Torrance Truck Accident Attorney

Although eighteen-wheeler trucks are the lifeblood of the United States economy, inexperienced operators are often at the controls of these massive vehicles. Truck collisions are unfortunately rather common, especially at certain times of day or night — and because of their size and speed, even a minor collision can spell disaster for motorists on the road.

If you were injured in a large truck accident, a dedicated Torrance truck accident lawyer from Soofer Law Group starts working quickly for you. We evaluate your claim to determine what liability theories apply. Then, we collect evidence which supports your claim for damages. Finally, we never stop fighting for you, both at trial and during pretrial settlement negotiations.

If you were hurt in an accident, rest assured that the shipping company has a posse of lawyers working for it. You need an equally aggressive Torrance truck accident attorney working for you. Contact us at (310) 478-5090 for a free consultation.

Common Types of Injuries from Truck Accidents

Truck collisions can be catastrophic. If the victims involved in the crash don’t get killed, they face en0rmous injuries that may or may not ever recover. Some common injuries sustained from truck accidents are as follows:

Broken bones
Head injury
Traumatic brain injury
Back and neck injury
Spinal cord injury
Internal bleeding
Lacerations

What is the Commercial Truck Driver Duty in California?

Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care. They must drive defensively and obey the rules of the road. But in the Golden State, truck drivers normally have a higher duty of care.

In practical terms, truck operators must drive even more defensively than noncommercial operators. That’s why many highways have different speed limits for large trucks.

Vehicle speed is not the only difference. For example, when a noncommercial driver has a green light, that driver may proceed through the intersection. But a commercial truck driver arguably must pause and make sure the intersection is clear before moving forward.

Signs of Truck Driver Fatigue

Time of Day: No matter how much rest they had the previous night, most people are always drowsy early in the morning or late at night. To avoid traffic, many truck drivers are on the road at these times.
Tortfeasor’s (Negligent Driver’s) Statements: Many people admit that they were drowsy when the crash happened. These statements are usually admissible in court, especially if they are in a police accident report.
Erratic Driving: Drowsy drivers often cannot remember the last few miles driven. Additionally, drowsy drivers sometimes weave slightly before a crash or fail to properly negotiate a turn.
Medical Background: Since they sit for long periods, many truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea. People with this condition essentially nap all night. Since they never fall into a deep, restorative sleep, they are often tired during the day.

Evidence is important in ordinary negligence claims because victims/plaintiffs must establish a lack of ordinary care by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not).

Can You Recover Damages After a Torrance Truck Accident?

Truck accidents are amongst some of the most damaging and catastrophic personal injury cases. This is due largely to the sheer size and mass of commercial trucks. The victims of truck accidents often suffer both physical and emotional trauma, in addition to other related losses. In addition to the physical and emotional injuries suffered by accident victims and their loved ones, individuals may find themselves facing financial hardship due to their costly losses suffered as a result of the other party’s negligence.

However, we believe you should never have to pay out of pocket for an accident you did not cause. That is why it is crucial that you exercise your legal right to pursue justice by filing a truck accident claim.

When you file a truck accident claim with the help of one of our Torrance personal injury lawyers, you may be eligible to recover fair compensation for the injuries and losses you have suffered at the hands of the liable party or parties. The damages you may be eligible to recover for your Torrance truck accident claim include the following:

Medical Expenses: Truck accidents can leave victims with serious, catastrophic injuries, and the cost to receive medical care after a truck accident can be extensive. Victims should be able to recover compensation for various medical expenses like the cost of medications, surgeries, or at-home care.
Lost Wages: While an individual who was involved in a truck crash recover from their injuries, they may be unable to work. As a result, they should receive compensation for the lost wages they have been unable to earn as a result of the actions of the negligent party who is liable for the truck accident.
Lost Earning Potential: Sometimes, truck accidents can leave victims with serious injuries that can result in a partial or full disability, chronic pain, or other negative effects. This is why they should be compensated for all future compensation they may no longer be able to earn due to their injuries.
Property Damage: If the property of a truck accident victim, like their own motor vehicle, was damaged in the crash, they should be able to recover compensation for the cost to repair or replace the damaged items.
Pain and Suffering: Truck accidents can leave victims with physical and emotional trauma. That is why they should be compensated for the pain and suffering they have had to endure due to the negligent actions of the liable party or parties.
Wrongful Death: In the worst-case scenario, a truck accident may result in the tragic loss of life. If your family member passed away due to a truck accident caused by the negligence of another party, you should be compensated for your unimaginable loss.

When filing your claim, it is crucial that you understand that the insurance providers will likely try to get you to accept a low, initial offer. That is why it is important that you work with one of our Torrance truck accident lawyers who will use their experience to negotiate for the fair compensation you deserve after you suffered losses in a truck accident.

Why Choose A Torrance Truck Accident Lawyer from Soofer Law Group?

Ramin Soofer, our principal attorney, has been practicing personal injury law since 1993. He’s dedicated his career to helping his clients win and recover from their severe accidents.
We have over 3 decades of experience in personal injury law dealing with insurance companies and corporations to get the best possible outcomes.
We provide the most intense, yet compassionate legal representation for every client who is an injured victim.
Our Torrance truck accident attorneys don’t stop until our injured victim clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Proving Liability in a Torrance Truck Accident Claim

One of the most important steps in any personal injury case is to prove the liability of the at-fault party or parties. While there are various different parties who may be found liable for your accident, if this cannot be proven, it will be extremely difficult to ensure you have a successful case.

To prove liability, our team of Torrance attorneys will collect evidence of the four elements of negligence, which include:

The liable party or parties owed you a duty of care
The duty of care was breached by the liable party or parties
The breach of duty led to your Torrance truck accident claim and your subsequent injuries
You suffered losses as a result of their negligent actions

To ensure you are able to build a successful truck accident claim and collect the key evidence necessary, contact our team of experienced lawyers today. Our Torrance truck accident lawyers will launch a full investigation into the details of what occurred in your unique case. When you work with our trusted legal team, we will represent your rights and interests and ensure you are able to pursue the justice and fair compensation you are owed for the injuries you have suffered.

What is First Party Liability in A Truck Accident Case?

Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of Torrance truck accidents, and drowsiness illustrates negligence per se and ordinary negligence, which are the two key legal doctrines in injury claims.

California has some of the strictest laws in the country regarding truck driver HOS (Hours of Service). Title 13, Part 1212.5(a) of the California Code of Regulations contains the 80/8 rule. In most cases, drivers cannot be behind the wheel for more than eighty hours in an eight-day period. Moreover, they must take at least thirty-four hours off between these eight-day periods.

If truck drivers violate this law or its federal equivalent, they may be liable for damages as a matter of law if they were drowsy behind the wheel and caused a crash.

Ordinary negligence is more general than negligence per se. Drivers may be negligent if they drive when drowsy, even if they have not violated HOS requirements.

Third-Party Liability for Truck Accidents in Torrance Southern California

Because of the size of these vehicles, large truck collisions often cause other car accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, and sometimes wrongful death. The medical expenses in these cases could exceed $1 million.

Generally, the employer is liable for these damages in truck accident claims. Employer liability attaches under the respondeat superior doctrine if the tortfeasor was an employee who was acting in the scope of employment at the time of the crash. California law defines these key terms in broad, victim-friendly ways.

Where Can You Turn to For Help? Soofer Law Group

Large truck accidents cases in Torrance are extremely complex. For a free case evaluation with an experienced commercial truck collision attorney, contact the Torrance personal injury lawyers from Soofer Law Group. We do not charge upfront legal fees in injury cases! Call us at (310) 478-5090.