Lancaster Truck Accident Lawyers

Southern California is gorgeous, and while Lancaster may be located about 71 miles from downtown Los Angeles, we all know how bad the traffic can be here, too. In no uncertain terms it is awful, and not just during the California Poppy Festival. Everyone is in a hurry, and people take unnecessary – and even dangerous – risks while behind the wheel. And when those drivers happen to be behind the wheel of semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, it becomes much more dangerous. Obviously, the larger size of commercial motor vehicles creates more momentum and force in a crash, and this can forever change you or a loved one, in the blink of an eye. If that happens, you need Los Angeles personal injury lawyers.

What To Do Immediately Following A Truck Accident

In 2011, 245 people in the State of California lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks. In that same year, 5,115 Californians were injured in truck collisions. Los Angeles truck drivers are required to carry a commercial license (CDL) in order to drive large vehicles. However, recent studies indicate that 31% of truck collisions can be attributed to driver-related factors, such as the driver being disabled by a medical problem or falling asleep at the wheel, the driver being distracted or not accurately observing road conditions, driving too fast ,or following too closely behind another vehicle, and the driver exercising poor direction control, panicking or overcompensating for a problem. These mistakes by the truck driver can lead to dangerous lane departures, loss of control or rear-end accidents, all of which can cause injuries ranging from minor to debilitating to deadly.

If you are involved in a truck accident, make sure to document your injuries to prevent insurance companies from questioning the validity of your claim. Your first step is to take pictures – of everything that may be important at the scene of the accident, as well as your injuries (continue to take pictures of your injuries as you heal so you can document your recovery progress). Second, call the police. Third, interview and exchange contact information with all of the witnesses. Fourth, write down everything you remember about the accident. Lastly, and perhaps the most important step, do not try to settle with an insurance company. They don’t make millions of dollars per year because they’re generous– they are highly experienced and in the business of minimizing your recovery. Unfortunately for them, this is where Ellis Injury Law can turn the tables in your favor. The insurance companies know you mean business when you have a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer on your side. However, the statute of limitations in California is only two years, meaning that you can forever forfeit your opportunity to recover if you delay.

The Complexities of Truck Accidents

It is important to investigate a truck accident more quickly than a car accident. A truck driver typically enjoys protection from a union, and he or she will often try to avoid any and all liability. These are complicated cases that not all lawyers are capable of handling, but fortunately, we at Ellis Injury Law have handled thousands of these.

Truck driving accidents are particularly complex because of the variety of parties that may be potentially held liable in a lawsuit. These include the driver, the trucking company that employs the driver, the maintenance company that services the vehicle, the truck manufacturer and even the shipper of the goods being transported. These additional possible defendants can be held liable for their poor practices or using defective auto parts. Further, any negligence committed by a truck driver automatically becomes his/her trucking company’s negligence as well. Fortunately, a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney has the experience, knowledge and resources to champion your claim and your rights.

Call On The Experts at Ellis Injury Law

The Lancaster lawyers at Ellis Injury Law have extensive experience in the nuances of truck driving accidents and have been winning these types of cases for over 25 years. Drivers of trucks and tractor-trailers are subject to a variety of state and federal laws that do not apply for the drivers of regular passenger vehicles. These laws regulate maximum drive time and on-duty time, inspection and maintenance requirements, requirements for weight allocation as well as loading and unloading. If any of these laws are violated, this creates a presumption that the driver responsible for the violations is negligent. Because the defendant is presumed negligent, this makes the plaintiff’s case easier to prove. This may sound simple on the surface, but it often takes an experienced legal team that fully understands all of the nuances of truck driving accidents to actually prove that one of these laws was violated. In other words, working with attorneys who are not experienced with handling truck accidents can easily cost you millions of dollars and heartache.

We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Get Paid

We at Ellis Injury Law have recovered over $350 million for our clients, and we don’t make a single penny off of your case unless you get paid. Andy Ellis has been selected to Super Lawyers® as a top rated personal injury attorney in El Segundo, CA and has been recognized by Best Lawyers® since 2016. In 2018, Ellis Law Corporation was regionally ranked by U.S. News- Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in the practice area of personal injury litigation. Andy is also a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call (888) 275-3901 right now for a free consultation.