San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer
Need a truck accident attorney in San Bernardino? Golden Gate Legal helps victims of large truck crashes get the compensation they deserve.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be an overwhelming storm of physical pain and emotional distress. If you're navigating this difficult time in the San Bernardino area and seeking legal representation, our team is here to help; contact us at (909) 555-1234.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have a proven track record of representing clients in complex truck accident cases throughout San Bernardino. To help you understand your next steps, we'll walk you through what to do immediately after a crash, provide an overview of the legal journey ahead, and address some of the most pressing questions you might have.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in San Bernardino
After a truck accident in San Bernardino, it's very important to follow these steps to protect yourself and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If it's safe and you're able to, move your vehicle out of the way of San Bernardino's busy traffic to a more secure location.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your first priority is safety, so call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or significant vehicle damage. Afterwards, be sure to get a medical evaluation, as many serious injuries are not immediately apparent and this creates an important record for your well-being.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are safely able to, take detailed photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. It's also crucial to exchange driver's license and insurance information with the truck driver and collect contact details from any witnesses who saw what happened.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
In the stressful moments following a truck accident, be mindful not to say anything that could be taken as you accepting responsibility. It's also wise to stay off social media and refuse to sign any documents or speak with insurance representatives until you have legal guidance.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a truck accident in San Bernardino, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step to safeguard your interests and navigate the tricky dealings with insurance companies. Our skilled attorneys are dedicated to walking you through every stage of your personal injury claim, offering compassionate and knowledgeable support along the way.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
At Golden Gate Legal, our team has dedicated years of experience handling complex truck accident cases and other personal injury claims for clients in San Bernardino. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our duty is to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a single penny.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: We fight fiercely to protect your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so there is no financial risk to getting the help you need.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is here for you 24/7 to provide the legal and emotional support you need from the beginning of your case to the very end.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by checking out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of the legal process for our San Bernardino clients so you can focus on what matters most—your healing:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We begin by listening to your story, answering your questions, and evaluating the details of your potential case during a complimentary consultation.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team meticulously gathers crucial evidence like police reports and medical records, then files all necessary claims and manages communications with the insurance companies on your behalf.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: While you concentrate on recovery, we assist with coordinating your medical care and track your progress to ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your medical treatment is complete, we send a comprehensive demand package to the insurer and aggressively negotiate for the full compensation you are owed.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
- You Get Paid: Once your case is successfully resolved, we manage all the final paperwork to ensure you receive your settlement funds as quickly as possible.
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 compensation for the losses you've suffered from the driver who was at fault. 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
To protect their bottom line, insurance companies will often attempt to pay less than what your claim is worth, making it crucial to have the experienced California personal injury attorneys at Golden Gate Legal in your corner.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle for our clients:
Whiplash & Soft
Tissue Damage
Damage to the body's soft tissues, like muscles and ligaments, from the abrupt force of a crash, often leading to neck pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Due to the immense force involved in truck accidents, bone fractures are a common result, frequently requiring surgery, casts or braces for stabilization, and a significant healing time that can leave victims with persistent pain or permanent mobility challenges.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The violent impact from a truck accident can cause devastating spinal cord injuries, which may result in partial or complete paralysis and profoundly alter a person's ability to move, live independently, and enjoy life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries from a truck accident, which can cause lasting cognitive problems, memory issues, confusion, and major shifts in personality.
Internal Organ Damage
The immense force from a truck crash can cause serious harm to internal organs like the kidneys, bowels, or heart, often demanding urgent surgery and critical care.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The invisible injuries from a truck crash, such as PTSD, persistent anxiety, or debilitating depression, can be just as severe as physical ones and often require professional therapy to overcome.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in San Bernardino
When a large truck is involved in a crash in San Bernardino, it's often due to one of the following major causes:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Speeding or driving recklessly leaves little room for error, making it much more likely for a simple mistake to turn into a severe, life-changing accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cloud your judgment, delay your reactions, and substantially increase the likelihood of a catastrophic accident.
Running Red Lights
Running a red light, for instance, frequently leads to dangerous side-impact crashes with cars that are lawfully entering the intersection.
Rear-End Collisions
Often resulting from distracted driving or following another vehicle too closely, these types of crashes can cause painful injuries like whiplash and damage to the spine.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Failing to use a turn signal or cutting another driver off can easily cause a serious crash or force others into sudden, risky swerves.
Hit-and-Run Incidents
When motorcyclists lane split, they face a greater chance of being in an accident, which can result in serious harm and create confusion over who is legally responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our clients in San Bernardino, Golden Gate Legal handles personal injury cases with no upfront costs. You won't owe us a dime unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This approach means you can pursue your claim without any financial risk.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident requires a detailed investigation into the specifics of the incident. If you believe the other driver was responsible for the collision, our team can help you build a case to show they were negligent.
However, it is important to know that if you are found to be partially to blame, your compensation could be reduced based on your share of the responsibility. Understanding this is crucial for accurately estimating the compensation you might receive, especially in a city like San Bernardino where traffic conditions can often be complex.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
After an accident in California, the clock starts ticking. You typically have a two-year window from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit. If you let this deadline pass, the law will likely bar you from ever recovering compensation for your losses.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
California law sets specific deadlines for how insurance companies must handle your claim. Once you notify them, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim paperwork, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to issue payment within 30 days of that approval. These timelines are outlined in the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, meaning the whole process, from the initial notice to payment, should generally be wrapped up within 85 days.
How long does a truck accident stay on your record in California?
If you're in a truck accident in San Bernardino, it will generally stay on your California driving record for three years starting from the date of the crash. However, for more severe accidents, like those involving a commercial truck or hazardous substances, the incident can remain on your record for up to ten years.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to understand your story. For our clients in San Bernardino, we want to grasp the full impact of your accident so you feel supported. We also evaluate your injuries, which can mean connecting you with the right doctors for proper care.
Your job is to focus on healing. While you recover, our team handles the legal complexities, fighting to secure the compensation you deserve. This includes seeking payment for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering 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.
