unity law group
Truck Accident Lawyer
We draw upon 15 years of experience as truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles County.
Unity Law Group
Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles County
◇ Pursue the compensation you need with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles County. Unity Law Group focuses on personal injury claims related to car crashes and commercial truck accident injuries. Our skilled, caring legal team draws upon 15 years of experience to deal with truck accident cases in state and federal courts. We grasp the legal challenges these cases present, and we handle every claim with empathy, aiming to fully understand your circumstances so we can seek the best possible result for you.
◇ Truck accidents have distinct characteristics, just as head-on crashes, rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and cut-offs involve specific legal complexities. Many attorneys say they handle truck accident cases, but we have the deep knowledge needed to use every legal detail to your advantage and secure the highest possible compensation.
◇ We recognize that truck accidents demand attorneys with subject-matter experience. Most personal injury lawyers take on trucking accidents involving multiple passenger vehicles, but trucking cases operate under unique rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the California Department of Transportation. Our experienced legal team will manage your Los Angeles truck accident claim from beginning to end to maintain continuity throughout your case.
◇ If you have been involved in a truck accident in Los Angeles, you need a knowledgeable semi-truck wreck attorney who understands these complex cases and remains committed to protecting your rights. Unity Law Group devises effective legal strategies to seek the highest compensation available while we guide you through the process.
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What to Look for in a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer
◇ Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can feel overwhelming, and selecting the right lawyer is essential. But what should you look for in a truck wreck lawyer? Here is how Unity Law Group can assist you.
❖ Deep Knowledge of Trucking Cases
Our team comprehends the unique challenges of accidents involving large trucks, such as:
- Catastrophic injuries — We possess the skills and resources to navigate the legal complexities of serious injury cases.
- Insurance conflicts — We know how to tackle complicated insurance matters and work relentlessly to secure just compensation.
- Multi-party car accident claims — Our team excels at pinpointing every responsible party, from drivers and trucking companies to maintenance shops and parts suppliers, to take legal action against them.
❖ Clear Payment Policy
Unity Law works on a contingency fee system. After paying a small initial fee, you owe us nothing unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you. Our fees come from a portion of the compensation recovered, matching the commitment and work we dedicate to your case.
❖ Demonstrated Client Satisfaction
We focus on clear communication to keep you updated every step of the way. We have many positive references from past clients, highlighting Unity Law Group’s dedication to delivering outstanding legal service.
❖ Experience in Truck Accident Law
You need seasoned truck accident lawyers who thoroughly understand federal rules governing the commercial trucking industry. Trucking cases are much more complicated than regular car accidents, so your attorney must gather all the facts about your situation to identify every possible liable party.
❖ Knowledge and Experience with Truck Collisions
Many personal injury attorneys handle truck accident cases, but only a select few have the skill to manage these complex claims effectively.
Spend time researching your attorney thoroughly. Confirm that the truck accident lawyers have significant experience with truck collision law. Review their past case results, check their qualifications, and read client testimonials to learn more about the attorney.
❖ Attorney Communication and Availability
Building a strong relationship with your lawyer is crucial for a successful outcome. Select an attorney who responds promptly to your questions and keeps you informed about the progress of your personal injury case.
Select a lawyer who is accessible to discuss your case and can explain legal terms in simple, understandable language.
Meet with multiple truck accident attorneys before choosing one. Consider how comfortable you feel and how well each lawyer communicates. Pick someone who will advocate for your needs and trust your judgment.
truck accident lawyer
truck accident cases
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The Types of Truck Accident Cases Our Law Firm Takes
◇ Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries. We help victims pursue justice by holding drivers and companies responsible and securing the compensation our clients deserve. Here are some of the types of truck accident cases we handle.
