Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer
Erick Novik
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Los Angeles Big Rig, Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys
At Novik Law Group, our focus is on providing exceptional representation for those impacted by truck, big rig, and commercial vehicle accidents in Los Angeles. As a trusted Los Angeles truck accident law firm, we have a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients, handling cases that involve everything from semi-trucks to 18-wheelers, big rigs, and delivery trucks. Our skilled Los Angeles truck accident attorneys thoroughly manage each case, from gathering crucial evidence to negotiating with powerful trucking companies, ensuring clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Our team of Los Angeles trucking accident lawyers brings extensive knowledge of industry regulations and the specific challenges associated with large commercial vehicle cases. Whether the incident involves a tractor-trailer, a semi-truck, or another type of commercial vehicle, our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys approach each case with a tailored strategy to maximize results. Novik Law Group’s dedication to each client has earned us a reputation as one of the best truck accident attorneys in Los Angeles, ready to handle even the most serious truck accident cases.
NOVIK LAW GROUP
A Professional Corporation
16830 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 508,
Encino, CA 91436
Phone: (818) 305-6041
NOVIK LAW GROUP
A Professional Corporation
11620 Wilshire Blvd Suite 520
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (818) 305-6041
NOVIK LAW GROUP
A Professional Corporation
14500 Roscoe Blvd Suite 460
Panorama City, CA 91402
Phone: (818) 305-6041
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Exceptional Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorneys
If a Truck Accident Ruined Your Life, Talk To A Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Everyone knows Los Angeles has a traffic problem. For the average driver, that mostly entails long waits during the commute. But anyone who has been injured or had a family member killed in a car crash, especially one involving a semi-truck, knows there are worse fates than to be stuck in congested traffic.
When a tractor-trailer collides with a car, the results can be catastrophic for the car. Unfortunately, because big rigs are commercial vehicles, navigating the insurance process and litigating liability can be much more difficult. Trucking companies have powerful lawyers and insurance companies that really don’t want to pay out on those multi-million dollar policies. That’s why victims of truck accidents need to hire a qualified Los Angeles truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our LA Big Rig Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Los Angeles truck crash, please call NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, today. Our Los Angeles trucking accident attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you. The number is (818) 305-6041, and your consultation is free.
Need a semi truck accident attorney near you in Los Angeles? We have our office location nearby to meet and discuss your case today!
When You Need A Los Angeles Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
According to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large truck and bus fatalities have increased annually nationwide. Compared to the national numbers, Los Angeles County is one of the worst regions in terms of accidents and fatalities, and by far the worst in the state of California.
Los Angeles, with its massive sprawl and densely populated urban areas, is crisscrossed by several major interstates, including the 5, the 10, and the 15. Our freeways see more commercial vehicles than most other parts of the country, so there has been an increased need for commercial truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles. In addition to the standard semis, there are construction vehicles, flatbed trucks, fuel tankers, delivery trucks, U-Hauls, and more.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck or Big Rig Accident?
Truck accidents are a problem with no easy solution. Truck drivers cover long distances every day while hauling massive loads. Because the trucker sits so high up in the vehicle’s cab and because the trailers can obscure views, the smallest human error can end in a collision.
When multiple parties are involved in a truck accident, assigning blame can be complicated. In many cases, negligence can be divided. Drivers who disobey traffic laws, drive recklessly, or fail to follow company protocols can be at fault. Intoxicated driving or driving while distracted are problems afflicting commercial truck drivers at a high rate. Companies with commercial trucking fleets may have failed to maintain their vehicles, or improperly supervised their drivers. A faulty or defective product from a manufacturer could have contributed to the accident (this is especially true with blown tires, a leading cause of truck crashes).
The responsible parties may include the driver, the trucking company, the company in charge of maintaining or repairing the vehicle, the company that designed a faulty product, or even a government agency that failed to properly maintain safe roads or highways.
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a truck, get legal help as soon as possible from a truck accident attorney in Los Angeles from a specialized truck accident law firm. Proving fault in an accident involving a commercial vehicle is much more difficult than proving fault in a regular motor vehicle crash. There may be multiple insurance companies or unions that have a vested interest in the outcome, and they’ll fight to protect those interests, which is where a Los Angeles big rig accident attorney can help you navigate potential options to move forward.
Hold A Negligent Trucker Accountable - Call A Truck Accident Negligence Attorney Today
As a driver, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are following traffic laws and paying attention, so you don’t put yourself or others in danger. Unfortunately, no matter how cautious you are, someone else could make a mistake that could alter your life permanently.
Semi-trucks pose a serious risk on the road due to their size and weight. Something as simple as braking quickly or having to change lanes can be difficult for 18-wheelers. Truck drivers are not able to make abrupt changes and they might not even see you on the road. An incident that would be a small fender bender in a normal-sized car could cause serious injuries if you are hit by a large truck.
After suffering a crash with a semi, you need strong legal advocacy. Contact a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer at NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, to protect yourself and get started getting the compensation you deserve. Call (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation today.
What Causes Truckers to Crash?
There are many factors that causes truck drivers to get into accidents, and the majority of the time, they are preventable. The most common truck driver errors are:
- Not paying attention (daydreaming, thinking about something else)
- Mobile phone use (calling, texting, etc.)
- Drugs or alcohol use
- Lack of training (inexperience)
- Lack of sleep/overworking
Many truckers suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, which makes them make little mistakes, cut corners, and react slowly to the changing situation outside the vehicle. The federal government has hours of service rules dictating how long a trucker is allowed to drive, but many drivers and companies push past these boundaries in their pursuit of more profit.
What Should I Do After Being in a Trucking Accident?
If you are involved in a trucking accident in Los Angeles, the first thing you need to do is stay calm and seek help immediately. Medical help first, and then tough legal help. Trucking companies are aggressive about protecting their interests, and they will seek to deny fault for the crash and blame you as soon as possible.
Since a trucking accident means that a driver crashed while on the clock, it’s a lot more complex to deal with than any other car accident. If the truck driver is found to be at fault, the company knows it will have to pay the victim from its multi-million dollar insurance policy. Because of that, several insurance companies will be involved, and they will try to pressure you into admitting blame for the accident. You do not want to be pressured into agreeing to something that will make you lose compensation that you deserve.
You need a law firm like NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, to help you navigate your case and receive the best possible outcome. Give us a call at (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation from the best truck accident attorney in LA. If you are too injured to come to our office, we will come to you. Our goal is to make this process as easy for you as possible.
Truck Driver Negligence Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
Hold A Negligent Trucker Accountable – Call A Truck Accident Negligence Attorney Today
As a driver, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are following traffic laws and paying attention, so you don’t put yourself or others in danger. Unfortunately, no matter how cautious you are, someone else could make a mistake that could alter your life permanently.
Semi-trucks pose a serious risk on the road due to their size and weight. Something as simple as braking quickly or having to change lanes can be difficult for 18-wheelers. Truck drivers are not able to make abrupt changes and they might not even see you on the road. An incident that would be a small fender bender in a normal-sized car could cause serious injuries if you are hit by a large truck.
After suffering a crash with a semi, you need strong legal advocacy. Contact the Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, to protect yourself and get started getting the compensation you deserve. Call (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation today.
What Causes Truckers to Crash?
There are many factors that causes truck drivers to get into accidents, and the majority of the time, they are preventable. The most common truck driver errors are:
- Not paying attention (daydreaming, thinking about something else)
- Mobile phone use (calling, texting, etc.)
- Drugs or alcohol use
- Lack of training (inexperience)
- Lack of sleep/overworking
Many truckers suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, which makes them make little mistakes, cut corners, and react slowly to the changing situation outside the vehicle. The federal government has hours of service rules dictating how long a trucker is allowed to drive, but many drivers and companies push past these boundaries in their pursuit of more profit. If you have any questions, contact NOVIK LAW GROUP, one of the top truck accident law firms in Los Angeles.
What Should I Do After Being in a Trucking Accident?
If you are involved in a trucking accident in Los Angeles, the first thing you need to do is stay calm and seek help immediately. Medical help first, and then tough legal help. Trucking companies are aggressive about protecting their interests, and they will seek to deny fault for the crash and blame you as soon as possible.
