If you are involved in a truck accident in Pasadena, California, do not expect the problem to go away on its own. You can suffer an injury that results in steep medical bills and lost wages. With help from a personal injury lawyer, you can request compensation from anyone responsible for your trucking accident.
At Simmrin Law Group, we offer legal help in truck accident cases. To learn more, please reach out to us. Our Pasadena truck accident lawyer can help you file your lawsuit.
Why Trucking Accidents Occur
In the United States, large trucks account for 5% of all registered motor vehicles, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Even though many truck drivers take the proper precautions, some do not. Negligent truck drivers can cause accidents, along with associated injuries and fatalities.
Common reasons why trucking accidents occur include:
Distracted Driving
A truck driver can take their eyes off the road for just a minute. Regardless, distracted driving occurs. In this instance, the driver can cause an accident, and anyone hurt during the incident can sue them for damages.
Drunk Driving
If a truck driver gets behind the wheel while intoxicated, they endanger themselves and others. The driver can hit a motorist or pedestrian without even realizing it. At this point, the driver can face severe penalties.
Fatigued Driving
No matter what cargo a truck driver is carrying, it is this individual’s responsibility to take regular breaks. Failure to do so can cause the driver to get tired, to the point where they cannot focus on the road. The result: the driver can get into an accident.
Poor Weather or Road Conditions
It is a truck driver’s responsibility to understand the weather and road conditions and plan for them. Yet, a driver may choose not to do so. This increases the driver’s risk of an accident.
The team at Simmrin Law Group knows why trucking accidents happen. If you were hurt in a trucking accident in Pasadena, please let us know. Our Pasadena truck accident attorney can help you decide if you have a legitimate claim for compensation.
When You Should File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit
California has a two-year window for personal injury claims. You have up to two years from the date your trucking accident occurs to request compensation from anyone responsible. If you wait more than two years, you lose the right to pursue damages.
If you can prove negligence in a personal injury case, you should move forward with a lawsuit. A truck accident lawyer in Pasadena can help you out. They can review your case and make sure your lawsuit is submitted before the statute of limitations to do so lapses.
In a truck accident lawsuit, you can ask for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can be awarded based on your medical bills, lost income, and other losses that you are able to quantify. Non-economic damages are subjective, and they can be awarded based on pain and suffering.
How to Build a Strong Truck Accident Case
You can collect evidence leading up to your trial date. Evidence you can use to support your request for damages including:
- Accident photos and videos
- Police reports
- Medical bills
- Pay stubs
Along with gathering evidence, your truck accident attorney in Pasadena will prepare you for your trial. Your attorney can answer any questions you have about the trial process. They will make sure you know what can happen before you enter the courtroom.
You and the defendant in your case have the option to negotiate a settlement prior to your trial date. If the defendant proposes a settlement, you can review it with your attorney. You and your lawyer can then determine if it is in your best interests to accept a structured settlement or any other proposal.
How to Approach a Truck Accident Case Settlement
You do not have to accept a personal injury case settlement. However, doing so can be beneficial if a settlement lines up with your expectations. In this situation, you can get money you can use to cover the cost of any injuries you incurred and other losses relating to your accident.
On the other hand, it is in the best interests of the defendant in your case to accept a lowball settlement. If you approve a settlement that falls short of what you want, you are forced to deal with the consequences of it. You may be stuck paying for the costs to treat your injury or other accident-related expenses out of your own pocket and cannot request additional damages.
When you partner with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can weigh the pros and cons of any decision you make on a settlement. If you are not completely satisfied with a proposal, you can decline it. From here, you and your attorney can keep looking for ways to make your case as strong as possible.
How to Select a Pasadena Trucking Accident Lawyer
At first, you may think it is easy to find a Pasadena trucking accident attorney to represent you. As you start looking at attorneys, you may find some are more experienced than others. You may also discover that many lawyers claim to be the best.
To identify the right attorney, consider the lawyer’s expertise. If an attorney has handled dozens of trucking accident cases in the past, they can help you with your lawsuit. This lawyer can prepare a legal strategy designed to help you secure the most damages possible.
Also, it is beneficial to discuss your case with an attorney and see what they have to say about it. A lawyer can explain how they will approach your case and answer any questions you have about it. If you find an attorney who is a good fit, you can hire this lawyer, file your lawsuit, and get ready for your trial date.
Choose a Trucking Accident Lawyer from Simmrin Law Group
Simmrin Law Group can connect you with a personal injury lawyer who has plenty of truck accident case experience. For more information or to request a free case evaluation, please contact us today.