Truck Accident Attorney — Cerritos, CA

If you have been hurt in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, our experienced Cerritos truck accident attorneys are fully prepared to help you win the compensation you need to go on with your life. Whatever the kind of damages and injury sustained, we’ll use our extensive legal knowledge and experience to win you maximum compensation. This can be used to pay all your medical expenses, settle property damage claims, reimburse you for lost income, and give you some measure of justice for everything you have been through.

Injured victims who were involved in a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler accident throughout Cerritos, CA choose Heritage Accident Lawyers for the many advantages we offer, such as:

• We are committed to securing the highest compensation for our clients while offering personal attention.
• From the moment you contact us, we begin brainstorming every avenue of how to approach your case, so that you will receive fair and full compensation.
• Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, address your concerns and guide you through the entire process.
• The award-winning lawyers at Heritage Accident Lawyers are widely recognized as some of the best accident attorneys in the country.
• Our accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t charge upfront for all the services and resources offered, and you’ll only pay when we win.

Don’t wait – you have deadlines to meet! Contact Heritage Accident Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.

If you were injured in an accident, it is only natural to wonder how much your injury claim might be worth, especially when you have incurred huge medical bills and lost your income. The compensation you receive from an accident that wasn’t your fault is intended to make your life whole as fully as possible. That means you may be entitled to recover a considerable amount of money that covers all of the damages you have faced due to the accident.

However, there is a lot that goes into the value of an accident. You’ll need to put into consideration the economic and non-economic damages, which can be difficult to calculate. Since each crash is different, it’s best to discuss your accident with a truck accident lawyer who can help you determine the worth of your case.

Keep in mind that a reputable and experienced accident attorney would never promise to recover a particular amount of money, no matter how strong your case seems to be. Nonetheless, your lawyer can gather vital evidence, analyze the accident scene, interview the witnesses and take the necessary steps to pursue the maximum compensation possible.

Accidents with large commercial trucks happen for all the same reasons as passenger car crashes. However, due to the sheer size of these vehicles, an accident can be more tragic, causing the most severe injuries and deaths. The following are the most common causes of truck accidents in the United States:

• Truck Driver Error: This accounts for the highest percentage of truck accidents in the United States. According to FMCSA, 88% of truck-related accidents are due to the error of the trucker. This could include anything from negligent driving to distracted driving.
• Unbalanced Load: While ship dockworkers are required to properly load a trailer, it is the responsibility of the truck driver to ensure the cargo is loaded correctly and is balanced before closing the doors. It can be tough to control unbalanced loads on a windy day, which frequently leads to an accident.
• Driver Fatigue: This is a serious problem in the trucking industry. Though the hours that truckers can work are stated and limited by the law, they still have a demanding schedule with long hours. This leads to some truck drivers forcing themselves to stay awake through the long drives.
• Driving Under the Influence: Truck drivers under the influence can cause serious danger to themselves and everyone else that uses the road. Because of this, FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) dictates that blood-alcohol concentration for commercially licensed drivers cannot be any higher than .04 BAC, which is half the threshold for other drivers.
• Inexperienced Drivers: With the high demand for truck drivers, trucking companies sometimes do not have enough time to train or work on their driver’s skills. And this can lead to dangerous accidents, especially when the trucks are so large and heavy.

Car accidents with semi-trucks or 18-wheelers can be catastrophic. If it doesn’t kill the victim, it often leaves them with horrific injuries that can take several years to recover from. This is why it is important that you receive the compensation your need to handle your current and future medical expenses. Here are some common accident injuries.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): This is a serious health condition that can result from either open-head injuries or closed-head trauma. TBI is a common injury that can lead to physical and cognitive impairment, seizures, personality changes, and even death.
• Broken Bones: The blunt force to the body during a truck collision can easily lead to broken bones. A completely shattered bone is common in truck crashes due to the massive force of impact.
• Burns: There is a greater chance of a truck fuel tank rupturing and catching fire, which could lead to serious burns to the skin. 3rd and 4th-degree burns are severe, involving long recovery times.
• Lacerations and Cuts: Lacerations and cuts from trucking accidents can be excruciating. These injuries leave scars that may never fully heal.
• Internal Injuries: The force of a truck slamming into a car or smaller vehicle like a  motorcycle or bicycle can lead to internal injuries. The kidneys, bladder, spleen, and liver are often most affected.

Being involved in a truck crash is scary, and it can leave the victim at a loss for what to do next. Due to the complexity of the accident, it is often in your best interest to seek help from a trusted Cerritos truck accident lawyer who can guide you. Follow the steps below to protect your rights following a serious auto accident.

• Call the Police: The first thing to do after most car accidents where injuries were sustained is to call 911 and request help. The first responders and police will be summoned to the scene and when the police arrive, make sure to tell them what you remember about the events leading up to the crash. Also, make sure to request a copy of the police report.
• Seek Medical Attention: Get a medical evaluation for yourself and other people involved because you might have suffered injuries (such as internal bleeding) that don’t manifest immediately. Even if you’ve been examined by emergency personnel at the scene, ensure to request a medical evaluation at the hospital.
• Document the Evidence at the Scene: If you are able to and it’s safe to walk around, you should try and document the evidence on the scene, which could include contact information for everyone involved in the accident, photos, and other essentials like driver’s license numbers and insurance information.
• Report the Accident to your Insurance Company: While it is important to report the event to your insurance company, be careful about what you say to them. Also, if the other party’s insurance company contacts you, remember that you are not required to speak to them. Instead, direct them to your truck accident lawyer.