Montclair Truck Accident Lawyer

Montclair Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents tend to have devastating effects compared to regular car accidents. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, the victim is almost always the other driver. If you or someone you love has experienced a truck accident, reach out to a Montclair truck accident lawyer to explore what legal options are available in your unique case.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer With Years of Professional Experience

As a family-staffed law firm with over 24 years of experience, Amendt Law has a niche focus on personal injury cases. We believe that legal services should never leave empathy at the door. We put compassion at the forefront when meeting with new clients and drafting custom legal strategies. Our attorneys have worked tirelessly to protect California residents, securing:

• $100,000 for a college-aged client who suffered a severe broken foot while getting off an improperly parked campus bus
• $500,000 for an elderly client who was hit by a car while driving through the building she was inside, resulting in severe full-body injuries

Our firm operates on the belief that everyone deserves access to competent legal services. We’re proud to offer free consultations to those living in Montclair and the surrounding California towns.

Steps to Take After Getting Into a Truck Accident

In 2024, there were 2,235,100 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed in the United States. Truck drivers in California regularly use Interstate 10 for long-distance commuting. In 2022, 331 people were injured or killed in a Montclair motor vehicle accident.

For those who have gotten into an accident, there are certain important steps that need to be taken to preserve their safety and legal case. They include:

1. Calling 911 to request police and paramedics to the crash site. Even if you feel okay physically, you’ll want medical professionals to look you over regardless. It’s important to have clear documentation of the accident in a police and medical report. Plus, some internal injuries may not present obvious symptoms until it’s too late.
2. Collecting the contact and insurance information of the other driver involved in the crash. If the other driver refuses to give you their information, don’t argue with them. It’s vital to your case to stay calm. Wait for the police to arrive so that they can collect the information on your behalf. If the other driver attempts to flee before law enforcement arrives, take a photo of their license plate number and vehicle.
3. Gathering the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident
4. Taking photos and videos. Include evidence of the crash site, including any skid marks on the ground or property damage. Include evidence of your visible injuries and damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings.
5. Calling to hire a truck accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate the next steps regarding insurance claims and file your legal case at the Superior Court of California, located at 8303 Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

During this time, be sure not to apologize or admit fault for anything that happened. While you may have good intentions while doing so, it can affect your legal case later on.

Types of Damages That Can Be Pursued in a Montclair Truck Accident Case

The compensation secured in a personal injury claim is based on the losses a victim suffered due to the incident. Using these losses, courts calculate an amount of compensation to award the victim. There are two main types of damages that can be requested in a truck accident case:

1. Economic damages. These can include the cost of your past and ongoing medical treatment, including surgeries and mental health counseling. They can also include personal damages to your vehicle and other items, such as your cell phone and personal effects.
2. Non-economic damages. These are based on the emotional damages you’ve suffered from the incident, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. It’s difficult to put a number on your mental pain, but these damages are just as important as economic damages.

Damages can also include any income you’ve lost due to missing work because of your injuries.

FAQs About Montclair, CA Truck Accident Laws

What Are Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are a third type of damage category that can only be requested in specific cases. A guilty party must have acted with extreme malice or negligence. For example, if the person who hit you during the accident was driving drunk, they may have to pay you punitive damages. These damages are designed to deter any similar behavior from happening in the future and further punish the wrongdoer.

What’s the Deadline for Filing My Truck Accident Claim in California?

The deadline for filing your truck accident claim in California is two years. However, if the truck that hit you was a government vehicle, that deadline shifts to only six months. No matter your timeline, it’s important to act quickly after an accident takes place. Failing to file within the proper deadline means your case will most likely be dismissed, and you won’t be able to recover any compensation for your pain.

What Kind of Evidence Do I Need to Collect for My Truck Accident Case?

The kind of evidence you need to collect for your truck accident case is diverse in nature. If you only have one type of evidence, it can be difficult to prove your side to the court. Evidence can vary depending on what’s available in your situation, but can include the photos and videos taken at the time of the crash and copies of the incident reports. Your attorney can work to secure the trucks’ black box information and third-party testimonies.

What Are California’s Negligence Laws?

California’s negligence laws assign everyone involved in a personal injury case a percentage of fault. Doing this helps them decide who should pay compensation and how much they should pay. Any compensation you earn during the case will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re assigned 20% at fault for the crash, a $100,000 settlement would turn into $80,000.

Choose Amendt Law to Represent Your Case

Schedule your confidential consultation today at our Pomona office. We offer free consultations to those who have been injured in Montclair and surrounding California cities. When an accident happens, you need a lawyer you can rely on. Choose our experienced team to fight on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.