Santa Ana Truck Accident Lawyer

Location Address:

1418 N. Main St, Suite 200-A
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Traffic accidents involving big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles often cause serious injuries and severe damage due to the disparity in size and weight. These devastating injuries can be life-altering. Allow the experienced Santa Ana truck accident lawyers from Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer to assist in pursuing the maximum compensation on your behalf.

Taking on the large trucking companies, their legal teams, and insurers alone is risky. It could result in losing your case and owing thousands in medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses. This makes expert legal representation vital to protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.

You do not have to face this alone. Contact our Orange County law offices at (714) 701-8149 to schedule a free consultation today.

How a Truck Accident Attorney Will Benefit Your Case
Who Is at Fault for the Truck Accident?
Evidence Needed in a Truck Accident Case
What Can Be Compensated in a Truck Accident Claim?
Is There a Time Limit to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?
What To Do After a Truck Accident

Get Your Free Case Consultation

No upfront costs to you or your family. We strive to recover fair and equitable compensation for our clients.

How an Attorney Will Benefit Your Truck Accident Case

Obtaining fair compensation following a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence is never a guarantee, because insurance companies aggressively work to lower settlement amounts and protect their financial interests. Skilled legal representation is crucial when negotiating with insurance carriers to secure a fair settlement and protect your rights. Our truck accident lawyers simplify these processes while also providing the following benefits.

1. Proven Track Record of Outstanding Service

Jeff Fayngor, Esq., has been recognized by colleagues and other industry leaders with accolades that include USA Today’s Top 15 Attorneys, an Avvo 10.0 Superb Top Personal Injury Attorney ranking, and an A+ Rating from the BBB.

Additionally, our Santa Ana personal injury law firm has successfully recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases, including truck accident cases throughout Southern California.

2. Award-Winning Legal Support

With decades of combined experience, our Orange County personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of cases involving trucking corporations and are prepared to pursue the most effective legal course of action.

Our personal injury attorneys also facilitate scheduling appointments with medical specialists to accurately evaluate both immediate and future medical needs, ensuring proper client care.

3. ZERO Upfront Legal Fees

Our truck accident law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, clients never pay any legal fees until we secure a case win through a settlement or court verdict for their truck accident claims.

We also offer a 100% free, no-risk case evaluation to get started, providing injured victims the opportunity to have their truck accident cases assessed with no obligation to retain our legal services.

Personalized Attention

Our firm delivers tailored legal strategies and compassionate support to each client. With a thorough investigation, evidence collection, and a thoughtful case strategy, our legal team can prove fault and establish the other party’s liability.

Demonstrated by our winning record, we are prepared to confront large trucking enterprises through assertive negotiation and litigation to protect our clients’ rights.

Common Causes of Orange County Truck Accidents

Many truck accidents stem from negligence, which may be attributed to the truck driver, the trucking industry, or other involved parties. Common causes of truck accidents include:

Truck Driver Fatigue: Due to commercial truck drivers working long hours, leading to exhaustion and decreased reaction times
Improper Maintenance: Vehicle breakdown or malfunctions from the failure to maintain brakes, tires, and other critical components
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Incorrectly loaded cargo in commercial trucks, causing a shift in weight distribution during transit
Distracted Driving: Use of mobile devices, GPS, CB radio, or other distractions that divert a truck driver’s attention from the road
Drunk Driving and Drug Use: Increased likelihood of a serious accident occurring and resulting in catastrophic injuries
Hours-of-Service Violations: When truck drivers exceed regulated driving limits, resulting in fatigue-related crashes

Orange County experiences hundreds of motor vehicle accidents involving big rigs, tractor-trailers, semi trucks, and other large commercial vehicles, especially on busy roads, like the I-5 (Interstate 5) and I-405 (Interstate 405) Freeways. Understanding the cause of large commercial truck accidents is crucial in determining liability and pursuing compensation from all appropriate parties.

Who Is at Fault for the Truck Accident?

