Pomona Truck Accident Lawyer

Pomona Truck Accident Attorney

Large commercial trucks are essential components of the US economy, and many California communities rely on trucking for the goods and materials they need. While most drivers reach their destinations without issue, truck accidents can and do occur for a number of unpredictable reasons. If you’re in a personal injury accident, you may need a Pomona truck accident lawyer.

Our team helps clients throughout Pomona and the surrounding areas, including Claremont, Ontario, La Verne, and Montclair, pursue the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damages.

Legal Representation for Victims of Truck Accidents in Pomona

Approximately 7,777,406 vehicles were registered in Los Angeles County in a single year, including 1,123,162 trucks. If you or a loved one recently experienced a truck accident in the Pomona, area, it’s natural to have lots of questions when it comes to recovering from your losses and holding the at-fault party accountable for the damage they’ve caused.

Unfortunately, liability isn’t always immediately clear after a serious accident, and trucking accidents, in particular, tend to generate very complex disputes over liability. Whatever your case entails, you will be much better prepared to face it with the help of an experienced Pomona truck accident attorney.

In 2024, 12,188 vehicles were involved in crashes with large trucks in California. This number has been in slight decline since 2021, when 15,100 vehicles were involved in truck accidents across the state.

Legal Support From Our Team

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt have years of experience helping clients through all manner of vehicle accident claims. Truck accidents can result in life-changing injuries and extensive economic losses. If you are unsure what to do following your recent truck accident in the Pomona area, we can help.

Determining Fault for a Trucking Accident in Pomona, California

Truck drivers have a higher duty of care than most other drivers due to the inherently dangerous nature of their vehicles and the fact that safe driving is their primary job duty. Unfortunately, some truck accidents occur due to the fault of truck drivers, but it’s also possible for third parties to cause truck accidents that injure truck drivers and other nearby motorists caught in the collision.

The aftermath of any truck accident can be devastating, and a victim must know the steps needed to hold the at-fault party accountable. Whether you intend to file an insurance claim, a personal injury claim, or both following a recent truck accident in Pomona, determining fault will be the first crucial step toward recovery.

You must identify the party responsible for causing your recent truck accident and determine the full scope of your claimable damages. Many trucking companies and other businesses that hire commercial truck drivers have extensive liability insurance, but it may only go so far after a truck accident that results in catastrophic losses.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Pomona, CA

Some of the most commonly cited causes of truck accidents that generate personal injury claims in California include:

• Jackknife Accidents. A jackknife happens when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, often during sudden braking or on sharply curved freeways. These accidents are especially common on the I-10, Route 60, and Route 71, where heavy truck traffic meets tight curves and congestion, making it easier for a trailer to swing out of control.
• Underride Accidents. Underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the side or rear of a large truck. These crashes are often catastrophic because the smaller vehicle can be crushed. Busy industrial routes around Pomona, Ontario, and Claremont see a higher risk, especially in areas where trucks make frequent stops or lane changes.
• Rollover Accidents. Trucks carrying tall or heavy loads can tip over, especially on sharp off-ramps, curves, or during sudden maneuvers. Rollovers are more likely in areas with fast-moving traffic, abrupt exits, or heavy merging trucks, and they often lead to cargo spills and multi-vehicle collisions.
• Rear-End Collisions. Trucks hitting the back of another vehicle are common, and they’re usually caused by distracted driving, sudden stops, or heavy traffic. In Pomona, areas near freeway interchanges and industrial zones see many rear-end collisions because trucks take longer to slow down or stop than smaller cars.
• Blind Spot Accidents. Trucks have large blind spots around the front, sides, and rear. Cars that linger in these areas risk being sideswiped or clipped during lane changes.
• Tire Blowouts. Worn, overloaded, or poorly maintained tires can fail without warning, causing the truck to veer out of control. Blowouts are especially dangerous on Pomona’s uphill and downhill freeway sections or during high-speed travel, sometimes leading to chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. It is illegal for any driver to operate a vehicle while intoxicated. Any driver who causes a truck accident due to impaired driving faces criminal charges in addition to liability for any victims’ civil damages. If a truck driver is under the influence and causes an accident, they will likely lose their commercial driver’s license for an extended period.
• Distracted driving, which is responsible for most of the vehicle accidents throughout the United States each year. All drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles attentively at all times.
• Trucking industry regulation noncompliance. The commercial trucking industry is a crucial component of the transportation and supply chain systems of the United States’ transportation and supply chain systems. When truck drivers or trucking companies fail to comply with applicable regulations, they face fines and other penalties, in addition to civil liability for resulting damages.It’s also possible for a truck driver’s employer to face vicarious liability for their employee’s actions if a driver intentionally disregards applicable regulations.
• Improperly loaded truck cargo. Large trucks stand higher off the ground than most other vehicles and therefore have higher centers of gravity. This leaves many large trucks susceptible to balance problems. If cargo is not loaded, balanced, and secured correctly, the truck driver could lose control of their vehicle around sharp turns or in difficult traffic conditions.

