Large trucks are a common sight on California’s roads. They travel to and from the state’s manufacturing and agricultural hubs and transport goods between cities and to other parts of the country. As essential for commerce as they are, tractor trailers are capable of causing severe damage and injuries if involved in an accident. In 2019, over 5,000 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, but every year, thousands more are in accidents that cause serious personal injuries and property damage.
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a truck, chances are you want to seek compensation for the harm it has done. You could receive compensation from a negligent truck driver, trucking company, owner-operator, shipping firm, or parts manufacturer, depending on the cause of the crash. Here, we’ll explain how to file a truck accident claim in California.
Gather the Evidence
The police will arrive at the scene of the accident and file a report. Regardless, write down as many details as you can, and take photos and videos of the accident scene. Be sure to capture damage to vehicles, their position, and include details on the location, including road and weather conditions. Physical evidence and witness testimonies can help determine liability to strengthen your case with the insurance company. And if you were injured and received medical attention, keep all records including receipts, diagnoses, and medical reports.
Contact the Insurance Company
Whether you submit paper documents or an online form, you’ll need to follow the at-fault party’s insurance company’s process for filing a claim. Once they receive your information, they will contact you. It’s important to exercise great care at this stage. Adjustors are always looking to use information to downplay or deny your claim. They’ll want to see your medical records and evidence of damage to your vehicle.
If enough evidence points to the trucking company’s liability, you may be offered a settlement. Don’t accept it unless your expenses and losses are fully covered. Determining how much you need can be a challenge, but a personal injury attorney can evaluate your case to arrive at an acceptable amount. That, and how difficult insurers can be, are why you need a lawyer on your side.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Legal professionals have a great deal of experience with auto accident cases, including those involving large trucks. Their size and weight mean trucks are slower to decelerate and maneuver than smaller vehicles. Severe, life-altering or fatal injuries are therefore more likely. Surviving a truck accident is traumatic. Rather than risk going it alone with an insurance company that hopes you give in for a lesser amount, work with an attorney who can help:
- Prepare the paperwork required to file your claim.
- Analyze the evidence to establish liability.
- Negotiate a full, fair compensation with the insurance adjuster.
- File a lawsuit when a reasonable settlement cannot be negotiated.
- Increase the chances of getting maximum compensation.
Call Jacob for Help with Your Truck Accident Claim
Over the years, we’ve won multi-million-dollar settlements for truck accident victims in California. Our attorneys are skilled and aggressive. Leave it to us to take on the insurance companies. We know all the tricks in their playbook and make sure you get the financial compensation you need and deserve. It can help pay for property damage and immediate and long-term medical care. To get started, contact us to set up your free case evaluation (and explain how to file a truck accident claim our way), or call Jacob directly at (888) 952-2952.