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18-Wheelers
When driver fatigue or safety lapses lead to 18-wheeler crashes, our lawyers work to secure the compensation you are entitled to under the law. -
Dump Trucks
When carelessness or lack of proper maintenance on dump trucks leads to injuries, our trucking accident attorneys will assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. -
Tow Trucks
When reckless driving or faulty maintenance results in tow truck crashes, our legal team holds the at-fault drivers accountable. -
Delivery Trucks
Poorly driven or incorrectly loaded delivery trucks can cause significant injuries. Our lawyers strive to help victims recover financially and regain stability. -
Garbage/Sanitation Trucks
Negligent driving and malfunctioning garbage trucks can inflict severe injuries. Our attorneys work tirelessly to win justice for those harmed. -
Cement Trucks
Overloaded or carelessly driven cement trucks often lead to serious injuries. Our attorneys will assist you in pursuing rightful compensation.
Unity Law Group
What to Do After a Truck Accident in 4 Steps
◇ Most drivers panic after a truck accident. Even though they knew what they should do after an accident before it occurs. The chaos experienced during the aftermath of an accident can cause clients to make mistakes. Here is what to do after a truck crash in four easy steps.
❖ Step 1: Collect Evidence
Right after a truck accident, the first moments are vital for gathering proof to protect your rights. Exchange contact details with every driver involved, including names, insurance providers, and license plate numbers. Record the trucking company’s name and the DOT number on the vehicle.
Take photos and videos of the crash site, showing vehicle damage, visible injuries, and the surrounding road conditions.
Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident. Their statements may be crucial in piecing together what happened.
❖ Step 2: Notify the Police
Notify the police about the accident and ask for a copy of the official report. Give an honest, factual account when describing what happened.
Do not accept blame or go into detail about the accident with anyone except the police and your attorney.
❖ Step 3: Seek Medical Care
After a truck accident, it is essential to receive a complete medical assessment. A physician can properly identify your injuries and suggest the right treatment plan. This step is vital for your healing and overall health.
A medical examination creates documentation of your injuries, serving as crucial evidence if you seek compensation for your losses.
Visit a doctor right away. Do not wait to get medical care, even if your injuries seem minor. Discuss every symptom you experience thoroughly with the doctors and nurses.
File away all medical records, doctor referrals, notes regarding missed workdays, workers’ compensation forms, and proof of lost income.
By focusing on your health and keeping thorough records, you will be better prepared to handle the legal process.
❖ Step 4: Hire a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney
After a truck accident, seek professional legal advice from an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney. Unity Law Group will outline your legal options, guide you through the complexities of your case, and protect your rights at every stage. We will collect and review critical evidence, including:
- Black box data, which records details from the truck’s electronic systems
- Collision avoidance system records if the truck used this technology
- Dashcam videos, if installed in the truck or any other vehicle involved
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, offering specifics about the truck driver’s hours and activity
- System control modules that store information about the truck’s functions
- Telematics information, such as GPS and other tracking data related to the vehicles
Truck accidents frequently present complex legal challenges. Meeting with the experienced attorneys at Unity Law Group will help your case and put you on the path to obtaining the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
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How Can a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
◇ As soon as a large commercial truck crashes with a car or another truck, the trucking company begins its own investigation. Accident victims should quickly hire a commercial truck accident attorney to do the same. Immediately after a truck crash, an experienced lawyer will:
- 1. Identify the trucking company and driver, including the USDOT number.
- 2. Request a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the court and arrange to impound the truck once the initial paperwork is finished. As soon as the best truck accident attorney is hired, that lawyer will petition the court for a TRO, seize the truck, and preserve all physical evidence from the crash. The vehicle can reveal crucial details about why and how the accident occurred, so the truck needs an inspection before any evidence disappears. All too often, issues like faulty trailer lights, worn tire treads, or proof that drivers ignored safety rules can be hidden, fixed, or lost.
- 3. Quickly perform a comprehensive investigation of the crash site. The semi-truck accident lawyer should visit the scene as soon as possible to gather all evidence and determine exactly how the collision occurred.
- 4. Bring in a team of expert witnesses. An attorney for truck accidents will enlist top engineers to examine the truck, the accident location, and the car to identify all responsible parties for the wreck.
- 5. Locate witnesses to the truck accident. Frequently, nearby drivers or bystanders have photos or videos of the crash that can benefit your case.
- 6. Request the police report and examine it for important information and accuracy.
- 7. Initiate legal action against the trucking company.
- 8. Submit a request for documents, asking for key information like cell phone records, driving history, maintenance and truck driver logs, and company policies on hiring, training, entrustment, and supervision.
