Best Truck Accident Lawyers in San Luis Obispo

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in San Luis Obispo, California?

  (805) 781-7317 is the non-emergency phone number of the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in San Luis Obispo, California?

  You can get a copy of your truck accident police report from the Records Division of the San Luis Obispo Police Department. You must complete a Public Records Request form to obtain a copy in person or by mail. Your request must provide specific information, including the case number, name of parties involved, date and time of the report, location of the incident, and the reason for the request.

• What are the most common reasons for truck accidents in San Luis Obispo?

  Tired drivers are the most common cause of truck accidents in San Luis Obispo. Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies frequently violate traffic laws in an effort to meet their strict deadlines. Distracted and drunk driving, speeding, and improper vehicle maintenance are also quoted as common causes of truck accidents in the area.

• Who bears responsibility for truck accidents in San Luis Obispo?

  In San Luis Obispo, multiple parties can be held liable for truck accidents, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo owner, vehicle manufacturer, and party that maintained the truck. Some freight lines and their insurers use tactics to avoid liability. This is when having an experienced San Luis Obispo truck accident lawyer on your side becomes critical.

• What factors determine the length of truck accident settlement in San Luis Obispo?

  The following factors influence the length of resolution of a truck accident case in San Luis Obispo:

  • Identifying the source of the problem. Determining fault can take weeks or months, depending on the case's complexity.
  • The monetary value of the damages. The larger the potential claim, the longer the claims process takes.
  • The seriousness of the accident. The recovery of involved parties causes delays in the settlement process.

• Should you immediately accept initial insurance settlements after a truck accident in San Luis Obispo?

  It's often advised to decline insurance providers' initial offer because it's an attempt to lowball you into settling for far less than your damages are actually worth. Consider your future medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and other financial losses before signing. Insurance companies associated with commercial trucking companies understand how much damage their clients can cause in a San Luis Obispo accident, and they will use deception to persuade victims to accept less.

• What damages can you recover in a San Luis Obispo truck accident claim?

  In truck accidents in San Luis Obispo, you can obtain compensation for monetary damages, including medical fees, funeral expenses, lost salaries, and property repairs. You can recover non-monetary losses such as loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. You can also acquire payment for punitive damages, a punishment imposed by the court to penalize the defendant’s harmful behavior.

• What does a truck accident attorney do?

  A truck accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney specializing in truck accidents. These lawyers help their clients navigate the legally complex terrain of truck accident law by gathering evidence, sending demand letters, negotiating with insurance companies, and preparing the case for trial.In most cases, they are personal injury lawyers who specialize in this particular type of claim.

• Who can be sued in a truck accident case?

  Truck accident liability is a notoriously complex area. In car accidents, liability is typically shared by one or more drivers, but that’s not always the case with truck collisions. These are just a few of the parties that may be responsible for truck accidents and subsequent injuries:

  • Equipment owners, including leasing companies
  • Truck drivers who are reckless, intoxicated, or make mistakes
  • Trucking companies accountable for hiring and keeping records
  • Maintenance providers who are negligent or fail to perform routine tasks
  • Loading personnel in accidents caused by shifting loads
  • Third-party drivers, especially in multi-vehicle collisions
  • Equipment manufacturers that sell defective parts

• What do I need to know about truck accident cases in court?

  In truck accident cases, as in all personal injury cases, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or party filing the lawsuit. To prevail in court, the plaintiff must prove four things:

  • The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, such as having a legal responsibility to hire qualified drivers and maintain safe equipment.
  • In negligence claims, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached this duty.
  • The plaintiff must show that they suffered damages or experienced harm.
  • Finally, the plaintiff must prove that these losses were a direct result of the defendant’s breach.

  
  

• What are the common causes of truck accidents?

  Driver error is the single most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, but a variety of factors come into play on busy highways and secondary roads. Other potential causes of truck accidents include the following:

  • Inadequate or improper driver training
  • Severe weather, including rain, sleet, ice, and fog
  • Dangerous roadways, potholes, and construction zones
  • Improper loading, excess weight, and shifting cargo
  • Reckless driving involving intoxication or distractions
  • Faulty equipment, such as failing brakes

  
  

• Can I sue if I was hit by a truck owned by a big company?

  Yes, all trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and maintaining safe equipment. However, a lengthy investigation may be required to document the scene, establish contributing factors, and hold the company responsible. Personal injury attorneys generally focus on the following points during the investigation:

  • Checking the truck driver’s record
  • Securing phone records to prove distracted driving
  • Photographing skid marks and road conditions
  • Verifying the truck’s weight and maintenance history
  • Establishing the driver’s physical and mental health
  • Reviewing logbooks to identify times of service violations
  • Checking for previous violations to establish a pattern of misconduct

  
  

• How many semi truck accidents are there per year?

  In the U.S., it's estimated that there are 500,000 large truck accidents per year with an average of nearly 1,400 per day, according to data collected from police reports. Of those 500,000 accidents, approximately 4,000 result in a death. The majority of semi truck accidents are caused by mechanical defects and driver fatigue.

• Can I sue for being hit by a semi truck?

  If you have been injured in an accident with a semi truck that is not your fault, you are entitled to compensation for the damages to your vehicle as well as for your medical bills, time missed from work, and other damages suffered. You can sue if the person or company refuses to offer fair compensation.

• What should I do after a truck accident?

  The most important thing to do after a serious accident is to seek medical attention. You should also collect witness information, photographs of the accident scene, a copy of the police report, and contact information from the driver of the truck. Gather all of your paperwork related to the accident, including copies of your medical bills. Avoid posting about the accident on social media or speaking to the driver's insurance company before seeking legal advice, because anything you say can be used against you and affect your compensation.

• How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take?

  Most lawsuits are settled without going to court, so reaching a settlement can happen at any point that both parties agree on fair compensation. However, in most states, once an agreement has been reached, it cannot be changed, so it's a good idea to wait long enough to ensure that there are no additional injuries before settling.

• Do semi truck accidents go to trial?

  Litigation for semi truck accidents is similar to auto accidents, but it's usually more complicated because any number of parties may ultimately be responsible for the accident, including the company that handles the truck's maintenance or repairs. If attempts at negotiating a settlement with the responsible party are unsuccessful, the lawsuit may proceed to trial. In some cases, more than one party is responsible and one of the parties may fight the lawsuit and claim no responsibility. For these reasons, it's important to seek legal help from an attorney with experience in litigating semi truck accidents.