San Jose Truck Accident Lawyer

Any vehicle accident can take a devastating toll physically, emotionally, and financially. The severity of an accident is multiplied when a truck or 18-wheeler is involved because of its size and weight. These accidents are particularly traumatic, as they often result in loss of independence, inability to work, and in the most tragic of circumstances, loss of life.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an 18-wheeler or truck accident, you don’t have to face this uncertain time alone. You have rights, and the truck accident lawyers at Valley Accident Attorneys will fight for them. We are here to help you get the fair compensation you need and deserve.

Contact us for a free case evaluation today with our San Jose truck accident lawyer to get started. Our personal injury firm is fully prepared to discuss your accident, injuries, and best course of action for your personal injury claim.

Should I Hire a San Jose Truck Accident Lawyer After a Truck Crash?

A free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer from our award-winning firm can help you understand the merit and potential value of your San Jose truck accident case. There is no risk to you; you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. We have secured millions in compensation for our clients, and we will fight just as hard for you.

An accomplished truck accident attorney knows what it takes to win complicated truck accident cases involving several negligent parties such as the trucking company, their insurance company, and their hired truck driver. Truck accident victims should not expect a fair settlement offered by insurance adjusters without legal assistance.

The benefits of hiring Valley Accident Attorneys don’t stop with top-notch legal representation. Our legal services can also put you in contact with the finest medical providers. Their injury expertise can help you heal completely and quickly.

Why You Need a San Jose Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accident lawyers specialize in helping injured clients involved in accidents with commercial vehicles. They know what it takes to make sure clients are fully compensated for their losses, which usually include medical bills, lost wages . To get justice, you need a legal representative who can:

• Identify all liable parties, such as the truck driver, employer, or trucking company
• Handle negotiations among multiple parties including insurance company
• Plan a strong legal strategy

Our San Jose truck accident lawyers will analyze your case, gather required evidence, and determine the best course of action. They can also ensure that comparative laws are applied correctly. You may be able to collect damages even if you are partially to blame for the accident. A free consultation with our firm will help you determine your legal options.

How Much Is a Truck Accident Claim Worth?

The value of your insurance claim varies depending on the details of your wreck. The various factors used seek compensation may include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Permanence of physical injuries
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and psychological damage
• Wrongful death

Our San Jose truck accident attorneys will take all these factors into account when estimating the value of your case. Taking the first offer from an insurance adjuster will almost always result in you getting an amount of compensation far lower than is fair.

Common Causes of San Jose Truck Accidents

For the most part, semi truck drivers are skilled and patient drivers. Truck wrecks involving 18-wheelers have varying causes, but some causes are recorded more often than others.

Mechanical Defects

Mechanical defects top the list of the most common causes of truck accidents. Issues with brakes and tires are the most often cited defect. When trucking companies fail to maintain their commercial trucks or perform improper maintenance, they may be held liable.

New or Unfamiliar Routes

Unfamiliarity with the road because of a changed route is a factor in many trucking accidents.

Distracted Driving

Like other motorists, truck drivers can be susceptible to distracted driving or reckless driving, which poses a huge risk to passenger vehicles sharing the road with large commercial vehicles.

Speeding

Speeding is a common factor in large truck accidents. A semi-truck requires a much greater stopping distance than a passenger vehicle because of its weight. Truck drivers making unsafe lane changes while speeding compounds an already difficult driving maneuver.

Fatigue

Driver fatigue happens when a truck driver spends too many hours on the road. This is a common cause of truck accidents and can be the result of unrealistic scheduling expectations by trucking companies.

Like any traffic accident, alcohol and drugs are also among the leading causes of large truck accidents. However, the guilty party will sometimes vary between the motorist and the truck driver.

Determining Liability in a Truck Accident

Proving liability in a truck accident is more complicated than liability issues with other kinds of vehicles. This is the case because often, there is more than one party responsible for the collision. 

If you have an auto accident with a semi truck, you could be entitled to compensation from the following:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The tire manufacturer
• The truck manufacturer
• The cargo company that loaded the truck

Four elements must be established when proving liability. The common legal elements used to determine liability are:

• There was an expected duty of care that the truck and driver would operate safely
• There was a breach of that duty, caused by negligence
• That breach lead to the accident
• The accident caused personal injury or property damage

Because several factors can converge in a trucking accident, enlisting the help of a San Jose truck accident lawyer can be crucial. At Valley Accident Attorneys, we have access to investigative resources you don’t. We also have the experience necessary to tie all of the causes of your accident together.

Common Injuries from Truck Crashes

Because a passenger vehicle is so much smaller than a truck, the driver and passengers often suffer more serious injuries in a collision. At worst, they may suffer fatal injuries.

Some of the more common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

• Soft-tissue damage, such as a pulled muscle or torn ligament
• Broken bones or fractures
• Limb loss
• Paralysis
• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal injuries
• Crush injuries
• Internal bleeding or organ damage

Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries that require months of rehabilitation and therapy. You should not be responsible for these medical bills when someone else was at fault.

What to Do After a Crash with a Semi Truck

Certain steps should be taken after any crash. Taking certain measures can help protect your rights after a semi truck crash:

1. Check yourself and passengers for injuries; call 911 immediately
2. If you’re able, move yourself and your vehicle out of harm’s way
3. Call for emergency services
4. Exchange information with other drivers involved
5. Take pictures and document the scene
6. Get contact information from any bystanders who may have witnessed the crash
7. See a doctor and evaluate injuries
8. Keep a record of everything: police report, medical records, and evidence collected from the accident scene
9. Call your insurance agent to notify them about the accident
10. Call a truck accident lawyer

Don’t make any statements about responsibility or blame. Let your truck accident attorneys work to establish liability.

If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident, Call Valley Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a truck, you need the help of our experienced San Jose semi truck accident attorneys to help guide you through the claims process. We won't let trucking companies and their insurance adjusters get away with a low offer settlement. At Valley Accident Attorneys, we have the skills and resources to help you get the maximum compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.