Redding Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Redding Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

A commercial vehicle accident in Redding can leave victims facing severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and lifelong difficulties. These crashes often involve larger vehicles, such as trucks or vans, and they also pose complex legal challenges. Getting fair compensation isn’t always easy, and it’s even more difficult if you’re taking on insurance companies and their legal teams on your own. A Redding commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Barr and Mudford can be your ally, standing by your side to pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Commercial Vehicle Accidents Differ From Crashes Involving Passenger Cars

Commercial vehicle accidents often involve trucks, delivery vans, and other large vehicles, and their significant mass can increase the severity of crashes. Compared to collisions involving passenger cars, victims have an increased chance of suffering significant injuries that can follow them for the rest of their lives.

Furthermore, you have to contend with commercial insurance companies and complicated laws. If you’re inexperienced in commercial vehicle accident cases, it’s easy for you to make mistakes or for insurance companies to take advantage of you. They may:

• Offer lowball settlements.
• Strong-arm you into accepting a greater share of liability.
• engage in bad faith tactics to avoid paying you entirely.

That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced attorney from Barr and Mudford. They can assert your rights throughout your case.

Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents

In 2022, there were an estimated 124,000 accidents involving large vehicles. A variety of factors contribute to these crashes, from driver behavior and company practices to mechanical issues and road conditions. Delivery trucks from companies like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx are involved in some of these crashes, and each has its own insurance rules. The most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents include the following.

• Driver fatigue. Drivers are often pressured to meet tight deadlines, which could leave them on the road for hours at a time and lead to drowsiness. An estimated 6% of crashes involve a fatigued driver.
• Speeding. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to come to a full stop and control their vehicle, especially in larger trucks.
• Distracted driving. When a driver takes their eyes or mind off the road, they may fail to avoid other motorists, or they might not come to a complete stop in time to prevent a crash.
• Driving under the influence. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs a motorist’s decision-making ability and reaction time.
• Poor vehicle maintenance. Poorly maintained brakes, balding tires, and other failing systems can cause drivers to lose control or fail to stop.
• Improperly loaded cargo. Improperly loaded cargo can fall from a vehicle or may even cause it to tip over.
• Poor road conditions. Poorly maintained roads with potholes or missing signs can lead to crashes, as can road surfaces made slippery by rain, snow, or ice.

How Barr and Mudford Can Improve Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Case

Since 1967, Barr and Mudford has been serving the people of Northern California, providing dedicated legal support to accident victims and their families. We know how serious commercial vehicle accidents can be, and we also know all the unique legal challenges these cases present. That’s why we work closely with our clients to understand their goals and create an effective strategy for pursuing compensation.

California’s commercial vehicle accident laws can be difficult to navigate on your own. Showing that the truck driver or company was careless is often the key to winning, and the rules for proving that are very specific. Our attorneys can advise you of your rights and legal options, whether representing you in settlement negotiations or in the Shasta County Superior Court. You can rely on our firm to provide you with the support you need.

FAQs

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

In California, victims of commercial vehicle accidents have a two-year deadline to file a claim for compensation. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 outlines the statute of limitations for these types of accidents. However, it’s important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. The deadline could be tolled if:

• The victim was a minor at the time of the crash.
• The defendant fled the state.
• A liable party hid their identity.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?

Yes, you can recover damages following a commercial vehicle accident, even if you were partially at fault. California follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means accident victims can still pursue damages, even if they share liability for the crash. However, your compensation award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you were 10% at fault and won $50,000 in compensation, your actual award would be $45,000.

Do Commercial Vehicles Have Special Insurance?

Yes, commercial vehicles have special insurance policies, generally coming with higher limits than policies covering personal vehicles. These vehicles often pose a greater risk to other road users, so their insurance policies typically include coverage for bodily injury and property damage, in addition to cargo and employer liability coverage. The required insurance minimums depend on the type of vehicle and the cargo it transports.

Does an Accident With a Commercial Vehicle Affect Insurance?

How an accident with a commercial vehicle affects your insurance depends on the facts of the case and the terms of your policy. As an accident victim, your rates likely won’t go up. The at-fault party’s insurance should cover your losses. However, if you were liable or filed a claim through your uninsured or underinsured policy, it’s possible this could impact your future premiums. In most cases, you won’t see your insurance change if you were not at fault in Redding, California.

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

You shouldn’t be left dealing with the aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer to investigate the cause of your accident, identify all liable parties, and collect evidence to build a strong case. Navigating these cases without proper legal guidance can be an immense challenge, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Contact Barr and Mudford to schedule a case review. You can lean on our experience and success record to provide you with the support you need throughout your case. Reach out to a Redding commercial vehicle accident attorney from our firm today.