West Covina Truck Accident Lawyer

Proving Fault for Your Truck Accident

Before you can obtain any type of financial recovery from your losses after a truck accident, you must determine exactly how the accident happened and identify the party or parties responsible for causing it. One of the most challenging aspects of many truck accident cases is “vicarious liability,” a legal term used to define any situation in which one party seemingly disconnected from an injury shares liability for causing the injury through another party. This legal mechanism most commonly applies to employers sharing fault for the actions of their employees.

It’s possible that the driver of the truck involved in your accident bears sole liability for the resulting damages, but their employer could also share fault as well. The rule of vicarious liability will apply if an investigation shows that the employer failed to manage the employee correctly in any way. This may involve skipping a background check, overlooking the driver’s criminal record, or lack of oversight in ensuring driver training and experience.

It’s also possible for a third party to bear liability for a truck accident. For example, if another passenger vehicle driver caused an accident with a truck close to you on the road, it could have sparked a chain reaction that resulted in your injuries. Ultimately, it’s easy for multiple parties to share liability for a truck accident, and you will likely need the help of an experienced West Covina truck accident attorney to sort through the evidence and witness testimony as you determine liability for your damages.

Compensation for Your Truck Accident in West Covina

Once you have proven liability for your truck accident, you can begin the process of securing the compensation you deserve. Most truck drivers and the organizations that employ them have auto insurance coverage, and filing an auto insurance claim is generally the first step in recovering from any motor vehicle accident like car, motorcycle or even pedestrain accident. Your West Covina truck accident attorney can assist you in filing your claim and resolve any issues that may arise regarding the insurance company’s handling of your claim.

A successful insurance claim against the at-fault driver can yield valuable compensation, but even an expansive policy may not fully cover the entire scope of your losses. Therefore, a personal injury claim may be necessary to recover any outstanding losses the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover. Once you have proven fault for your damages, your West Covina truck accident attorney can assist you in recovering:

• Medical expenses for any injuries you suffered. This includes the initial cost of treating your injuries in the hospital immediately following your accident and the long-term treatment costs you face if you suffered a severe injury.
• Lost income. If you cannot work for any period of time following your accident, the defendant is liable for the income you could not earn during this time. This also includes any lost future earning capacity resulting from a severe injury. In addition, if you are unable to return to your job due to the injuries you suffered, the defendant responsible for injuring you must compensate you for your lost future earnings as well.
• Property damage. An auto insurance claim could yield some compensation toward the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, but any remaining property damage can be listed as an economic loss in your personal injury claim.
• Pain and suffering compensation. California law allows you to claim compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress the defendant caused. There is no limit on the amount of pain and suffering compensation you can include in this type of civil case, and your West Covina truck accident attorney will assist you in determining a suitable amount to seek from the defendant.

When Belgum, Fry & Van Allen represent your truck accident case, our goal is to maximize the compensation you obtain for your damages in the shortest time possible. We’ll seek to settle your case as swiftly as we can, but if settlement isn’t an option for any reason, we will represent you at trial. Whatever your truck accident claim entails, you can rely on our firm to provide ongoing support and compassionate guidance through all phases of your recovery efforts.

FAQs About West Covina, CA Truck Accident Law

How Much Settlement Money Can I Receive for a Trucking Accident Claim?

State law permits the plaintiff of a personal injury suit to seek full compensation for any and all economic losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions as well as pain and suffering compensation. The total potential value of any personal injury claim depends on the scope of the victim’s losses, whether they face any long-term complications from the accident, and the nature of the defendant’s behavior that resulted in their damages.

Will I Secure a Larger Settlement With an Attorney’s Help?

Hiring a West Covina truck accident attorney significantly improves your chances of maximizing the compensation you secure after a truck accident. Your legal team can ensure you receive an appropriate insurance settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, and if you have grounds for a personal injury claim, they will help you uncover every claimable loss you can include in your claim. Even after you account for your attorney’s fee, they can still help you obtain much more compensation than you could have expected if you tried to handle your case alone.

How Much Does a West Covina Truck Accident Attorney Cost to Hire?

The attorneys at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will pay nothing for our representation upfront and will not be required to pay any legal fees for the duration of your case. We only take a fee once we win, and the contingency fee you pay is a percentage of your total compensation. This billing arrangement ensures you can approach your case with peace of mind with accessible and reliable legal counsel on your side.

How Soon Should I Hire a West Covina Truck Accident Attorney?

Any truck accident is likely to cause injuries, and most victims will require immediate medical treatment after their accidents. Once you have received the medical care you need, you should connect with legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible, ideally before speaking with any insurance companies about your accident. Your attorney can ensure you receive a fair settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and they can begin building your personal injury claim immediately while you focus on your recovery.

What Happens if I Partially Caused My Recent Truck Accident?

It’s possible for the plaintiff in a personal injury case to bear partial liability for causing their damages. California enforces the pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that a plaintiff who is partially at fault for causing their claimed damages will lose a percentage of their case award to reflect this shared liability. The judge handling your case will assign you a fault percentage, and then this percentage is deducted from the total amount of compensation obtained from the defendant. For example, bearing 25% fault in a truck accident case would mean losing 25% of the final case award.

Contact Us

The attorneys at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen understand that you have lots of pressing legal questions and important financial concerns regarding your impending truck accident case. We have years of experience guiding our clients through these difficult proceedings and strive to help every client maximize their recovery as much as legally possible. If you are ready to learn how a West Covina truck accident attorney can assist in your recovery efforts, contact us today to schedule your free consult with our firm.

West Covina, CA Truck Accident Resources

• Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California