Do you need to know what happens if you hit a tractor-trailer with your car in Los Angeles, CA? It’s important to get answers quickly after a truck accident in Los Angeles. You can start going over the steps you should take right here.
You can also get professional answers to your legal questions by calling the Simmrin Law Group at (310) 896-2723. Our truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles know how to help if you struck a semi-truck or an 18-wheeler, so reach out to us now.
You May Need Medical Care if You Hit a Tractor Trailer in Los Angeles
Tractor-trailers are much larger than most other vehicles on the road. This means that you may need immediate medical care, even if you were the one who caused the accident. Note that, even if you are not injured, you should not leave the scene of the accident without stopping.
Leaving an accident scene is considered a hit and run in California. You can face criminal charges if you leave without speaking to the other driver and exchanging contact information. You may also need to contact law enforcement officers if you struck a tractor-trailer.
Note that the police will likely file a report about your accident. You can find out more about how the police handle a truck accident by reaching out to a legal professional as soon as your accident occurs.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Insurance Agents Can Contact You if You Hit a Tractor Trailer in California
You will likely be contacted by insurance agents if you strike a tractor-trailer with your car in Los Angeles. Your insurance company and representatives for the trucking company will likely reach out to you quickly. It is highly recommended that you call a truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurance agents.
You should not discuss what happened in the accident with insurance agents before contacting a lawyer, especially if you believe you were at-fault for the accident. The professionals recommend that you:
- Do not admit any fault for the accident
- Do not give a recorded statement
- Do not discuss your accident on social media
You may not be totally responsible for an accident, even if you hit a tractor-trailer with your car. Discuss the facts of what happened with a Huntington Beach truck accident lawyer by calling (310) 896-2723 before you talk to insurance agents.
A Lawyer Can Investigate if You Hit a Tractor Trailer in Los Angeles
The state of California uses comparative negligence laws for truck accidents and other motor vehicle collisions. This means that multiple people can be held responsible for an accident. Even if you hit a tractor-trailer, the other driver could be partially responsible if they were:
- Driving erratically and dangerously
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
- Asleep at the wheel or driving while distracted
You may not be considered completely responsible for an accident if a truck driver made an illegal turn in front of you, for example. Likewise, if a tractor-trailer driver ran a red light, causing you to hit their truck, they may be partially responsible for the collision.
You are not required to pay full compensation if the other driver was partially at-fault. Allow a truck accident lawyer to investigate your case to determine who exactly was responsible for your collision in Los Angeles.
You May Need to Settle a Claim if You Hit a Tractor Trailer in California
Note that you may be responsible for paying for damages to the truck as well as any injuries to the truck driver after a collision in California. In some cases, your insurance company will settle the claim for you. In this situation, your insurance rates will likely increase.
The trucking company could also decide to file a lawsuit against you in court. In this case, it’s important that you get legal help in your corner right away. A lawyer can help defend you and work to show that the other driver was partially responsible for your collision.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Get Help if You Hit a Tractor-Trailer with Your Car in Los Angeles, CA
You can face a tough legal battle if you hit a tractor-trailer with your car in Los Angeles, CA. Fortunately, you can get help on your side now by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. You can easily reach our truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles to get a FREE case evaluation about your legal options.
We are ready to begin working for you. Just complete our online contact form or call (310) 896-2723.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form