right to pursue justice in many circumstances.
You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a truck accident due to a negligent driver, trucking company, or manufacturing company. However, navigating California truck accident claims can be challenging. Fortunately, a Tulare truck accident attorney at D’Amore Law Group can help you understand your legal rights and options for recovery. Contact us today.
Trucking Industry in Tulare
The California trucking industry is expansive, especially given California’s massive agricultural production sector. California provides 13% of the nation’s food supply in value, including a handful of commodities almost exclusively grown in the Golden State. Tulare sits in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, which produces billions of dollars in agricultural commodities yearly. Accordingly, trucks full of produce and other goods are transported daily through Tulare to other parts of the state and the nation.
Accidents are inevitable with so many trucks on the road. But that does not detract from the fact that you should not be responsible for the financial burden of an accident someone else caused. California’s trucking industry must work to ensure the safety of others on the road.
What to Do After a Tulare Truck Accident
If the situation permits, there are steps you can take to help ensure your safety and preserve a potential compensation claim. Below are some steps you can take immediately after and shortly following a Tulare truck accident. If you have specific questions about your case, speak with a Tulare truck accident lawyer.
Seek Medical Help
Taking care of yourself and any injured passengers should be the priority. If you need emergency medical treatment, call for an ambulance or proceed to the hospital immediately. There is nothing more important than your health and well-being. Anything else can wait.
Report the Incident to Local Authorities
Depending on where the accident occurred, the responding law enforcement agency may be the city police, sheriffs, California Highway Patrol, or a combination. It is important to have an official report documenting the accident. Your insurance company may also require an official report of the accident.
Take Photos
You do not have to be an official crime scene investigator to take meaningful photos of the accident. Make sure to get different perspectives of the accident scene. Try to get close-ups of the damage to all vehicles and other property.
Talk to Witnesses
Collect contact information from those who witnessed the accident. Witnesses can be helpful if an insurance company fights your claim or you must go to court for compensation. Law enforcement officers may also gather this information. However, it does not hurt to gather this information for yourself and your truck accident lawyer in Tulare.
Get the Information for All Involved Drivers
In truck accidents, liability may be shared by multiple parties. Make sure to take down the driver’s information. This includes information about the driver’s vehicle, insurance, and the trucking company. The trucking company is often, at least, partially liable for the accident.
Contact the Insurance Company
Most truck accident cases begin as insurance claims. In California, the negligent driver’s insurance is generally responsible for the damage they cause. Thus, you typically must file a claim with an insurance company for compensation.
In many cases, the insurance company’s initial settlement offer is less than what you should receive for current and future costs associated with the accident. You do not have to accept an unfair settlement.
Do Not Imply Guilt
Be careful about your statements to other drivers or the insurance company. In California, you can bring a claim against a driver even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Still, your award will be reduced by the degree you are deemed liable. The other party will use any implication of guilt as an admission of liability. You do not have to lie, but it is best not to volunteer additional information without a Tulare truck accident attorney.
What Makes Truck Accidents Complicated?
Unlike most vehicle accidents, most commercial trucks are owned by a company. Trucking companies must meet federal and state requirements beyond the requirements imposed by the average passenger car driver. There may be instances where the company has done something that contributed to the cause of the accident, like failing to provide proper driver training. A truck accident attorney in Tulare can help you evaluate whether the trucking company or another party is liable in addition to the driver.
Contact a Tulare Truck Accident Attorney
D’Amore Law Group has extensive experience representing victims of truck accidents throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Trucking accidents can be complex and require legal expertise to navigate properly. Our attorneys are skilled at handling truck accident cases. Our firm’s founder, Tom D’Amore, is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Academy of Truck Accident Lawyers.
We understand that a truck accident can be difficult, especially if you have extensive injuries. We are here to stand with you and fight for your legal right to the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation.
