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.
Truck accidents can cause tragic injuries. Overloaded trucks are one of the leading causes of such accidents, as a large impact is made upon the smaller vehicles on the road, causing immense damage. It can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with insurance companies while recovering from your truck accident injuries. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of the situation by offering the minimum compensation that barely covers the extent of your damages.
An Orange County overloaded truck accident lawyer can help you get through all legal procedures of the case, handle insurance companies, and negotiate deserving compensation for your personal injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Truck accidents are common in California. In 2020, the state reported almost 5,000 truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The report zooms out to the overall stats of the US, where there were 107,000 injuries and 327,000 property damage reported that year.
The annual fatality average ranges from 200 to 300 every year. As per a study done on the reports by the US Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), in 97% of the accidents, the occupant of the smaller vehicle was injured.
The state sets the loading limits for trucks and trailers to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
California Vehicle Code Section 35551 states that a commercial vehicle and cargo vehicle driving on the California highway shall not exceed a maximum weight limit of 80,000.
According to the Bridge Formula Weights by the California Department of Transportation, the maximum weight for a commercial truck on a bridge must be based on the number of axles and the space length between them.
According to CVC Section 35551.5, the maximum weight limit for a single axle is 20,000 pounds, for a tandem axle is 34,000 pounds, and that of a tridem axle truck is 42,000 pounds.
It can be overwhelming to handle insurance companies when you are still recovering from your injuries. There is an added hassle of dealing with trucking companies or cargo companies and their commercial insurance that require a descriptive knowledge of commercial as well as personal insurance.
A lawyer has the experience and familiarity with all associated laws and policies in your accident case. We will help you properly understand all aspects of a personal injury case. After a detailed observation and analysis of the evidence, we will suggest the best way to proceed. We will deal with the insurance company and represent you throughout.
Overloaded truck accidents happen every so often under the umbrella term of truck accidents. Here are some of the most common causes:
Excessively heavy trucks can cause severe injuries because of their large mass and acceleration. Here are some common injuries reported in Orange County overloaded truck accidents:
You must seek medical help immediately after being injured in an overloaded trucks accident, whether it is calling emergency care or having someone take you to the hospital. Once your injuries are cared for, you must report the accident to the police or the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
You will now have to contact the defendant’s insurance company, or they may have already started to reach out to you. You must consult with an Orange County overload truck accident lawyer before your first conversation with the insurance company. It is important to be educated and aware of your accident case from a legal perspective to know what you deserve. At this point, reach out to an Orange County truck accident lawyer and schedule a consultation session.
There are three types of damage compensations that can be recovered. It is determined based on the damages done in the accident and your share of fault. Economic damages include direct physical losses like injury or property damages caused by the accident.
Economic damage compensations cover your medical bills, medication costs, therapy, property repair, etc.
On the other hand, non-economic damage compensation is given for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident. It is an effort to make up for the non-monetary losses that cannot be measured in prices.
In case of permanent injuries, such compensation also covers the degradation of the quality of life.
Finally, in some cases when the defendant is guilty of intentional tort or negligence, the court charges them with punitive damage compensation.
In California, all commercial trucking companies must have insurance for their truck drivers in case of accidents, damage to goods, personal injuries, property damage, etc.
As mentioned in the minimum insurance requirements, the insurance covers injuries to the body, liability for property damage, and physical vehicle or cargo damage. Along with that, some companies have additional insurance for physical damage and uninsured motorist coverage. The insurance depends on the type of vehicle/s involved in the accident, type of accident, type of cargo, etc.
We investigate every truck accident case we handle. We obtain and analyze the accident report, your medical records, and your employer’s data that shows your lost wages. When there are holes in the case, we look deeper to get the evidence we need to cover those issues.
We can work with experts in accident reconstruction and vocational rehabilitation if necessary. We might try to find red-light or security camera footage depending on the circumstances. We can talk to potential eyewitnesses to evaluate what led to the crash.
Attorney Sam Nordean has made a commitment to helping victims get back what was taken away from them. He fights for people that are injured and can’t fight for themselves.
“Going to court or negotiating a settlement is not akin to my client winning a lottery ticket. It’s about balancing the scales; it’s what they’re owed.”
Sam Nordean
Overloaded truck accidents can have severe impacts on one’s life. While you are entitled to a certain compensation, navigating the legal procedures to attain a fair settlement can be complicated. It is important to consult with an expert overloaded truck accident lawyer in Orange County to get deserving compensation and avoid any mistreatment or stopping points throughout the personal injury case.
Nordean law specializes in representing clients and helping them get a silver lining after suffering from a traumatic accident. With years of experience, we have a personalized approach to every client to match their unique needs. We work closely with a wide range of resources and expert witnesses to make your statement authentic. If you were injured in a truck accident near Orange County, call us at 888.527.1267 to schedule a free consultation.
Orange County, which lies in Southern California, is a compact yet vibrant region known for its diverse cities, stunning landscapes, and rich history. Home to popular cities like Anaheim, known for Disneyland, and Santa Ana, the county seat, it also boasts coastal cities like Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
The county is connected by the Interstate 5 (Santa Ana) Freeway and hosts shopping centers like South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Tourist attractions include Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park and Mission San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.
Geographically, it's adorned with features like the Santa Ana Mountains and the Santa Ana River. With a pleasant average annual temperature of 68 °F (20 °C), Orange County offers an unforgettable experience for all.
From our office in Costa Mesa, we are proud to extend our services to a wide range of cities within Orange County. This includes Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo. We also cater to clients in Newport Beach and larger cities such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Norwalk. We're committed to serving these communities with dedication and excellence.