After a crash, a liable party or its insurance company may make you a settlement offer. A Stockton Truck Injury Attorney with experience handling delivery truck crashes can review your settlement proposal to ensure you are receiving maximum compensation.
In California, a judge or jury will award damages based on your percentage of fault. Your attorney will help you prove your case and identify all liable parties.
Proving Negligence
With Stockton located at the crossroads of Interstate 5 and California’s Central Valley, large trucks are a regular sight on local roads. They carry equipment, goods, materials, and products that are vital to our economy. However, due to their size and complexity, truck accidents often cause devastating injuries.
Like other vehicle accident claims, a truck accident case requires the injured party to prove that another person or entity owed them a duty of care and breached this obligation, resulting in their injuries. Your attorney could help identify the liable parties and gather evidence to support your claim.
Injured victims may recover compensation for various damages, including medical expenses and future treatment costs. You may also be able to file a claim for lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injury. Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life, are harder to quantify. Your Stockton truck accident lawyer could assess your unique circumstances and estimate the amount of these damages.
Identifying Liable Parties
There are many different parties that may be liable for the injuries and losses you sustained in a truck accident. These include the truck driver, their employer (under vicarious liability), and government entities responsible for designing, constructing, or maintaining roadways where the crash occurred.
A personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into your crash and identify all possible liable parties. They can also help you file claims against these parties to recover fair monetary compensation for your damages.
In addition to recouping your medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses, you can claim compensation for non-financial losses such as pain and suffering. A Stockton truck accident lawyer can help you calculate the value of these damages, which are based on the physical, emotional, and psychological impact that your injuries have had on your life. Your lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to obtain a fair settlement. They can even take your case to trial if necessary.
Documenting Damages
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, and proving liability for your losses is critical. An attorney can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other hardships resulting from the crash.
Truck drivers and their employers must comply with strict federal and state regulations to ensure road safety and prevent accidents. If a truck driver does not complete specialized training, violates hours of service laws, or engages in other reprehensible conduct, he or she can be held liable for the resulting accident.
In some cases, the trucking company itself may be liable for the accident under vicarious liability law. An attorney can help you identify all potential liable parties and file a claim against them. They can also handle all communication with the insurer, ensuring that they treat you fairly and negotiate a fair settlement. This could save you a lot of stress and time, and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Negotiating a Settlement
While no amount of money can bring a loved one back, financial compensation can help with the immediate and long-term costs associated with an accident. A Stockton truck accident attorney can fight for the maximum compensation possible under the law.
Several factors may influence the outcome of a case, including the severity of injuries and the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. An experienced Stockton truck accident lawyer can manage every interaction and negotiation with the insurance company, aiming for a fair settlement that accounts for all of your losses.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, your Stockton truck injury lawyer can file a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Joaquin. The Stockton accident attorney can provide guidance throughout the litigation process, representing your interests in court as needed. Non-economic damages may also be awarded, such as pain and suffering in the past and future, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.