Delivery trucks are common sights on the roads of Beverly Hills and surrounding areas of California. These large vehicles pick up and deliver goods for businesses and private residences every day, and most drivers encounter delivery trucks without issue. However, when these vehicles are involved in accidents, they can easily cause much greater harm than smaller passenger vehicles. Delivery trucks are larger, heavier, and less maneuverable than standard passenger vehicles, making them capable of inflicting tremendous damage when they are involved in accidents.
If you or a family member is recovering from an accident with any delivery truck in the Beverly Hills area, it is important to know what to expect in the aftermath of a vehicle crash. Additionally, it is vital to know the value of working with a Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney as you seek compensation for your damages.
The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have years of experience in personal injury law, and our firm has gained a reputation as a leading choice for representation in the Beverly Hills area for a wide range of cases. Our firm provides responsive and detail-oriented legal counsel in every case we accept, and we approach every new case with the goal of maximizing our client’s recovery in the most efficient manner possible. When you need legal counsel for a delivery truck accident claim, we are available to assist you with every step of your recovery efforts.
California is one of many states to use a fault-based system to resolve vehicle accident claims. This means that you must prove fault for your recent accident to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. Success with any vehicle accident claim in Beverly Hills begins with accurately identifying the party or parties you believe bear liability for your damages. Next, you must prove they were negligent or intentionally harmful in some way that directly caused your claimed damages.
One complicating factor that could arise in a delivery truck accident claim is vicarious liability, a term used to describe one party sharing fault for the actions of another party, even if they were not directly involved in the incident. Vicarious liability is most commonly applied to employers who bear fault for the actions of their employees. For example, if a delivery truck driver hit you because they were intoxicated behind the wheel, this would typically indicate that the driver is to blame for your damages. However, if their employer never conducted an appropriate background check that would have revealed their history of drunk driving, the employer would likely face vicarious liability for your damages.
Your Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney can be invaluable for gathering the evidence you may need to prove fault for your recent accident. This evidence may include eyewitness testimony from individuals who saw the accident happen firsthand, digital evidence like cell phone records, and footage collected from nearby traffic cameras. Once you have determined fault for your accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the damages you suffered.
Recovery from a motor vehicle accident typically begins with a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. All drivers in the state are required to have personal auto insurance, and most employers who employ delivery truck drivers have additional insurance coverage. It is possible to fully recover your damages through insurance alone if you only experienced minor injuries and economic losses. However, if your damages exceed the scope of coverage available from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, you will need to file a civil suit to recover the rest. There is also a chance of encountering unexpected pushback from their insurance company.
Your Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney can help you secure a fair settlement through the insurance claim filing process, and if you have outstanding damages, they can help build a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for your damages. Under California’s personal injury statutes, you have the right to claim compensation for:
You may be entitled to claim much more than you initially expected in the aftermath of your accident. An experienced Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney is the most effective asset you can have on your side to maximize the total compensation you secure for your damages. The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, are ready to guide you through your impending proceedings as efficiently as possible to help you recover the compensation you legally deserve.
State law requires all drivers to report accidents that result in property damage, bodily injury, or death. Failure to do so can lead to legal penalties, potentially even a hit-and-run charge. When it comes to reporting an accident for the purposes of an insurance claim, you must report it within a day or two to ensure you can file your claim. An experienced Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney can guide you through the insurance claim process following a delivery truck accident.
Fault for a motor vehicle accident in California falls to the driver directly responsible for causing the accident. However, it is possible for vicarious liability to factor into a commercial truck accident if the driver and their employer share fault for the accident. For example, if the employer never performed an appropriate background check on the driver or failed to ensure proper training, the employer would likely face vicarious liability for an accident their driver caused.
If you can prove another party is liable for the accident you recently experienced in Beverly Hills, you have the right to seek full accountability for all damages you suffered because of their actions. A successful insurance claim may yield compensation for your medical bills and vehicle repair costs, but a subsequent personal injury claim could enable you to recover compensation for any economic damages the defendant’s insurance doesn’t cover, as well as pain and suffering compensation.
Technically, no, you are not legally required to hire legal counsel for a civil suit. However, the right attorney can have a tremendously positive influence on the outcome of the recovery efforts you pursue. They can make filing an insurance claim easier and streamline your settlement process, and they can also help you maximize the compensation you obtain from a successful personal injury claim. Hiring legal counsel increases your chances of success and increases your chances of securing as much compensation as state law allows for your damages.
If a plaintiff has experienced legal counsel on their side and the defendant’s fault is clear, it should only take a few weeks to settle a personal injury case outside of court. However, if the defendant refuses settlement or if litigation becomes necessary for any other reason, this will take much longer to resolve. Litigation could potentially last for several months, and the judge handling the case has the final say on the outcome.
The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have successfully represented many past clients in all types of motor vehicle accident claims, including commercial truck accidents. The aftermath of any accident can be traumatic and difficult to navigate, but the right attorney can be an invaluable source of guidance and support no matter what your case entails. If you believe another party is liable for a recent delivery truck accident, we can help you hold them accountable. Contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, today to schedule your consultation with a Beverly Hills delivery truck accident attorney.