Fighting for people injured in semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and big rig crashes across California. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
MALTRATO A PERSONAS MAYORES
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences can be severe. Truck accident claims are often more complex than ordinary car accident claims because they may involve multiple companies, commercial insurance policies, electronic vehicle data, and federal and state safety requirements.
Evidence can become unavailable quickly after a truck crash. Driver logs, electronic data, maintenance records, and available video footage may be important to understanding what happened and who may be responsible.
Berglund & Johnson represents people injured in commercial truck crashes in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and throughout California. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, call 1-800-4-IF-HURT for a free consultation.
Fighting for people injured in semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and big rig crashes across California. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences can be severe. Truck accident claims are often more complex than ordinary car accident claims because they may involve multiple companies, commercial insurance policies, electronic vehicle data, and federal and state safety requirements.
Evidence can become unavailable quickly after a truck crash. Driver logs, electronic data, maintenance records, and available video footage may be important to understanding what happened and who may be responsible.
Berglund & Johnson represents people injured in commercial truck crashes in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and throughout California. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, call 1-800-4-IF-HURT for a free consultation.
LA LEY
El maltrato a las personas mayores se define como un acto único o reiterado, o la falta de acción apropiada, que ocurre dentro de cualquier relación de confianza y que causa daño o sufrimiento a una persona mayor. Esta definición fue adoptada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud a partir de una definición propuesta por Hourglass en el Reino Unido.
ABUSO
Incluye abuso físico, negligencia, abuso financiero, abandono, aislamiento, secuestro, restricciones irrazonables, abuso verbal, acoso o cualquier otro trato que resulte en daño físico, dolor o sufrimiento mental.
ABUSO
Incluye abuso físico, negligencia, abuso financiero, abandono, aislamiento, secuestro, restricciones irrazonables, abuso verbal, acoso o cualquier otro trato que resulte en daño físico, dolor o sufrimiento mental.
ABUSO
Incluye abuso físico, negligencia, abuso financiero, abandono, aislamiento, secuestro, restricciones irrazonables, abuso verbal, acoso o cualquier otro trato que resulte en daño físico, dolor o sufrimiento mental.
¿QUÉ SUCEDE COMÚNMENTE?
There are many different classifications of trucking accidents. These can affect how the rules apply and who may be responsible for the collision.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers are large commercial vehicles that may be operated by a motor carrier, owner-operator, or other business. Claims involving these vehicles can require review of the driver’s conduct, carrier safety records, electronic vehicle data, maintenance history, cargo practices, and available insurance coverage.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
A jackknife truck accident happens when a trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, usually after hard braking, brake failure, or slick roads. The trailer can sweep across several lanes and strike anything traveling alongside it. These cases often look at braking, speed, and whether the truck was properly maintained.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
Rollover accidents happen due to improperly loaded cargo, too much speed on a curve or freeway ramp, or a sudden swerve by a large truck. Steep grades and high-speed interchange ramps are especially dangerous for top-heavy loads, and everyone in the surrounding lanes is put at risk.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the body of a truck trailer. These are very dangerous collisions because the car's bumper, airbags, and crumple zones can pass under the trailer without ever engaging. Federal rules require rear underride guards on most trailers, and whether a guard was present and intact can matter a great deal in these cases.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
Rear end truck crashes can occur because a fully loaded truck at freeway speed needs several hundred feet to stop. When a truck follows too closely, speeds, or the driver is fatigued or distracted, it can strike the vehicle ahead or ride up over it. These accidents are common on Southern California freeways due to stop-and-go traffic.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
When a commercial truck tire blows out at high speed, it throws heavy debris across multiple lanes and can cause the driver to lose control. Unsecured or unevenly loaded cargo can do the same, spilling into traffic or shifting enough to overturn the rig. Investigation into these crashes typically focuses on maintenance records, tire age and wear, and proper loading practices.
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Úlceras por presión o “escaras”
Large trucks carry significant blind spots and need extra room to turn. Drivers sometimes swing wide before turning right, sweeping through the adjacent lane, or move without seeing a vehicle sitting beside them. Motorcyclists and cyclists are especially vulnerable here.
¿Quién está protegido?
Ya sea en un automóvil, camión o motocicleta, todos los ocupantes tienen derecho a protección legal si resultan lesionados debido a la negligencia de otra persona.
