Truck Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield, Kern County
A semi truck crash can be caused by a number of different reasons such as a lack of maintenance or driver error. For instance, if a truck has bald tires or defective brakes, it will make it harder for it to stop in a timely manner. If a driver is intoxicated, distracted or tired, it could shift that person’s focus away from the road and increase the risk of an accident. A truck accident lawyer may be able to analyze your case to determine the cause of the wreck as well as who may be liable for damages.
A truck accident crash may result in a significant number of injuries such as broken bones, torn ligaments or internal bleeding. In some cases, symptoms may not present themselves right away, so it’s imperative to seek medical treatment to get an accurate diagnosis. You may also want to keep a journal to keep track of any changes to your mental or physical health over time. A truck accident attorney may be able to help you connect your injuries to the wreck and bolster your chances of obtaining compensation in your case.
Semi-trucks can have a significant impact on drivers, passengers and the infrastructure of a given area. Truck drivers are at risk of back, neck or other types of injuries that come with sitting in one spot for hours at a time. Over time, these injuries can become severe enough that it’s no longer possible to remain employed as a professional long-haul driver. Passenger vehicles drivers and occupants may be at a higher risk of injury or death because their cars or SUVs are much smaller than a typical commercial vehicle. Large trucks may also cause damage to roads and highways that can cost a significant amount to repair, which can have impacts on taxpayers and others.
There are a number of parties who may be liable for damages in your truck injury case. For instance, the driver of the truck that hit your vehicle could be named as a defendant as well as the owner of the vehicle. If a wreck was caused by faulty roads or poor signage, a government agency might be a defendant in your case. The team at Silverthorne Attorneys can review your case to determine who might be liable for compensation. Furthermore, your truck accident injury lawyer might be able to determine how much time you have to take action against a defendant. Typically, you have two years to take action against an individual, and in some cases, this may toll if you are incapacitated, incarcerated or are a minor when the accident occurred.
There are a number of steps that you can take to reduce your risk of being in a semi truck accident. For instance, you can avoid lingering in a larger vehicle’s blind spot for too long. This can be done by being decisive when changing lanes and maintaining an adequate speed while overtaking a larger vehicle. Alternatively, you can reduce your risk by maintaining a larger following distance and remaining focused on the road as opposed to a phone call or to a passenger talking while your car is in motion.
Your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer may be able to help you obtain various types of compensation depending on the facts of your case. Compensation may be available to pay medical bills, recoup lost wages or to account for mental health issues related to a defendant’s actions. Under California law, you may be entitled to compensation even if you are partially liable for the accident. A truck injury lawyer may be able to develop a strategy to minimize your liability in the eyes of a jury.
A Bakersfield truck accident lawyer such as those at Silverthorne Attorneys understand the issues that you will likely face after an accident. Your semi truck accident attorney may be able to obtain evidence on your behalf, work out a settlement while you recover from your injuries or take other steps to represent your interests. Ideally, you will hire a truck accident attorney near you because that person will understand how local and state laws impact your case. This ensures that a strategy can be created that is relevant to your needs and provides you with the best chance of obtaining a favorable settlement or jury award.