Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer: Maximizing Your Compensation After a Crash

Have you been seriously injured or tragically lost a loved one in a truck accident in Orange County, California? Negligence on the part of truck drivers or trucking companies is often the cause, making them legally liable for the resulting medical expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering. The dedicated Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian are here to help you fight for the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

Since 1990, our respected California trial attorneys have been strong advocates for victims of truck accidents and grieving families throughout Orange County. We stand up to powerful insurance companies and trucking corporations to secure substantial financial awards for our clients. Our track record speaks for itself, with billions of dollars recovered in settlements and jury verdicts, including numerous million-dollar outcomes for individuals.

Benefit from the expertise of a highly-rated legal team with over 75 years of combined experience and a proven history of success in complex truck accident cases. Contact our Orange County, CA office in Newport Beach now to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

Why Choose Our Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys?

Proven Success: We have a history of recovering over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts. We are prepared to aggressively negotiate with and litigate against formidable opponents like major trucking companies to protect our clients’ interests.
Extensive Experience: Our attorneys possess decades of experience specifically handling personal injury and truck accident cases across California. We have the skills to manage even the most challenging and intricate claims.
Contingency Fee Basis: Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian operates on a contingency fee basis. You will not be charged any attorney fees unless we successfully win your truck accident case and recover compensation for you.

How an Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Navigating the aftermath of a truck accident and pursuing a legal claim can be overwhelming. An experienced Orange County truck accident lawyer provides crucial knowledge and legal expertise to guide you through every step of your claim, safeguarding your rights and best interests. Unlike insurance companies that prioritize their bottom line, your attorney is committed to your well-being and maximizing your financial recovery. You can rely on your lawyer to advocate for a just and comprehensive settlement when dealing with insurance adjusters and to assist you with all facets of your injury claim.

Your attorney can ensure you receive the necessary medical treatment, manage complicated claim paperwork on your behalf, and build a strong case by leveraging connections with accident reconstruction experts and navigating the legal system. Hiring a skilled lawyer streamlines the claims process, saving you valuable time and resources, and allowing you to concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery while we handle the legal complexities of your truck accident case.

orange county truck accident attorney

Alt text: Experienced Orange County truck accident attorney standing confidently in a modern law office, ready to fight for your rights.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Orange County, CA

Each year, Orange County roads see hundreds of accidents involving large commercial trucks, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers. Recent data indicates 392 reported truck accidents in Orange County in 2022 alone, resulting in 513 injuries and 15 fatalities.

Despite stringent regulations governing the trucking industry by both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and California state laws, truck accidents remain frequent due to various factors, primarily negligence. Driver error is a leading cause of these collisions.

Frequently cited causes of truck accidents in Orange County include:

Distracted Driving: Texting, phone calls, or other distractions diverting the driver’s attention.
Driver Fatigue: Operating a vehicle while drowsy due to long hours or insufficient rest, a common issue in the trucking industry.
Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug impairment affecting driver judgment and reaction time.
Speeding: Exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions, increasing the risk of losing control.
Improper Wide Turns: Failure to properly execute wide turns, leading to collisions with vehicles or objects.
Unsafe Passing: Attempting to pass other vehicles in no-passing zones or without adequate visibility.
Braking Errors: Improper or delayed braking, especially critical for large trucks with longer stopping distances.
Following Too Closely (Tailgating): Not maintaining a safe following distance, reducing reaction time to prevent rear-end collisions.
Improper Cargo Load: Overloaded, unbalanced, or unsecured cargo shifting or falling, causing instability or accidents.

Truck accidents can also be attributed to factors beyond driver negligence, such as defective truck parts, trucking companies hiring unqualified drivers or neglecting vehicle maintenance, and hazardous road conditions.