Since a trucking accident means that a driver crashed while on the clock, it’s a lot more complex to deal with than any other car accident. If the truck driver is found to be at fault, the company knows it will have to pay the victim from its multi-million dollar insurance policy. Because of that, several insurance companies will be involved, and they will try to pressure you into admitting blame for the accident. You do not want to be pressured into agreeing to something that will make you lose compensation that you deserve.
You need a law firm like NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, to help you navigate your case and receive the best possible outcome. Give us a call at (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation with a Los Angeles trucking accident lawyer. If you are too injured to come to our office, we will come to you. Our goal is to make this process as easy for you as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Collision Types
Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents
Did a Drowsy Driver Cause Your Accident?
Truckers have to drive a lot more than the rest of us. They drive long distances to deliver goods, sometimes to multiple states in one shift. Driving 10 or 14 hours at a time could cause any motorist to get fatigued and make mistakes. Since trucks are so much larger, they can cause more damage than your average car. Drowsy driving from a trucker could cost someone’s life.
To ensure that truck drivers are alert and are not overworked, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration put hours of service regulations into place. Their goal is to regulate how often each trucker drives to provide a safer environment for not only the trucker, but other people on the road as well.
What Are the Basic HOS Regulations?
Specific limitations are place on the amount of time a commercial trucker can drive, and the total hours that can be worked before the driver has to take a break. There is a 14-hour driving window limit and an 11-hour limit. The extra thee hours are supposed to include break times, stopping to get gas, loading/unloading, etc. Additionally, drivers have to be off duty for 10 hours before they can start another shift.
Do Truck Drivers Get Penalized for Not Following Safety Rules?
If a truck driver fails to follow HOS rules, it can (and often does) lead to a trucking accident. If you have been involved in a collision with a big rig, and there is record of the driver having violated the hours of service rules before, your attorney may be able to use that as evidence of past negligence, particularly if the trucking company failed to facilitate proper punishment for the violation.
Penalties for violating HOS rules include:
- Truck driver may be taken out of service until enough off-duty time has been accumulated.
- Local and state law enforcement officials may give truck driver a fine.
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may charge a civil penalty on the driver or carrier, which could range from $1,000 to $11,000 (this amount is per violation and depends on severity of violation).
- Safety rating for the carrier can be downgraded if there is a pattern of violations taking place.
- Carriers may face federal criminal penalties if they or their drivers knowingly and willingly violate HOS regulations.
After a Truck Crash in L.A., Call a Truck Crash Lawyer
If you have been involved in a trucking accident, you will need an experienced law firm such as NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, to handle your case. We will ensure that you get what you deserve and are not lowballed by the trucker’s insurance company. Companies know the high payout they will be responsible for if their driver is found at fault. They will have a legal team behind them to prevent that from happening, and you need a team as well to protect you. If you are not able to come to our Encino office due to your injuries, we will come to you personally.
We know that dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial stress of a car accident can be hard, but we are here to make this easier on you. We do not charge any upfront fees or retainers. We don’t get paid unless you recover money from the case, so do not worry about being able to afford a Los Angeles car accident attorney. Give our office a call at (818) 305-6041 for more information.
Underride Truck Accidents
What should you do if you're involved in an underride truck accident?
Any crash involving a semi-truck is going to be dangerous, but an underride is one of the deadliest crashes possible. In these accidents, a smaller car strikes the trailer of a large truck and goes partially or fully under the trailer, sheering off or crushing the windshield and roof of the car.
If you or a loved one has been in an underride accident with a commercial truck, you may deserve compensation – and the sooner you act, the less time the trucking company has to fix the facts. Call NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, at (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation with a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer.
What are the different types of underride accidents?
There are two main types of underride crashes:
- Rear Underride – A rear underride occurs when a passenger vehicle, like a sedan, slams into the rear of a semi-truck. The front of the passenger vehicle goes under the rear of the trailer. Depending on the speed at which the vehicle was traveling, it can slide under the truck, causing catastrophic injuries to the driver and passengers.
