Commercial trucks take up a lot of space on the road, and sometimes truck drivers are unaware of how big their vehicle is. As a result, truck accidents occur, and you’ll have to get in touch with an El Monte truck accident lawyer to sort out the damages.
Our personal injury lawyers in El Monte at Simmrin Law Group can help you recover the compensation you qualify for. We’re familiar with the courtroom, so if we don’t get the damages you need through insurance company negotiation, we’ll be ready to go to court.
What Damages Can an El Monte Truck Accident Lawyer Recover for You?
We understand your stress about the impending bills you’ll have to pay after you get injured in an El Monte truck accident. But our team of El Monte truck accident lawyers can help you recover losses such as:
- Medical expenses: You can recover past and future costs for medical treatment, hospitalization, prescription medications, therapies, and any other care required due to injuries from the accident.
- Lost wages: If the accident prevented you from working, you may receive compensation for salary and benefits lost when you could not perform your job.
- Property damage: Damages to your vehicle, personal items, or other property destroyed in the crash can be reimbursed.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek payment for physical and emotional suffering caused by accident-related injuries and their long-term effects.
- Permanent disability: Additional damages may apply if the injuries cause impaired mobility or permanent functionality.
- Loss of companionship: If you’re unable to fulfill family roles, a spouse or dependent can recover damages for loss of companionship.
- Wrongful death: If the accident resulted in a fatality, you can pursue compensation for financial support and quality of life lost.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving El Monte, call (310) 896-2723
What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents?
If you’ve been involved in a commercial truck accident, an experienced truck accident lawyer in El Monte can help investigate the cause and help you seek compensation. Determining liability is key, and our lawyers work to understand why the crash occurred through accident reconstruction and other relevant evidence. The following are some of the most common factors that can lead to commercial truck crashes:
Road Conditions
The roads trucks travel on significantly impact safety. Debris, potholes, and other hazards can damage equipment or throw a vehicle off course. When roads are slick from rain, snow, or ice, it takes commercial drivers farther to stop safely.
Narrow bridge clearances or sharp turns on state routes not designed for today’s larger vehicles also present challenges. Poor visibility at night or during storms further increases accident probability if drivers are not cautious of reduced sightlines and surfaces.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a major cause of commercial truck accidents. Long hours on the road can lead to tiredness and lack of attention. Drowsy driving reduces reaction times and increases the risk of crashing. Commercial drivers can work up to 11 hours daily, leaving little time for adequate rest.
The effects of fatigue can sneak up on even an experienced driver. As they tire, their vision may become blurred and judgment impaired, and they could unintentionally drift out of their freeway lane. Taking regular breaks is important, but not all drivers make the time to rest when they need it.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical failures or repairs that were not addressed properly can result in dangerous issues on the road. Tires are especially important for maintaining control and stopping power, yet worn or underinflated treads increase the risk of a blowout at high speeds.
Brake problems can also lead to accidents if a mechanic doesn’t catch them early. Failing to conduct routine maintenance checks or inspections can allow small issues to escalate into major safety concerns behind the wheel.
Driver Error
Most commercial truck crashes are due to driver error in the execution of basic driving skills. Simple mistakes like failing to check blind spots when changing lanes can have catastrophic consequences at highway speeds with large trucks.
Following too closely, distracted driving, speeding in poor conditions, and misjudging clearance when turning are other common errors. Even a brief lapse in attention or poor decision while driving a heavy truck puts lives at risk due to a lack of maneuverability.
El Monte Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
What Is Your Statute of Limitations After an El Monte Truck Accident?
According to California’s statute of limitations, you must file your claim two years from the accident date. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how much time you have.
The statute of limitations can vary depending on the details of your case. Our El Monte truck accident lawyers at Simmrin Law Group can tell you exactly how long you have to file. After you know your deadline, you should aim to file as soon as possible.
What Factors Can Affect Your Filing Deadline?
Certain details and factors in your case can alter the statute of limitations. Our team has gathered scenarios where you could have longer or shorter to file your claim. Factors that can increase the filing time include:
- If you are a minor or have a disability: The statute of limitations is extended if the injured party is a minor or has a legal disability. It begins once you turn 18 or the disability is resolved.
- Severity of injuries: If injuries have long-term effects that couldn’t reasonably be discovered within 2 years, courts may extend the filing period.
- Fraud or intentional concealment by the defendant: If the defendant hid the factors causing the injuries, the clock starts when the discovery is possible.
On the other hand, you may have less time to file. Factors that can decrease the filing time include:
- Insurance claim denial: Filing and receiving a denial from the at-fault party’s insurance company sometimes establishes a timeline of less than 2 years to file a formal lawsuit.
- Government claim requirement: Victims have only 6 months to file a claim against a public government agency.
- Bankruptcy of defendant: Any claim deadlines in bankruptcy court take precedence over the standard statute of limitations.
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Emotional Impacts of Truck Accidents
If you’ve been in a serious truck accident, it can deeply affect you emotionally and physically. Dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost work, and other challenges is a lot to handle. In addition, your mental health is also affected, and the psychological effects can linger if not addressed.
You may relive aspects of the crash through flashbacks or nightmares, feeling intense fear and anxiety. Loud noises or other reminders of the accident might trigger distressing memories and emotions. This could be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Left untreated, PTSD can make it difficult to function day to day.
It’s common to feel sad, hopeless, or unmotivated as you adjust to your new situation and limitations. On top of any physical pain, you’re also coping with tremendous emotional pain. If feelings of depression don’t lift with time, talking to a counselor could help you feel like yourself again.
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Contact Us After Your El Monte Truck Accident for Legal Representation
At Simmrin Law Group, our El Monte truck accident attorneys are ready to take on your case and help you file your claim, collect evidence, and recover damages.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form