What to Look for in a Truck Accident Lawyer in California

Wondering why you may need a commercial truck accident lawyer? Consider this: being involved in a truck accident of any kind usually results in traumatic injuries simply due to the sheer size of the vehicle involved. As a passenger in a motor vehicle, you are at the mercy of large commercial trucks sharing the highway with you. That vulnerability can lead to more severe injuries such as TBIs, spinal cord injuries and even death. The typical truck can weigh between 20 and 30 times as much as cars, which makes accidents on Southern California’s roadways more likely to come with dire consequences.

The FMCSA says that of the 415,000 crashes involving large trucks in 2015, there were more than 3,500 deaths and more than 80,000 injuries. Sadly, most deaths resulting from semi and trailer truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. In addition to the large weight difference between trucks and cars, another thing working against your favor is that trucks tend to be much taller with higher ground clearance. In a crash, the smaller vehicle can readily become pinned underneath the truck.

Braking capability of the truck also makes a big difference. A fully-loaded tractor trailer takes nearly 40 percent longer than smaller vehicles to come to a complete stop. If the road is slippery or there is debris in the way, this factor becomes compounded.

If you have been the victim of a truck accident, you need a commercial truck attorney to help you navigate the upcoming complex, painful and often times unfair process.

After being treated for your injuries, call Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers for a free consultation at 661-945-6969.

In your search for a truck accident lawyer, keep an eye out for…

Comfort Level

While experience and technical abilities are both high up on the list, you should never discount how comfortable you feel with a particular lawyer. You will be able to get a good sense of whether or not you want to work with that person by speaking over the phone or meeting in person. This can’t be quantified…it’s just a feeling… a strong one at that.

Experience

Does the attorney have experience handling truck accident cases like yours? Remember, truck accidents aren’t like other types of motor vehicle accidents. They come with big injuries, big damages and big compensation amounts. There’s a big difference between being hit by a compact car and being hit full on by a commercial vehicle. Plus, there are many additional obligations that the operator and driver of a truck has and a lot of specialized equipment that could form the basis for a claim of negligence if need be. The attorney you choose must know what to look for and how to preserve that evidence; otherwise, it’s of no use to you.

Reputation

Experience, word of mouth recommendations, reviews…these all contribute to how well a lawyer is known in your town for providing exceptional service. First step: research the backgrounds of the lawyers you’re considering. Next, don’t be afraid to talk to people who may have used that lawyer in the past. Come up with a list of recommended commercial truck attorneys, follow up with references and call or meet with each one.

Contact Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers

There are many factors that can cause or worsen a commercial truck accident, such as driver fatigue, inattention, overload and poor road conditions. Discussing the parameters of your case with us can set you on the road to recovery and financial compensation. Please call Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers for a free initial consultation at 661-945-6969. Our personal injury attorneys handle several cases just like yours every single year.