Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can result in serious injuries, mountains of medical bills, and significant time spent recovering and unable to work. Unfortunately, collisions involving large trucks and passenger vehicles happen all too frequently in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 5,000 people died in collisions with large trucks in one year alone, and another 159,000 were injured.

At Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, we’re committed to holding negligent truck drivers, their employers, and their insurers responsible for the harm that they have caused. Our Fresno truck accident attorneys have nearly 40 years of combined experience helping people who have been injured or lost a loved one seek the money and justice they deserve. We look forward to putting this experience to work for you.

We believe that nobody should be priced out of receiving the justice they deserve. That’s why we offer completely free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis — which means we only get paid if you do.

What Makes Truck Accidents So Complicated?

Truck accidents tend to be more complicated than other motor vehicle collisions because they often:

• Result in more serious injuries: NHTSA defines “large trucks” as those that weigh at least 10,000 pounds and range up to 80,000 pounds or more. Their large size, coupled with their cumbersome handling, wide turning, and large blind spots means they can do serious damage when they collide with smaller vehicles.
• Involve more parties: Unlike a passenger vehicle collision, where one or more of the drivers involved is typically at fault, more parties may ultimately be held responsible for a truck accident. This may include the driver, their employer, the loading crew, the truck’s owner, the cargo’s owner, and all their insurers.
• Involve complicated business and insurance arrangements: Whether the truck driver involved in a crash was an employee or an independent contractor can affect the course of an insurance claim or lawsuit. Additionally, trucking companies may have complex insurance policies that obscure the true amount of compensation to which a truck accident victim may be entitled. Because commercial trucks usually carry much higher insurance limits — often $1 million or more — you can count on the insurers to put up a strong fight.

An experienced Fresno truck accident attorney from our firm can help you better understand your case and who may be held responsible for your injuries so you can maximize your compensation.

How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you’ve been injured in a big rig accident, a lawyer can help you by:

• Discussing your case with you during a free consultation
• Investigating the collision and obtaining critical evidence
• Working with accident reconstruction experts to create an accurate chain of events
• Determining the total cost of your past and future medical treatment
• Filing an insurance claim on your behalf and taking care of all related paperwork
• Representing you in court should the insurance company decline to adequately compensate you

Causes of Truck Accidents

Some examples of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving
• Intoxicated driving
• Unsafe turns
• Failure to signal
• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Lack of driver training
• Unsafe loads

These are just a few of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents. This is not an exhaustive list.

Evidence We Gather in a Truck Accident Case

At our firm, we understand that a successful claim is a well-researched claim.

We always try to gather as much evidence about a collision as possible, including:

• The truck driver’s log, which will show how long they had been operating the vehicle and whether fatigue played a role in the crash
• The truck driver’s toxicology report, which will show whether they had any drugs or alcohol in their system at the time of the crash
• The truck driver’s employment records, which will show if they have had sufficient training or have been involved in any incidents in the past
• The truck’s onboard computer, which may have a wide range of pertinent data about what happened to the truck before and during the crash
• The truck’s maintenance records, which could suggest whether any defective or worn-out parts contributed to the crash
• The truck’s load manifest, which could indicate that an oversize or awkward load caused the truck to handle poorly

Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim

A truck collision can result in catastrophic injuries and significant expenses for the victim. 

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to financial compensation for costs such as:

• Past and future medical costs, including hospital bills, prescription medication, physical and occupational therapy, and at-home healthcare
• Lost income, including work you’ve already missed or future income your injuries will prevent you from acquiring
• Diminished quality of life caused by long-term disability or disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in cases involving exceptional recklessness
• Property damage

Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas

Texas has a time limit, or statute of limitations, for personal injury lawsuits. If someone else’s negligence hurt you and you need to file a civil lawsuit, you have two years from the date of the accident or from the first appearance of related injuries to do so. If you do not file within this two-year window, you will likely lose your chance at securing financial compensation.

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident

The things you do in the days, weeks, and months following a truck accident can make or break your chances of receiving adequate compensation. 

Here are some of the steps you can take to improve those chances:

• Save all documents about the crash
• See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe your injuries were severe at first
• Follow whatever treatment plan your doctor suggests as closely as possible
• Keep notes documenting the physical pain and emotional turmoil you experience as a result of the crash
• Keep track of any documents proving the financial burden of your injuries, such as reduced pay stubs or tax returns
• Avoid social media, as insurance adjusters and opposing attorneys will monitor your accounts for any activity they think undercuts your claims of injury
• Contact a lawyer as soon as possible

Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Fresno Now

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, time is of the essence. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of securing the financial compensation you deserve.