Semi-trucks are an essential part of the economy in California and throughout the country. Big rigs often travel Highway 99, State Route 108, and SR-132 daily to transport equipment, materials, and products to communities throughout Stanislaus County. A collision with a large commercial truck can result in catastrophic injury or death to those involved.

Were you recently injured in a commercial truck accident? Call (209) 227-1931 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Modesto truck injury attorneys can provide free, friendly advice on your truck accident case anytime.

The truck accident attorneys at our law firm are aware of the challenges involved in cases involving commercial semi-trucks. Our legal team has handled cases like yours since 1982 and has the experience, skills, and resources you need to hold at-fault parties financially accountable for your injuries or your loss of your loved one. We are available anytime to discuss your case, so you always have access to an experienced trucking accident attorney when you need one the most.

According to statistics by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of big rigs involved in injury collisions increased from 107,000 in 2017 to 112,000 in 2018. This accounted for an overall increase of five percent.

While commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are important for transporting goods from one part of the country to the other, these large vehicles also pose a risk for drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles. A crash between a passenger car and a large commercial truck can leave the occupants of the smaller vehicle with serious injuries and even death.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer crash in Modesto or elsewhere in Stanislaus County, contact our truck accident attorneys to receive free, friendly advice on how to bring a case for justice and financial compensation today.

Some of the most common causes of large truck accidents include:

• Inadequate training regarding safe driving
• Violations of federal laws and regulations regarding hours of service (HOS) and rest periods
• Unrealistic expectations of trucking companies regarding expected delivery times
• Fatigue or distracted driving
• Failure to keep a proper lookout
• Improper turning maneuvers
• Following too closely
• Unsafe cargo loading

There is no doubt that searching for the best truck accident attorney in Modesto is overwhelming. Sure, there are plenty of injury lawyers to choose from. That is not a problem. The problem is that there are so many law firms in Northern California to choose from, and they all make such similar-sounding promises, it is challenging to differentiate one from the other.

Remember that you only get one chance at winning your case. Whether you settle with the insurance carrier or take your case to civil court, you only have one opportunity to recover the compensation that you are entitled to. If you accept a settlement offer from the insurance company, please understand that you will sign paperwork that states in detail that you will never be able to sue the insurer for future damages. Make sure you are completely satisfied with the amount you settle on.

If the insurance company does not offer you an amount that you can be satisfied with the rest of your life, then you will need an injury attorney who has a substantial amount of experience in the personal injury trial arena, so to speak. You will want someone who knows the ups and downs and the ins and outs of personal injury trial law if you have to battle an insurance company and its defense lawyers in the courtroom.

For a brief breakdown on how to find the best truck accident attorney in Modesto to handle your case, watch the video below.

What should you do after an accident with a large commercial truck?

The first thing you should do is stay calm, turn on your hazard lights, and remain in your car. If you or your passengers have been injured, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Get contact information and insurance details from everyone involved in the semi-truck accident. Take pictures of your damages and injuries. Write down the name and badge number of the police officer at the scene. Do not admit fault, and do not discuss the tractor-trailer accident with anyone except your insurance company and the police.

The other party’s insurance company may call you to get a statement, but you are not required to give them a statement.

How do I get compensated for injuries from a truck accident?

You deserve compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To get compensation, you will need to file a personal injury claim. The lawsuit will be filed against the at-fault’s insurance carrier or the trucking company. Once a winning settlement is reached in your case, you will be compensated for your damages. Reach out to the best Modesto truck accident lawyer for legal assistance with filing.

How can I protect my legal rights after a big rig crash?

If you have sustained injuries in an accident involving a large commercial truck, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and other losses. However, tractor-trailer accidents involve multiple responsible parties and insurance companies.

Getting compensation for your injuries can be challenging. If you do not have a Modesto truck accident attorney on your side, the other party’s insurance company will likely bully you into settling for less than you deserve. Truck companies have unlimited resources to fight against any personal injury lawsuit you may file.

If you have been seriously injured in a big rig crash, the best way to protect your rights is to reach out to the best truck accident lawyer in Modesto. An attorney will defend your rights and obtain a fair settlement for your bodily injury claim.

As with any commercial truck accident case in California, our legal team devotes extensive time and effort to conducting an independent investigation of the incident to determine liability and damages incurred. Our Modesto truck accident attorneys work with expert witnesses such as crash reconstruction experts to determine the sequence of events leading up to the semi-truck collision.

An experienced Modesto truck accident lawyer will conduct an independent investigation of the trucker and their employer to ensure all safety precautions and regulations were followed. To do so, an injury attorney will send a letter of preservation of evidence to the trucking company for:

• Truck driver drug testing, licensing, and endorsements
• Commercial truck size, markings, warnings, weight restrictions, and safety standards
• Compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations
• Inspection and maintenance records of the commercial truck

Through our extensive research and resources, our law firm will ensure the success of your personal injury case or wrongful death claim for a large commercial truck accident.

Our legal team takes steps to collect and preserve a wide array of evidence, including CHP traffic accident reports, photos, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, expert opinions, data stored in the big rig’s black box, and more. Any evidence of negligence can be used to establish your case and seek financial compensation.

The personal injury lawyers at our law firm help those who have been affected by big rig crashes navigate the challenges that often arise when seeking compensation for damages incurred. Our legal team has handled commercial truck accident cases like yours since 1982.

From start to finish, our law firm will keep you well-informed throughout the claims process. We are committed to recovering the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a free consultation at our Modesto office.

1015 12th Street, STE 7
Modesto, CA 95354

See our case history of verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 6.16.22] Photo by Pixabay sb/ds [cs 1375]}

Additional Resources: