San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyers
It seems like, every time you turn on the news, there’s a story about a tractor trailer accident in California. And a lot of these accidents tend to lead to either serious bodily injury or even death. The good news is that the number of fatal injuries in California is on the decline. Sadly, that doesn’t do a lot for you and your family. If you’re seriously injured in a crash, then you’re probably going to need a skilled San Bernardino truck accident lawyer at TorkLaw.
One reason these accidents are so dangerous is due to the sheer size of the trucks. Tractor trailers are huge when compared to a passenger car or SUV. The human body doesn’t really stand a chance against this kind of machine. Add to this the fact that a lot of accident victims don’t wear their seatbelts, and it’s no surprise that truck accidents can be disastrous. In 2017, there were 625 fatal crashes in California where the victims were not wearing their seatbelts. This number did drop to 598 in 2018. But this number is still way too high.
Because these accidents are so dangerous, a lot of our clients at TorkLaw suffer very serious injuries in truck crashes. This could involve anything from a neck injury to a traumatic brain injury. If this happens to you, then you really should call a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer at TorkLaw.
The Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault
A lot of our clients complain that truck drivers are careless and intimidating. They seem to drive too fast and weave in and out of lanes. The truth is that not all tractor trailer drivers are careless. Many of them work really hard to be safe. After all, they do this for a living. They don’t want to get hurt or lose their jobs.
Many times, the truck driver and the accident victim are equally at fault. Very rarely is any one driver found to be 100% at fault. If this happens, there’s a chance that your claim will be reduced. In San Bernardino, there is a rule called the comparative fault rule. This means that your claim will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if your initial claim is for $250,000 and you’re found to be 20% at fault, it will be reduced by $50,000.
Your San Bernardino truck accident lawyer at TorkLaw understands this. They also know that, in order to get you damage, they need to prove the defendant was liable. This requires that they prove negligence.
Your San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer at TorkLaw Will Fight to Get You Damages
As mentioned above, in order to get you damages, your San Bernardino truck accident lawyer needs to prove negligence. This requires that they show four (4) things:
- The truck driver owed you a duty of care – This won’t be hard to prove. Everybody on the road owes all other motorists a duty of care. At a minimum, the tractor trailer driver needs to show that they followed the federal safety guidelines in place for commercial drivers.
- They breached this duty of care – Your San Bernardino truck accident lawyer needs to demonstrate that the trucker breached this duty. This is the hardest part of your case. For example, if you can show that the driver was speeding, then you’ll likely be entitled to damages.
- You were injured – It isn’t enough that you were hit by a commercial vehicle. Your San Bernardino truck accident lawyer still needs to show that you were hurt. The best way to do this is by submitting a copy of your medical records.
- Your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach of duty – This won’t be hard. As long as you go to the hospital immediately following the crash, you should be able to prove causation.
If you can prove negligence, you’ll be entitled to some or all of the following types of damages:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- lost future income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
Of course, every case is unique so there’s no guarantee what sort of damages you’ll be entitled to. We won’t know for sure until you schedule your free consultation with one of our San Bernardino truck accident lawyers.
Why Are These Accidents So Dangerous?
One of the reasons truck accidents are so dangerous is that the human body can’t withstand that kind of impact. More often than not, it’s the person in the passenger vehicle who suffers the brunt of injuries in these accidents. The truck driver will probably walk away from the crash unscathed. You, on the other hand, will end up in the hospital. You may need surgery and physical therapy. The only way to know for sure is to go to the emergency room immediately after your accident.
Your San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer Will Have to Prove the Defendant Was at Fault
Over the years, the San Bernardino truck accident lawyers at TorkLaw have learned what it takes to prove these kinds of cases. We know what it takes to demonstrate negligence. We’re also very familiar with the special rules the federal government imposes on truck drivers. If we can show that the trucker broke these rules, it may not be difficult to prove negligence. Or, if we can show one of the other main causes of tractor trailer accidents, we will be able to get your damages. These common causes include the following:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Texting and driving
- Distracted driving
As you can see, the common causes for these crashes are similar to those for other motor vehicle accidents.
Talk to a Seasoned San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer at TorkLaw Today
If you or your loved one are hurt in any sort of truck accident, you need help. You need to focus on getting better – not fighting with the insurance company. Call a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer at TorkLaw sooner rather than later. This way, you set up a date and time for your free, initial consultation.