Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer

Approximately 3.5 million truck drivers share the road with car drivers. With the miles and miles of roads and highways in the Orange County area, you can be sure that a large portion of those trucks make their way through Southern California.  Since trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (and soon may weigh even more) and are generally driven on freeways at up to 70 mph, the consequences of a crash can be catastrophic. This is especially true if the truck collides with an average small car – a sedan or compact. The Orange County truck accident lawyers at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP are well-versed in traumatic vehicle accidents involving large trucks and can help victims get the compensation they need.

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Why Choose An Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer From Us?

• We win cases. Our Orange County car accident lawyers are proud to maintain an over 99% success rate. Since 2010, our firm has won over $3 billion in case results for clients.
• We can take on any defendant. We regularly go up against large corporations, including trucking companies, on behalf of injured clients.
• We are willing to go to trial. Our results-driven lawyers will not stop at the settlement stage if we believe an injury trial will result in better compensation for your losses.
• We are personal. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our lawyers cut to the heart of the matter – the person behind the personal injury. We customize all our legal services to suit each client.
• We work on a contingency fee basis. We only charge attorney’s fees if we win the client an award. You will only pay after we win.

Meet Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi – Your Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys

At Panish | Shea| Ravipudi LLP, our partners Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi have consistently earned recognition for excellence from fellow trial lawyers, legal organizations, and national publications. The firm has been honored with a “Tier 1” ranking in Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, the highest level awarded. Additionally, the National Law Journal ranks us among the nation’s top 12 Plaintiff’s law firms.

With billions secured in settlements by our top Orange County lawyers, we’re confident we can handle any case you have for us. Let us help you receive the compensation and the justice that you deserve.

Truck Accident Facts and Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the year 2018 saw 4,136 people killed in the United States by large trucks. Victims included truck occupants, occupants of passenger vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycle drivers.

Any motorist involved in a truck crash will need to negotiate with more than one responsible party. Most truck drivers are working for an employer, which means the employer’s insurance carrier will often be involved in the case. This makes truck accidents more complicated than standard car accident lawsuits.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Irvine and the Orange County area, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents In Orange County

• Driving while intoxicated: Driving an 80,000-pound truck is dangerous, and alcohol or drugs make it even more so. Drunk driving accidents are especially frustrating because they are preventable.
• Overloaded or unbalanced trucks: A poorly packed truck can make it harder to steer or brake, and falling cargo can also cause accidents.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers need to focus on the road. Distractions like cellphones, food, passengers, or the radio can lead to crashes.
• Drowsy driving: Truck drivers often work long hours, making fatigue a common problem. Federal laws limit driving hours to prevent accidents caused by drowsiness.
• Undisclosed medical issues: Drivers with medical conditions like seizures or heart attacks can lose control of the truck and cause accidents.
• Speeding: Truck drivers sometimes speed, run red lights, or break other traffic laws, often to meet deadlines, leading to accidents.

Types of Truck Accidents In Orange County

A dangerous roadway, a poorly maintained truck or a negligent truck driver could all cause a truck accident in California. Identifying the cause of the collision is often necessary before you can file a claim as an injured crash victim since California is a fault state. The party at fault for the accident – such as a trucking company or the city government – will be financially responsible for damages. Typical types of collisions include:

• Rear-end collision
• Override/underride accident
• Lost cargo/ load accident
• Wide-turn accident
• Lane change accident
• Intersection collision
• Jackknife accident
• T-bone accident

Most truck accidents are preventable with proper truck maintenance and due care by the driver. Improper braking techniques, following too closely, and leaving the lot with improperly secured cargo could all lead to tragedies. Work with an Irvine truck accident attorney from Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP for assistance in identifying the cause of your recent truck accident.

Orange County Truck Accident Injuries

A collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle almost always leads to more severe injuries for the passenger car occupants. Trucks can weigh several times more than regular cars, resulting in vehicles crushed or obliterated in collisions. If you are involved in a commercial truck accident in Orange County, you could suffer many different injuries.

• Complex Bone Fractures: These fractures involve multiple breaks or are displaced, often requiring surgery or prolonged rehabilitation. They can lead to long-term complications like chronic pain, limited mobility, or permanent disability.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): TBIs occur when a sudden trauma to the head causes brain damage. This can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, affecting cognitive abilities, motor skills, memory, and emotional regulation. Long-term effects may include difficulty with concentration, mood disorders, or permanent disability. Speak to an Orange County brain injury attorney for more information.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries result from trauma to the spine, leading to a loss of sensation or movement below the injury site. Depending on the location and severity, spinal cord injuries can cause partial or total paralysis, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Orange County are here for you.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: These include damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as sprains, strains, and contusions. Soft tissue injuries can cause swelling, bruising, pain, and restricted movement. Recovery time may vary depending on the severity of the injury, but it can sometimes lead to long-term pain or weakness.
• Lacerations and Permanent Scars: Deep cuts or lacerations can result in permanent scarring, especially if the injury is severe. Scarring can cause physical discomfort and aesthetic concerns, and in some cases, may require reconstructive surgery or ongoing medical treatment.
• Loss of Limb or Disfigurement: Severe injuries can lead to the loss of a limb (amputation) or significant disfigurement, often requiring prosthetics, rehabilitation, and psychological support. This type of injury can severely impact a person’s quality of life, requiring long-term care and adaptation.
• Severe Burns: Burns caused by heat, chemicals, or electricity can result in severe pain, scarring, and long-term physical impairment. Severe burns may require skin grafts, extensive medical treatment, and physical therapy. They can also lead to permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma. Speak to a burn injury lawyer in Orange County today.
• Wrongful Death: When someone dies as a result of another person’s negligence or intentional actions, the surviving family members may pursue legal action for wrongful death. Our Orange County wrongful death attorneys know these cases often involve emotional, financial, and legal challenges, with compensation aimed at addressing the loss and suffering caused by the death.

