Were you involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer or big rig in Salinas, California? An experienced Salinas truck accident lawyer can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Call Mercado Kramer, LLP at (888) 3114050 to set up a free, no obligation consultation today.
Our lawyers have years of experience and a proven track record of success. When you need help the most, count on us to work tirelessly to fight for every dollar you deserve.
The responsible party may owe you significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Call our law offices in Salinas, California, to learn more about your legal options after a truck accident today.
Why Choose Mercado Kramer, LLP for Help Recovering Compensation After a Truck Accident in Salinas, CA?
It only takes a moment for someone else’s negligence to derail your life for months, if not longer. Truck drivers today are often distracted, exhausted, and in a hurry. That can be a recipe for disaster when they’re sharing the roads with smaller passenger vehicles.
Don’t expect the trucking company’s insurance company to step up and pay fair compensation. On the contrary, all too often we see commercial insurance companies pressure victims into taking lowball deals.
Our Salinas personal injury attorneys at Mercado Kramer, LLP won’t stand for that. We know every trick in the book. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly–like they’re trying to help you. In reality, they’re trained to downplay your losses. They often rush victims into taking unfair settlements.
Once you take a deal, you can’t go back and ask for more. Don’t take the risk of accepting a lowball deal. Call our experienced Salinas personal injury lawyers for legal advice today.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in California?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) publishes statistics on large truck accidents each year. During 2024, 12,268 car accidents involving large trucks were reported across the state of California.
Unfortunately, semi-truck accidents can be dangerous. At least 5,138 people were injured, and 366 people were killed in those truck wrecks.
What is My Salinas Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Truck accident cases can be worth a significant amount of money. Large commercial trucks are capable of inflicting significant damage in a crash.
Careful analysis of the facts is critical to getting the full amount you deserve.
Facts that are most important include:
- The severity and permanency of your injuries
- Your current medical expenses
- The nature of your required medical care
- The pain and suffering your injuries have caused
- The value of your lost income
- Anticipated future needs, including ongoing medical treatment and care
- Long-term reduction in your earning capacity
- Impacts on your quality of life
- Whether California’s shared fault laws are relevant in your case
- The strength of the evidence
Our accident attorneys in Salinas will ensure that all of your damages are properly assessed and included in your demand for compensation. We have the skills to help you understand whether any insurance settlement offer is fair.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims in Salinas?
Under California personal injury laws, injury victims can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some examples of the damages you may recover include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost job benefits
- Long-term disability, or reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Skilled nursing care
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium and other damages in wrongful death cases
Insurance companies tend to focus on a victim’s current financial expenses when calculating a settlement offer. They often ignore expected future costs–and they almost always undervalue a victim’s more subjective “pain and suffering” damages.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in California?
We work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay your lawyer unless they win compensation in your case.
After receiving a settlement or verdict, you pay your lawyer a percentage. You’ll agree to that percentage at the outset.
If your lawyer doesn’t recover compensation, you won’t pay attorneys’ fees. You also won’t have to worry about upfront costs.
Can I Recover Any Compensation If I Share Some Responsibility for a Truck Accident in California?
Yes. California has adopted pure comparative negligence laws. However, if you do share some responsibility, your damages will be reduced to account for your own fault.
For example, if you were 20% responsible for the wreck, you can take home 80% of your settlement or verdict. However, if the defendant was also injured, you may be responsible for 20% of their damages.
Who Will Pay My Damages After a Truck Wreck in Salinas?
Truck accident claims often involve multiple parties. Truck drivers rarely own the vehicles they drive. While the truck driver can be held liable for their own negligence, third parties will likely also be involved.
Examples of responsible parties include:
- The trucking company, as the truck driver’s employer
- Truck leasing companies
- Maintenance companies hired to inspect and maintain the vehicle
- Cargo loading companies
- Third-party drivers
- Government agencies
- Manufacturers of defective safety equipment or vehicles
Once we understand the cause of your accident, we’ll be prepared to identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages.
Our Accident Lawyers in Salinas Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents involving 18-wheelers and other massive trucks can cause life-changing injuries. Many victims suffer multiple injuries, especially when they’re in smaller passenger vehicles.
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we represent clients who have suffered all types of injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries, including severe concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Burns
- Degloving injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Fatal injuries that lead to the wrongful death of a family member
Your physical recovery should be your top priority. Once our lawyers get involved, we’ll carefully review your medical records and work with your medical team. With their help, we’ll be able to better anticipate your recovery potential and future needs.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Salinas?
Despite extensive state and federal safety regulations, truck accidents happen on a regular basis.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Salinas include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous or wide turns
- Failing to check blind spots
- Ignoring obligations to conduct pre- and post-trip instructions
- Hours-of-service violations and fatigued truck drivers
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drug use or drunk driving
- Failure to maintain the commercial vehicle in a safe condition
- Hazardous road conditions
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Improper cargo loading
- Negligent hiring practices
Our Salinas truck accident attorneys will conduct a detailed investigation into the crash. We’ll visit the accident scene, interview witnesses, and locate the strongest possible evidence to help prove your case.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Truck Accident in California?
California follows a fault-based system when it comes to traffic accidents. If you were injured in a truck accident, you must prove that someone else was responsible to recover damages.
In plain English, negligence is a failure to use a reasonable amount of caution. Negligence has a specific legal meaning.
You must have evidence to prove:
- The defendant had a duty of care, as all drivers on the road do
- They breached their duty
- That breach was the direct and proximate cause of the accident and injuries
- You sustained identifiable damages as a result
In most personal injury claims, the defense will contest one or more of these elements.
What Types of Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Case?
Plaintiffs, or victims, in personal injury cases have the burden of proof. It will be your responsibility to present evidence to prove your case.
Evidence in truck accident cases may include:
- The truck’s event recording device (ERD), or “black box”
- Eyewitness reports
- The driver’s hours-of-service records
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance logs
- Video footage
- Hard evidence from the accident scene
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Expert witness testimony
Additional evidence may be relevant depending on the circumstances and the complexity of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in California?
A two-year statute of limitations applies in the majority of California personal injury cases. If you fail to file your lawsuit within two years after the accident, you lose your right to compensation.
Exceptions are rare, but they don’t always give the victim more time. In some cases, you’ll have even less time to take legal action.
Contact an Experienced Salinas Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You don’t have time to waste after a truck accident. Our legal team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is here to provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Salinas truck accident lawyer.
