Semi-trucks travel through Glendale, California, all the time. Because of the time that most citizens spend commuting, the chance of having an accident involving a semi-truck is always a possibility. If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision, you may be entitled to compensation.
Reach out today to Glendale truck accident lawyer to speak with a semi-truck accident lawyer in Glendale. We will work with you to hold the person who was at fault responsible for seeking justice and damages on your behalf. We will hold the accountable party or parties responsible for the damages you suffered.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Glendale
Glendale’s thriving economy is a benefit to its residents and business owners. However, it brings in semi-trucks, which leads to accidents involving them. There are several common causes of semi-truck accidents listed below:
Impaired Driving
Glendale, California, has strict laws against driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This curbs some of the drinking and drugged driving in the area, but it does not eliminate it completely. There are times when semi-truck drivers get behind the wheel when they are impaired, and this leads to completely avoidable accidents.
Driver Fatigue
Semi-truck drivers spend their days and nights driving, and after many hours, it can become tedious and exhausting. Truck drivers are required to limit their hours on the road and to take frequent, mandatory breaks. But, because of deadlines, heavy traffic, and companies who are willing to pay the fines involved to make more deliveries in less time, these rules are not always followed.
This can lead to terrible accidents. Fatigued drivers lack motor skills and decision-making abilities. The result is similar to that of impaired drivers. Driver fatigue is often seen in semi-truck accidents.
Mechanical Failures, Defects, and Lack of Maintenance
Problems with semi-trucks can be the cause of traffic accidents. The trucking companies have a duty to keep their vehicles in good running order. Trucking companies must service their semi-trucks regularly to ensure their drivers, motorists with whom they share the road, cyclists, bikers, and pedestrians are as safe as they can be when encountering one of their vehicles.
General truck maintenance requires the following:
- Brakes need to be checked for functionality
- Lights need to be inspected
- Hoses should be checked regularly
- Fluid levels should be regularly checked and topped off
- Air and oil filters should be changed on schedule
- Loads must be secured
Without proper maintenance, these large trucks can have mechanical failures that lead to catastrophic accidents. Simmrin Law Group’s semi-truck accident attorneys in Glendale have experience handling semi-truck accidents. If you have been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation for us to assess your case and determine the compensation you are entitled to recover.
For a free legal consultation with a semi-truck accidents lawyer serving Glendale, call (310) 896-2723
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Semi-Truck Accident Suit in Glendale, California
If you have been hurt in a semi-truck accident in Glendale, California, you should do so promptly. This is not only because of the statute of limitations that is in place but because the longer you wait, the more the evidence may degrade or get lost. Witnesses could become difficult to find or may not remember the details as clearly, making them easier to impeach when they take the stand.
Listed below are some details to keep in mind about when your Glendale semi-truck accident lawsuit must be filed:
- You have two years from the date of the semi-truck accident to file a lawsuit.
- If the truck was driven by a government entity or was contracted by the government, the time you have to file an administrative claim diminishes. You must file the initial claim within six months of the accident.
- If a minor is involved in an accident, the two-year deadline is extended. Their two years begins when they reach the age of majority, 18 years old.
- Exceptions are made for those who are physically or mentally unable to file a claim during the two-year deadline given by the statute of limitations.
- If the plaintiff can demonstrate that they have discovered an injury caused by the accident after the two-year statute of limitations, the deadline for filing a lawsuit may be extended.
Unless you meet some of the criteria for exceptions above, you choose not to pursue damages before the two-year deadline is up, and your right to file a lawsuit is forfeited. It is vital to hire a Glendale semi-truck accident attorney, just as you would if you were involved in a car accident, as soon as possible to ensure that all deadlines are met and all filings are appropriately done.
Glendale Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
You May Be Entitled to Compensation
Suppose you were injured in a semi-truck accident that was not your fault. In that case, you may be entitled to recover compensatory damages from whoever is determined to be the liable party. This could be the truck driver, another motorist, the trucking company, the mechanic in charge of the truck’s repairs, or a truck manufacturer if they supplied defective parts, which led to your accident.
You may be entitled to economic, non-economic, and punitive damages following your accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial harm you incurred due to the accident. Items considered when determining an adequate settlement package are as follows:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Home alterations
- Mobility devices
- Prosthetics
- Accessible vehicles
- Travel costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are awarded to cover the diminishment of the quality of life of the person injured in the Glendale semi-truck accident. Some of the factors that are considered when determining a fair settlement are listed below:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of career and educational opportunities
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of security and protection
- Loss of reputation
- Temporary or permanent disability
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not meant to stand in the place of compensatory damages. They are not intended to replace financial or personal losses. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their misconduct and discourage them from repeating it.
Punitive damages are also meant to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. So, if a semi-trucking company was charged punitive damages, it would stand as an example to other trucking companies doing business in the Glendale, California, area.
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Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident in Glendale, contact the Simmrin Law Group today to see how we can help. A Glendale semi-truck accident lawyer is here to protect your rights and negotiate or litigate to resolve your case with the maximum benefits possible.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form