Unique Aspects of Orange County Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases differ significantly from typical car accident claims for several reasons. Firstly, truck collisions often result in more severe and catastrophic injuries, including limb loss or wrongful death. This heightened severity underscores the necessity of engaging an attorney to represent you during negotiations with insurance companies, who may attempt to minimize the value of your injuries or disregard your long-term medical needs. Your lawyer can take your case to trial to secure just compensation for serious injuries if necessary.

Facing Powerful Opponents

Secondly, truck accident claims often involve powerful adversaries. The defendant in your case might be a large trucking corporation or cargo company, not just another individual driver. These entities possess substantial legal resources to challenge your claim. Trucking companies are frequently held vicariously liable for their drivers’ negligence. Furthermore, they can be directly liable for their own negligent actions, such as negligent hiring practices or inadequate fleet maintenance.

Evidence Specific to Truck Accidents

Another distinguishing factor is the unique evidence available in truck accident cases. For instance, a truck’s electronic logging device (ELD), often referred to as a “black box,” records extensive data about the driver’s behavior and the truck’s performance. Accessing and analyzing this data can be crucial in proving driver speeding, braking errors, violations of hours-of-service regulations, or pre-existing truck maintenance issues that contributed to the accident.

Federal and State Regulations

Hours-of-service regulations are just one example of the complex federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry that may be relevant to your case. A knowledgeable Orange County truck accident lawyer can navigate these regulations, including cargo securement rules, weight and height restrictions, and mandated truck maintenance and inspection protocols. Understanding and applying these regulations is vital to building a strong case and can be challenging without legal expertise.

Determining Liability in a Truck Accident Claim

Liability in a truck accident case refers to establishing legal and financial responsibility for causing or significantly contributing to the collision. Determining liability is a prerequisite for seeking financial compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. Generally, liability is based on negligence – demonstrating who failed to exercise reasonable care, leading to the truck accident.

Negligence can take many forms. A trucking company can be negligent by hiring unqualified or unlicensed drivers, failing to provide adequate training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules, or neglecting essential truck maintenance. Cargo companies can be negligent through improper cargo loading or securing practices.

Trucking companies are often held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their drivers. Truck driver negligence includes speeding, tailgating, drowsy driving, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and improper operation of a commercial truck. Violations of safety regulations and traffic laws can establish liability for both the driver and, consequently, the trucking company.

California’s Comparative Negligence Law

California applies a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you are partially at fault for a truck accident in Orange County, you are not barred from recovering compensation. Your recoverable damages will be reduced proportionally to your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for an accident, you can still recover 80% of your total damages from other liable parties. California law has no limit on the percentage of fault you can bear and still recover some compensation. If an insurance company attempts to unfairly assign you a significant portion of blame, consulting with an Orange County truck accident lawyer is crucial to protecting your right to maximum compensation.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in an Orange County truck accident, hiring legal representation is essential. Due to the immense size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions frequently result in devastating injuries for occupants of smaller vehicles. A skilled attorney can fight for the full compensation you deserve for life-altering or catastrophic injuries, including coverage for future medical care and long-term needs.

Common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

Bone Fractures: Broken bones throughout the body, ranging in severity.
Head Trauma: Injuries to the scalp, skull, and brain.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Damage to the brain caused by external force, potentially leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
Cuts, Scrapes, and Lacerations: Skin injuries ranging from minor to deep wounds requiring stitches.
Severe Burn Injuries: Burns caused by fire, explosions, or hazardous materials often involved in truck accidents.
Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent skin damage and alterations to physical appearance.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as sprains and strains.
Crush Injuries: Severe injuries caused by extreme pressure or compression.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord potentially causing paralysis or loss of function.
Disc Herniation: Rupture of spinal discs causing pain and nerve compression.
Neck Injuries and Whiplash: Strain to neck muscles and ligaments due to sudden impact.
Amputations: Loss of limbs due to trauma.
Organ Damage: Internal injuries to organs.
Wrongful Death: Fatal injuries resulting in the loss of life.

