Northern California Underride Truck Accident Attorneys
If you sustained injuries during an underride accident with a commercial truck, contact the Northern California truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm so we can represent you in your case. We can review all the details and determine whether you’re entitled to compensation from the trucker or their employer. You deserve a chance to seek justice for the suffering you were forced to endure and hold the at-fault party liable for their actions. Our legal team will tirelessly work to meet your needs and achieve your legal goals.
Since 1998, the Northern California underride truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm have been fighting on behalf of our clients. An underride accident occurs when a car crashes into the side or back of a commercial truck, ending up underneath the trailer. This type of collision typically leads to debilitating injuries and fatalities.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we understand you’ve been through a traumatic experience. The last thing you want to deal with is an insurance claim or lawsuit while you’re trying to heal your injuries. We can take on the responsibility for your case and complete each step so you can focus on recovering. You can depend on us to use the resources at our disposal to pursue the maximum available compensation to pay for your medical treatment and other expenses.
Call us at (916) 999-9000 right now for your free consultation.
Common Reasons Underride Truck Accidents Happen
Two types of underride accidents exist:
- Rear underride – A vehicle slides under the back of a commercial truck during a rear underride collision. A wreck like this often results from the truck driver suddenly slamming on their brakes when there’s a car directly behind them.
- Side underride – Side underride accidents occur when a vehicle ends up sliding under the side of a truck’s trailer. This is typically due to the trucker’s failure to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes.
The most common causes of underride truck accidents are when the trucker or trucking company:
- Improperly or suddenly brakes
- Fails to repair missing or damaged rear impact guards on the truck
- Fails to use a turn signal while merging into another lane or taking a turn
- Runs a red light or stop sign
- Fails to check blind spots
- Turns too quickly
- Fails to install adequate tail lights or reflective tape on the back of the truck
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets and enforces regulations trucking companies must follow regarding rear-end protection for their commercial trucks. They must install and maintain rear impact guards to prevent underride accidents. If these guards are missing, defective, or installed incorrectly, a car can easily slide under the vehicle.
If you suffered injuries in an underride collision with a tractor-trailer, it could be the truck driver or trucking company’s fault. Tiemann Law Firm could investigate the rear impact guards to determine if poor maintenance or inadequate repairs led to your injuries and look into other possible factors that could have caused the crash.
How to Handle the Aftermath of an Underride Truck Accident
In the immediate aftermath of an accident involving a large truck, shock can take over. It could cloud your judgment and prevent you from making the right decisions about what to do next. It’s critical that you try to remain calm and take the necessary steps to seek compensation from the at-fault truck driver.
The first thing you should do is go to the hospital. If you or someone else called 911, wait for an ambulance to arrive at the scene and let them transport you to the emergency room. A doctor should evaluate your condition and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Follow their instructions and attend all scheduled doctor’s appointments. If you skip your appointments, it could result in an unfavorable outcome to your case.
It’s also crucial that you hire a Northern California underride truck accident attorney immediately after the collision. Collecting evidence takes time, and the sooner we can begin the process, the better. We can request copies of all your medical records to prove that you were hurt. We’ll also need copies of your medical bills and expenses to show the amount of money you need to compensate for these costs.
Filing an Insurance Claim for a Settlement
One option you have for pursuing compensation after an accident is to file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance company. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to purchase insurance coverage with minimum liability limits for their drivers. You might be entitled to a settlement for the losses you suffered. Every policy is different and could contain varying liability limits.
When you file your claim, you could seek a monetary award for multiple losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Inconvenience
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
Tiemann Law Firm is familiar with insurance claims and can file one on your behalf. We can request a copy of the trucking company’s insurance policy to determine the available coverage amount. We can also calculate the value of your case to decide the correct number to demand from the insurance company to cover your total losses. You shouldn’t end up with any bills to pay yourself when your case is resolved.
Deadline to File a Lawsuit in Northern California
California has a two-year statute of limitations, a strict timeframe for suing someone after an accident. You must file your lawsuit within two years of the underride collision if you want to seek compensation from the negligent truck driver. Once the statute expires, you might not get another opportunity to hold them liable for their actions.
Whenever you’re involved in a car accident, be sure never to admit fault. You might think your actions contributed somehow and might feel the need to explain yourself, but it’s best if you don’t say anything. A jury could use the pure comparative negligence rule to diminish the monetary value of your losses if they assign you with any percentage of fault.
For example, if your losses totaled $100,000, but the jury decides you were 20% to blame for your injuries, they would decrease the amount of compensation you’re allowed to pursue to $80,000. Conversely, if the truck driver was 100% at fault, you could seek the total $100,000 in compensation.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm Today
The Northern California underride truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm understand the stress and financial burden of recovering after a car crash. You could face debt if you can’t return to your job or afford your medical bills. It’s a devastating experience and one that you shouldn’t have to go through alone.
You can depend on us to remain by your side until the end. We’re available 24/7, so you can speak with us when you need us most. We’ll provide the guidance and support necessary to get through this ordeal and move forward with your life.
Call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 for a free consultation if you were injured in an underride truck accident in Northern California. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
