Truck accidents are among the most devastating and traumatic events that can happen to motorists in Long Beach, California. Due to their massive size and weight, trucks can cause severe injuries and even fatalities to other drivers and passengers on the road. A Long Beach truck accident lawyer from Simmrin Law Group can provide much-needed assistance in understanding the intricacies of the law, representing you in court, and ensuring your rights are fully protected.
Recoverable Damages for Truck Accidents in Long Beach
In California, individuals who have suffered from truck accidents are entitled to seek compensation for their losses. These losses, or damages, are generally categorized into two main groups: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those losses that can be quantified in monetary terms. These include costs incurred for medical treatments, loss of earnings due to inability to work, and damages to property. For instance, if you are involved in a truck accident, you may incur medical expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation therapies.
These costs can sometimes extend into the future, particularly if the injuries are severe or require long-term care.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, account for intangible losses that are more challenging to measure. These damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional distress you experience due to the accident and your injuries.
Punitive Damages
In exceptional cases, you might be awarded punitive damages. Unlike other damages that aim to compensate you for your losses, punitive damages serve a different purpose. They are primarily designed to punish the at-fault party for their egregious conduct and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
Insurance Coverage for Long Beach Truck Accidents
Truck accidents occurring in Long Beach can present complex issues regarding insurance coverage. The intricacies arise from the fact that several parties might be implicated based on the particular circumstances surrounding the accident. These could include the truck driver, the company that employs the driver, the manufacturer of the truck, and the manufacturer of the truck’s components, among others.
California’s state law requires all drivers to maintain liability insurance, which offers coverage for bodily injury and property damage that might arise from an accident. The minimum coverage stipulations in California are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus an additional $5,000 for property damage. However, given the severity and extent of damages resulting from truck accidents, these minimum coverage limits may prove insufficient to compensate for the damages incurred fully.
On top of this, trucking companies are obliged to carry insurance that covers their liability for accidents involving their fleet of vehicles. The minimum coverage limits required for commercial trucks in California far exceed those for personal vehicles. For trucks weighing up to 10,000 pounds, the minimum is $750,000, and for larger trucks, the requirement can reach up to $5 million.
If you find yourself injured in a truck accident, it becomes imperative to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Long Beach Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to a legal timeframe within which a lawsuit must be filed in a civil case. For California residents, the statute of limitations concerning personal injury claims mandates that such a lawsuit must be initiated within two years of the accident. You could forfeit your right to seek compensation if you do not file your claim within this stipulated two-year period.
That being said, certain circumstances serve as exceptions to this general rule. For example, in situations involving minors or where the injury did not manifest itself immediately, the normal statute of limitations may not apply.
As legal intricacies can be complex, engaging an attorney at the earliest opportunity following an accident is highly advisable. This ensures that you know your legal rights and potential courses of action and, importantly, that you don’t inadvertently overlook any critical deadlines.
Steps to Take if Your Claim Is Denied
Insurance companies, as part of their standard procedure, may deny your claim for many reasons, some of which could include insufficiency of evidence, exclusions stated in the policy, or issues arising over liability disputes. If you find yourself in a situation where your claim is denied, it is essential to remember that numerous avenues exist for you to explore in pursuit of compensation.
Outlined below are several steps you may consider taking if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having your insurance claim denied:
- Review the denial letter in detail: As a truck accident lawyer in Long Beach will tell you, when an insurance company denies a claim, it is legally obligated to provide the claimant with a written explanation outlining the reasons behind the decision. You must review this letter thoroughly, as it will explain why your claim was rejected.
- Gather additional supportive evidence: One of the most common reasons for a claim denial is the perceived insufficiency of evidence. If this is the reason stated in your denial letter, you can counter this by gathering more substantial and relevant documentation to bolster your case.
- Appeal the decision: Insurance companies are mandated by law to establish a process that allows claimants to appeal against a denied claim. The denial letter you receive should contain detailed instructions for this process.
- File a lawsuit: If your efforts to resolve your claim through the established appeals process don’t yield the desired result, you may need to consider the legal route with the help of a truck accident attorney in Long Beach. Filing a lawsuit should only be undertaken under the counsel of an experienced Long Beach truck accident attorney with a strong background in insurance law.
While having your insurance claim denied can undoubtedly be a stressful and daunting experience, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t signal the end of your pursuit for compensation. Your attorney can assist you by helping you take measured, calculated steps. These can include reviewing the denial letter, gathering more supportive evidence, appealing the decision, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit.
Your lawyer can continue to advocate for your rights and potentially secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Simmrin Law Group for a Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer
Whether dealing with a personal dispute or a corporate legal battle, having an experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer from Simmrin Law Group by your side can significantly affect the outcome. Remember, it’s not just about winning a case. Contact us today to learn more.