Experienced Semi Truck Accident Lawyers In San Diego
Due to their size and weight, trucking accidents are known to result in devastating consequences. That is why if you or a loved one suffered harm in a San Diego trucking accident because of another person's wrongful actions, you are likely dealing with a lot, both physically and emotionally, and financially. However, you do not have to deal with these consequences alone or try to handle all the bills yourself.
Instead, when you retain an experienced San Diego truck accident law firm, such as Rawlins Law, you can have a skilled San Diego truck accident lawyer ready to take on this fight for you, helping you hold the wrongful parties accountable for the damages you suffered and going after the compensation you need.
San Diego Truck Accident Guide
- Trucking Accidents and Their Causes
- Possible Injuries Following a San Diego Trucking Collision
- Filing Deadlines Following a San Diego Trucking Accident
- Possible Financial Damages You Can Pursue After a San Diego Trucking Accident
- Protect Your Legal Rights After a San Diego Trucking Accident
- Contact Rawlins Law and Go After the Justice and Financial Damages You Deserve
How Rawlins Law Can Help You After Your San Diego Truck Accident
When it comes to Rawlins Law, the numbers don't lie. Since our founding, the law firm has won millions of dollars in settlement awards and court verdicts for our clients, helped countless individuals get the justice they need, and vigorously represented clients in and outside the courtroom.
For these reasons, if you suffered serious harm in a San Diego trucking accident, contact a San Diego personal injury attorney at Rawlins Law to review your case for free. We can discuss your legal claim over the phone or meet at one of our many locations, including our San Diego office, located off of Camino Del Rio North, near Mission City Parkway.
Trucking Accidents and Their Causes
Even though almost one-third of all truck crashes are due to driver error, such as speeding or distracted driving, there are numerous other causes behind these devastating accidents. Take, for instance, the following:
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued driving is a serious issue in the truck industry. Most drivers do not get much sleep because they work long hours over several days. Even though strict regulations restrict how much a trucker can drive in one shift, many trucking companies and truck drivers ignore these guidelines because of tight deadlines.
As a result, many truckers skip getting the critical rest they need to reach their destination as quickly as possible. However, if a trucker does not get the proper rest, it can lead to slower reaction times, loss of coordination, and even cause the driver to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Truck Drivers Lacking Experience
Due to their complex nature, driving a truck is challenging. That is why truck drivers are required to complete training programs and obtain a special license before they operate these commercial vehicles. However, it is not uncommon for employers to fail to provide their drivers with this type of training or hire drivers who are not prepared or ready to handle these rigs. Consequently, when these inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel, it can result in deadly road crashes.
Speeding
Because clients and trucking companies want goods delivered as quickly as possible, trucking companies often pressure drivers to deliver on these tight deadlines. As a result, many of these drivers decide to not only forgo sleep but drive at high speeds to reach their destination fast.
Yet, when these trucks drive faster than what is proper for these types of vehicles, it can result in horrifying accidents, especially since the force of impact is more significant the faster these trucks go.
Dangerous Roads in San Diego
Hazardous roadways and intersections are also common causes of trucking crashes. In San Diego, some areas tend to see these debilitating accidents more frequently than others, including:
- Interstate 15 (Primarily the five-mile stretch between Miramar Way to Scripps Poway Parkway)
- Interstate 5
- University Avenue and 52nd Street
- University and Marlborough Avenue
- Freeway 67
Driving Under the Influence
According to the NHTSA, alcohol is known to reduce the brain’s function, impair thinking, and hurt muscle coordination and reasoning. As a result, when a trucker drinks and drives, it can impact their ability to operate the truck safely, leading to tragic crashes.
Driving While Distracted
Boredom can set in when truckers drive for hours on end. Consequently, it is not uncommon for these drivers to turn to other means to keep themselves entertained, such as texting and driving or eating while driving. However, when these drivers divert their attention away from the road, even for an instant, it can lead to tragic accidents.
Other Truck Accident Causes
In addition, to the above causes, inadequate truck maintenance, improperly loaded cargo, and faulty trucks and their parts can also lead to disastrous trucking accidents.
However, if you suffered harm in a trucking accident for a reason not indicated above and believe you may have a valid legal claim, reach out to an experienced San Diego truck accident attorney as soon as possible. At Rawlins Law, our legal team can review what happened, figure out whether you have a legal claim you can pursue, and fight for the monetary damages you deserve.
What Possible Injuries Occur Following a San Diego Trucking Collision?
Trucking collisions produce catastrophic consequences, including life-changing injuries or even death.
