Fresno Truck Accident Attorneys

From tire blowouts to fatigue to reckless driving, there are countless factors that contribute to 18-wheeler accidents. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries that require emergency treatment and several months of rehabilitation. Many are unable to earn an income while they recover. If you or someone in your family has been harmed in such a crash, contact our truck accident attorneys in Fresno for a free consultation. We can answer all of your questions and help you determine the most strategic way to proceed with your claim. The sooner we can investigate your case, the higher the chance that time-sensitive evidence will still be available. You won’t have to pay anything to speak with a member of our team, and if we don’t win, you won’t owe any attorney’s fees. Call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to get started.

Can I Put off My Truck Accident Claim Until My Injuries Have Healed?

The injuries resulting from a serious auto accident can be both physically and psychologically debilitating. Depending on the kinds of injuries you have sustained and their severity, even the most basic of tasks might pose a challenge. You may have to rely on loved ones and caregivers to get through the day. It can be difficult to cope with the loss of independence and the stress that comes with having an uncertain financial future. When faced with so much adversity, the thought of entering legal proceedings can seem overwhelming. Unfortunately, the longer you wait to take legal action, the greater the chance that important evidence will become unavailable. Surveillance footage and dashcam recordings, for example, might be overwritten. Property damage might be fixed before it can be analyzed by an accident reconstruction expert. Eyewitnesses might forget pertinent details about what happened. The outcome of your case will hinge on the strength of the evidence we are able to gather. As such, it is essential that our Fresno truck accident lawyers conduct the investigation as soon as possible. The ideal time to contact our law firm is immediately after your first doctor’s appointment, which should take place no later than 48 hours after the crash. Besides gathering evidence, there are a number of other benefits to seeking legal counsel right away. The defendant’s insurance company will likely call you shortly after the crash and ask you to answer questions during a recorded phone call. Even if you are careful about what you say, it is possible that your statements will be taken out of context to dispute fault, causation, or damages. In fact, it is not unheard of for insurance adjusters to ask leading questions that are specifically intended to elicit responses that can be used to challenge the claim. Our Fresno truck accident attorneys understand the tactics used by claims adjusters. We will handle all dialogue on your behalf so you don’t say something that would harm your case. In addition to taking over correspondence with the insurance company, we can explain the steps you must take to protect your claim. The sooner you get this information, the less likely you may be to make a costly mistake that leads to a dispute.

Damages Available to Personal Injury Victims in Fresno, California

Even if it seems clear that the defendant was responsible for the accident, you won’t be able to obtain a financial recovery unless you can prove the kinds of damages you have accrued and their value. Besides the direct financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage—which are called “economic damages”—you might also be able to seek funds for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, lost enjoyment in life, and emotional distress. The types of damages that might be available will depend on several factors. For example, you will only be able to seek compensation for emotional distress if you witnessed a loved one die or sustain a catastrophic injury, or if you've been diagnosed with a physical disorder. Under some circumstances, it is also possible to pursue compensation for loss of consortium and punitive damages. Loss of consortium is a type of claim brought by the spouse of an injured party. These actions seek compensation for the loss of affection, society, moral support, intimacy, love, and companionship. Punitive damages may be awarded in cases that involve a defendant who exhibited malice, oppression, or fraud. In truck accident cases, a punitive award might be available if the at-fault driver was drunk, fled the scene, was operating the vehicle in a particularly reckless manner, or was driving the vehicle despite knowing that it had a dangerous mechanical issue such as faulty brakes.

Contact Us Today to Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer in Fresno

To discuss your situation with a member of our team in a free case review, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS. You can also message us online via our Contact Page.