Lompoc, CA, Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial truck accidents may result in catastrophic injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful death—due to the massive size and weight of trucks. At Maho | Prentice, LLP, our lawyer for truck accidents in Lompoc, CA, is determined to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable.
With nearly 70 years of combined legal experience and more than 85 jury trials, our Lompoc car accident lawyers are strongly positioned to fight for the maximum compensation for you. Insurance companies know our trial capabilities and may be more willing to offer fair settlements to avoid facing our well-prepared law firm in court.
FMCSA Liability Insurance Coverage Minimums for Commercial Trucks
Financial stakes in commercial truck accidents are generally higher for the defendants due to high liability insurance coverage minimums as well as high medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the injured victims. Our experienced lawyers at Maho | Prentice, LLP are fully equipped to deal with these high-stakes cases and provide dedicated Lompoc truck accident legal help to you.
Below are the minimum insurance requirements for trucks:
- For trucks over 10,001 pounds transporting non-hazardous freight in interstate commerce: Minimum liability insurance coverage of $750,000
- For trucks carrying hazardous materials: Minimum coverage of $5,000,000, due to the heightened risks posed by these materials
- For vehicles transporting oil: Required to have a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance
- For vehicles transporting hazardous substances defined by FMCSA: Coverage minimums of $5,000,000, depending on the material being carried
Types of Negligence In Truck Accident Cases
When you sign up with Maho | Prentice, LLP for Lompoc truck accident legal help, our personal injury lawyers move quickly to investigate the crash and identify all the negligent parties to establish liability and maximize your settlement with the other driver’s insurance company.
Truck Driver Negligence
Our Lompoc personal injury attorneys will look for evidence to prove the negligent actions of the truck driver, such as:
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Distracted driving due to technology or other distractions
- Driving aggressively or recklessly
- Operating the vehicle while intoxicated
- Excessive speeding or violating traffic laws
Trucking Company Negligence
Our legal team will thoroughly investigate potential trucking company’s negligence, such as:
- Negligent hiring and screening practices, including failure to perform proper background checks
- Hiring inexperienced drivers to fill workforce shortages
- Failing to supervise drivers properly, including conducting regular drug tests, medical evaluations, and safety assessments
- Pressure from the trucking company on drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, leading to Hours of Service (HOS) violations
- Employer policies or incentive plans pushing drivers to work excessive hours, leading to fatigue, drowsiness, distraction, or intoxication behind the wheel
- Cutting corners on vehicle maintenance and skipping necessary inspections
- Failing to maintain complete driving and HR records for drivers
- Negligence in installing and using in-cab communication or entertainment devices that lead to driver distraction
- Negligence in selecting third-party vendors such as cargo loaders or maintenance providers
Third-Party Negligence
In personal injury cases involving truck accidents resulting from the negligence of third parties, our Lompoc personal injury lawyers may identify the following types of negligence:
- Cargo loading companies failing to secure or properly load cargo, leading to unsafe driving conditions
- Manufacturers providing defective parts, such as faulty tires or truck components
- Maintenance providers failing to properly inspect, repair, or maintain the truck
- Negligent brokers hiring unqualified trucking companies for cargo delivery
- Construction companies creating unsafe work zones
- Government agencies failing to design or maintain safe roadways
Steps Our Lompoc, CA, Truck Accident Lawyers Take to Prove Liability and Maximize Damages
At Maho | Prentice, LLP, our experienced team is fully equipped to provide you with strong legal representation for truck accident cases. We also provide other injury help for Lompoc car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents. Here are the steps we will take to prove liability and recover maximum compensation for you:
Crash Site Investigation
Our team will visit the accident scene to document vehicle positions, skid marks, road conditions, damage to property, debris placement, traffic patterns, and control equipment. This information helps reconstruct how the crash occurred.
Securing Key Evidence
We will send a preservation notice to the trucking company, requiring them to secure all relevant evidence. We will also collect surveillance footage from nearby cameras to counter the truck driver’s account.
Event Data Recorder (EDR) Analysis
We will download and analyze data from the truck’s EDR, which records speed, braking, gear shifts, and other critical information that occurred just before the crash.
Obtaining Driver and Trucking Company Records
We will review the driver’s logs, qualifications, employment history, and truck maintenance records to uncover any violations, such as hours of service breaches, poor vehicle maintenance, or negligent hiring practices.
Truck Maintenance and Inspection Investigation
If there is suspicion of component failure, we will hire engineers to assess the truck’s condition and maintenance records to determine if the trucking company’s negligence played a role.
Cargo and Load Investigation
We will determine whether the truck was carrying improperly secured or hazardous materials, exceeding legal weight limits, or violating FMCSA regulations, which could make the cargo loader or trucking company liable.
Eyewitness Testimonies
Our team will contact potential witnesses to gather statements through audio, video, or written formats, strengthening your injury claims with independent accounts.
Hiring Expert Witnesses
We will bring in accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and financial professionals to assess long-term healthcare costs, income loss, and pain and suffering damages.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
We will handle all interactions with insurance companies in truck, car, motorcycle, bicycle, and other injury cases, ensuring they cannot use unfair tactics against you.
Aggressive Negotiations
Armed with strong evidence, we will send a demand letter to the insurance company, negotiating aggressively to achieve the fair settlement you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Trial Preparation
Even while the negotiations are ongoing, we will prepare for trial to show the defendants that we will not back down and are prepared to go to trial, giving us leverage to achieve a favorable settlement.
Get dedicated Lompoc truck accident legal help today. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 805-774-1410 or contact us online.