Driver error is the most common reason for motor vehicle accidents in California, with distracted driving as a leading cause. However, other factors, such as poor road conditions, can also impact driver safety. Approximately 79 percent of Los Angeles’s major roadways are in poor or mediocre condition. When it comes to proving fault, it’s important to discount these other factors to secure the maximum settlement amount.

Your Pomona truck accident lawyer can help you determine fault for your recent accident. Once fault is assessed, an insurance claim is likely to be your first step toward recovery. When available insurance can’t fully compensate for your losses, you have the right to proceed with a personal injury claim against the party who caused your accident.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents cause more serious injuries than typical car collisions because of the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Victims could suffer from life-changing harm, from broken bones and internal injuries to traumatic brain injuries. Even injuries that seem minor at first can have lasting effects, often requiring extensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, and long-term care. Some of the most common kinds of truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Amputations
• Burns
• PTSD and psychological trauma

At Amendt Law, our experienced team is dedicated to helping victims in Pomona and the surrounding areas obtain the compensation they need for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care. We understand just how devastating these injuries can be, and we work tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights every step of the way.

Compensation for a Truck Accident Injury in Pomona, CA

Truck accidents can easily result in devastating injuries such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain damage, internal organ injuries, and much more. Many victims face very expensive immediate medical expenses as well as ongoing treatment costs for managing their conditions. Your Pomona trucking accident attorney can assist you in calculating the full scope of economic damages you can seek in your claim.

Most personal injury plaintiffs seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. Insurance may cover some initial losses, but it is unlikely to provide much compensation for long-term damages. A personal injury plaintiff can seek compensation for ongoing medical expenses and lost future earning potential when they have suffered a catastrophic injury posing long-term or permanent complications. Additionally, state law permits the plaintiff in a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

Valuing a Claim

It’s common for a personal injury plaintiff to undervalue their claim initially, not realizing the full scope of their claimable damages until they secure legal counsel to advise them. A Pomona trucking accident attorney can assist their client in accurately calculating their claimable damages and gathering the evidence they may need to prove fault for those damages. Therefore, the sooner you connect with an experienced Pomona truck accident lawyer after an accident, the better your chances are of maximizing your final recovery.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt have the professional resources and experience you need on your side when you are struggling in the aftermath of a serious truck accident. We have helped many past clients secure fair insurance claim settlements and personal injury case awards for truck accident claims. We know the challenges victims of these incidents often face as they seek compensation for their losses.

If you are unsure what to do after a truck accident in the Pomona area, our team can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Pomona truck accident attorney you can trust.

Special Safety Rules For Truck Drivers In California

Trucks pose a unique danger on the road due to their size and the long hours companies demand of their drivers. It is no wonder that there are special safety rules for truck drivers at both the state and federal levels. These laws are unfortunately frequently violated.

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, it is possible that the truck driver violated one of these rules, which would strengthen your case. With decades of experience with these incidents, here are the most common violations our attorneys see at Amendt Law.

