The State of California has a vast amount of roads and it is by far the leading state with the most registered vehicles. Orange County is also home to a very long beach front, many vacation hot-spots and heavy businesses & industries. The culmination of these, among other elements are the cause for California’s heavy traffic roads. Because of California’s immense network of roads, along with its accessibility to neighboring countries, California is also a massive gateway for international trade. This leads to thousands of truck accidents on California roads every year. Contact the Orange County truck accidents attorneys at R. Steven Peters – Injury & Accident Lawyers. We have over 40 years of experience in trucking & motor vehicle accident law, and have recovered over half a BILLION in client compensation.
Big Rig Accident Injury Lawyers in Tustin, CA
As commerce grows throughout the nation, more and more trucks are needed to transport the goods. These large scale movements, however, tend to create supplementary roadway hazards. When a big rig crashes, these types of accidents usually lead to catastrophic injuries. As a result of the danger, it is important that drivers are aware of what to do in the event of an accident involving a big rig.
Orange County is home to warehouses, major national corporations and logistics hubs. With this, large commercial trucks and big rigs are using Orange County roads and freeways each day, contributing to an increased danger, and potential risk for trucking accidents with other motorists. Due to the nature of truck accidents, injuries can be catastrophic and the claims process complex. Speaking with an experienced truck accident attorney can help to protect your rights and maximize your claim.
In a Truck Accident in Orange County? Here are Some Immediate Actions to Take at the Scene of the Accident
Laws in the State of California reflect initial natures of many individuals post accident – to help those who have been injured. More precisely, California law requires bystanders to reasonably assist those who have been seriously injured in a collision. This could involve contacting emergency medical services for those who have been severely injured.
California law also demands that drivers involved in the accident present information such as the following:
- Get the name, phone number and address of everyone involved in the accident,
- Get the name, phone number and address of any witnesses of the accident,
- Get vehicle registration information of drivers,
- Get proof of insurance,
- Get driver’s license information,
- Take pictures and/or video of the accident aftermath
Your truck accident claim depends on It: Make sure you obtain as much information at the scene can help your attorney, investigators and medical professionals when it comes to your medical recover, your claim and also your financial compensation. The longer you wait to file a claim, the more evidence and supporting facts could be harder to recover. Talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer now to protect your rights to recovery.
Reporting a Truck Accident in Orange County
Dependent on whether there were any injuries in the accident, California law could require drivers to report the accident to law enforcement as well as to the Department of Motor Vehicles. When it comes to big rig accidents, however, it is always beneficial to contact a local law enforcement agency that can assist. In many cases, law enforcement may be called to the scene, but if not, a victim can call and request assistance from California Highway Patrol or other local agencies.
Once a law enforcement officer arrives at the scene, he or she will prepare an accident report, which could serve to defend an accident victim’s version of events. The accident report could also serve to establish the liability of the big rig driver and/or the company he or she is employed for. An accident victim can seek to recover compensation from a trucking company if the company was negligent in hiring the driver or otherwise failed to follow federal and state regulations as it pertains to the commercial trucking industry.
This incident report can often serve as the most important document in an injury claim. The law enforcement will give you the opportunity to review it and confirm the events as reported. Be sure to make sure all pertinent information is included and anything else that recreates the accident. This document will be referred to throughout the claims process, and is an official entry and confirmation of your detail of the events that led to the injury accident.
Preservation of Evidence after Truck Accidents in Orange County
If possible, accident victims can also collect the following in effort of preserving evidence:
Collect witness information – Big rig accidents will usually involving many witnesses. If this is the case, it is important to obtain the contact information of bystanders who witnesses the events that led up to the collision. The support of witnesses could very beneficial to a personal injury case. Information that could be collected from witnesses include the following:
- Name and address,
- Phone number, and
- Email address
Taking photos of the scene – Although a responding police officer will likely take photos of the scene, it is also important for the accident victim to take supplementary pictures. Pictures that could be favorable in a personal injury claim could include, but are not limited to the following:
- Pictures of the damage to the vehicles involved,
- Pictures of the bodily injuries,
- Tire tracks on the road,
- Broken lights,
- Weather conditions,
- Debris in the surrounding area,
- Street signs,
- Traffic, and
- Other elements that could have contributed to the accident
It is important to note that the collection of evidence should only be done if it is safe to do so. Individuals involved in an auto accident should never enter a busy road in effort of collecting evidence. Big rig accidents often happen in busy highways and safety should always be the priority of those involved.
Obtain the Legal Support of a Trusted Trucking Injury Attorney
Being in an semi truck accident can be an extremely scary experience for any person. The sheer size and weight of a big rig have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries to any person and because of this, it is always important to hold big rig drivers and trucking companies accountable for injuries caused. If you were recently involved in an accident involving a big rig, seek the legal guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney who can represent your rights. As a victim, you have the legal right to pursue legal action against the truck driver and/or the company he or she works for.
R. Steven Peters – Injury & Accident Lawyers is committed to representing the legal rights of victims who have suffered injuries resulting from a big rig accident. Attorney R. Steven Peters is highly qualified in personal injury law and is prepared to strongly defend the rights of those who have been injured as a result of negligence. Trucking accident cases in Orange County are extremely time sensitive; seek proficient legal support as soon as possible.