- Side Underride – In a side underride accident, a passenger vehicle strikes the side of a commercial truck. This can happen in a number of different ways; for example, a driver hitting a trailer while a truck is making a wide turn or performing a U-turn. Side underrides can also happen if a truck driver fails to see a smaller vehicle beside it and merges lanes, striking the smaller vehicle, which then goes under the trailer.
What are the main causes of underride accidents?
Underrides are usually caused by:
- Poor visibility. If a driver cannot see a tractor-trailer ahead of him, he can slam into it without realizing it. Lack of contrasting colors, lack of reflectors or lights, winding roads like the 110, and poor weather can all reduce the visibility of a tractor-trailer.
- Lack of underride guards. Big rigs are required to have underride guards called ICC bars, designed to keep smaller vehicles from sliding underneath them in a collision. If a truck is lacking these guards, or the guards are faulty, an underride can occur. It is worth noting that studies have found federally mandated guards in the U.S. are not strong enough to withstand a moderate impact.
- Poor truck brake maintenance. Drivers need to be able to see when a truck ahead of them is braking. If the brake lights are not properly maintained, and this warning is not visible, a rear underride accident is more likely to occur.
- Driver error. If the truck driver comes to a stop too quickly because he wasn’t paying attention, or doesn’t check his blind spots before changing lanes, it can be traumatic for the vehicles around him.
Jackknife Truck Accidents
What is a jackknife accident?
The term “jackknife” refers to a pocket knife with a folding blade. When it comes to commercial trucks, a jackknife accident is one in which the cab slows or comes to a stop, but the trailer continues to move, which causes the trailer to swing out to the side and the whole vehicle folds – essentially like a pocket knife closing in on itself.
Should you contact a lawyer after a jackknife truck accident?
Few things are as terrifying as seeing a tractor-trailer spin out of control. Commercial trucks are massive, powerful machines that travel at high speeds and carry a lot of weight, making stopping difficult for them. When a truck tries to stop too quickly, or turn too hard, a jackknife crash can occur, and the consequences are often catastrophic for other drivers in the area.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, you may deserve compensation. Trucking companies have their own attorneys to fight against you, but don’t be intimidated. You do have options, and your voice is important. Call NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, at (818) 305-6041 to put an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney to work for you.
What are typical causes of jackknife accidents?
The mechanics of a jackknife accident have to do with how semi-trucks stop, and the fact that they have multiple sets of brakes. In practice, a jackknife is almost always due to a trucker’s mistake or failure to exercise proper caution in a certain situation. Some common causes of jackknife accidents include:
- Poor weather. Slippery road conditions, from rain or ice, can cause a jackknife.
- Improper maintenance. If the brakes on a truck are not properly adjusted and maintained, a jackknife is more likely.
- High speeds. The faster a truck goes, the more likely a jackknife becomes.
- Driver fatigue. Tired truck drivers have slowed reaction times, and are more prone to driving errors.
- Driver inexperience. Controlling a massive truck with a heavy payload is difficult, and inexperienced drivers are more likely to make mistakes.
How do you determine who is responsible for a jackknife accident?
Sometimes, the truck driver might not be the only one responsible. There are two important legal terms to discuss: negligence and liability.
Negligence means someone acted in a way that a reasonable person would not have in the situation. For example, if a truck driver goes well beyond the speed at which he can maintain control of his truck, that can be seen as negligence. A reasonable person is expected to stay within a speed limit.
Liability means someone’s negligence directly contributed to or caused an accident. If a jackknife occurs because the truck driver was going too fast, he can be held liable for that accident.
In some situations, this can become more complicated. For example, perhaps the driver was going too fast due to instructions from his employer, and his brakes were improperly maintained, which made the jackknife accident more likely.
Since the causes of a Los Angeles jackknife accident are not always simple and clear, it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney look at the situation and figure out how things went wrong. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a jackknife accident, call NOVIK LAW GROUP at (818) 305-6041 to discuss your options. Truck accident aren’t like car accidents, and our skilled L.A. car crash lawyers know how to tackle these cases successfully.
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