Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari points out that it’s David vs. Goliath when a car collides with a truck. The only difference in most of these accidents is that Goliath survives much better than David.
Semi trucks can weigh up to thirty times as much as a passenger vehicle — 18 wheelers weigh up to 80,000 pounds and cars only weigh 3,000-4,000 pounds – impacting how quickly a truck driver can control his rig. How well a truck driver accelerates, brakes and maneuvers is critical to avoiding a collision.
When big rigs collide with smaller-size vehicles, the occupants of those vehicles, most likely cars, are very likely to suffer serious injuries, including those involving the head or spine. In many cases, the result is often a wrongful death.
Of approximately 5,000 fatalities each year caused by truck accidents, 98% of the victims are occupants of the passenger vehicle and not of the truck.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
It is a rare day when we don’t hear of a jackknifed truck on some freeway. Probably the most frequent case I see are trucks making a right turn at the corner and run into a car, bicycle, even a pedestrian.
There are a variety of causes of truck accidents, which is why Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari investigates thoroughly to determine all the entities who may have a portion of responsibility for the truck accident.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Exceeding the speed limit: This is particularly dangerous because trucks are so large and heavy it takes longer for them to stop. Typically the speed a truck was traveling, along with how, when, and if the driver attempted to brake, is a potentially important in truck accident litigation.
- Driving when fatigued: There are federal and state regulations and laws dictating how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel driving, and/or engaged in on-duty work for the trucking company within certain periods of time. Drivers must keep track in a log book of both on-duty non-driving hours, on-duty driving time, and off-duty time.
- Substance abuse: If a truck driver is tested and found to have alcohol or illegal drugs or other substances in his system after an accident, this can be additional evidence of liability against both the truck driver and their employer.
- Improper inspection or maintenance records: A trucking company may be held liable when inspections aren’t completed correctly and an accident occurs.
- Loading the trailer improperly: When a trailer is not loaded properly it can adversely affect how a driver controls the truck or may even cause the cargo-filled trailer to tip, both of which can cause an accident.
Maintenance and Delivery Trucks
Truck accidents don’t just happen with large semis, 18-wheelers, or tanker trucks. The roads and freeway are filled with maintenance and delivery trucks.
These truck accidents also can be more complicated than a car accident as they typically will involve a government entity or a corporation. Their licensing requirements also are categorized under “trucks.”
Why Hire A Truck Accident Attorney?
Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari represents individuals who have suffered serious injuries and families whose loved ones are killed in truck accidents.
Cyrus Shahriari understands the difference between a truck accident and a car accident in the legal sense. He has the expertise to maneuver the combination of local, state, and federal regulations such as:
- Special rules and regulations govern the trucking industry and impact large truck and bus cases. These include Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which are not necessarily involved in your typical auto accident, so choosing an attorney who is experienced in truck accidents can be important.
- Knowledge of these special rules and regulations are important to know at different points during your case – while drafting the complaint, during written discovery, and during depositions.
- You should choose an attorney who can gather the right evidence – witness statements, accident scene photographs, preserving evidence the trucking company may have – quickly before it vanishes and to help you preserve evidence to prove your claims.
The Cost and Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari takes cases on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing until your case is resolved.
If YOU don’t win . . .WE don’t win. It’s as simple as that, and we put it in writing.
Since it is highly likely that you have suffered physical, emotional, and property damage, Cyrus Shahriari will do everything legally possible to ensure you are compensated to the fullest extent of the law. You may be eligible to obtain compensation for:
- Medical Costs, current and future
- Lost Wages and Benefits, current and future
- Pain and Suffering
- Funeral Expenses
Trucking companies are required by federal law to carry an enormous amount of insurance. But their insurance companies have an army of lawyers dedicated to making sure that the company pays you as little as they can get away with. That’s why you need Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari.
Don’t Miss the Deadline to File
There are deadlines (statute of limitations) by which time you must take legal action. If you miss the deadline, you are giving up all rights to ever bring a lawsuit or to be compensated for your damages.
If you or a loved one have been in a truck accident, contact Los Angeles truck accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari at The Shahriari Law Firm for a free consultation.
Truck Accidents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I hire a truck accident lawyer?
A: If you have suffered personal injuries, you should hire a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Truck accidents are not the same as car accidents. There are usually government entities involved and numerous corporations, all of whom may share liability. As your truck accident lawyer, Cyrus Shahriari will begin an investigation to identify all those who may be responsible for your truck accident in order to maximize the compensation you obtain for your injuries.
Q: How much is my truck accident case worth?
A: No two truck accidents are alike. It depends on a number of elements, including:
- The injuries you sustained and their long-term effects on your life
- How much insurance the responsible party(ies) have since you can only collect on the amount of insurance available
- How much were your medical bills and will you have future medical bills
- How much time and money did you lose from your job and what is the future of your returning to work
- How good a truck accident attorney you have representing you
- How much vehicle damage did your motor vehicle sustain
- How much pain and suffering did you undergo
The best way to get a range of how much compensation you may be eligible for is to contact Cyrus Shahriari for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Q: If I accept the settlement the trucking company has offered me can I still sue them for the rest of my damages?
A: If you accept a settlement for the damages you suffered in a truck accident, your case is usually over. You rarely if ever can go “back to the well.” Talk to a truck accident lawyer before you agree to the settlement. What you think is a fair settlement may not be and you could have numerous medical bills and other damages that aren’t covered by the settlement.
Q: How much does a truck accident attorney cost?
A: We — and most truck accident lawyers — take truck accident cases on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing until your case is resolved. There are no retainers or up-front fees. Typically, we also usually put up all the money for the case. When we win your case we are reimbursed the lawsuit costs and paid a pre-agreed upon percentage of the settlement or verdict. This is why we tell you that we’re in this together. The more compensation we negotiate for you, the more money you get and the more money we get.
Q: What should I do if the trucking company doesn’t return my calls after a truck accident?
A: It isn’t unusual that a trucking company refuses to return your calls when their truck and you have been in a truck accident. Sometimes they don’t want it known that they’ve broken the law but doing such things as falsifying drivers’ logs, hiring unlicensed or dangerous drivers, not doing regular drug tests on drivers, and so on. We know what legal action to take to ensure that the trucking company cooperates. We also know how important it is that action is taken as soon as possible before witnesses and evidence disappears or is falsified.