While both types of attorneys deal with vehicle collisions, truck accidents involve unique complexities that require specific legal knowledge. Belal Hamideh, as an experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer and car accident lawyer, has the experience and the knowledge to make a difference in your case.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Truck accidents are far more complex than typical car accidents due to factors like vehicle size, weight, federal regulations, and multiple liable parties.
Additionally, trucking companies, manufacturers, and drivers are subject to strict state and federal laws that don’t apply to standard passenger vehicles.
Belal understands these nuances and can build a stronger case on your behalf.
Why Shouldn’t a Regular Car Accident Attorney Handle My Truck Accident Case?
While a car accident attorney may have experience with collisions, they often lack the in-depth knowledge of trucking industry regulations, logbook requirements, and corporate liability issues. Truck accident cases frequently involve multiple defendants, including trucking companies, maintenance providers, and cargo loaders.
Belal knows how to investigate these cases thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and hold them accountable under state and federal trucking laws.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can happen for various reasons, including driver fatigue, improper maintenance, overloaded cargo, defective truck parts, and violations of hours-of-service regulations. Unlike car accidents, where negligence is often straightforward, truck crashes may involve systemic failures within a trucking company.
Belal can examine electronic logging devices (ELDs), maintenance records, and driver history to determine the root cause of the crash.
To that end, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for truck drivers and companies, including limits on driving hours, mandatory rest periods, and regular vehicle inspections. Violations of these regulations can serve as critical evidence in your claim.
Belal knows how to use FMCSA violations to strengthen your case and maximize your compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim. Belal can ensure all deadlines are met and paperwork is filed correctly to protect your rights.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Case?
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and wrongful death if a loved one was killed. Because truck accidents often result in severe injuries, settlements and verdicts tend to be higher than those in standard car accident cases.
Belal can assess the full extent of your damages and fight for fair compensation.
Why Do Trucking Companies Fight Claims So Aggressively?
Trucking companies and their insurers have significant financial incentives to deny or minimize claims. A single accident can lead to costly lawsuits, increased insurance premiums, and regulatory penalties. These companies often have legal teams working to shift blame onto the victim. Belal knows how to counter these tactics and present a compelling case for his clients, as his reviews clearly demonstrate.
How Can a Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney Help Prove Liability?
Proving liability in a truck accident requires thorough investigation. An attorney can obtain black box data, GPS records, driver logs, and maintenance reports to establish negligence.
They may also work with accident reconstructionists and medical professionals to demonstrate how the crash occurred and the extent of your injuries. Without this level of detail, you risk losing out on the compensation you deserve.
What If the Truck Driver Was an Independent Contractor?
Even if the truck driver was an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable under the legal principle of vicarious liability. Additionally, if the company failed to properly vet the driver or enforce safety regulations, they could share responsibility.
Belal can determine all possible avenues for compensation.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault?
California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Belal can help minimize your assigned fault and maximize your recovery.
What Should I Look for in a Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney?
Choose an attorney with a proven track record in truck accident cases, strong knowledge of FMCSA regulations, and experience taking cases to trial if necessary. Look for client testimonials and case results that demonstrate their ability to secure fair compensation.
How Soon Should I Contact a Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney?
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Critical evidence, such as black box data and witness statements, can disappear quickly. Early legal intervention can go a long way towards ensuring that your rights are protected from the start.
Why Are Truck Accidents Often So Much More Devastating Than Car Accidents?
Truck accidents are among the most catastrophic collisions on the road, frequently resulting in severe injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage. Unlike typical car accidents, the sheer size, weight, and force of commercial trucks make these crashes far more destructive. Car accidents can be devastating, yes, but truck accidents are often, for the most part, worse. There are many reasons for this.
The Massive Size and Weight of Commercial Trucks
One of the most obvious factors is the immense size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 20 to 30 times more than an average car.
At maximum capacity (80,000 pounds), a truck’s momentum in a collision is overwhelming, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Even at lower speeds, the force of impact can crush smaller vehicles, causing life-altering injuries or fatalities.
High Risk of Rollover Accidents
Due to their high center of gravity, trucks are more prone to rollover accidents, especially when taking sharp turns or avoiding sudden obstacles. When a truck rolls over, it can crush nearby vehicles, spill hazardous cargo, or block multiple lanes of traffic, leading to secondary collisions.
Rollovers are particularly deadly because they often result in ejection hazards for truck drivers and catastrophic injuries for other motorists.
Multi-Vehicle Pile Ups and Chain Reactions
Truck accidents frequently trigger multi-vehicle pile ups because of their inability to stop quickly. A fully loaded big rig traveling at highway speeds may need up to 40% more distance to stop than a passenger car. If a truck driver fails to brake in time, they can plow into multiple vehicles, causing a domino effect of collisions.
These chain-reaction crashes often lead to mass casualty incidents, making them far more destructive than typical fender-benders.
Hazardous Cargo and Explosive Risks
Many commercial trucks transport dangerous materials, including flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, or explosive gases. If a truck carrying hazardous cargo crashes, the results can be catastrophic—fires, explosions, and toxic exposure can endanger not only those directly involved but also nearby communities.
