Northern California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Northern California Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

Commercial vehicle accident cases are rarely straightforward. Crashes involving trucks, delivery vans, buses, and other commercial vehicles come with complex factors, which can make it challenging for injury victims to recover the compensation they deserve. From issues with identifying liable parties to the complexities of corporate insurance policies to the strict laws governing these crashes, a Northern California commercial vehicle accident lawyer can be your trusted partner throughout your case.

The team at Barr and Mudford has decades of experience in recovering compensation for injury victims. You can trust our team to provide the dedicated legal support you need while navigating the complicated insurance and court systems. Our firm can be a powerful ally when you’re up against commercial companies and their insurance providers.

What Causes Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

In Northern California, commercial vehicle accidents happen for several reasons, such as:

• Recklessness
• Driver error
• Issues in the hiring process
• Problems with vehicle maintenance

Unlike passenger vehicle drivers, drivers of commercial vehicles are often under tight deadlines and pressure from their employers. This can cause them to speed, drive while fatigued, or make risky maneuvers to navigate traffic.

In 2023, 153,452 injury-causing accidents involved large trucks, with speeding being a leading cause of these incidents. However:

• Companies can be responsible for accidents if they fail to make sure their vehicles are properly maintained.
• Municipalities can be liable if they don’t fix issues with the roads.
• Other motorists can share fault if they contribute to the crash.

Common Injuries Caused by Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Commercial vehicle accidents in Northern California often lead to severe injuries that can impact a victim for the rest of their life. These vehicles are often large and massive, contributing to the seriousness of the resulting harm. Common injuries caused by commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burns

It’s not uncommon for accident victims to be killed in these accidents. In 2022, truck and bus accidents led to 6,050 fatalities. If you lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle crash, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney to recover compensation for your losses.

Why You Want a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

After a serious accident, having a commercial vehicle accident lawyer on your side can vastly improve the outcome of your case. These claims are often much more complex than accidents with passenger vehicles, as they often involve:

• Corporate insurance policies
• Multiple potentially liable parties
• Challenges in collecting evidence

An attorney can provide the following benefits:

• Handling complex liability issues
• Dealing with insurance companies
• Gathering critical evidence
• Explaining industry regulations
• Valuing your claim
• Preparing your case for trial

The Compensation You Can Recover Following a Commercial Vehicle Accident

If you’ve been injured by a commercial vehicle accident in Northern California, you may be entitled to compensation for the full value of your financial losses, along with the broader impact your injuries have had on your life. This is meant to make you whole again after the crash. Potential damages from a commercial vehicle accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Costs of future care
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death damages

The exact value of your claim depends on your total economic and non-economic damages. Properly valuing this amount can be difficult. Not only do you need to collect evidence to prove your financial losses, but you also need to know how to assess your pain and suffering damages as well. When you hire an experienced attorney, you have a dedicated partner who can collect this evidence and calculate the full value of your losses.

FAQs

Do I Need an Attorney for a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?

Legally, you don’t need an attorney for a commercial vehicle accident case. Practically, however, having a Northern California commercial vehicle accident attorney increases your chances of recovering compensation. Your attorney can defend your rights throughout the case, preventing corporate insurance companies from taking advantage of you and strong-arming you into accepting low settlement amounts. They can investigate the crash, identify liable parties, and fiercely represent your case during negotiations or a trial.

What Should You Never Tell an Insurance Company?

One thing you should never tell an insurance company is that you may be to blame for the accident in some capacity. California’s modified comparative negligence rule means your compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident. By telling an insurance company that you did something wrong that contributed to the accident, you could lower the amount of compensation you can recover.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

How much compensation you can recover for your commercial vehicle accident depends primarily on the strength of your evidence and the damages that you suffered. You have the right to pursue compensation for the full value of your economic losses and non-economic damages. To succeed, you need strong evidence that not only proves your losses but also establishes the defendant’s liability.

How Long Do I Have to File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?

In California, the Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 gives you two years to file a commercial vehicle accident case. The statute of limitations applies to accidents that cause injury or death, and failing to meet this deadline means you could be barred from recovering compensation. However, exceptions can toll the statute. You may have more time to file if:

• The victim was a minor.
• A liable party tried to hide their identity.
• The defendant fled the state.

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Commercial vehicle accidents can be severe, and crash victims could be left with lifelong injuries and piling medical bills. Furthermore, the other expenses in your life don’t wait. That’s why you should hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer to pursue damages so you can get your life back. Contact Barr and Mudford today to schedule a consultation. We can discuss your case, explain the relevant commercial vehicle accident laws, and begin building a legal strategy.