Despite strict trucking regulations at both the federal level through the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and in California state law, commercial vehicle accidents still occur at an alarming rate. Liability parties may include:

Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or secured cargo that led to the truck accident
Corporation, Business, or Entity: The truck company that owns and/or operates the truck, or employs the drivers
Maintenance Companies: A recently serviced truck experiences faulty repairs or mechanical issues
Truck Manufacturers: A defective vehicle part, like tires or brakes, causes the truck accident
Truck Drivers: Reckless driving, such as speeding or distracted driving, contributes to the accident
Trucking Companies: Inadequate training, poor maintenance, or encouraging unsafe driving practices

Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, making them significantly more complex than standard passenger vehicle claims. Our award-winning personal injury attorneys specialize in investigating truck accidents to identify all liable parties and hold them accountable.

California’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Under California’s comparative negligence rule, victims may still recover compensation even when partly at fault for a truck accident. However, compensation is proportionally reduced by their assigned degree of fault.

For example, in a case with $100,000 in total damages, if the injured party is determined to be 10% at fault, the awarded compensation would be $90,000.

To minimize liability, insurance companies often attempt to shift a significant portion of the blame onto the claimant when fault is shared. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from communicating with the opposing party’s insurer and consult with an attorney as soon as possible.

Evidence to Prove Liability in a Santa Ana Truck Accident Case

Our Santa Ana law offices assist truck accident victims by investigating the incident and obtaining evidence to identify the at-fault party and establish liability. The following evidence will be valuable in establishing liability:

Black Box Data: Also known as an Event Data Recorder (EDR), this is crucial to immediately retrieve, as the data can be legally erased after 30 days
Video Recordings: Any footage from truck cameras, local businesses, or traffic cameras that captured the collision
Trucking Company Records: Access documents about driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle inspections
Witness Statements: Collect independent witness accounts, which are essential to establish an accurate sequence of events and provide unbiased perspectives
Official Police Report: Secure a copy of the accident report
Medical Records: Records documenting medical treatment, what injuries were sustained, and the cost of medical expenses to treat those injuries

Consulting a lawyer right after an accident is advisable to secure such valuable evidence. This is vital to determining fault in a personal injury claim in order to recover financial compensation for sustained damages.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Common truck accident injuries can result in life-altering injuries, often including fractures, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and emotional trauma. In addition to physical injuries, car crashes involving large commercial trucks may also have a significant emotional and psychological impact on victims. Truck accident injuries often include:

Amputation
Bone breaks and fractures
Dental fractures
Head trauma
Internal bleeding
Lacerations and burns
Neck injuries or whiplash
Organ damage
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Scarring and disfigurement
Soft-tissue injuries
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Wrongful death

Orange County ruck accident victims may face substantial financial losses from immediate trauma care, ongoing physical therapy, and lost earning capacity. Prompt medical care is essential, not only for your health but also to document injuries, so ensure you see a doctor as soon as possible.

Recover Compensation for the Following Damages

In personal injury cases, including truck accident cases, compensatory damages refer to the financial recovery a plaintiff can seek. These damages are categorized as economic damages, which cover quantifiable losses such as out-of-pocket expenses, and non-economic damages, which address intangible harms such as pain and suffering. Truck accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for:

Current medical bills
Future medical expenses
Future medical bills
Loss of earning capacity
Loss of consortium or companionship
Lost wages
Mental anguish
Permanent disability
Physical pain
Property damage

For incidents involving severe misconduct, such as driving under the influence, where the responsible party exhibits notably reckless actions, additional losses may be awarded in the form of “punitive damages” to further punish the wrongdoer.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?

Individuals seeking to file a Santa Ana truck accident lawsuit are subject to the statute of limitations laws, which is typically a two-year filing period, beginning on the date of injury. However, there are sometimes exceptions, and failure to initiate legal proceedings within the given period will result in the loss of the right to pursue compensation.

Wrongful Death

The timeframe to file an Orange County wrongful death claim resulting from a truck accident may not necessarily be the date the truck crash occurred if injuries were not immediately fatal. Instead, the statute of limitations to file a truck accident lawsuit begins on the date of the victim’s passing.

Discovery Rule and Catastrophic Injuries

A trucking accident victim must file a personal injury claim within two years of discovering the injury, or from the date they should have reasonably discovered it. This is common for injuries that are not immediately apparent and can worsen over time, like a TBI.

Minor Is Invovled

Regarding commercial truck accident cases involving children, the legal timeframe for filing a claim is 2 years from the child’s 18th birthday. This applies regardless of whether more than two years have passed since the incident occurred.

Claim Against the Government

Claims against government entities, such as the City of Santa Ana, for neglected road maintenance, including failing to fill potholes, or for government vehicle accidents involving postal or garbage trucks, must be formally filed with the agency within six months of the incident.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Orange County

A collision of any kind can be a devastating experience, putting injured victims in a vulnerable and very confusing position. To protect your well-being, legal interests, and ability to recover full and fair compensation after a truck accident, it’s crucial to take the following actions:

1. Ensure Safety

If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic and check for injuries. If serious injuries are sustained, ask for help from anyone who is present.

2. Call 911

Report the automobile accident and request medical assistance if necessary. When the police report becomes available, obtain a copy.

3. Gather Evidence and Witness Statements

Collect insurance details and contact information from all parties involved, including witnesses, and take photos of the accident scene, visible injuries, vehicle damage, and any other details that illustrate the severity of the truck crash.

4. Seek Medical Attention

Even if injuries seem minor, seek a full medical evaluation. Retain all medical records and medical bills, as these will be needed when the insurance claim is filed.

5. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies

Never provide recorded statements, sign documents, or accept early truck accident settlements. Insurers try to settle quickly before you consult an attorney to minimize payouts, as these final agreements prevent victims from seeking further, deserved compensation.

Even if hiring is still being considered, at least consult with a local Orange County truck accident lawyer. Not only will this protect your rights, but early legal intervention can also strengthen your truck accident case. Our personal injury law firm offers free case evaluations to all prospective clients to get started.

How Our Santa Ana Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer confidently represents victims injured by a trucking company’s or another party’s negligence. Some benefits to working with our award-winning legal team include:

100% Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free case evaluation to assess the incident and case potential and advise on the best course of action.
Thorough Investigation: Our team will gather sufficient evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case.
Aggressive Negotiation: Our Santa Ana truck accident lawyers will handle all communications with insurance companies to negotiate the best settlement.
Resourceful Alternatives: If necessary, we are prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit, take the case to court, and pursue maximum damages before a judge and jury.

Dedicated to helping recover compensation for clients, Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer possesses comprehensive knowledge of California’s trucking regulations and traffic laws.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Cases

How long do I have to file a claim?

For personal injury claims in California, you typically have two years from the accident date to file. However, there are exceptions that can extend and even reduce the filing window.

Seeking guidance from an experienced truck accident attorney will guarantee the claim is submitted within the allowed time frame.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the truck accident.

However, compensation will be decreased based on your percentage of assigned fault, and insurers often try to assign a greater degree of fault to minimize their payouts.

How much does a truck accident attorney cost?

All personal injury law firms bill differently. Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer works on contingency, so clients never pay anything up front.

Instead, our fees are a percentage of the final truck accident settlement or verdict we obtain on our clients’ behalf. Therefore, if we don’t win, you don’t pay, and you will never owe any out-of-pocket expenses.

How long will my case take to settle?

The duration of a truck accident case varies depending on its complexity. Some cases settle in a few months, while others may take longer, especially if they go to trial.

Because truck accident cases often involve severe injury and significant damage, they may take closer to a year to settle. We can estimate the turnaround time during the free case assessment.

Contact the Top-Rated Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers

If you sustained injuries or psychological trauma from a trucking accident, time is of the essence. Don’t wait to take action in initiating an Orange County truck accident suit and seek compensation for your injuries. Jeff’s got you.

At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, we treat injured victims with the compassion, respect, and dedication they deserve. Let us fight for you so you can focus on what matters most–your recovery.

Other Practice Areas Our Southern California Personal Injury Law Firm Handles

Our award-winning personal injury law firm specializes in the following practice areas:

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Santa Ana Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you do not have to navigate the legal system alone. Our dedicated Santa Ana truck accident lawyers are here to provide the support and representation you need. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.

Address: 1418 N. Main St, Suite 200-A, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone Number: (714) 701-8149

Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Other Locations

Our firm serves Santa Ana, Orange County, and the surrounding communities, and we are ready to discuss your case. Contact one of our Northern or Southern California law offices today.

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