Cleanup and evacuation efforts further compound the devastation, making these accidents some of the most severe on the road.
Severe and Life-Altering Injuries
Due to the extreme forces involved, truck accident victims often suffer more severe injuries than those in standard car crashes, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from violent impacts
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis due to crushing forces
- Amputations and severe fractures from vehicle intrusion
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Burn injuries from fuel spills or hazardous materials
These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and permanent lifestyle adjustments, adding emotional and financial strain to victims and their families.
Complex Liability and Corporate Negligence
Unlike car accidents, where fault is often straightforward, truck crashes frequently involve multiple negligent parties, including:
- Truck drivers (fatigue, speeding, distracted driving)
- Trucking companies (poor maintenance, pressure to violate hours-of-service rules)
- Cargo loaders (improperly secured or overloaded freight)
- Manufacturers (defective truck parts or braking systems)
This complexity means victims must navigate federal trucking regulations, corporate legal teams, and aggressive insurance tactics to secure fair compensation. Without a skilled Long Beach truck accident attorney, injured victims may be left fighting an uphill battle against well-funded opponents.
Financial Devastation for Victims
The aftermath of a truck accident can be financially crippling. Victims may face:
- Sky-high medical bills (surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity (due to long-term disabilities)
- Property damage (totaled vehicles, destroyed personal belongings)
- Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
Trucking companies and insurers often try to minimize payouts, leaving victims struggling to cover expenses. A knowledgeable Long Beach truck accident attorney can help ensure all damages are accounted for in a claim.
Why Legal Help Is Critical After a Truck Accident
Given the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll of truck accidents, having strong legal representation is essential. Belal understands how to:
- Investigate the crash thoroughly (obtaining black box data, driver logs, maintenance records)
- Identify all liable parties (not just the driver, but also trucking companies, shippers, and manufacturers)
- Navigate complex federal and state trucking regulations
- Counter aggressive insurance tactics designed to undervalue claims
- Fight for maximum compensation (medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering)
How Belal Hamideh’s Experience as a Truck Accident Lawyer Benefits Your Case
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, having a lawyer who truly understands the intricacies of these cases can make all the difference. You can see his knowledge for yourself in his videos.
Belal Hamideh’s deep experience in truck accident law provides distinct advantages that can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Here’s why his background matters:
In-Depth Knowledge of Trucking Industry Practices
Belal Hamideh has spent years handling truck accident cases, giving him first hand insight into how trucking companies operate. He understands the common shortcuts and violations that lead to accidents, such as:
- Pressure on drivers to exceed legal driving hours
- Skipping mandatory vehicle maintenance to save costs
- Improper cargo loading procedures that create hazards
- Use of outdated or defective trucking equipment
This insider perspective allows him to anticipate defense tactics and build stronger cases for his clients.
Mastery of Federal and State Trucking Regulations
Truck accident cases involve layers of regulations that don’t apply to ordinary car crashes. Belal Hamideh’s practice focuses on these specific laws, including:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules
- California’s unique commercial vehicle requirements
- Hours-of-service logbook regulations
- Weight limit and cargo securement standards
His ability to immediately spot regulatory violations gives clients an edge when proving liability.
Experience Handling High-Stakes Truck Accident Claims
Belal Hamideh has successfully resolved numerous complex truck accident cases involving:
- Fatal multi-vehicle collisions caused by trucker fatigue
- Underride accidents where cars become trapped beneath trailers
- Jackknife crashes resulting from poorly maintained brakes
- Hazardous material spills requiring environmental cleanup claims
This track record demonstrates his ability to handle even the most challenging truck accident scenarios.
Understanding of Insurance Company Tactics
Commercial truck insurers employ aggressive strategies to minimize payouts. Belal Hamideh’s experience enables him to:
- Recognize lowball settlement offers immediately
- Counter claims that victims were partially at fault
- Dispute attempts to blame mechanical failures on “unavoidable defects”
- Prevent insurers from destroying or “losing” critical evidence
His assertive approach prevents clients from being taken advantage of during the claims process.
Personalized Attention to Each Client’s Needs
Unlike some injury firms, Belal Hamideh provides:
- Direct access to your attorney throughout the case
- Customized legal strategies based on your specific injuries and circumstances
- Willingness to visit accident scenes personally when needed
- Attention to both immediate and long-term recovery needs
This client-focused approach ensures no detail is overlooked in building your strongest possible case. This comes through in his client reviews.
Commitment to Holding Trucking Companies Accountable
Belal Hamideh takes pride in forcing unsafe trucking operations to change their practices by:
- Pursuing maximum damages that impact corporate decision-making
- Bringing attention to repeat safety violations
- Working with regulatory agencies to report dangerous carriers
- Using past case outcomes to strengthen new claims
This dedication not only helps individual clients but makes roads safer for everyone.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney?
Belal works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. He only collects a fee if they win your case. This arrangement allows injury victims to access high-quality legal representation without financial stress. Schedule a free case evaluation today if you or someone you love were hurt in a truck accident.