A Trusted & Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer — Irvine, CA

Were You Seriously Injured in a Truck Accident in Irvine?

Irvine is a populous city, and its inhabitants continue to increase year after year. As the population grows, so do traffic levels with semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and delivery trucks occupying the city’s roads and highways on a daily basis. An increase in present commercial trucks also increases the rates of accidents occurring.

If you were involved in a truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation, as you may face challenges, such as costly medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This constitutes the need for assistance from experienced truck accident lawyers.

Car accident lawyer, Daniel Kim, maintains a 99% success rate for obtaining maximum compensation for clients involved in accidents with truck drivers and the trucking companies. If you were injured by another party’s negligence, you deserve justice. Contact our Irvine personal injury lawyer to schedule a free case assessment, and we can begin building your winning case.

No Win. No Fee. Guaranteed.

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we do not charge any upfront legal fees and operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients will not owe us any legal fees if we do not produce optimal results. To learn more about our payment structure and legal services, schedule a free consultation today.

Why Hire Daniel Kim as Your Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer?

A crash involving a large truck or commercial vehicle is recognized as a “trucking accident.” The legal proceedings for these types of truck accident cases require a comprehensive knowledge of personal injury law and the federal regulations that govern how the trucking industry is allowed to operate.

Because the process for filing truck accident claims is more complex than filing car accident claims, it is strongly advisable to consult with Irvine truck accident attorneys as soon as possible.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim possess the qualifications that are required to take on the trucking company and their legal team. Our dedication to our clients has been recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA), the American Academy of Attorneys, and The Elite Lawyers of America.

With years of experience perfecting our practices, our personal injury law firm has recovered over $300 million in verdicts and settlements for our deserving clients, and we can help you. To discover how, please contact us today. A representative is available to speak 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

An injured truck accident victim must contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Truck accident attorneys can help clients understand their legal rights and can get them the compensation they deserve. Here is why legal representation is so beneficial:

• Investigate the accident – Determining the cause and who is at fault, which may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and obtaining expert testimony
• Gather evidence – Obtaining proof that supports the claim, such as medical records, photographs from the accident scene, and assessment of vehicle damages
• Negotiate with the insurance company – Estimating an accurate case value and pushing for the maximum financial award from the at-fault party’s insurance
• File a lawsuit if necessary – Representing clients in court if insurance companies are not offering a fair settlement
• Understand the law – Clarifying the complex laws surrounding large truck accidents so clients are aware of their rights and legal options
• Deal with insurance carriers – Dealing with insurance adjusters who will attempt to deny or minimize truck accident victims’ personal injury claims
• Recover maximum compensation – Obtaining economic damages and non-economic damages for expensive medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost wages.
• Meet major deadlines – Ensuring dates like the statute of limitations, which can range from six months to two years, are met so that legal pursuits are not forfeited

What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?

A truck crash involving a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck can cause severe injuries with major repercussions. When recovering damages, it is our goal to get our clients reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, as well as compensated for the traumatic experiences they had to endure. Our personal injury law firm has been successful in recovering the following types of damages:

• Medical costs
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Physical therapy
• Pain management
• Diminished earning capacity
• Lost wages from missed work
• Vehicle repairs or replacement
• Physical and mental pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of companionship

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Lawyers charge different rates, as well as apply different payment structures. Some firms charge hourly rates, while others collect a percentage of the final settlement. At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we work on contingency. This means that we do not charge upfront fees and are only compensated after our clients are.

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Due to their size and weight, large commercial vehicles can only be operated by a licensed commercial truck driver. While special training is required to drive a large commercial truck, accidents still happen, and they often happen due to negligence, especially on traffic-filled freeways, like the I-405 Freeway and I-5 Freeway. Here are some of the common causes behind truck crashes:

• Overloading: Semi-trucks are only designed to carry a certain amount of weight. Overloading them can make it difficult for a truck driver to control, increasing the risk of a rollover accident.
• Reckless Driving: Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet delivery times, which can lead to exceeding the speed limit or making unsafe lane changes. Weaving through traffic can cause a tailgating accident.
• Fatigued Driving: An overly worked truck driver who is pressured by an employer to bypass rest periods in order to meet deadlines is prone to driver fatigue. This is reckless and equivalent to drinking and driving.
• Driving Under the Influence: Any party that operates a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be held responsible if an accident occurs.
• Distracted Driving: Cellphone use or looking down at the GPS takes attention away from driving and can cause a serious accident.
• Irregular Maintenance: Trucks drive long distances and require regular maintenance to ensure they are safe to operate. Failure to maintain a truck can lead to tire blowouts or mechanical problems.
• Improper loading: If a tractor-trailer is not loaded properly or if the cargo is not secured, the shipment can spill into oncoming traffic.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

The legal concept of establishing liability in an accident is to link the defendant’s negligent actions to the plaintiff’s (victim) damages. Therefore, the following parties can be liable in a commercial truck accident:

• Truck driver: Truck drivers can be held liable for negligence if they were not driving safely, and were speeding, driving while intoxicated, or driving while fatigued.
• Trucking company: An employer can be held liable for negligence if they failed to properly train their drivers, if they failed to properly maintain vehicle inspections, or if they instructed their drivers to violate federal regulations and not take breaks.
• Truck owner: If a semi-truck or large truck is owned by a person or business and leases their vehicles to companies, the owners can be held liable. Owners that fail to properly maintain their vehicles or inspect it can be found negligent.
• Cargo loaders: The company or employees who are responsible for loading cargo can be held liable if they overloaded the trailer or if they did not secure the cargo properly.
• Manufacturer: The manufacturer of the truck or its vehicle parts can be found negligent if parts are found to be defective or faulty and ultimately caused the truck crash.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

By following these steps, victims will protect their safety and their legal rights. Here is what to do after an accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or another type of commercial truck.

1. Assess the situation and get medical attention. If it’s drivable, move the vehicle to a safe location and immediately call 911 to report the accident. After CHP arrives, inquire about how to obtain the accident report they created. Then, seek medical treatment, even if it does not appear that severe injuries were sustained.
2. Document the accident scene. This includes pictures of the damage to the other vehicles, visible injuries, and the overall wreckage. Also, get the name, contact information, and employer information of the truck driver. If witnesses were present, collect their contact information, as well.
3. Consult with an experienced attorney. An attorney provides legal assistance by protecting clients’ rights and providing them with the professional representation that is needed in order to recover compensation. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim always advocates on clients’ behalf, improving their chances of obtaining maximum settlements.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Victims injured in an accident may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. The amount of compensation will vary based on the severity of the injuries. Our personal injury law firm has successfully recovered compensation for the following:

• Head injuries: Among the most serious injuries and can include concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries: Caused by the impact of the crash or by the force of the airbag deploying and can lead to paralysis
• Internal injuries: Less apparent injuries that can lead to long-term health problems due to organ damage, internal bleeding, and internal fractures
• Broken bones: Another common injury that can require surgery and long periods of rehabilitation
• Whiplash: Caused by the sudden acceleration or deceleration, prompting the head to aggressively sway back and forth, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, and headaches
• Scarring and Burns: Sharp objects or fire from the crash that create deep lacerations or severe burns to the skin
• Wrongful Death: Any fatal injury sustained from the crash

Irvine Truck Accident Statistics

In 2020, there were over 12,000 vehicles involved in large truck-related crashes throughout California. That same year Irvine experienced 470 motor vehicle accidents that resulted in either injury or death. The most common cause of these accidents is often associated with distracted driving and driving under the influence.

Most Common Types of Truck Accidents

• Tire Blowout – bursting of tires that deflate while driving
• Jackknife – braking too fast, causing the trailer to skid creating a 90-degree angle
• Underride – when a car slides under the trailer of a large 18-wheeler
• Rear-End – often caused by tailgating, causing one vehicle to slam into the preceding vehicle
• Head-On – the front of two vehicles colliding with each other
• T-bone – one vehicle slamming into the side of another vehicle

Dangerous Intersections

Popular areas like the Irvine Spectrum, FivePoint Amphitheatre, and The University of California, Irvine experience heavy traffic, making them more prone to accidents. Some of the most hazardous intersections for truck accidents include:

• Barranca Pkwy. and Main St.
• Irvine Blvd. and Culver Dr.
• Gateway and Alton Pkwy.
• Irvine Center Dr. and Alton Pkwy.
• Irvine Center Dr. and Jeffrey Rd.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Should I speak to the insurance company after a truck accident?

No. Consult with truck accident lawyers first. Insurance carriers are trained to get victims to share information that will ultimately hurt their cases. However, an attorney protects clients’ rights and can get them the compensation they deserve.

• How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident?

The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim in California is typically two years from the date of the accident, but there are exceptions where the date can be reduced or extended. If the deadline is missed, a claim cannot be filed in the future.

• What evidence do I need to support my truck accident claim?

Necessary evidence varies depending on the specific facts of the case. However, some common pieces of evidence for accident claims include: a police report, medical records, witness statements, images of the accident scene, the truck driver’s work log, and the truck’s black box.

• Can I sue the trucking company after a truck accident?

In Irvine, California, the trucking company can be sued if the accident resulted due to their employees’ negligence or the company’s negligence. Examples like driving recklessly, loading the semi-truck improperly, or not regularly servicing the vehicle may warrant a lawsuit.

• What if the truck driver was not an employee of the trucking company?

If contracted drivers are found liable, their personal auto insurance carrier would be responsible for damages. However, the trucking company may still be held accountable if they failed their duty of care to prevent the accident from occurring, like contracting a driver with a proven history of reckless driving.

• How long does a truck accident lawsuit take to resolve?

This varies depending on the complexity of the case. If multiple parties are involved and significant damages are suffered, the case will take longer to resolve. On average, most lawsuits take between one and two years to resolve.

• Can I file a claim if the truck had a mechanical failure?

Yes. However, this will need to be proven. Additionally, the at-fault party must be identified, as the truck company could be liable for neglecting to service the vehicle, or the manufacturer could be liable for producing faulty parts.

• Will my truck accident case go to trial?

Most accident cases settle, instead of going to trial. However, if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, a lawsuit will have to be filed in order to recover damages. Then, the outcome will be determined by a judge and jury.

• What should I do if the insurance company denies my claim?

Seek legal representation from Irvine truck accident lawyers. An attorney will investigate the legitimacy of the case, collect evidence, and dispute the claim with the insurance so that maximum recovery can be obtained.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyer Near You

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Irvine, California or the surrounding Orange County area, you need experienced legal representatives to help you get the compensation you deserve.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim understands the complex laws and regulations surrounding accidents with large trucks and commercial vehicles. Allow our award-winning team to fight for your rights and get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. Schedule a free case assessment when you are ready to begin discussing your case.

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Directions to Our Irvine Office

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim – 교통사고 변호사
Address: 15615 Alton Pkwy #450, Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 529-2552