As an agricultural, small town in Stanislaus County, Oakdale sees its fair share of commercial trucks in the area. As in any place with high traffic, there are bound to be accidents.

If you have suffered severe injuries in a semi-truck accident, you might struggle to get medical treatment or pay your bills, especially if you cannot return to work. An experienced Oakdale truck accident lawyer can help you get fair compensation while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today at (209) 227-1931 for a free consultation.

California has some of the highest numbers of deadly truck accidents per year. Fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks increased by 42% over 10 years.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

• California sees an average of about 113 fatal truck accidents a year.
• About 3,000 truck crashes in California result in injuries.
• Between 200 to 300 drivers are killed in truck accidents every year.
• Most California truck accidents happen in rural areas and on the highway.

If a truck driver has caused your injury accident, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim for compensation. Truck drivers and trucking companies owe a duty of care to the public. The injured person can seek legal action if their negligence violates that duty and an accident occurs.

Truckers must follow various rules and regulations, including limiting the hours they can drive each day. If a truck driver takes to the road when impaired or tired or fails to heed the rules, the trucker may be liable if an accident occurs. Trucking companies must safely maintain their vehicles, load trailers, and submit to all required inspections. If they fail to uphold their safety obligations, they can be responsible for any injuries and damages in an accident.

The value of a personal injury claim for a tractor-trailer collision varies from case to case. It will depend on the severity and nature of your injuries and how they will affect your life. Your Oakdale truck accident attorney will gather the evidence and documentation to determine the value of your case. Some of the necessary information your attorney will need includes:

• Future medical and care costs
• Future lost income
• Loss of earning potential
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Lost wages
• Medical and care costs
• Pain and suffering
• Value of permanent injuries or disability

Besides your medical expenses and lost wages, your truck accident attorney will use expert testimony and reports to establish the type of medical treatment you will need.

In the case of a long-term or permanent injury, your lawyer will use industry standards and case law to determine the value of your physical damages.

If you suffered injuries in a semi-truck accident in Oakdale or Stanislaus County, you would need an advocate to help you. A truck accident lawyer in Oakdale will protect your legal rights and help you through the process of filing a compensation claim. Your attorney can do all the legwork and research to build your case and submit it to the insurance company for a settlement. Your attorney can also get you the medical care you need to focus on recovery instead of worrying about the legal process.

Watch the following video to learn more about the damages you can claim in a trucking accident claim.

More than one party may be liable in a truck accident. Your injury lawyer can sort out the entanglement of the situation and negotiate with the insurance carrier to offer a fair settlement. To establish liability and negligence for your damages, your attorney may need to get specific types of evidence on truck collisions, which may include:

• Accident scene photos: photos can provide critical information about the accident scene, the other driver, the weather, or obstructions.
• “Black box’ data: commercial trucks have a data recording device or black box data that can provide information about the truck’s speed during the accident and other crucial insights.
• Driver logs: truck drivers must log their time behind the wheel to ensure they follow legal requirements. If driver fatigue or impairment contributed to the crash, these logs might help your lawyer prove it.
• Maintenance and inspection records: if the trucking company failed to maintain and inspect their vehicle correctly, these records might show their negligence.
• Trucking company safety records: if the trucking company has a history of safety violations, this can help your attorney demonstrate a pattern of negligence.
• Witness statements: talking to witnesses immediately after the accident will ensure the most reliable and accurate accounts. They may also have additional photos or videos of the accident.

If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement or tries to challenge your claim, a skilled truck accident lawyer can file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial.

After a truck accident, time is of the essence to gather the crucial evidence necessary to prove your case. That’s why contacting our Oakdale truck accident lawyers is essential as soon as possible. The attorneys at AutoAccident.com will review your case and answer your questions. We can discuss your options and help you decide whether to claim your injuries legally. Call us at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 11.15.23 Image by Still Photography from Pixabay cha [cs 940]}