A truck accident can be a life-altering event. They’re unlike any other accidentThe sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean that collisions often result in devastating injuries and more. You may also suffer emotional trauma, financial hardship, and worse. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, help is available. Belal Hamideh, a dedicated Palos Verdes truck accident lawyer, is here to help you navigate the legal complexities and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Belal Hamideh understands the unique challenges that truck accident cases present. From dealing with large trucking companies to interpreting federal regulations, he has the knowledge, experience, and determination to hold negligent parties accountable. Whether you’re dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, or the emotional toll of the accident, Belal can be by your side, advocating for your rights every step of the way.
What Makes a Truck Accident Different From Other Kinds of Accidents
Truck accidents are not like typical car accidents. The size and weight of commercial trucks—often weighing 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles—mean that collisions can cause catastrophic damage. The aftermath of a truck accident can leave victims with severe injuries, emotional scars, and financial burdens.
Additionally, truck accident cases are inherently complex due to the multiple parties involved and the stringent regulations governing the trucking industry.
The trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal and state laws designed to ensure safety. These regulations cover areas such as:
- Hours of Service: Limits on how long a driver can operate a truck without rest.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Requirements for regular inspections and repairs.
- Cargo Loading: Rules for securing and balancing cargo to prevent accidents.
Violations of these regulations can play a critical role in proving liability in a truck accident case.
Trucking companies typically carry large insurance policies, but their insurers are known for aggressively defending claims. They may try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Having a skilled lawyer like Belal Hamideh on your side is crucial to countering these tactics and securing the compensation you deserve.
Multiple Potentially Liable Parties
Unlike car accidents, where the driver is often the primary at-fault party, truck accidents can involve several potentially liable parties, including:
- The truck driver.
- The cargo loader or shipper.
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts.
- The trucking company.
- Government entities responsible for road maintenance.
Identifying all liable parties is essential to ensuring you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.
As his reviews show, Belal Hamideh has a proven track record of helping clients to recover the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, all too many of which are preventable. They include:
Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate without rest. However, some drivers and companies push these limits to meet tight deadlines, leading to fatigue and impaired driving.
Improper Maintenance
Failure to maintain brakes, tires, or other critical components can lead to mechanical failures and accidents.
Distracted Driving
Like all drivers, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other activities. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents on the road.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Cargo that is not properly secured can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable and leading to rollovers or spills.
Driving Under the Influence
Unfortunately, some truck drivers may continue operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, putting everyone on the road at risk.
Poor Training
Inadequate training can lead to unsafe driving practices, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Those are just some of the causes. There are many others. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, Belal Hamideh will investigate the cause of the crash and work to identify all liable parties.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Truck Accidents
The force of a collision with a commercial truck can cause devastating injuries, including:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBIs can result in long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Broken Bones
The impact of a truck accident can cause multiple fractures, often requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis or other life-altering conditions, significantly impacting your quality of life.
Internal Injuries
Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Burns
In cases where fires or explosions occur, victims may suffer severe burns, requiring specialized medical care.
Emotional Trauma
The psychological impact of a truck accident can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Belal Hamideh understands the profound impact these injuries can have on your life. He is committed to securing compensation that covers not only your medical expenses but also your pain and suffering, lost wages, and future needs.
An Palos Verdes Truck Accident Lawyer People Trust
When you’re looking for a Palos Verdes truck accident lawyer, you need someone who is not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and dedicated to your case. Belal Hamideh offers:
The Personalized Attention You Deserve
He takes the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and develop a strategy tailored to your specific needs, as every case is unique.
Going After the Insurance Companies As Aggressively As Possible
Trucking companies and their insurers often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Belal takes on these powerful entities and fights for the justice you deserve.
Success In More Than 2000 Cases
Belal has successfully represented numerous clients in truck accident cases, securing significant settlements and verdicts. His results speak for themselves.
Comprehensive Support Throughout the Process
From investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court, Belal handles every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
No Fees Unless You Win
Belal works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless he recovers compensation for you. This ensures that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To for Your Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Past, present, and future medical bills related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Monetary damages for the physical and emotional toll of your injuries.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Belal Hamideh will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Who Is Liable for Your Truck Accident?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, and determining liability can be complex. Unlike typical car accidents, where the driver is usually the primary at-fault party, truck accidents can involve several entities that may share responsibility.
Driver
The truck driver may be liable if their actions directly caused the accident. Examples of driver negligence include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Violating hours-of-service regulations (driving while fatigued).
- Speeding or reckless driving.
- Distracted driving
- Failing to follow traffic laws or safety protocols.
Trucking Company
Trucking companies are often liable for accidents due to their role in overseeing operations. Common reasons for liability include:
- Improper Hiring: Employing drivers with poor records or inadequate training.
- Failure to Maintain Vehicles: Not properly inspecting or repairing trucks, leading to mechanical failures.
- Poor Training: Failing to provide proper training on safety protocols or cargo loading.
- Pushing Drivers to Violate Regulations: Encouraging or forcing drivers to exceed legal driving hours to meet deadlines.
Truck Manufacturers/Parts Suppliers
If a defect in the truck or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or parts supplier could be liable. Examples include:
- Faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems.
- Malfunctioning electronic systems (e.g., GPS or collision avoidance systems).
Cargo Loaders/Shippers
Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause a truck to become unbalanced, leading to rollovers or spills. Liability may fall on:
- The company responsible for loading the cargo.
- The shipper if they provided incorrect weight or loading instructions.
Governmental Agencies
Inadequate road design or maintenance may contribute to an accident. If hazardous road conditions (e.g., lack of signage, potholes, or inadequate lighting) played a role, the government agency responsible for maintaining the road could be liable.
Others On the Road
While less common in truck accident cases, other drivers on the road may share liability if their actions contributed to the crash. For example, a car driver who cuts off a truck or fails to yield could be partially at fault. Belal will find all parties liable and bring a case against each of them.
How Your Truck Accident Case May Go
After identifying the at-fault parties, Belal will take the following steps to hold them accountable and secure compensation by:
Bringing a Claim Against Them
Belal will file a claim with the insurance companies of the liable parties.
Aggressive, Hard Negotiation
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Belal will use the evidence gathered to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, ensuring you receive fair compensation.
All the Recovery You Deserve
In cases where multiple parties are liable, Belal will pursue compensation from all available sources to maximize your recovery. This may involve filing separate claims or lawsuits against each at-fault party.
Why Belal Hamideh Can Be the Right Choice for Your Case
Truck accident cases are complex and require a lawyer who understands the intricacies of the trucking industry and the legal system. Belal Hamideh has the experience, resources, and dedication to handle these cases effectively. As his videos demonstrate, he provides:
- In-Depth Knowledge: Belal is well-versed in federal and state trucking regulations, giving him an edge in identifying violations and proving liability.
- Resourcefulness: He has access to a network of experts who can provide critical insights into your case.
- Tenacity: Belal is not afraid to take on large trucking companies and their insurers to fight for your rights.
- Compassion: He understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a truck accident and will treat your case with the care and attention it deserves.
Palos Verdes Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, it’s important to act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the degree of negligence involved. Belal Hamideh can provide a more accurate assessment after reviewing the details of your case.
What if the accident isn’t the fault of the truck driver?
Even if the truck driver was not at fault, other parties may still be liable. For example, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or vehicle manufacturers could share responsibility.
What You Should Do After a Truck Accident
The steps you take immediately following a truck accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t feel injured, some conditions may not manifest symptoms right away.
- Document the Scene: If you can do so safely, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle.
- Gather Information: Collect contact information from the truck driver, witnesses, and any other involved parties.
- Report the Accident: Notify law enforcement and ensure an official report is filed.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may try to get you to admit fault or settle for less than you deserve.
- Contact a Lawyer: Reach out to Belal Hamideh as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your case.
A Palos Verdes Truck Accident Lawyer That’s Ready to Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Palos Verdes, don’t wait to seek legal help. Belal Hamideh is here to stand by your side and fight for your rights.
Belal will review your case, explain your options, and help you take the first step toward recovery. Schedule a free case evaluation today.