These injuries often lead to substantial medical expenses, including extended physical therapy and rehabilitation, potentially preventing victims from working for extended periods and causing significant pain and suffering. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we are dedicated to helping clients with all types of injuries resulting from commercial truck accidents in California, understanding the support needed to rebuild lives after such traumatic events.

Types of Damages Available to Truck Accident Victims

Damages, in legal terms, refer to the financial compensation a plaintiff can recover in a personal injury claim. Compensatory damages are categorized into economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses, while noneconomic damages address intangible losses, often referred to as pain and suffering. Following a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical Bills: Past and future medical expenses related to accident injuries.
Lost Income: Wages lost due to inability to work after the accident, both past and future earnings.
Disability: Compensation for permanent physical impairments and reduced earning capacity.
Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged vehicles or personal property.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation to family members for loss of companionship and support due to the victim’s injuries.
Mental Anguish: Emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological trauma resulting from the accident.
Disfigurement: Compensation for physical disfigurement and scarring.
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional suffering endured due to injuries.
Other Crash-Related Damages: Other financial losses directly linked to the accident.

In certain cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish a defendant for egregious misconduct such as gross negligence, fraud, or malice. Anyone who directly or indirectly contributed to an Orange County truck accident can be held liable for your damages, including negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, third-party motorists, truck manufacturers, freight brokers, or government entities responsible for road maintenance.

Our experienced Orange County truck accident lawyers are committed to aggressively pursuing maximum compensation from all responsible parties involved in causing your truck accident injuries.

Truck Accident Settlement Amounts: What to Expect

Determining an “average” truck accident settlement is challenging because settlement and jury award amounts vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Case values can range from approximately $10,000 to well over $1 million. Key factors influencing settlement amounts include the extent of property damage, the severity of injuries, available insurance coverage, and the degree of liability assigned to each party. Engaging a skilled truck accident lawyer in Orange County is the most effective way to optimize your case outcome and pursue the maximum possible compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in Orange County

Whether you have suffered serious personal injuries or experienced the wrongful death of a family member in a truck accident, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit in Orange County, California.

This two-year statute of limitations is the standard legal deadline for most personal injury cases in California. However, some exceptions may apply in specific situations:

Wrongful Death Claims: In a wrongful death claim in Orange County, the statute of limitations begins on the date of the victim’s death, which may differ from the accident date if death occurred later.
Discovery Rule: If an injury from a truck accident is not immediately apparent, the victim has two years from the date of discovering (or when they should have reasonably discovered) the injury to file a claim.
Injured Minors: The statute of limitations for a child’s injury case is two years from the child’s 18th birthday, even if this extends beyond two years from the accident date.
Claims Against Government Entities: If a road defect, such as a pothole, contributed to your truck accident, you may have a claim against a government agency. In such cases, you have only six months from the accident date to file a written claim with the relevant agency.

Do not risk losing your right to seek the financial compensation you deserve by allowing the statute of limitations to expire. Contact the experienced Orange County truck accident attorneys at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian immediately for legal assistance to determine and meet your specific filing deadlines.

Truck Accident Attorney Fees in Orange County

At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront legal fees for our services and representation. Attorney fees are only charged if and when we successfully resolve your case and secure financial compensation on your behalf. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing – guaranteed. If we do secure a settlement or judgment award, our fee is calculated as a percentage of the total amount recovered. This ensures you never have to pay your Orange County truck accident attorney out of your own pocket.

Proudly Serving Orange County and Southern California

Contact Our Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Put our team’s 75+ years of experience and billions of dollars in recovered compensation to work for you. Contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to consult with experienced, dedicated, and aggressive Orange County personal injury attorneys who are committed to your future. We offer a free, confidential consultation and only get paid if we win your truck accident case. Contact our Orange County law office in Newport Beach today or call us at (949) 831-6611.

Client Testimonial

“I felt that you were fighting for me, counseling me, supporting me and allowing me to make the best decision based on the information you and the mediator provided throughout the day. There was not one instance where I felt pressure to make a decision. The team was outstanding.” – Plaintiff

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