Chula Vista Truck Accident Injury Attorneys

Helping Clients Recover Maximum Damages Following a Truck Accident in California

Truck drivers require specialized licenses and are typically among some of the most experienced motorists on the road. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors involving driver error, truck accidents still happen, often with horrific consequences. Accidents involving a truck of any size can often result in terrible injuries with lifelong effects. If you were the victim of a collision or crash involving a truck that you did not cause, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our Chula Vista truck accident lawyers at The Sexton Law Firm are prepared to help you navigate your personal injury claim against every party involved in a truck collision. Our firm has over 27 years of legal experience and understands how to effectively gather evidence to strengthen your claim. We are also intimately familiar with the especially devastating impact truck accidents can cause and understand how to maximize the amount of damages you can ultimately receive with a successful claim.

Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about how our truck accident attorneys in Chula Vista can help you get compensated for your injuries. Call (619) 202-8976 or contact us online today.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Most truck drivers, especially those handling 18-wheelers, require special permits to operate their massive vehicles. As driving is their primary profession, you would hope that safety is paramount and that they take special care to stay alert and follow the rules of the road. Sadly, many truck accidents result directly from driver carelessness or error, leading to damaging accidents and injuries.

A common cause of truck accidents stems from exhaustion and consequent alcohol or drug use. Truckers are expected to maintain strict schedules and travel arguably unreasonable distances in set periods of time. This leads to scenarios where they are driving for longer than they should be without sufficient rest. To avoid drowsiness, some truckers will irresponsibly rely on drugs that aim to keep them awake. Others will even rely on alcohol under the mistaken belief that it will keep them alert. Even an overconsumption of caffeine – including coffee – can result in erratic driving that leads to an accident. In any situation where a trucker was under the influence and injured you in a collision, you are very likely entitled to compensation.

Truck drivers can also fall victim to distracted driving. Like the rest of us, truckers can receive texts or phone calls while behind the wheel. It can often be tempting for truck drivers to take personal calls while on the road, especially when they have been driving all day. Truckers may also attempt to eat while driving to save time. Whenever a driver’s focus is not solely on the road, the risk of an accident increases. When a trucker fails to maintain situational awareness or control of their vehicle due to their distracted behavior, they are likely at fault for any accident they cause.

When an accident occurs during bad weather, like snow, sleet, or torrential rains, you might initially conclude no one is necessarily at fault. While it is true that you cannot file a personal injury claim against the weather, a truck driver may still be at fault if they were irresponsibly driving despite inclement conditions. Drivers – including and especially truckers – are expected to exercise increased caution when operating vehicles in wet, icy, or otherwise dangerous conditions. If a truck driver causes an accident by driving too fast on an obviously icy road, for example, they may be at fault for any injuries they cause.

How to Determine Liability for Truck Accidents

In a typical automobile accident, only the negligent driver is potentially liable to pay for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Liabilities surrounding truck accidents can work differently, however, due to the structure of the trucking industry.

Depending on the nature of the accident, the trucking company that employs the negligent drive may also be held liable. This is because trucking employers are often, on some level, responsible for the behavior of their drivers. For example, if an employer was aware that a driver was regularly behaving irresponsibly in order to meet aggressive deadlines, they could be held accountable if the resulting exhaustion and actions of that driver caused an accident.

Additionally, some accidents can be the result of defective vehicle parts or an improperly loaded truck. In these situations, those responsible for the unsafe conditions of the truck can potentially be sued for damages resulting from a collision.

In addition to the negligent truck driver, you may, in some situations, be able to file personal injury claims against:

• The business employing the truck driver
• The owner of the truck
• The persons or company that loaded goods onto the truck
• Any mechanics who worked on a truck with defective components
• The company that manufactured defective truck components
• Negligent officials operating a weigh station

How We Can Help Investigate a Truck Accident

When you are involved in any automobile accident, your first priority is ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the crash, including any passengers. Call an ambulance if necessary. If any injury has occurred, you are required by law in California to call the police and inform them of the accident, even if it was not your fault. This is important, as the police will file an official report that can serve as the foundation for your personal injury claim.

At the scene of the accident, gather as much information as possible so that you can effectively deal with your insurance company. Then, if you believe the truck driver’s negligence caused the crash, immediately get in touch with a qualified personal injury lawyer.

You may think that the information you assembled at the scene of the accident is all that you will have to support your case. In fact, our firm can help conduct a thorough investigation to make sure we have as much evidence as possible.

Our Chula Vista truck accident attorneys can investigate numerous elements relevant to support your claim, including:

• The official accident report
• Photos and videos taken at the crash site
• Surveillance footage in the areas surrounding the site
• Dashcam footage
• Black box data
• The trucker’s bills of lading
• The trucker’s cell phone logs
• Weigh station receipts

Our investigation will also involve securing eyewitness and expert testimony to speak in support of your case. Expert witnesses can readily argue why a driver’s conduct constitutes negligence or why certain elements of evidence – such as weigh station receipts – point to unlawful conduct.

Compensation for Victims of Truck Accidents

Due to their immense size, truck collisions are among the most dangerous types of automobile accidents. Survivors of crashes involving trucks often suffer from some combination of brain trauma, loss of limbs, broken bones, and more. These injuries have an immediate and dramatic impact on the victim’s life, and, in many cases, the damage can be permanent or have lifelong effects.

A successful personal injury claim against a negligent truck driver can help a victim receive compensation for medical treatment, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost income opportunities, and any other losses owed to the accident. This means that a monetary award can be issued for your hospital stay and damage rendered to your car along with any possessions inside it. If you had to miss work as a result of your injuries, negligent parties can be forced to compensate you for the wages you would have earned. If your injuries result in permanent disability, they will also likely have to pay a significant amount to reflect your limited future job prospects and income opportunities.

What is the Statute of Limitations For Truck Accidents in California?

One of the key elements to consider when dealing with truck accident claims is the statute of limitations. In the state of California, there is a specific timeframe within which you will need to file your claim to seek compensation for injuries or damages sustained in a truck accident.

For personal injury claims resulting from a truck accident, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the initial date of the incident. However, it's crucial to consult with experienced Chula Vista truck accident injury lawyers like those at The Sexton Law Firm. As we can assess the specific details of your case and deliver guidance on the applicable deadlines.

Contact Our Truck Accident Injury Lawyer in Chula Vista Today

The aftermath of a truck accident can be terrifying, especially if you or a loved one have suffered debilitating injuries that will permanently alter how you live your life. However, it is important that you hold negligent truck drivers and related parties accountable for their actions. Our Chula Vista truck accident lawyers at The Sexton Law Firm are committed to helping injured individuals and their families recover the maximum amount of damages in the wake of a truck accident. We can conduct an exhaustive investigation into the facts surrounding your case and strategize on how best to pursue your personal injury claim. We will leave no stone unturned in helping you get the monetary compensation you deserve.

Do not wait to call (619) 202-8976 or contact us online to discuss your truck accident-related claim. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.