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP of Orange County, our personal injury attorneys have helped clients with all manner of serious injuries. We know how to present injury cases to insurance companies, judges and juries in a way that expresses how much the victim has suffered and lost because of the accident. Contact us for counsel no matter what types of injuries you or a loved one suffered in a truck accident.

Determining Fault in an Orange County Truck Accident

In a standard auto accident, determining fault is usually a straightforward enterprise. One driver is proven to have acted carelessly or recklessly and is responsible for the damages. However, a truck accident – particularly one that involves an employer who owns the actual truck – requires more thorough investigations to determine fault. Some of the questions we use to determine fault include the following:

• Were there any defects in the truck itself? (could be a manufacturer at fault)

• Were there any faulty repairs done to the truck? (could be a mechanic at fault)

• Was the driver negligent? (driver at fault)

• Would anyone else be liable for the accident? (an employer who didn’t have the correct maintenance done, for example)

This kind of investigation can be costly and time-consuming, but the experienced Irvine truck accident lawyers at Panish |Shea | Ravipudi LLP will be able to ascertain if you have a valid case against another driver. Call our Newport Beach office today to learn more in one of our free over-the-phone consultations.

Truck Accident FAQs

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, we are here to answer questions from those significantly injured in truck accidents throughout California. We know how difficult the aftermath of a commercial trucking accident can be for survivors. Our Orange County truck accident attorneys can guide you through the legal legwork of bringing a case and arguing for appropriate compensation, starting with a free initial consultation where we can give you honest answers to your questions.

What do I do after a truck accident?

The very first thing you should always do in any truck accident is to seek whatever medical help and treatment you need. Second, call your lawyer if you have one. Third, collect evidence. Photograph the incident (if you’re able) and any injuries as soon as possible. Get the names of anyone who might have witnessed the crash, the name of the other driver, and any police officers who arrive at the scene.

Do not discuss fault. This may lead to an agreement with the insurance company that does not benefit you. Instead, refer anyone who wishes to discuss fault to your attorney. Trust your trucking accident lawyer to gather all the necessary facts and evidence to establish fault.

Who is liable?

A truck company will be vicariously liable for most accidents that involve one of its trucks and/or drivers. Other liable parties, however, could include the city where the crash occurred, the cargo company, cargo loaders, property owners, or product manufacturers. The liable party/parties will be those most at fault for causing your crash.

When should I file?

In California, you must file your truck accident injury claim within two years of the date of the collision. If you miss this deadline, you may give up any right to compensation from the defendant. Exceptions to the rule exist, however, so speak to our lawyers before assuming you missed your time limit.

What evidence should I collect?

When you retain our law firm, we can help with evidence gathering while you focus on healing. Some key pieces to collect include photographs of the crash, testimony from eyewitnesses, copies of police reports, medical documents, and the truck’s black box.

How do I handle an insurance claim?

If you do not feel comfortable handling your insurance claim alone, call our attorneys to communicate with insurance claims adjusters on your behalf. Some general tips to remember are to never admit fault, only offer the information requested, and decline to give a recorded statement.

What if I contributed to the accident?

California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning you could still have a case even if you were partially at fault for the truck accident. The courts may reduce your compensatory award by an amount equivalent to your percentage of fault, however.

Do I need an Orange County truck accident attorney?

The answer to this depends on the case. In general, a lawyer is worthwhile if you suffer serious injuries or the loss of a loved one. Complex cases involving federal laws, criminal activity, or disputed fault can also benefit from legal services. When in doubt, consult with a lawyer about your individual case.

Damages Available in a Truck Accident Case

Another common question we receive from new clients is, “How much is my case worth?” This question deserves a personalized answer – one we can only give during a consultation. However, we can give you an idea of what types of damages may be available during a truck accident claim in California.

• Medical bills: Past and future costs relating to injury care, including surgeries, therapies, medications, and disability expenses.
• Lost wages: The money you have lost from missing time at work, as well as future lost earnings due to a disability.
• Pain and suffering: A range of intangible losses, including physical pain, emotional suffering and mental anguish from the truck accident.
• Property damages: Money to repair your damaged vehicle or replace a totaled vehicle after a serious traffic accident.
• Wrongful death damages: If a loved one dies, your family could be eligible for past and future economic and non-economic (loss of love, companionship, affection, society, guidance, training, assistance) damages.

Some truck accident cases in Orange County may also result in punitive damages for the victims. Punitive damages give an additional award to the victim as a way of punishing the defendant for wrongful acts, such as gross negligence or criminal actions. Learn the potential value of your truck accident claim during a conversation with one of our attorneys today.

Contact An Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer From Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP

An Orange County truck accident attorney will walk you through the investigation process and explain how long things might take. We also will not get paid unless we win your case. Our lawyers have experience handling truck accident cases and will handle communication and negotiations with the insurance companies.

Contact Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP today at 877.800.1700 for a free consultation to find out more about how we can represent your interests in a truck collision lawsuit in Irvine and throughout Orange County and Southern California.