At Compass Law Group, LLP, we are all too familiar with the extraordinary power of a moving truck when it is involved in a traffic accident. As personal injury attorneys, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of the unfortunate victims of truck accidents who all too often suffer life-threatening brain injuries. Because the brain is the central managing organ of the body, brain injuries can result in all kinds of damage to sensory perception, thought processes, speech, mood, and behavior. It’s important to have the right truck accident brain injury lawyer.
There is a reason “I felt like I was hit by a truck” has come into the language as a simile for being overwhelmed by catastrophe. Trucks on average weigh 20 to 30 times as much as cars, so accidents between the two are a far greater risk to the driver or passengers of the smaller vehicle. Of course, this is compounded if the truck accident involves a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian.
Let Compass Law Group Help You Focus on the Future
Our truck accident attorneys know that it usually takes a great deal of time to recover from a brain injury and that you will be incurring exorbitant medical bills at the same time you are unable to work. Therefore, we will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we win you the compensation you deserve.
Brain Injuries and Symptoms
Because the brain is the control center of the body, injuries to the brain can cause a broad range of dysfunction. Brain injuries run the gamut from mild to moderate to severe. Symptoms of brain injuries include:
- Headache, confusion, lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Memory loss
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Sleep and balance problems
- Irritability, anxiety, depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Mood instability
- Seizures
Most of those who suffer even moderate brain injuries face a lengthy recovery period and extensive rehabilitation. Some survivors of severe brain injuries may require round-the-clock lifetime care. Whether you have suffered serious memory loss or have become totally incapacitated, our experienced brain injury lawyers are here to assist you in filing a lawsuit against the responsible party and will always treat you with the patience and respect you deserve.
Causes of Truck Accidents that May Result in Brain Injuries
In spite of the fact that most cars tend to give trucks a wide berth and that truckers and their companies are held to high safety standards, there are several reasons truck accidents still occur, including:
Driver Fatigue
Although federal law limits the length of time a trucker can drive without a break, the fact that truck drivers are required to meet strict delivery deadlines keeps them pushing on even when drowsy.
Distracted Driving
Because truck drivers spend most of their time driving, relying on GPS devices to navigate and smartphones to communicate, they are more prone to being distracted by electronic messages than other drivers. Add to that the fact that they frequently eat and drink while driving in order to make better time and the risk of distraction increases.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Although the blood alcohol level that puts you over the limit in California is twice as low for those with CDL (commercial) licenses — .04 instead of .08 — some truck drivers still abuse alcohol. Because of their difficult schedules, some also take medications to help them sleep or keep them alert, and either can seriously interfere with their driving ability.
Improper Maintenance of the Trucks Themselves
While trucking companies are required to inspect and perform needed repairs promptly, there are times when, due to poor record-keeping, greed or human error, one of their trucks is driving with defective brakes, steering, or lights that lead to a serious accident.
Inadequate Vetting or Training of Drivers
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for trucking companies to put inexperienced drivers on the road simply because they can be paid less per mile than experienced truckers. Tragically, inadequately trained truck drivers are more likely to cause accidents because safely maneuvering trucks, especially tracker-trailers, requires skills learned through practical experience.
Improper Loading
Even if state and federal regulations concerning the weight a truck can carry are followed, if a truck is improperly loaded it is more difficult to drive, change lanes, turn, or stop smoothly. Improper loading may also cause imbalance, a potential cause of jack-knife accidents.
Who is responsible for your truck accident brain injury?
At Compass Law Group, our attorneys are careful to make sure we target the right defendant. By taking the time to examine police records, talk to witnesses, pore over medical data, and consult with accident reconstruction experts, we are able to pinpoint the person or entity responsible for your brain injury, whether it is the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer or the city, state or county responsible for keeping the road surface clear and well-paved.
No matter who the culprit is, we are well-prepared to construct a forceful strategy with which to negotiate or litigate. Our primary goal is always to put you first and to fight vigorously to obtain the resources you and your family need going forward.
Our Truck Accident Brain Injury Lawyer Will Fight For You
From the time you become our client, we will be on your side, ready to fight tooth and nail to try to win you both economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages for:
- Lost income, now and going forward
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Property damage
- Replacement services (e.g. house cleaning, cooking)
- Extended nursing care
Noneconomic Damages for:
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of household services
- Final medical costs, funeral expenses, loss of companionship in cases of wrongful death
If the defendant’s misconduct was especially egregious (drunk driving, for example) we may also be able to win you punitive damages.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys — We Know Just What to Do
Compass Law Group has a well-earned reputation for compassionate, individualized service as well as outstanding legal acumen. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can lift the burden of pursuing your court case and give you the time you need to focus on your recovery.
Contact our Los Angeles truck accident brain injury lawyer today to schedule an initial, free consultation.
This list isn’t all-inclusive many personal injury suits have been raised based on different factors that aren’t included above. Our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys can work on cases without anything out of pocket.
We’re old enough to have the necessary experience, yet young enough to use the most cutting-edge technology and tactics, and are determined enough to fight and outsmart the other side, every time.