Truckers Exceed Their Drive Time Limit

Trucking is a grueling occupation, and truckers routinely log long hours behind the wheel. However, because of the danger posed by sleep deprivation, federal law restricts commercial truck drivers to 14 hours of driving per day. No more than 11 of those hours can be consecutive. Additional restrictions apply to total hours over a seven-day period.

Unfortunately, there are financial incentives for drivers who disregard these trucking precautions. Sleep-deprived operators are all too common on the road.

Truckers Use Illegal Routes

Certain roads in California are unsafe for trucks. The road surface may not be strong enough to support the loads involved or the terrain may not be suitable for navigation. Thus, the California Department of Transportation has approved routes for trucks to haul their loads.

However, these routes are not always the most direct, so some truck drivers will illegally drive their rigs on roads not designed for them. This puts other motorists and drivers at risk.

Trucks Exceed Weight And Size Restrictions

Weight and size limits for trucks are not just to preserve the roadways — they are also intended to keep other drivers safe. When a truck’s trailer is too long, it runs the risk of colliding with other vehicles or pedestrians when turning. Trucks that are overloaded can have trouble stopping on steep inclines or when they need to avoid an accident. If they are involved in an accident, these heavy loads can cause significant injuries to other motorists.

Many truckers work hard to follow these rules. However, the reality is that companies make more money when they can move more products on the same trip, so some drivers will break these laws.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Being involved in a truck accident can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when serious injuries or major property damage are involved. Knowing the right steps to take right after a crash can make a real difference when it comes to protecting both your health and your legal rights, and those steps include:

1. Move to a safe location if possible and activate hazard lights
2. Call emergency services to request medical and police assistance
3. Get medical attention
4. Document the scene by taking photos, recording truck license numbers, and gathering witness contact information
5. Keep all medical records, repair bills, and correspondence from your insurance company
6. Contact a Pomona truck accident attorney to discuss your truck accident claim and your rights under truck accident laws

At Amendt Law, our Pomona truck accident attorneys guide clients through every step of the process, from the accident scene to the courtroom. We focus on protecting your rights, preserving crucial evidence, and building a strong claim so you can concentrate on what matters most: healing.

FAQs About Pomona, CA Truck Accident Laws

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in Pomona?

Truck accident settlements can range from small payouts to exorbitant sums. The biggest factor that impacts the settlement for these types of cases is how serious the accident was, as well as the injuries you sustained.

Things like property damage, pain, and suffering can also be considered. A skilled Pomona truck accident lawyer can help you secure a larger settlement amount by navigating California law and putting their skills and resources to work for you.

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to File a Case Against a Trucking Company in Pomona?

Typically, you can expect to work with a personal injury attorney if you’re in a truck accident in Pomona. Your Pomona truck accident lawyer can evaluate your case and determine the right course of action to build your defense and get you the highest amount of compensation. It’s important to do your research and work with someone you trust and who has the right experience to handle your unique situation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Pomona?

Generally speaking, you can expect to have two years to file a personal injury claim or even a wrongful death claim from a truck accident in California. However, if you plan to file against a vehicle that is owned by the government, you must file within six months of the accident instead.

How Do I Choose the Right Pomona Truck Accident Lawyer?

Finding the right Pomona truck accident lawyer goes beyond a simple search. It can be tempting to go with the least expensive option, but this could end up costing you in the long run. Instead, it’s important to look for a professional with experience handling cases similar to yours and a proven track record of success.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer from The Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, you need someone who understands California law and the rules governing truck drivers and companies. Navigating the aftermath of a truck incident can be incredibly challenging, especially if you’re trying to recover from severe injuries. By working with a Pomona truck accident lawyer, you can focus your energy on healing.

At The Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt, we have the experience needed to properly evaluate your case and secure you the compensation you’re owed for your losses. If you’re ready to talk about your situation with a legal professional, we’re the team to call. Contact us through our online form or call our offices at 909-403-5071. We serve clients in Pomona and throughout Southern California.