Yet, even though the extent of these injuries will depend on the crash, some of the more frequent types of injuries that develop after these accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Crushing injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal body damage
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Death
In addition, these injuries will usually require extensive medical treatments that can result in astronomical medical bills. For these reasons, contact a knowledgeable San Diego truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. These attorneys can gather the evidence required to show the extent of your damages and help you fight for the compensation you need to ensure you get the necessary medical care.
Filing Deadlines Following a San Diego Truck Accident
Following a San Diego trucking accident, you only have a short time to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations, and California gives trucking accident victims only two years from the accident to file suit. They cannot pursue further legal action if they do not meet this deadline.
Additionally, exceptions may apply to this rule that can impact this filing period. That is why if you want to make sure your case is submitted before this time expires, consider contacting a knowledgeable San Diego truck accident attorney, like those from Rawlins Law. These attorneys can review your claim, determine the time you have to file your lawsuit, and help file the necessary documents before this time runs out.
Possible Financial Damages You Can Pursue After a San Diego Trucking Accident
Depending on the trucking accident and the factors involved, you may be able to pursue certain financial damages for the harm and losses you endured.
These damages generally include payment for:
- Past, current, and future medical fees due to hospitalization, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, emergency treatment, ambulance rides, and other types of treatments
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Ongoing medical treatments, such as rehabilitative therapy
- Personal property damages
- Domestic replacement costs
- Pain
- Suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other types of emotional distress
- Humiliation and inconvenience
- Burial and funeral expenses if the trucking collision resulted in a death.
To determine which of these damages may apply to your case, consider going over your accident with an experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer. These attorneys can help you determine the extent of your losses and the type of financial damages you can pursue. They can also prepare the most robust case on your behalf, going after maximum compensation.
Protect Your Legal Rights After a San Diego Trucking Accident
After a trucking accident, your priority should be getting prompt medical treatment. However, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries, try to take other steps to protect your rights and secure evidence to help your legal claim.
These steps include:
Obtain a Police Report Immediately
Call 911 after your accident. This is the fastest way to get medical personnel to the scene, as well as police officers. These officers can investigate the crash and jot down information about the incident in their police report. Once complete, your attorney can use this police report to help them determine what happened and prepare strong legal arguments on your behalf.
Get Examined and Obtain a Medical Report
In the rare situation where your injuries appear minor after a trucking accident, you should still get to a doctor immediately. These medical professionals can ensure you do not have any serious hidden injuries, such as head and brain trauma or internal bleeding, that you may not yet know about.
In addition, doctors can prepare a medical report detailing your injuries, which can act as evidence of a direct link between the trucking collision and the harm it caused you.
Collect Evidence After the Trucking Accident
If it is possible, you should also try to collect evidence after the trucking collision, including photos of:
- The harm you sustained
- The cars and trucks involved
- The road and any defects, skid marks, or potholes
- Traffic signals and lights nearby
- The conditions at the time of the accident, including traffic and weather conditions
- Any other evidence that can help demonstrate what occurred
However, do not panic if you cannot gather this evidence because of your circumstances. At Rawlins Law, once we are retained, our dedicated legal team can work on preserving this evidence for you, securing the site, and gathering the vital pictures and witness testimony needed to make your legal claim as strong as possible.
Present the Evidence to Your Truck Accident Attorney
If you obtained any evidence following the accident, make sure you bring it with you when you meet with your lawyer.
This includes:
- Your medical and police reports
- Photos of the accident
- Bills resulting from the accident
- Other documents you have related to the case
These attorneys can use these documents and photos to show the extent of your damages and go after all the money you deserve.
Contact a San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer at Rawlins Law Today
If you suffered harm or losses in a San Diego trucking accident, you have endured enough. The last thing you must do is worry about crafting legal motions, looking for evidence, or preparing a case to help you fight for the money you deserve.
With an experienced San Diego truck accident injury attorney on your side, like those from Rawlins Law, you will not have to tackle this legal battle alone.
Rather, once hired, our knowledgeable team can:
- Thoroughly review the facts of your accident and determine what happened and who was at fault.
- Investigate the truck crash and gather reliable evidence that can corroborate your claim.
- Answer your concerns and questions and determine the legal options you can pursue.
- Handle settlement negotiations with the other side and fight for a reasonable amount.
- Take your case in front of a judge or a jury if settlement negotiations go south and fight hard for all the money you need.
If you or a family member suffered because of a San Diego trucking accident, do not deal with this horrifying situation yourself. Instead, contact Rawlins Law today at (858) 529-5872 for your free case assessment and find out how our legal team can help you fight for your rights and the justice you deserve.
