California’s roads carry their fair share of traffic, with the second highest number of roadway miles in the country and by far the most registered vehicles. Because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and two neighboring countries, California serves as a major international trade hub, with thousands of trucks passing through its roads every day.
And with the most registered trucks in the country, mistakes can and frequently occur even when the vast majority of truck drivers are responsible, well-trained professionals.
These errors can sometimes result in serious injury to others. In this unfortunate situation, a trusted head on truck accident lawyer will be of so much assistance.
Accidents involving massive freight-bearing trucks, unlike typical car accidents, can be disastrous. Knowing what to do following a truck accident in California is crucial, especially if you require reimbursement for your losses. Doing it on your own may not quite cut it. That is why it is essential that you have a head on truck accident attorney on standby when you are driving in or around California and find yourself in a head-on collision.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
A trusted head-on truck accident lawyer can detail the most common injuries sustained by truck accident victims in California. Among them are the following:
TBI (traumatic brain injury)
TBI is a serious condition that can occur as a result of either open-head trauma (when the skull is penetrated) or closed-head injuries. A truck accident can cause loss of consciousness, bleeding in the brain or its lining, subdural hematoma, and coma. A TBI can cause long-term personality and mood changes, as well as impaired cognitive function.
Head injuries
Head injuries are most likely to occur in a head-on truck collision, but they can occur in almost any type of accident. The majority of traffic-related head injuries are concussions, but even a concussion can change the structure of the brain for months after the incident. Permanent brain damage or brain cell death are two other types of head injuries. Broken facial bones are also common in truck accidents, and they can be caused by the impact of the collision or by airbag injuries.
Neck injuries
The force of a truck crash might result in a broken neck or injuries to the muscles, joints, and ligaments. Whiplash is a common neck injury in truck accidents, and it can be a painful and incapacitating condition.
Spinal cord injuries
A truck accident can result in a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in partial or total paralysis. Depending on the location of the injury on the spine, the damage may result in paraplegia (impairment of the lower limbs) or quadriplegia (impairment of the upper limbs) (also called tetraplegia, this involves diminished capability in all four limbs). Spinal cord injuries frequently necessitate the need for lifelong care, which can cost millions of dollars.
Back injuries
While spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic, the back is also susceptible to damage to the bones and soft tissue, which can cause chronic pain and dysfunction.
Burn injuries
When a truck transports hazardous goods or when a truck accident results in a fire caused by diesel fuel or gasoline, burn injuries can occur. Burns can be fatal or result in lasting scars and disfigurement.
Bone fractures
Broken ribs, arms, legs, and practically any other part of the body can be broken in a truck accident head-on collision. Bone fractures are frequently treated with casts, surgery, and physical therapy. Crush injuries, or severe trauma from prolonged compression, can also happen.
If you have been injured in a head-on crash involving a truck in California, call Farahi Law Firm now to schedule a free first consultation with a skilled head on truck accident lawyer Los Angeles. Our aggressive legal team will fight for you.
What To Do If You Get Involved In a Truck Collision
Now to the big question — what do you do if you or a loved one, unfortunately, gets involved in a truck collision? Find out what steps you can take and what a head-on truck accident lawyer can do for you in the sections below.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, it’s in your best interest to act swiftly to preserve your rights and, if necessary, pursue personal injury damages. That is why it is imperative that you take the following steps immediately after the collision:
- Check on your passengers and anyone else who may have been involved in the collision, and find out if anybody sustained severe injuries
- Help anyone else who is hurt. In fact, motorists in California are required by law to provide “reasonable assistance” to anyone who needs it.
- Report the accident to the authorities.
- Gather photographic and video proof of the scene.
- Always be careful what you say, and never say anything that would make you the guilty party.
- Even if you do not feel hurt or have seemingly minor injuries, seek medical help right away.
- Describe what happened in writing, on tape, or on video. Memories sometimes fade, especially when it comes to settling a claim or going to court against a trucking firm. You can keep your account consistent if you take immediate note of what happened when it happened.
- Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer Los Angeles or a trusted California-based head-on truck accident attorney to help you with your case.
What A Head On Truck Accident Lawyer Can Do For You
A head-on truck accident lawyer would advise you to make sure that you exchange essential information with everyone involved in the accident including the parties in the accident itself and possible witnesses. Such information is crucial to truck accident injury cases and would include:
- Name and address of the person(s);
- Any car occupants’ names and addresses, as well as the vehicle’s owner (if different from the driver);
- Registration and insurance for the car; and
- Their driver’s permit (if requested).
You should also take notice of the truck’s name and motor carrier number or “MC.” Federal law requires that this information be printed in a visible area on a tractor or a trailer.
Contact An Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Immediately
Truck accidents are not like car accidents in that they not only cause more serious injuries, but they also present additional challenges to recovery. Truck accident personal injury claims can be complicated because they frequently involve multiple defendants, including the truck driver, the trucking company, a shipper or receiver, and even a mechanical parts manufacturer.
Even if your case appears to be a no-brainer, trucking businesses and their insurers have extensive expertise defending claims in court. Especially if they represent the at-fault party, they will do everything they can to minimize your injuries and may refuse to offer financial compensation.
This is where a head on truck accident lawyer comes in. A truck accident lawyer can assist you in gathering and assembling evidence, including after-crash images, medical records, and security footage, in order to construct a strong case for maximum compensation. Your lawyer will do what is necessary to get you reimbursed for your losses, which could include auto repairs, hospital bills, lost wages, physical discomfort, and mental distress.
Head-on truck accident lawyers understand what insurance companies require, and if the insurance provider refuses to cooperate, an attorney can and will take them to court. However, you must act quickly because California has a statute of limitations for truck and vehicle accident claims, which means you may never be able to submit a claim for compensation if you wait too long.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a careless truck driver, please contact Farahi Law Firm to set up a free consultation and obtain legal representation against the responsible party.
Farahi Law Firm Cares
If you or a loved one have been injured in a head-on collision truck accident in California, knowing your legal rights is the first step toward having your medical bills and property damage covered and obtaining fair compensation. That is why it is critical to consult with a legal team that is an expert in head-on truck crashes about your case.
Begin your search for an expert truck accident lawyer Los Angeles by contacting Farahi Law Firm at (844) 824-2955. We work on a No Win-No Fee basis, so you don’t have to pay a single cent until we get the justice that you deserve. We speak English and Spanish.