Northern California Aggressive Driving Truck Accident Lawyers

If a truck driver’s aggressive behavior on the road caused an accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation. At Tiemann Law Firm, we have decades of experience representing clients like you in insurance claims and lawsuits. Aggressive driving is dangerous and puts people at risk of injury. It’s also a criminal offense and could result in fines and jail time.

The Northern California truck accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm can investigate your case, obtain crucial evidence, and prove the truck driver’s actions caused your injuries. They should face the consequences of their misconduct and provide the necessary compensation for you to heal without having to pay your own expenses. We know how devastating this situation can be. You can depend on us to stay by your side and guide you through the legal process.

Call the aggressive driving truck accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm immediately at (916) 999-9000 for a free consultation and to learn about how we can help.

Examples of Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is known as reckless driving in California. State law defines reckless driving as:

Operating a vehicle on a highway with wanton or willful disregard for another person’s property or safety; or
Driving in an off-street parking facility with willful or wanton disregard for someone else’s safety or property.

Anyone found guilty of this offense could spend up to 90 days in county jail and be forced to pay up to a $1,000 fine.

Common examples of aggressive driving are:

Speeding
Unsafe lane changes
Failing to check blind spots
Turning too quickly
Distracted driving
Tailgating
Failing to yield the right of way
Disobeying traffic signals and signs
Weaving in and out of traffic

Truck accidents can cause permanent injuries to the occupants of smaller vehicles. Most passenger cars are no match for an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer. When you get hurt in a crash like this, you could face many challenges on the road to recovery. You might not be able to work or afford your medical bills. You could suffer from ongoing pain or limited mobility due to your injury. Surviving these circumstances becomes a daily struggle and can affect your emotional or psychological health.

At Tiemann Law Firm, our Northern California aggressive driving truck accident lawyers understand what you’re going through. We will be your advocate and fight by your side until the very end.

Common Injuries Caused by Aggressive Driving Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can cause significant injuries and fatalities. Some people only suffer minor physical harm, while others suffer long-lasting physical or psychological effects. The most common injuries associated with truck accidents are:

Broken bones
Traumatic brain injury
Internal bleeding
Crush injuries
Concussion
Whiplash
Spinal cord injuries
Neck and back injuries
Loss of limb
Psychological trauma
Paralysis
Permanent disfigurement
Disability

If you sustained any of these injuries due to the actions of an aggressive truck driver, do not hesitate to contact Tiemann Law Firm. We can begin working on your case immediately to obtain evidence that proves they were at fault.

Steps You Should Follow After a Truck Accident in Northern California

You might not realize how critical the period following an accident can be. There are steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of the crash and things you should do in the weeks and months to follow.

First, you should seek medical treatment after leaving the accident scene. Medical evidence is vital in proving what happened and showing that someone else should be held liable for your injuries and expenses. Without such documentation, the insurance company could deny your claim.

You should also hire a Northern California aggressive driving truck accident lawyer from Tiemann Law Firm as soon as possible. While you’re treating your injuries, we can take on the legal aspects of your case. We’ll investigate the accident and locate the necessary available evidence to prove to the insurance company that you deserve compensation.

Make sure you continue to attend your doctor’s appointments until you recover or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). When your doctor determines you’re at MMI, that means further medical intervention likely won’t improve your condition. At that point, we can begin our negotiation with the insurance company for a settlement amount we believe is fair.

Any documents associated with the accident should be given to us so we can add them to your file. Adequate evidence could mean the difference between a high settlement offer and a denied claim. Insurance companies typically look out for their own interests. They want to avoid large settlements because that means they save money. However, if we have significant proof that the truck driver was at fault for the crash, it will be challenging for the insurance company to refuse to pay what they owe you.

Common Pitfalls You Should Avoid

You might think winning your case will be easy. The truck driver was behaving aggressively, so they should suffer the consequences of their actions. However, it’s not always that straightforward. Truck accident cases are more complex than most people realize. The insurance companies trucking companies use don’t want to provide the maximum compensation available to injured victims. They will look for any valid reason to deny your claim or give a lowball offer and hope you’re tempted to accept it.

The things you do and don’t do after a truck accident are crucial to the outcome of your case. One mistake could ruin your chance of recovering the total settlement amount you deserve. The most common mistakes people make that you should avoid are:

Talking to the insurance company. They might call you after you file your claim to discuss the details of the accident. Don’t say anything to them. You might feel the need to explain what happened, but they could use your words against you. Give them our contact information, and we’ll speak to them on your behalf.
Skipping doctor’s appointments. People have busy lives. It’s understandable if you have to reschedule an appointment here and there. However, don’t make a habit of skipping appointments or scheduling them too far apart. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as an opportunity to justify offering a low settlement.
Signing forms without consulting a lawyer. The insurance company might send forms for you to complete or sign. Contact us before you sign anything so we can review the documents first. Some people sign away their rights to full insurance coverage without even realizing it. If you fill out any documents without understanding what they are, your case could be negatively affected.
Posting about the accident online. We know how much people love social media. You might feel the need to share what happened to you on your Facebook page but try to avoid doing that. It’s also crucial that you don’t post photos that could prove your injury isn’t real or as serious as you claimed. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often look at the accident victim’s online activity for evidence that works in their favor. You could lose your case if you claimed to have broken your leg but then post pictures of yourself playing soccer the next day.

Insurance Laws You Should Know

California requires all vehicle owners to purchase and maintain auto insurance with minimum liability limits. The minimum limit is $15,000 for non-commercial drivers. Since large trucks, such as tractor-trailers, tend to cause more significant destruction and injuries than passenger vehicles, trucking companies must purchase much higher liability limits.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires specific minimum limits based on the weight of the truck and the type of cargo it’s carrying. These limits are:

$300,000 – Non-hazardous cargo on trucks weighing under 10,001 pounds
$750,000 – Trucks over 10,000 pounds and transporting non-hazardous materials
$1 million to $5 million – Oil and other hazardous freight

California also follows a traditional fault system, meaning the party at fault for an accident becomes liable for the injured party’s losses. These losses could include:

Medical bills
Disfigurement
Physical impairment
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Inconvenience
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage
Lost enjoyment of life

The trucking company’s insurance company should provide the compensation you need to cover your past and future losses. However, if they offer a low settlement amount or deny your claim altogether, Tiemann Law Firm could help you file a lawsuit.

Contact Tiemann Law Firm for Your Free Same-Day Consultation

The Northern California aggressive driving truck accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm will fight hard to reach the best possible outcome in your case. We’re not afraid to go to battle for you against the insurance company or in court. You deserve the maximum compensation available. We want to ensure we take your needs into account and help you get on the road to recovery.

We have been representing accident victims since 1998. We dedicate our time and attention to each person that walks through our office doors. You will feel like a priority from the second you first meet with us until we resolve your case. It doesn’t matter if your injury was minor or severe. We will treat you with the same professionalism and compassion as we would anyone else.

If an aggressive truck driver caused your injuries in an accident, call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 today. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach us when you need us the most. Our Northern California aggressive driving truck accident lawyers will discuss your needs during a free consultation and advise you about the available options for achieving your legal goals.