Selma Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can lead to costly medical bills and unexpected time off work. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash with a truck, a Selma personal injury lawyer can help you seek damages.

Fowler | Helsel | Vogt has been representing Californians since 2010. If you were hit by a negligent truck driver, a Selma truck accident lawyer can help you build a strong claim and pursue a fair settlement.

Why Hire a Selma Truck Accident Attorney?

A truck accident case often involves substantially more evidence and more responsible parties than an ordinary car accident case.

A truck accident lawyer serving Selma can help with your case by:

• Investigating the crash: We can gather police reports, photographs, witness statements, video footage, vehicle data, and other evidence to determine how the crash occurred and who is responsible.
• Calculating your losses: We can evaluate your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses and calculate your claim’s value.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: We can communicate with insurers and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
• Pursuing a trial: If a settlement isn’t possible, we can present evidence supporting your claim in court.

What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?

The amount of compensation that’s available to you after a truck accident will depend on the circumstances of the collision, the severity of your injuries, and the other losses you have suffered.

Potential damages include:

• Medical expenses: You may recover compensation for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other accident-related medical care.
• Future medical costs: You may be entitled to damages for reasonably necessary treatment you are expected to need in the future.
• Lost wages: You may recoup income you lost because your injuries prevented you from working.
• Reduced earning capacity: You may seek additional compensation if your injuries permanently affect your ability to earn income.
• Property damage: You can pursue compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
• Pain and suffering: You may recover damages for physical pain, discomfort, and the broader effects of your injuries.
• Emotional distress: You can seek compensation for psychological suffering associated with the crash.
• Punitive damages: If the other party acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, you may recover punitive damages.

What Is the Deadline to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in California?

CCP § 335.1 imposes a two–year statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits related to truck accidents. If you don’t file a claim within two years of the accident, you will likely lose the right to recover damages.

A different deadline may apply if your case involves government agencies, injured minors, or a defendant who leaves the state. A truck accident attorney serving Selma can review your case and explain how much time you have left to pursue a lawsuit.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

Multiple parties may share responsibility for a truck accident, depending on what caused the crash.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver: The driver may be responsible if speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, or another form of negligence contributed to the crash.
• The trucking company: A trucking company may be liable for the actions of its employee. In addition, it may be held liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, poor supervision, or improper vehicle maintenance.
• The cargo loading company: A company responsible for loading a truck may be liable if cargo was overloaded, improperly distributed, or inadequately secured and contributed to the accident.
• A maintenance provider: A company responsible for inspecting or repairing the truck may be at fault if negligent maintenance or defective repairs contributed to a mechanical failure.
• A truck or parts manufacturer: A manufacturer may be liable if a defective truck component, such as a tire, brake, steering component, or other part, contributed to the collision.
• Another driver: A separate motorist may share responsibility if their actions caused the truck driver to crash or created the conditions that led to the collision.

What If I Was Partially at Fault?

California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that even if you are partially at fault for a truck accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found 30% responsible for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Selma

Truck crashes can happen for many different reasons. Common causes include:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers who operate their vehicles while excessively tired may have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining control.
• Distracted driving: Looking at a phone, adjusting equipment, eating, or engaging in other distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
• Speeding: A large truck needs significant distance to slow down, making excessive speed particularly dangerous.
• Following too closely: Trucks require more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, especially when traveling at highway speeds.
• Improper lane changes: Semi-truck blind spots are substantial, and unsafe lane changes can result in collisions with vehicles traveling alongside them.
• Improperly secured cargo: Shifting or falling cargo can destabilize a truck or create hazards for other motorists.
• Poor maintenance: Defective brakes, worn tires, faulty steering components, and other mechanical problems can contribute to crashes.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can interfere with a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
• Hours–of–service violations: Drivers who exceed legally permitted driving or on-duty limits may become fatigued and more likely to cause a crash.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accident victims can suffer serious injuries, such as:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Severe lacerations
• Burns
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Psychological trauma

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Selma

Everything you do after a truck accident could affect your personal injury claim. If possible, you should:

• Call 911 and report the crash.
• Photograph the vehicles, roadway, truck, cargo, debris, and any visible injuries.
• Get contact information from witnesses.
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
• Seek medical attention, even if your injuries initially seem minor.
• Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and other accident-related documentation.
• Avoid posting statements about the accident or your injuries on social media.
• Keep track of missed work and other financial losses.
• Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking to a lawyer.
• Talk to a Selma personal injury lawyer before agreeing to a settlement.

Consult a Selma Truck Accident Lawyer

A serious truck accident can be financially devastating. If you were injured in a preventable collision with a truck, a Selma truck accident attorney from Fowler | Helsel | Vogt can help prove who is at fault and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.

Book a free consultation to discuss your accident with an experienced lawyer.