- 9. Access truck details through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to review safety and performance records.
- 10. Request additional records on truck and trailer maintenance using the Freedom of Information Act.
- 11. Examine the truck’s black box. Truck accident attorneys can find, secure, and download the truck’s black box data. This device records key details about the vehicle at the moment of the crash, such as speed, tire pressure, braking, driver actions, and the truck’s overall condition. These records often play a critical role in proving a truck driver’s negligence in personal injury cases. Black box data can be hard to access because trucking companies rarely provide it willingly and might even destroy it. Act quickly by reaching out to our attorney to begin your claim and seek the compensation you need
◇ As your case moves forward, your attorney can negotiate with opposing counsel, submit a settlement demand, file legal motions, conduct depositions, reconstruct the accident scene, and represent you at trial and on appeal.
Truck Accident Attorney
Unity Law Group
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Truck Accident Case?
◇ Each case is unique. However, in every personal injury claim, we examine certain key factors to determine if you have a valid case. We assess whether:
- You suffered damages. Personal injury lawsuits seek to recover damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The injury must involve substantial costs to qualify for a claim.
- Another party was responsible. To receive compensation from another person’s insurance, that party must have acted carelessly and caused or contributed to your injuries.
- Sufficient insurance coverage exists. Most personal injury cases target the truck driver’s insurance company, not individuals. The at-fault party must carry liability insurance to cover your medical bills and fully reimburse you for your injuries.
◇ Are you unsure if you have a valid claim? Call Unity Law Group at (844) 864-8939 (UNITY-39) (Toll-Free). We are here to assist you.
Unity Law Group
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
◇ Lawyers who handle accident cases have in-depth knowledge of the trucking laws enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA sets the standards for commercial vehicles and truck drivers, and breaking these rules can help establish negligence. Here are some of the leading causes of negligence in truck accidents.
❖ Driver Mistakes
Commercial truck drivers often act carelessly. To save time, they may ignore lower speed limits for trucks, drive while exhausted, text behind the wheel, watch videos while driving, and operate their vehicles while distracted or impaired. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that 20% of truck crashes occur because drivers fall asleep while driving.
❖ Driver Mistakes
Commercial truck drivers often act carelessly. To save time, they may ignore lower speed limits for trucks, drive while exhausted, text behind the wheel, watch videos while driving, and operate their vehicles while distracted or impaired. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that 20% of truck crashes occur because drivers fall asleep while driving.
❖ Equipment Failure
If a truck manufacturer knowingly produced and installed a faulty part on a semi-truck, that defect could cause a collision. The FMCSA also found that brake system problems account for 29.4% of all large tractor-trailer accidents.
❖ Improperly Loaded Cargo
Incorrect loading or overloading can make a truck unstable, causing the load to shift inside the trailer and increasing the risk of rollovers. The FMCSA found that shifting cargo caused 4% of trucking accidents.
❖ Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Tractor-trailers spend long hours on the road, leading to dangerous wear if not regularly serviced. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that just under 55% of trucks involved in accidents had at least one mechanical violation, and about 30% had a condition serious enough to require immediate removal from service. Common accident causes include worn or uneven tire tread, faulty brakes and axles, incomplete maintenance records, gaps in driver training and employment history, criminal backgrounds, and cellphone use.
truck accident Injuries
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Common Truck Accident Injuries
◇ A commercial vehicle accident can cause severe injuries due to the weight of the truck. Spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and whiplash represent a few of the most harmful injuries. Let’s examine some of the most common truck collision injuries.
❖ Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBIs include everything from mild concussions to severe brain trauma, leading to memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and permanent disabilities. Recovery often involves extended rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, and long-term care, with some individuals facing lasting challenges.
❖ Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal damage can result in paralysis, require surgical procedures, and demand lengthy rehabilitation, affecting movement and overall quality of life.
❖ Fractures or Broken Bones
Bone breaks frequently need surgical repair with plates or screws. Healing may take months of immobilization and rehabilitation, and serious fractures can cause lasting pain and limited mobility.
