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Factors that Affect Your Truck Accident Case

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
settlement value of truck accident caseAccidents involving commercial trucks tend to cause greater damage than those involving smaller vehicles, due to their relative size and weight. Truck collisions may result in devastating injuries, as well as significant property damage, which can create a heavy financial burden for the victim. Commercial trucking accidents also typically involve multiple potentially responsible parties, possible violations of rules and regulations, and other details that can influence a case settlement. The complexity of truck collision cases makes it important to have a dedicated attorney on your side to help you throughout the claims process. Our attorneys can help answer any questions you may have about your truck accident case during a risk-free legal consultation.

Factors Considered in Truck Accidents

There are many complex factors an experienced attorney will evaluate for a truck accident claim, such as:

Damage to Property

When large commercial trucks collide with smaller vehicles, the smaller vehicle typically suffers extensive damage. In many cases, the vehicle will be totaled by insurance and not repaired – usually when the cost of repairs is near or more than the fair-market value of the vehicle. If the vehicle is repairable, the cost of repairs must be determined. An insurance adjuster will inspect the vehicle for damage to provide an estimate. It is wise to also take your vehicle to an independent repair shop for an alternate quote.

Medical Expenses

Truck accident injuries are often very severe and require ongoing medical treatment. The cost of all medical care you have received must be totaled, as well as costs associated with any treatment you are expected to need in the future for your injuries. Medical expenses that may be covered by a truck accident settlement include:
  • Emergency room visits
  • Ambulance ride
  • Hospitalization
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Imaging (X-Rays, CT scans and MRIs)
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Medical equipment
Mileage, parking and other transportation expenses associated with travel to and from your medical appointments may also be considered.

Loss of Income

Truck accident injuries may require significant time off work for recovery and various medical appointments. If you miss work due to your injury, the income you would have earned, including wages and bonuses, may be factored into your case. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work in the future or performing the same type of work, your future earning capacity will be impacted. Your case may account for the amount of earnings you would miss out on over your lifetime due to your injury.

Pain and Suffering

Your attorney will evaluate the overall severity of your injuries and the damages you have suffered and how it has impacted your life and the lives of those around you. You may be entitled to compensation for the following:
  • Physical pain
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Physical limitations
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Settling a Truck Accident Claim in California

Your attorney will pursue the compensation you deserve for damages you have suffered as result of the truck accident. In California, victims of truck accidents have a time limit to file for damages against the at-fault party or parties. If you do not pursue legal action in that time, you will lose the right to do so.

Contact Our Firm for Legal Representation Now

If you have been injured in truck accident, reach out to our knowledgeable Sacramento truck accident attorneys for help. The legal team at the Arnold Law Firm will review your case and inform you of the options that may be available to help you pursue compensation. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation today. There are no upfront fees and payment is only due if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call (916) 777-7777 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form now.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.