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Santa Barbara Truck Accident Lawyer

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Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys represent truck accident victims in Santa Barbara.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident, we can connect you to medical resources, build a strong case on your behalf, and help you get the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

The legal process can seem overwhelming, especially while trying to recover from a major injury, but we’re here to guide you step-by-step and make the process easy.

Contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation to see what legal options are available to you.

When Truck Accident Victims Should Contact a Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’ve most likely suffered serious injuries. But if you’ve only suffered minor scratches and bruises, then it is unlikely you’ll need an attorney; however, it never hurts to consult with one.

We recommend consulting with a Truck Accident Attorney at Quirk if the following scenarios occur:

  • There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. At Quirk, we can help you build a strong case to receive fair compensation.
  • Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident, you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
  • Fault: If you are blamed for the truck accident, but are not at fault, our attorneys can protect you and assign liability to the at-fault parties. At Qurik, we can also help minimize liability if you are found at fault.
  • Liability: If you’re concerned about your liability limits, insurance status, or lack of insurance, Qurik Accident & Injury Attorneys can help you, even in difficult situations.
  • Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. The Truck Accident Attorneys at Quirk can manage the legalities with multiple parties, and your best interests are protected against everyone involved.
  • False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, we will gather evidence to support your claim.

Oftentimes, truck accident victims are not prepared to manage their injuries and life-changing financial losses on their own. And navigating the legal aftermath further complicates the situation. Recovering damages involves understanding trucking regulations, insurance coverage, and liability investigations. We understand that all of this sounds overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here to help injured victims in Santa Barbara. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Get a Free Consultation

Qurik Accident & Injury Attorneys offers a free consultation to all injured victims in Santa Barbara. Our Personal Injury Attorneys are here to discuss the details of your incident at no cost to you and evaluate if you have an injury claim and the next steps you should take. 

Everything you discuss with us is protected under attorney-client privilege, even if you decide not to take legal action.

For more information, contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

How Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help Injured Truck Accident Victims

At Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, we provide the following services for truck accident victims in Santa Barbara:

  • Investigating and determining wrongdoing or recklessness: Trucking accidents are complicated due to the number of victims and liable parties involved. There will be several people to get statements from, and some parties may only be discussing their involvement through their attorneys.
  • Collecting and preserving key evidence: Trucking logs, street cameras, dash cams, and witness statements are all key points of evidence for your case. Our lawyers will take the proper legal steps to obtain this information and strengthen your claim.
  • Communicating with insurance companies and other attorneys: With trucking companies and drivers having insurance, it is recommended to have an attorney speak to the insurance adjusters on your behalf. Oftentimes, insurance companies will attempt to trick you into taking part of the blame or get you to say something that hurts your claim. Our attorneys will protect you from liability and your right to fair compensation.
  • Proving liability: with several parties being involved, any number of them could have caused or contributed to the incident. This makes determining and proving liability challenging. Our attorneys will assign a team of investigators to determine the cause of the accident, identify all liable parties, and hold those responsible for compensating you for your damages.

What to Do After a Santa Barbara Truck Accident

Truck accidents happen more often in Santa Barbara than you might think. For example, an overturned on Highway 101 between Ventura and Santa Barabara, causing multiple collisions, according to the Santa Barbara Independent. Another example also occurred on Highway 101 near Gaviota, where a sem-truck hit another driver head-on, resulting in fatal injuries to both parties, according to KSBY.

As you can see, a truck accident in the Santa Barbara area can be life-altering. So, if you’re involved in a traumatic truck accident, we recommend the following steps to protect your safety and liability in the incident:

  • Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor (which is unlikely in a truck accident), they can manifest into something much worse weeks later. So, it is recommended to check in with a doctor to make sure everything is okay.
  • Call the Police: Failing to alert the police does not help your case, especially if the case comes down to your word over the truck driver. A police officer will file an accident report and may even assign blame based on their collision assessment. A police report is critical evidence in any claim and will play a key role in ensuring you are fully compensated.
  • Gather Evidence: You should document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take pictures of the damage to your car, to the truck, your injuries, skid marks on the road, and street signs or landmarks. Take a video of yourself recounting the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. And if there are any eyewitnesses, be sure to get their names and numbers as they can testify on your behalf or provide a statement to corroborate your story.
  • Collect Information: Exchange insurance information with the driver, and be sure to get their name, phone number, and contact information.
  • Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys: Our firm is standing by to help truck accident victims in Santa Barbara physically and financially recover. Call, text, or email. Our door is always open to the Santa Barbara community, and we’d love to help you through this difficult time.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

With thousands of trucks driving around the country every day, truck accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence. In 2020, truck accidents made up 11% of all deadly accidents in the United States. The most common truck accidents are:

  • Jackknife accidents: This happens when the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle. This usually happens when the brakes are applied suddenly or the driver loses control
  • Rear-end collision: Occurs when the truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it
  • Underride accident: These accidents are the most deadly because they occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck
  • T-bone collisions: side-impact crashes happen when the truck hits the side of another vehicle
  • Rollover accidents: Occur when a truck flips over on its roof due to taking a sharp turn, speeding, or improper loading.

Common Liable Parties for a Santa Barbara Truck Accident

With the number of trucks traveling in and out of Santa Barbara every day, the city is at a much higher risk of trucking accidents than most other places. In 2020, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 28% more fatalities from large truck crashes than in previous years. The most common liable parties in these trucking accidents include:

  • The truck driver: as is the case for most truck drivers, they will most likely not be held liable because the company they drive for is responsible for their actions. However, if the employee is an independent contractor and not associated with a company, then you may be able to bring a claim against the individual driver.
  • The truck company: As stated above, the truck company is liable for the actions of its employees when they commit a careless or wrong act within the scope of employment, according to California’s Respondeat Superior Law, which states:
    • “The employer or a principal could be held vicariously liable for an unlawful or unjust act of an employee or an agent. For the employer or the principal to be vicariously liable under the respondeat superior, the employer or the agent must commit the wrongful act while working in the scope of the employment agency.”
  • A third party: Another driver, a government body, a road construction crew, or a truck maintenance company could also be liable if their reckless or careless actions resulted in an accident.

Typical Compensation for a Truck Accident in Santa Barbara

If you’re injured in a truck accident in Santa Barbara, you may be able to receive compensation for your damages. There are three damages you can claim that will have a substantial impact on the amount of compensation you can receive. However, it is important to know that every truck accident case is different, and there are other factors other than damages that can partially impact what you can receive.

Damage you are entitled to claim after a truck accident include:

  • Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
    • Medical bills
    • Lost Wages
    • Loss of future potential earnings
    • Loss of property
    • Cost of repairs
  • Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
    • Reckless behavior
    • Actions performed out of spite

It is important to note the final settlement amount varies widely depending on the circumstances of each case and the severity of your damages. It is recommended to consult with a Truck Accident Attorney at Quirk to fully understand the value of your case.

FAQs

How long does it take to settle a truck accident claim in California?

Truck accident claims typically take 6 months to a year to settle. However, the more complicated the case, the longer it usually takes.

This all depends on the severity of your injury, as well as how long your quality of life has been affected. One of our Truck Accident Attorneys can help you determine what your case is worth.

Each attorney charges a different rate, but their fee typically only comes out of the final settlement if they win your case. At Quirk, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only charge you if we win your case. Otherwise, there are zero fees for our services.

Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys | Santa Barbara Truck Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the carelessness of a truck driver in Santa Barbara, the Truck Accident Attorneys at Quirk can help. We understand how to deal with insurance companies and protect your right to fair compensation. Unlike other law firms, we offer a personalized legal plan for your truck accident case. And if liability is in question, then we will take immediate legal action to minimize your fault or remove it from your case entirely.

See what legal options are available to you by contacting Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation and case review.