At Nordean Law, we strive to keep our community safe. We pursue justice for the injured and we share critical information on how to keep you and your family safe.
Follow the link below for the best tips to prevent accidents of all kinds. If you have a specific question, or if you were injured in an accident, reach out to one of our attorneys today.
In Long Beach, tiredness is one of the primary reasons for truck accidents. The law requires commercial truck drivers to work no more than 14 hours in a row, with a half-hour break each day. However, many truck drivers still work beyond these limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Exhausted truck drivers pose a threat mainly because semis weigh approximately 30 times more than an average car, meaning collisions can severely impact the smaller vehicle. Tragic accidents occur daily, causing severe injuries and hundreds of deaths annually. Although the state compensates for injuries sustained in truck accidents, making injury claims can be challenging as it involves dealing with well-defended truck companies and their insurers. You can get maximum guidance from a Long Beach truck accident lawyer regarding truck accidents. We at Nordean Law will guide you through making a personal injury claim and collaborating with our professional Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer.
As a densely populated state, California ranks second in truck accidents in the country. Around 200 to 300 people annually lose their lives to accidents involving large commercial trucks.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), truck accidents caused 4,119 injuries in California in 2019. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) revealed that 67% of the individuals in the other vehicle, including drivers and passengers, sustained severe injuries.
Another IIHS report states there were 4,014 reported injuries in 2020, of which 1,428 occurred on freeways and interstates, while 1,904 happened on major roads. However, as noted by FARS, 97% of those injured were individuals in smaller vehicles.
According to the FMCSA's Hours of Service regulation, a commercial truck driver must take a break of at least 34 hours after driving continuously for 60 to 70 hours throughout 7 to 8 days. Additionally, they must record each pick-up and drop-off activity using electronic logging devices (ELDs). It should also contain details about the location and time of all stops and breaks.
Per the CVC § 22406 rule, a truck with over three axles must not exceed 55 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the CVC § 21654 states that vehicles, including large trucks driving at the minimum speed limit of 55mph on freeways or interstates, must stay in the right-hand lane and maintain a constant speed and direction.
In a truck accident, the FMCSA mandates that commercial vehicle service companies conduct drug and alcohol tests on truck drivers within 8 hours and report the results within 32 hours, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulation §382.303.
The most commonly seen truck accidents in Long Beach includes:
Some of the most commonly faced causes of truck accidents in Long Beach are:
In a truck accident, the victims often suffer tragic and life-altering injuries. A heavy-duty vehicle collision inflicts devastating effects on everyone involved. Below, we've noted some of the most common types of injuries resulting from a truck accident:
When serious injuries occur after a Long beach truck accident, it is essential to seek the help of an experienced lawyer. A truck accident lawyer helps to pursue compensation for your losses and injuries resulting from the accident.
Our team at Nordean Law specializes in winning truck accident cases. We have the expertise to handle the complexities of these cases, including identifying who is responsible, whether the driver, trucking company or parts manufacturer. We conduct interviews, collect evidence, and assess damages to determine fair compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage.
Before taking any settlement offers from insurance companies, seeking advice from a truck accident attorney is crucial. Our team can gather evidence, such as the truck driver's electronic data, log book, safety records, maintenance records, and cell phone data, to put light on their liability.
Finding fault after a truck accident is complicated since several parties could be responsible. However, none of them may want to acknowledge their fault, especially when the accident results in severe injuries or fatalities.
In most truck accidents, the driver's careless behavior is usually the root cause, but figuring out who is responsible for compensating the victims can be complicated. It could be the trucking company, the truck's owner, or those responsible for loading the cargo. The manufacturer may also be liable if a brake defect or faulty parts causes an accident.
Truck drivers are typically insured by their employer while working unless they deliberately cause an accident. The victim would likely have to deal with the trucker's employer in such cases. If you are injured in a truck accident, Nordean Law can assist you in identifying all liable parties and holding them accountable for their conduct.
If a truck accident occurs, ensure all parties are safe and call for medical help. Don't depart the accident site without contacting the authorities, as leaving the scene of a truck accident is illegal in Long Beach and other regions of the country.
Obtaining a police report is vital in fortifying your case. However, when speaking with law enforcement, it is important to only state the facts and refrain from accepting blame or disregarding the involvement of other individuals in the incident. Additionally, it is recommended that you gather and record evidence and information about all parties involved.
The last step is to get in touch with a skilled truck accident attorney. Nordean Law can assist, offering a free consultation session and guidance from experienced legal professionals.
Economic damages refer to the medical expenses, therapy and medication costs, property or vehicle repair expenses, and lost income resulting from the accident, which you may have paid from your funds or insurance. These damages are compensated by calculating the expenses incurred and awarded to all accident victims.
Non-economic damages pertain to the pain and suffering you experienced or any negative impact on your overall quality of life, which cannot be quantified as they are invaluable. Compensation for non-economic damages seeks to offset such losses by providing a different type of benefit.
Courts seldom grant punitive damages in personal injury cases, except when the defendant's behavior is exceptionally horrendous. For instance, if a truck driver caused an accident while under the influence of methamphetamine, the driver and the trucking company may be subjected to punitive damages.
"We never lose sight of the pain and suffering of your recovery, not to mention emotional trauma that lasts for years."
Navigating the complexities of trucking companies and their insurance can be challenging, leaving you unsure what to say or what amount to request, especially when faced with unfamiliar settlement offers. Seeking the support of a highly regarded attorney's support increases your chances of securing a just settlement and offers legal guidance and understanding as you recover from your injuries.
Nordean Law has experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyers who excel at assisting victims and helping them obtain maximum compensation after an accident. We collaborate with various resources and expert witnesses to provide optimal representation in the court. Contact us for a free consultation; we'll analyze your case and provide the best possible approach.
If you or someone close to you got hurt in a truck accident, we know how difficult it can be to deal with the aftermath, including severe injuries and financial strain. It's not right to have to suffer because someone else was negligent. By partnering with a legal accident expert, you can obtain the appropriate compensation to pay for all your losses and pain. We at Nordean Law are committed to standing up against insurance firms that treat our clients unfairly. So get in touch for a free consultation session.
We’re proud to have helped countless clients across California achieve justice and compensation.
"After my car accident in Irvine, I didn’t know where to turn. This team took care of everything, from dealing with insurance to getting me a fair settlement. Highly recommend!"
"I was injured in a truck accident on the freeway near Riverside. They fought hard for me and won my case in record time. Professional and caring every step of the way."
"Nordean Law is working in my injury case and can't thank them enough. Sam and his team have been reaching and keeping me informed with all pending matters. I appreciate that because with all that is currently going in right now, I need some stress off my shoulders. Thank you Nordean Law!!!"
"The best lawyer in the area! He and his team will take great care of you. They are very good with taking questions and answering them without lying to you. I will use Sam and his firm for any cases I might encounter. Highly recommend!!"
"If you are worried about your claim you should contact Nordean Law. Sam Nordean and his team are not only true professionals with integrity, but also sincerely care about their clients well being and state of mind throughout the process."
Here are some of the questions people often ask after getting hurt in an Long Beach truck crash.
