Glendale Truck Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a Glendale truck accident? The truck accident attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, leaving you with serious injuries and emotional distress. If you're seeking legal representation in the Glendale area, our team is ready to help; contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal is a personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases for clients throughout Glendale. This article will guide you on what to do after an accident, provide an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Glendale
If you get into a truck accident in Glendale, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If it's safe and you're able to, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic on the Glendale streets to prevent any further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
If the accident has caused any injuries or significant damage, your first step should be to call 911 immediately. Even if you feel uninjured, it is crucial to seek a medical evaluation, as some serious conditions may not be immediately apparent and this documentation is vital for your well-being and any future claims.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are safely able to, take photos of the damage to all vehicles, the surrounding road conditions, and any visible injuries. You should also gather contact information from any witnesses and exchange driver's license and insurance details with the truck driver.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, be careful with your words; even a simple apology can be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt. It's also crucial to refrain from discussing the incident on social media or signing any paperwork from insurance adjusters until you've spoken with an attorney to protect your rights.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you're dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident in Glendale, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step toward protecting your interests. Our dedicated attorneys will manage the legal complexities for you, fighting to secure the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling complex truck accident cases in Glendale and throughout California, among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our duty is to guide you through the recovery process and make sure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests when you cannot, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive payment when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: We understand that accidents don't keep business hours, which is why we make ourselves available to help whenever you need us.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by checking out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
For your Glendale personal injury case, we handle the entire legal process so you can focus on healing:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a free, no-obligation meeting where we listen to what happened, address your concerns, and evaluate the details of your potential claim.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will handle the heavy lifting of collecting crucial evidence like accident reports and medical bills, and we'll officially file your claim with the responsible parties.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care while keeping track of your recovery, ensuring the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've reached maximum medical improvement, we will send a comprehensive demand package to the insurer and aggressively negotiate for the best possible settlement.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to take your fight to the courtroom.
- 6. You Get Paid: Once your case is successfully resolved, we manage the final details to make sure you get your settlement funds promptly.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Truck Accident?
In California, if you've been injured in a truck accident, the law allows you to seek financial recovery for your losses from the driver who caused the crash. Compensatory damages for truck accidents in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Vehicle repair
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
Keep in mind that insurance companies are for-profit businesses that often try to pay as little as possible on claims, making it crucial to have an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle for our clients:
Whiplash & Soft
Tissue Damage
Whiplash and other soft tissue damage from the powerful impact of a truck collision can result in lasting pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent consequence of truck accidents, often requiring surgical intervention and immobilization with a cast, leading to a prolonged recovery that may result in permanent mobility challenges or persistent pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The powerful impact from a truck crash can cause catastrophic harm to the spinal cord, leading to partial or total paralysis that changes a victim's movement, independence, and future quality of life forever.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a truck accident can lead to persistent issues such as memory loss, trouble focusing, and noticeable shifts in a person's emotional state.
Internal Organ Damage
The sheer force of a truck crash can inflict severe damage on internal organs like the kidneys, heart, or bowels, frequently leading to life-threatening situations that require urgent medical attention.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional toll of a truck accident can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), persistent anxiety, recurring nightmares, and deep sadness, frequently requiring professional counseling to manage.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Glendale
Understanding why truck accidents happen is the first step, and in Glendale, several major factors frequently come into play:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Speeding or driving recklessly makes it much harder to stop safely, dramatically increasing the likelihood of a serious and life-altering crash.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cloud your judgment, slow your reaction time, and greatly increase the odds of a devastating accident.
Running Red Lights
Ignoring a red light frequently results in dangerous T-bone accidents at intersections and poses a major threat to pedestrians trying to cross the street.
Rear-End Collisions
Often the result of a driver not paying attention or following too closely, rear-end accidents frequently cause whiplash and other significant neck and back injuries.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When a driver changes lanes without warning or misjudges the space available, it can trigger sideswipe accidents or cause other motorists to brake hard to avoid a crash.
Hit-and-Run Incidents
Motorcyclists splitting lanes can take drivers by surprise and cause collisions, which complicates the process of determining fault and securing compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For clients in Glendale, Golden Gate Legal handles personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you won't pay any attorney fees upfront. We only receive payment if we successfully win or settle your case, removing any financial risk from your shoulders.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for the accident requires a careful investigation into the specifics of your case. If you believe the other driver is responsible for what happened, our team at Golden Gate Legal can help you gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate their liability.
However, it's important to understand that if you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced according to your share of the responsibility. Knowing these details is key to evaluating the compensation you might receive, especially with the complex traffic conditions found in a city like Glendale.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, you generally have a two-year window from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to act within this timeframe, you will likely lose your ability to seek compensation for your injuries.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you've filed a claim, the insurance company is on the clock. They have 15 days to get back to you and start their investigation. After you submit all the required paperwork to support your claim, they then have another 40 days to decide whether to approve or deny it.
If your claim gets the green light, the insurer must send your payment within 30 days of that approval. When you add it all up, the entire settlement process is meant to be wrapped up within 85 days. These timelines are set by the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations to ensure claims are handled promptly.
How long does a truck accident stay on your record in California?
For drivers in Glendale, a typical truck accident will stay on your California driving record for three years from the date of the crash. However, the rules are stricter for more serious incidents. If the collision involved a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials, that mark on your record could last for a full decade.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Glendale, we start by listening to your story. We want to grasp the full impact of your accident, making sure you feel heard and supported. From there, we'll evaluate the extent of your injuries and can help you find the right medical specialists to ensure you get the care you need.
Your main job is to get better; let us take care of the rest. Our team will manage all the legal complexities, fighting to get you the financial award you're entitled to. This means we'll work to cover everything from your medical bills and lost wages to the personal hardship you've endured.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