CONDUCTORES Y PASAJEROS
Ya sea en un automóvil, camión o motocicleta, todos los ocupantes tienen derecho a protección legal si resultan lesionados debido a la negligencia de otra persona.
PEATONES
Las personas que caminan por la calzada o cerca de ella y que son atropelladas por un vehículo tienen derechos legales y pueden tener derecho a una indemnización.
FAMILIARES DE LAS VÍCTIMAS
En casos de lesiones graves o muerte injusta, los familiares cercanos pueden tener derecho a una indemnización por la pérdida de compañía, apoyo financiero o angustia emocional.
FAMILIARES DE LAS VÍCTIMAS
En casos de lesiones graves o muerte injusta, los familiares cercanos pueden tener derecho a una indemnización por la pérdida de compañía, apoyo financiero o angustia emocional.
FAMILIARES DE LAS VÍCTIMAS
En casos de lesiones graves o muerte injusta, los familiares cercanos pueden tener derecho a una indemnización por la pérdida de compañía, apoyo financiero o angustia emocional.
¿QUIÉN ES EL RESPONSABLE LEGALMENTE?
La responsabilidad legal recae generalmente sobre la parte cuya negligencia o acciones ilícitas causaron el accidente. Esto puede incluir:
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Conductores responsables
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Propietarios de vehículos
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Empleadores
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Entidades gubernamentales
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Fabricantes de automóviles o de autopartes
Truck accident claims can be more complex than ordinary car accident claims. A commercial truck crash may involve the driver, motor carrier, truck owner, cargo loader, maintenance provider, broker, or manufacturer. More than one company may possess relevant records or insurance coverage.
Commercial drivers and motor carriers may also be subject to federal and state safety requirements addressing issues such as driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and driver qualification. When a safety-rule violation contributed to a crash, it may be relevant evidence in evaluating a negligence claim
Depending on the facts, liability may extend to the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance contractor, the truck or parts manufacturer, and in some cases a freight broker or leasing company. Identifying every responsible party matters, because each may carry insurance coverage that can contribute to your recovery.
Many commercial trucks contain electronic systems that may record information such as speed, braking activity, engine operation, driving time, location, or diagnostic events. The information available depends on the truck, its equipment, and the carrier’s systems.
This data may help investigators understand the vehicle’s operation before and during a collision. Some electronic records may be overwritten, deleted, or become unavailable over time, so prompt preservation of potentially relevant data can be important.
In California, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date the claim accrues. Wrongful death claims also generally have a two-year filing deadline, although exceptions may apply.
If a public entity may be responsible for the crash, a written government claim may be required much sooner, often within six months. Because legal deadlines and exceptions depend on the facts, it is important to seek legal advice promptly.
Trucking companies sometimes classify drivers as independent contractors to limit their own responsibility. California courts look at the real working relationship, not the label on a contract. If the company controlled how, when, and where the driver worked, it may still be held responsible for the driver's conduct. This is a common and heavily contested issue in trucking cases.
Truck accident cases are often handled on a contingency-fee basis. That generally means attorney fees are paid from a recovery if there is one, rather than paid in advance. Whether a client may be responsible for case costs or expenses depends on the terms of the representation agreement. Berglund & Johnson offers a free consultation so you can ask about the fee arrangement and discuss your options before deciding whether to hire the firm.
The value of a truck accident claim depends on the specific facts of the case. Relevant considerations may include the nature and severity of the injuries, medical treatment and future care needs, lost income, effect on earning capacity, property damage, available insurance coverage, the parties responsible, and the available evidence.
No lawyer can guarantee a result or accurately predict the value of a claim without first reviewing the facts.
Your immediate safety and medical care come first. If possible, call 911, report the collision, and obtain medical evaluation for any symptoms or injuries.
If you can do so safely, take photographs of the vehicles, roadway, visible damage, and surrounding conditions. Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses, and keep copies of medical records, repair estimates, and communications relating to the crash.
Consider speaking with an attorney before providing a recorded statement or signing documents requested by an insurance company. A lawyer can explain your options and help assess what evidence may need to be preserved.
Truck accident claims can involve commercial insurance, electronic vehicle data, driver records, maintenance materials, cargo issues, and federal and state safety requirements. Those issues can differ from the issues involved in an ordinary passenger-vehicle collision.
When choosing a lawyer, consider asking about the firm’s experience with commercial vehicle cases, its approach to preserving evidence, who will handle your case, and how the firm communicates with clients.
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