You may not know where to turn for help or advice that you can trust after being seriously injured in a trucking accident. At Jacoby & Meyers, our Bakersfield truck accident lawyers will do everything we can to help you pick up the pieces and put your life back together.
We are experienced, highly trained and educated in the field of personal injury law in California, and are proud to be one of the industry’s finest advocates for our clients. We believe everyone deserves justice. Discuss your case in detail with our attorneys at no cost and no pressure today.
Our Bakersfield Location
2020 Eye St,
Bakersfield, CA 93301
24/7 Hotline
(661) 402-8934
Why Choose Us?
- Our team of attorneys, medical case managers, assistants and negotiators are committed to maximizing our clients’ physical and financial recoveries. We will make sure you have everything you need to recover from a truck accident.
- We care about our clients. We will bring more than 50 years of experience to your truck accident case to handle it in the most effective way possible. We’ve earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients with detailed and personal case management.
- No other law firm in California has more wins or higher settlements than Jacoby & Meyers. We’ve collected more than $2 billion in settlements, including $17.5 million for our client in a bicycle vs. truck accident case.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield Help?
Recovering from a truck accident isn’t easy. When you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield to represent you, you can rest and focus on healing while your lawyer handles the complicated legal aspects of your case for you.
A lawyer can investigate the truck accident to determine fault and gather evidence to support your case. A law firm also has connections to experts who can strengthen your claim, such as crash reconstructionists and medical experts.
A lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation for your past and future losses. Finally, if your case has to go to trial, you can count on an attorney to represent you in court and fight for justice on your behalf.
Common Causes of Bakersfield Trucking Accidents
Trucking accidents are often preventable. Trucking companies and truck drivers are required to obey federal and state laws to keep their drives as safe as possible. If any of these rules are broken, it increases the odds of a collision.
Top causes of trucking accidents in Bakersfield include:
- Truck driver errors
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving (broken hours-of-service regulations)
- Unsafe lane changes
- Following too closely
- Legal violations
- Poorly trained truck drivers
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Cargo loading mistakes
Under California’s fault-based law, it is necessary to determine the cause of a trucking accident before you can proceed with an insurance claim. The person or party found at fault for the crash will be held liable, or financially responsible.
The Differences Between a Truck Accident vs. Car Accident Case
It is important not to treat a commercial truck accident the same as a standard car accident case in Bakersfield. Trucking accidents have many unique legal elements that can get in the way of making a fair financial recovery if you don’t know what to look out for.
Federal Laws
Large trucks are subject to a set of federal laws enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There are rules involving a truck driver’s hours of service, rest breaks, drug and alcohol consumption, truck driver training, truck maintenance, cargo securement, electronic logging devices, and more. Any violations of these common carrier laws can provide evidence against a trucking company in a truck accident case.
Serious Injuries
The gravity of injuries is usually more severe in a truck accident compared to a typical car crash. The average big rig weighs about 20 times more than a passenger car. When the two vehicles collide, the larger and heavier truck imparts a large amount of force on the smaller vehicle, often resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries for those in the latter. It’s crucial to fully understand the severity of your injuries and the true value of your claim before accepting a quick insurance settlement from a trucking company.
Unique Evidence
Truck accident claims involve unique types of evidence. An attorney can help you preserve key evidence right away, before a truck company’s rapid response team can interfere. Evidence may include the truck’s black box information, electronic hour logs, employment and accident records, federal compliance history, cell phone records, and truck maintenance records.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Bakersfield?
Another difference between a truck accident and a regular car accident case is the question of liability. Rather than only having another driver to hold responsible, you may have a truck driver, trucking company, truck owner/operator, cargo company, maintenance crew and many other parties at fault for your crash.
In most cases, a trucking company can be held liable for accidents involving their trucks or drivers. Trucking companies can be liable for their own mistakes, such as pressuring drivers to exceed their hours-of-service regulations, as well as vicariously liable for the actions of their drivers and employees.
How Much Is the Average Truck Accident Case Worth?
There is no “average” settlement value you should base the worth of your case on; every case is unique, and case values can vary significantly based on the facts. Economic and noneconomic damages may be available, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, property repairs, and pain and suffering.
Factors that may influence the value of your case include injury severity, the costs of medical care, lost wages, level of disability (if any), property damage repair costs, the number of defendants, comparative negligence and the insurance available. A lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers can evaluate your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation in Bakersfield
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Bakersfield, help is available. Jacoby & Meyers will provide you with access to high-quality legal and medical services to maximize your physical, emotional and financial recovery during this difficult time. We will fight for the justice you deserve, guiding you through your truck accident claim to get you back to the life you love.
Schedule a free consultation at our local Bakersfield office for more information. Call us 24/7 at (661) 402-8934 or contact us online and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form