Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney

While the trucking industry is an integral cog in the machinery of everyday life, you may consider trucks a necessary evil. Although they transport life’s necessities like fuel and grocery items to your neighborhood, their drivers block your way on the I-405 motorway and slow down your progress. Even worse, some of the semi truck drivers recklessly exceed the speed limits even in poor weather conditions or under limited nighttime vision in order to make their deadlines.

And, ultimately, big rig accidents will occur.

RISKS OF BIG RIG ACCIDENTS

Even the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledge trucks as a danger on the road. Their website notes that heavy vehicles like trucks are responsible for over 400,000 accidents reported by police and 4,000 fatalities annually.

Large commercial semi trucks can weigh up to 20 times as much as a passenger car, giving them the clear advantage in an accident. You are virtually assured that your smaller vehicle would be crushed in an accident.

Such accidents are, of course, more devastating to the life and well-being of the occupants of your vehicle. If you or your loved ones become victims of a truck accident, you will not only have to repair or replace your vehicle or lose time from work and wages. Someone is likely to sustain brain damage, spinal injuries or amputations. In the worst case scenario, someone may lose their life.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE HIT?

Get everyone immediate medical attention. Everyone involved in an accident, even those without obvious injuries, should be evaluated by medical personnel. External symptoms do not always appear right way when you suffer an internal injury.

Advise the appropriate authorities. The law requires that you contact the police to report the accident so they can investigate the scene, address any potential underlying crimes like driving under the influence, and restore order to the road.

Also call your insurance company and obtain insurance information from the other driver. In order to ensure your policy is maintained in good order and any claims are processed as quickly as possible, loop your insurance company into the process quickly.

Document everything. An accident scene is chaotic and filled with emotional challenges. In order to ensure you can remember everything and explain it correctly when the crisis subsides, record everything.

• Take photos with your phone of all vehicles from multiple angles and include tire tracks, broken lights and other debris.
• Collect contact information from anyone who is in the area of the accident. Document names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and any initial observations blurted out by a bystander.

Protect yourself. Even when it is clear where responsibility lies for a tragic accident, some individuals will not acknowledge any liability or will misdirect blame.

• Keep conversation light. It is acceptable and important to ensure the physical well-being of everyone involved, but do not discuss yourself, your passengers or the accident.
• Retain copies of all medical reports.
• Obtain a copy of the police report.

GET BACK ON YOUR FEET AND COMPENSATED FOR YOUR LOSSES WITH THE HELP OF A LOS ANGELES TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a big rig accident, act promptly. But do not try to handle matters yourself. You are not alone! Accident attorneys with legal expertise and experience want to assist you in getting your life back to normal and obtaining compensation for your extensive damages, medical expenses and time lost from work, as well as your mental and emotional suffering. Contact a Los Angeles truck accident attorney today!