While most motor vehicle accidents involve collisions between passenger vehicles, the occupants in vehicles are sometimes injured in collisions with commercial trucks. When these collisions occur, the injuries are usually more severe and can be catastrophic in nature. Unfortunately, the occupants sometimes lose their lives. Thousands of people are killed each year on our highways when commercial trucks and passenger vehicles collide. The massive weight of the tractor trailer may crash the much smaller passenger vehicle and is likely to cause horrible injuries or death. The financial and emotional consequences are usually devastating.
Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos is one of the leading personal injury law firms in California and is experienced in handling truck versus auto accidents. There are significant differences in representing clients who are injured in a collision with a commercial truck. The truck drivers must complete special training to obtain a commercial driver’s license and the driver and owner of the truck are required to comply with state and federal safety regulations in the operation of the truck. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos will thoroughly investigate liability for the collision including whether the owner or driver of the truck violated any safety regulations adopted by the Federal Carrier Safety Administration. If any of the rules were violated, the driver and/or the owner of the truck will likely be responsible for the collision.
It is important to commence the accident investigation as soon as possible. The driver of the truck may have caused because of fatigue, lack of proper training or just being inattentive. The failure to properly maintain the truck is also sometimes a factor in causing the collision. The consultants retained by Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos will document and photograph any physical evidence (skid marks, gouge, etc.) at the scene of the accident and perform a detailed evaluation of the damage to both the passenger vehicle and the truck. The private investigators hired by Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos will interview all the percipient witnesses and obtain their recorded statements. The evidence is almost always indispensable in proving liability for the accident. After litigation is commenced, discovery will include obtaining the repair and maintenance records from the owner of the truck or subcontractors hired by the owner. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos will also take the necessary depositions to determine if the truck driver was driving for a longer period than permitted or had been consuming drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, there is sometimes evidence of this behavior that contributes to the cause of the accident.
You should never talk to the representative of the insurance company without first consulting with the attorney at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos. They are only interested in obtaining a recorded statement so they may pay you as little as possible. The insurance company for the trucking company might even extend a settlement offer to you soon after the accident. The insurance company is not concerned about your suffering or financial damages. Do not consider this offer without first consulting with an attorney. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos is an experienced and respected law firm that has handled many of these cases and the attorneys are available for free consultation.
Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos handles truck versus auto accidents on a contingent fee basis. We will advance all costs and litigation expenses on your behalf and if there is no recovery, you will not owe Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos.