San Jose Truck Accident Lawyers-Key Elements to a Successful Claim

Article by Katrina Jones

OUR SAN JOSE TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS HAVE HELPED OTHERS…THEY CAN HELP YOU A San Jose Truck accident can be a traumatic ordeal. The pursuant legal claim can also be confusing and complex, adding to the stress. Since trucking companies and truck drivers are governed by both local state and federal governments, they are treated differently by the authorities both in the way that they are investigated and the way they are handled in court. The purpose of this article is to inform victims about truck crashes including common causes, types of injuries sustained, and the laws and regulations surrounding the trucking industry as well as providing information on options they might have after being involved in a truck accident. We believe that speaking with experienced San Jose truck accident lawyers can greatly help your case and increase your potential settlement.

WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS…Common Accidents Sustained in a Truck AccidentThere are many different scenarios that can cause a San Jose truck accident. The most common of these scenarios is when a large commercial truck collides with a smaller passenger vehicle. Often times the ensuing results of the crash can be devastating. Even with the advanced safety features present in new vehicles, one fact remains the same; a passenger vehicle is simply not designed to safely withstand a collision with a larger commercial truck. Many trucks, when fully loaded, can weigh up to eighty thousand pounds and the average weight of a passenger vehicle is around three thousand. The sheer physics of the two vehicles colliding does not bode well for the smaller vehicle and its passengers. When a semi truck takes a turn, either on an exit ramp or in a city, they have to take the turn extremely wide to clear the trailer or trailers. (Many trucks haul double trailers that make it even more difficult to make tight turns when hauling.) If the driver takes the turn too wide, the cab or trailer may contact a vehicle or pedestrian on the outside of the turn. When a driver does not go wide enough the trailer might not clear the curb or other vehicles on the inside of the turn. This endangers pedestrians and cyclists that may be standing on the sidewalk. Semi trucks are much longer than smaller vehicles; this means that they have more and much larger blind spots. Drivers that are not careful when changing lanes or making turns can side swipe other vehicles on the road. When a delivery driver is delivering a package they are quite often searching for a specific address while also operating the large vehicle; this is a dangerous combination and distracted driving accounts for more accidents than drunk driving. San Jose truck accident lawyers have helped others injured in these types of scenarios and they can help you.

LARGE TRUCKING COMPANIES DO NOT INTIMIDATE US…Causes of Truck Accident InjuriesThere are many causes of a San Jose truck accident, but many times it is a result of a negligent act by a truck driver. Truck drivers work long hours and driving while exhausted can be extremely dangerous to themselves and other drivers on the road. Common moving violations like speeding and following too closely can cause the driver to lose control of the truck. When a truck driver is working, he or she must closely monitor and record the number of hours they are driving a day. These laws are enforced by a division of the United States Department of Transportation. It is not uncommon for a driver to cheat on the log books so that they may drive longer and in turn make more money. This is not only illegal but extremely dangerous, as fatigued driving is a cause of many semi truck accidents.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF RESOURCES …InjuriesThe person or people that normally sustain the worst injuries in a San Jose truck accident are not surprisingly the driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle. In fact the driver of the semi truck often times walks away from a truck crash with minimal injuries, even in a serious collision. Some possible injuries that can occur during a truck crash are minor abrasions or cuts, bruising, whiplash, head injuries such as concussions or more serious brain damage, broken or fractured bones, neck and back injuries, chest injuries, abdominal injuries including internal trauma, and burns, not to mention the sometimes severe psychological trauma associated with a truck accident. All of these injuries, including the psychological damage are things for which a victim may be compensated. This is why it is crucial to contact San Jose truck accident lawyers after you or a loved one are involved in this type of accident. Having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney on your side will greatly improve the odds of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

WE WILL IDENTIFY ALL PARTIES WITH AT LEAST PARTIAL LIABILITY…Possible Liable PartiesIn some cases truck drivers do not own the trucks that they drive. The trucking company will supply the driver with a truck and the driver uses it to haul a good for the company. The company then compensates them for their time or miles driven. When a San Jose truck accident occurs it is possible that it is not the driver’s fault, if the trucking company has not properly inspected or maintained the truck and its trailers and something on the truck breaks or fails and causes an accident. In this case you may be able to receive compensation from the trucking company. When a piece of equipment fails and causes a truck accident, it may be possible for you to collect damages against the manufacturer of the part or system that failed. Truck accidents usually involve a very elaborate investigation of the vehicles and scene of the crash so that the responsible party can be determined. Having an experienced group of San Jose truck accident lawyers on your side, looking for and collecting important information and details surrounding the accident, is a great advantage to you.

DON’T BE PUSHED AROUND BY A BIG INSURANCE COMPANY!The trucking industry is governed by the United States Department of Transportation. There are strict rules, laws, and guidelines that the trucking company and the truck driver must follow to be in compliance with the USDOT. There are requirements involving the hiring process, drug testing, licensing and inspections of the equipment. If a trucking company or driver does not meet the requirements they can be fined or suspended for their actions. These regulations were created to keep our roads safe and when they are not followed, San Jose truck accidents are more likely to occur.Many of the semi trucks on the road today are equipped with a black box similar to those found on aircrafts. These boxes can tell important details of the crash that would otherwise be difficult to determine such as the speed the truck was traveling, when the brakes were applied, how long the truck was driving before the accident, whether the driver signaled a lane change and many other important pieces of data. Having an attorney that knows what to look for and knowing how to get the necessary reports is crucial to winning your case. San Jose truck accident lawyers have the means necessary to collect information needed to win and build a solid case in your favor.

WE MAKE IT SIMPLE…PICK UP THE PHONE TODAY FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW…What to Do Next?After a San Jose truck accident the most important thing is your safety, the safety of your passengers, and others involved in the accident. Call for necessary medical assistance right away and if able, begin to collect information. Gathering witness’s information and recording details of the crash can be very helpful when trying to prove your case. It is common for the other driver’s insurance company to contact you soon after the truck wreck and try to get a statement over the phone or in person. IT IS NOT ADVISED THAT YOU DO THIS WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY PRESENT. These insurance adjusters can be very good at baiting you into loaded questions that may limit the amount of compensation that you receive from them. Skilled San Jose truck accident attorneys will help you with the interview and ensure that you do not answer any questions in a manner that might damage your case.Sometimes the insurance company will offer to fix your car quickly after the accident; do not accept the offer without first consulting your attorney. In some cases important information and evidence can be hidden or destroyed. An attorney will be able to advise you of this tactic.Truck accidents are much more elaborate than most people realize, and handling a settlement without a skilled attorney can leave you with expensive bills in the future. Putting your trust in experienced San Jose truck accident lawyers will alleviate your stress and give you time to deal with your injuries. Call today for a FREE CASE EVALUATION, and let a team of San Jose truck accident attorneys begin working to get you the settlement that you deserve.The Elite Lawyer Project San Jose personal injury law firm services victims of personal injury throughout Santa Clara County. If you live in or near San Jose or anywhere in the Silicon Valley, call today for a free case review.

About the Author

The Elite Lawyer Project personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in helping victims of a personal injury accident.Call 877-382-1188 today to speak to our personal injury associates for a free case review.

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