San Diego Delivery Truck Accident Attorney
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Delivery truck accidents are becoming increasingly more common and can be devastating to a victim. With the explosive growth of the e-commerce industry, more delivery vehicles are on the road and in our neighborhoods. When a truck or delivery vehicle strikes a pedestrian or smaller passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. A number of injuries may occur due to a delivery truck accident.
At Haffner & Morgan, we fight to get you the compensation that you deserve in order to recover from your injuries. Our San Diego truck accident attorneys will help you navigate your legal compensations. Don’t let giant insurance companies or law firms intimidate you. The Haffner & Morgan firm will show the defendant that they can’t just push you over. Show the other side that you mean business. Contact our accident lawyers today for your free consultation.
Common Types of Delivery Truck Accidents and the Injuries they cause
Delivery trucks are large and unwieldy, sometimes causing devastating accidents on highways and intersections. Head-on collisions, sideswipes, rollovers, wide-turn crashes, and lost cargo accidents from opening back doors are the most common types of accidents related to delivery trucks. These accidents can cause serious injuries and fatalities in other vehicles. Some common injuries from truck accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) ranging from a mild concussion to serious, disabling neurological effects
- Bone fractures and amputations
- Internal injuries
- Burns
Any of these injuries require medical treatment and lost time from work during recovery, leading to financial strain. By gaining the compensation you need through a successful accident claim you can focus on your recovery with fewer financial worries.
How Can A Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Help You
San Diego delivery truck accident attorneys can help you to:
- Negotiate with your insurance company
- Claim compensation for medical treatment (ambulance fees, medical consultations, etc.)
- Seek restitution for mental effects (anxiety, emotional stress, etc.)
- Look to recover for property damage
- Assist with recovering funeral and burial bills
- Covering rehabilitation costs
Understanding How Insurance Companies Operate
Large companies like UPS and FedEx use powerful insurance carriers. FedEx has liability insurance with up to $5 million in combined single-limit coverage. UPS has a $1 million dollar limit. It’s likely that claims adjusters from these companies will call you soon after your accident. Be wary of making any statements about your physical health and recovery that they can later use against you such as unthinkingly responding with “Fine” when asked how you’re feeling. Each insurance company has a business model that relies on taking in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. Therefore they may deny your claim outright or offer a fast, low-balled settlement. You should always consult with your attorney before answering questions and then later direct all questions to your lawyer. An insurance company may try to deny your claim based on these legitimate and illegitimate reasons:
- You didn’t seek medical treatment right after your accident
- They might search your medical records to claim your injury was pre-existing
- You waited too long to report your accident to the carrier
- They dispute that their client was at fault in the accident
- They may claim that the delivery truck driver was operating the vehicle in his/her personal capacity therefore the insurance policy wasn’t in effect at the time of the accident
What Are the Statute of Limitations in truck accident cases?
Statute of limitations refers to the time limit a victim has to bring a delivery truck accident to court. In California, these types of accidents have a statute of limitations of two (2) years in most cases. Some exceptions do apply. For example, in a truck accident involving a government vehicle, the period is only for six months. If an accident involves a minor, then the filing is subject to be done within 2 years after their 18th birthday.
What are the causes of delivery truck accidents?
Some common causes of delivery truck accidents include:
- Unfocused driving: Truck drivers who are inattentive, such as using their phones while driving and noise distraction from radios;
- Malfunctioned truck parts: Trucks that have been poorly maintained or have mechanism defects;
- Drunk driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol;
- Vehicular collisions: Involvement of other vehicles, t-bone or underride collisions with the truck
What to Do Following a Truck Accident?
This is what you should do if ever you are in a truck or any motor vehicle accident:
- Check yourself for possible injuries
- Call 911
- Document the Scene and Get an Official Police Report
- Prepare a Statement for the Insurance Companies
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles if Necessary
You should always seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident. Be sure to tell the doctor about all of your symptoms and follow all treatment guidelines. Ask for detailed medical notes including treatment recommendations and prognosis. Follow all recommendations by your medical professionals.
Who is Liable in an Accident With a Delivery Truck?
With an ever-increasing number of delivery trucks on the roads, accidents are bound to occur. Unlike accidents with personal vehicles, a delivery truck accident may lead to challenges in discovering who is liable. Often it depends on the employment status of the truck driver as an independent contractor or a company employee.
Parties who may be liable in your delivery truck accident include:
- The truck driver himself
- The delivery company the driver works for
- A third party in multi-vehicle crash scenarios
A skilled San Diego personal injury lawyer can determine the liable party in your accident and then file a claim against them to help secure financial freedom for your recovery.
Contact Haffner & Morgan for the Representation you Deserve
Auto accidents can happen anytime. Delivery truck driver accidents can be particularly devastating given the size of trucks. At Haffner & Morgan, our San Diego personal injury attorneys will be there every step of the way. Our San Diego delivery truck accident attorneys will fight to make sure you get the maximum compensation for your case. If you or a loved one has been affected by or injured in a delivery truck accident, Contact Haffner & Morgan, LLP for your free consultation today, or call us at (619) 541-8787.