Manhattan Beach Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Attorney in Manhattan Beach, CA
Commercial trucking is a vital component of California’s economy, and most Manhattan Beach area drivers are accustomed to seeing tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks on the roads in the area. Unfortunately, while many drivers pass trucks as they drive every day without issue, truck accidents do occur. When these incidents happen, those involved are highly likely to sustain injuries, some of which may require immediate lifesaving medical attention.
Legal Representation for Truck Accident Victims in Manhattan Beach, CA
If you or someone you love is struggling in the aftermath of a truck accident in the Manhattan Beach, CA, area, Shaffer Law can assist you with your recovery. Our team has helped many past clients in the L.A. area file personal injury claims to recover their losses from truck accidents, and we know the unique challenges facing plaintiffs in these cases. If you need to take legal action following a trucking accident in Manhattan Beach, we can help.
Why Do I Need a Manhattan Beach, CA Truck Accident Attorney?
You might assume that the fault for your recent truck accident is perfectly clear and that you will have minimal difficulty pursuing a civil claim independently. However, it’s vital to understand that many truck accident cases involve complex questions of liability that the average person may not be able to answer on their own. Additionally, the average person is unlikely to find each avenue of recovery available to them. If they try to handle their case without an attorney, they risk settling for much less than they legally deserve.
Working with an experienced Manhattan Beach truck accident lawyer is a great way to increase your chances of success with your claim. Your legal team can handle your case filings on your behalf so you can focus on resting and recovering from your injuries. Your attorney will provide ongoing updates as the case unfolds, so you are always fully informed about the progress of your case. Shaffer Law helps each client understand their options for legal recourse and develops individual strategies for maximizing their recovery.
Determining Fault for a Truck Accident
Truck accidents happen for many of the same reasons that other motor vehicle accidents happen. Negligence behind the wheel, distracted driving, and failure to abide by trucking industry regulations can easily cause devastating accidents. While fault for a recent truck accident may seem clear, the reality is that any type of truck accident can involve complex questions of liability and pose severe challenges to any victim attempting to recover their losses.
Your Manhattan Beach trucking accident lawyer will be instrumental in proving fault for your accident. They can assess whether vicarious liability will come into play, implicating one party as liable for the actions of another. For example, if a truck driver caused your accident but their employer was negligent in any way that contributed to the accident, the employer faces vicarious liability. It’s also possible for more than one other driver to bear fault for your case. California’s pure comparative negligence statute applies whenever a plaintiff bears partial responsibility for causing their claimed damages.
Proving fault for your recent truck accident is the first step toward recovery from your losses. Some of the most commonly cited causes of truck accidents that lead to personal injury claims in California are:
- Distracted driving. Even momentary distraction can easily cause a serious accident. Therefore, cell phone use, eating, and other distractions behind the wheel should be avoided.
- Speeding. Exceeding speed limits is dangerous for any driver but especially so for large trucks that require more time and distance to slow down and stop.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Truck drivers who cause accidents because of intoxicated driving lose their commercial drivers’ licenses and face civil liability for the damages they cause others.
- Truck driver negligence and/or regulatory noncompliance. A trucking company could face vicarious liability if a truck driver lacked the training, experience, or credentials to handle their job duties and caused an accident.
- Vehicular maintenance failures and faulty parts. When a truck accident happens because of poor maintenance, the party responsible for truck maintenance faces liability. If a defective part caused the incident, the plaintiff would have grounds for a product liability claim naming the manufacturer.
- Improperly loaded or imbalanced cargo. Tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks must be packed correctly to ensure a balanced load. Off-balance cargo can easily cause a tip-over or rollover accident.
- Failure to use appropriate safety precautions for special cargo. Lumber, smaller vehicles, and other forms of special cargo require specific safety measures to ensure they are secure for transport via commercial truck.
- Third-party driver negligence. If a third party caused a truck accident, the subsequent personal injury case would likely mirror any other motor vehicle accident case, albeit likely to include more extensive damages.
A Manhattan Beach truck injury lawyer can help their client secure vehicle computer data, traffic camera recordings, and eyewitness statements that can assist them in establishing fault for their accidents. The next step in a truck accident case is proving the full scope of the damages the defendant inflicted upon the plaintiff.
Compensation for a Truck Accident in Manhattan Beach, CA
California state law allows a personal injury plaintiff to seek full repayment of any economic losses suffered because of a defendant’s actions. Truck accidents can easily result in catastrophic injuries, some of which end in permanent disability. Victims may be unable to work and support themselves in the future, and they face tremendous pain and suffering from these losses.
The economic losses claimable in a truck accident suit include medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. The defendant’s insurance might cover a portion of a plaintiff’s losses, but a personal injury claim will likely be necessary to ensure the fullest recovery possible. Your Manhattan Beach 18 wheeler accident attorney can help you claim compensation for damages that insurance can’t cover, such as long-term medical expenses, lost future earning capacity, and your pain and suffering.
You need legal counsel you can trust after a truck accident in the Manhattan Beach area. To learn your options for legal recourse with an experienced legal team on your side, contact Shaffer Law today and schedule your case review with a reliable Manhattan Beach truck accident attorney.
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