❖ Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash leads to neck discomfort, stiffness, and movement problems. While therapy can help, untreated whiplash may result in ongoing pain and permanent restrictions.
❖ Internal Injuries
Internal damage, such as harm to the liver or spleen, frequently requires urgent surgery and involves lengthy recovery times, with potential complications that may slow the healing process.
❖ Lacerations and Burns
Cuts and burns from debris and fires can lead to scarring, infections, and permanent disfigurement, often demanding surgical procedures, intensive wound care, and prolonged healing.
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Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
◇ Truck accident victims may qualify for several forms of compensation, including:
- Loss of Consortium — Compensation for how the injury affects your relationship with your spouse and family
- Lost Income — Reimbursement for lost wages due to injury and future earnings if the injury affects your ability to work
- Medical Costs — Payment for present and future healthcare expenses, such as hospital stays, operations, prescriptions, and rehabilitation
- Pain and Suffering — Financial compensation for physical discomfort, emotional suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life
- Property Loss — Payment for repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal belongings damaged in the crash
- Punitive Damages — Financial punishment when the at-fault party acts with extreme negligence or recklessness
◇ Once you hire the best truck accident lawyer for your case, they can assess which types of damages apply to your situation and determine what fair compensation should be. Unity Law Group provides free consultations for truck accident cases, giving you a chance to explore your legal options after a truck accident injury.
Truck Accident Victims
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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
◇ You can often file a lawsuit against the trucking company if the driver caused the accident. This type of case is allowed through vicarious liability, a legal principle that holds employers accountable for their employees’ actions when performed during work duties. In truck accident cases, the company can be held responsible for the driver’s negligence or reckless behavior.
❖ Direct Negligence by the Trucking Company
Sometimes, the trucking company is directly at fault, further strengthening your case. Negligence can involve:
- Improper Truck Maintenance — Trucking companies must keep their fleet in good condition. If poor maintenance leads to a mechanical failure and causes an accident, the company can be sued.
- Inadequate Training — The company may be responsible if it fails to provide proper driver training.
- Negligent Hiring — If the company hires an unqualified or unsafe driver with a poor record, it may be liable for negligent hiring.
- Violating Hours-of-Service Rules — Federal regulations restrict how long truck drivers can operate without rest. If the company forces or encourages drivers to break these rules, it can be held liable.
❖ Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior)
Respondeat Superior is a legal doctrine making employers liable for negligent acts committed by their employees while on the job.
If a truck driver was carrying out job responsibilities, like delivering goods or following a company-assigned route, the trucking company can be held liable for the driver’s conduct, even if the company was not directly negligent.
❖ Independent Contractors vs. Employees
To escape liability, trucking companies sometimes argue that a driver is an independent contractor instead of an employee. However, courts may still find the company responsible if it had substantial control over the driver’s work, such as setting routes or schedules.
Determining a driver’s true employment status may require looking at their contract and the company’s level of supervision.
❖ Other Liable Parties
Besides the trucking company and driver, other parties could be responsible for the accident, including:
- Cargo Loaders — If incorrect loading of cargo contributed to the accident, the company in charge of loading can also be held responsible.
- Government — If the government has notice of poor road conditions and fails to make it safe, it can be sued in a personal injury case.
- Third-Parties — If the negligent driver of a third car forces the truck into an accident, that third party may be held liable.
- Truck Manufacturers — If a faulty part or mechanical defect caused the crash, the manufacturer may be liable.
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Time Limit to File a Claim With an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
◇ According to California law, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, but you should not wait that long to start your claim. If the government is at fault, you only have six months to file. Reach out to our attorneys right after your accident to begin the process. Our truck accident lawyers will handle your claim and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
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Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney at Unity Law Group
◇ Most semi-truck drivers perform their work responsibly. However, as long as truck drivers make mistakes, commercial truck accidents will keep causing injuries and fatalities. After a truck collision, victims and their families often feel overwhelmed and frightened. Sadly, some trucking companies exploit this confusion and attempt to escape accountability for their careless actions.
◇ At Unity Law Group, we believe in empowering individuals to stand up to big corporations and seek justice. Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys are prepared to represent you. We will help you build a solid case, pursue maximum compensation, and protect your future.
