Eureka Truck Accident Lawyer

Every day, commercial trucks travel in and out of Eureka, carrying shipments that arrive at the nearby Port of Humboldt Bay (Port Eureka), transporting agricultural or oil exports to other parts of the country, and even bringing shipments to local stores. While these shipments are vital to the economy and the convenience of living in Eureka, where there are large trucks, there is the risk of accidents.

Thousands of truck accidents occur in California each year, including many in Eureka. Though we hope you and your family will never fall victim to a catastrophic truck accident, the team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel is standing by to help you obtain compensation for the expenses and psychological effects of such an event. For your free case evaluation, contact us today.

Call (855) 248-5659 for a free case evaluation

The Dangers Posed by Commercial Trucks on Roadways in Eureka
The Types of Injuries Sustained in Eureka Truck Accidents
Seeking Compensation After a Eureka Truck Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hire Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel to Help With Your Claim?

The Dangers Posed by Commercial Trucks on Roadways in Eureka

alifornia has the second-highest number of fatal commercial truck accidents in the nation, coming in behind only Texas. While most of these accidents occur in the southern part of the state, northern parts of California, including Eureka, also commonly see accidents involving commercial trucks, also known as semi-trucks or tractor-trailers.

Semi-trucks are massive vehicles, measuring around 72 feet long, 13.5 feet tall, and 8.5 feet wide. A semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which is 20 to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle.

The size of the vehicle results in several hazards for other roadway users, such as:

Significant blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle prevent the driver from quickly seeing other roadway users traveling in proximity to the truck
The need to make wide turns can cause the truck’s front tires to swing into an adjacent travel lane
An increased stopping distance due to the time it takes for the brakes to pull the significant weight of a commercial truck to a safe stop
A higher center of gravity, which makes the truck vulnerable to rolling over if the driver attempts emergency maneuvers like swerving or taking a sharp corner or curve at speed
A higher ground clearance, which can cause smaller vehicles to slip beneath the truck during an accident
The number of miles put on a heavy vehicle, which can cause parts such as the tires and brakes to wear prematurely
The number of hours long-haul truck drivers work can result in driver fatigue and make them more likely to be involved in an accident

Causes of Truck Accidents in Eureka

The drivers of commercial trucks must obtain a special license to drive the truck, known as a commercial driver’s license (CDL). As part of obtaining and maintaining the CDL, the driver must get training on the basics of operating the vehicle and submit to random, periodic drug and alcohol screenings.

Additionally, CDL holders are subject to lower impairment limits for alcohol than other adults in California and must avoid traffic tickets that can result in the suspension of their license. Despite these precautionary measures, truck drivers commit the same negligent actions that lead to accidents as other drivers.

These actions can include:

Distracted driving, with common distractions for truck drivers including texting and other hand-held device use, eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting GPS or other controls, communicating with their dispatcher, and other people or vehicles
Speeding further increases the distance the truck needs to come to a complete stop and makes it even harder to maneuver the bulky vehicle
Impairment by alcohol or drugs, including prescription or over-the-counter medications
Failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections or when merging into a new lane of travel
Failure to perform a pre-trip safety inspection or commit to a routine service schedule for the truck

While negligent roadway users, including the truck drivers, cause most truck accidents, some Eureka truck accidents result from defective vehicle parts, which are the responsibility of the manufacturing chain, including the distributor or retailer of the faulty product.

Call (855) 248-5659 for a free case evaluation

The Types of Injuries Sustained in Eureka Truck Accidents

Due to the size differential between commercial trucks and other vehicles and pedestrians on the roadway, truck accident injuries tend to be extremely serious.

The most severe injuries are to the brain and spinal cord. These injuries generally produce permanent disabilities that impair the sufferer’s ability to earn an income.

Other types of injuries associated with truck accidents include:

Broken bones
Amputated limbs
Burns
Soft tissue injuries
Internal injuries
Lacerations

Seeking Compensation After a Eureka Truck Accident

As a victim of a truck accident, California allows you to use the civil court system to file a legal claim within two years of the injury. Claims most often resolve before the case appears in court, and the most common resolution is a negotiated settlement.

A personal injury or wrongful death claim generally begins with a demand made by your attorney to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. The insurance provider can then either agree to pay the claim, deny the claim and provide a reason for the denial to the claimant, or offer a settlement for less than the value of the claim in exchange for a fast, out-of-court resolution.

Your attorney will negotiate with the insurer to get the amount of the settlement offer closer to the value of the claim. If the insurance provider fails to make a fair offer, your lawyer can file a lawsuit in court. However, settlement offers can be made at any time before the court decides on the matter, and it is not unusual for settlement offers to come while the trial takes place.

Compensation for a Personal Injury

Individuals injured in a Eureka truck accident can seek compensation for:

Medical expenses
Wage loss
Loss of future earning capacity
Property damage
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress

Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury

As explained, truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. This type of injury generally leaves the sufferer with permanent disabilities that prevent them from earning an income. Catastrophic injury claims follow the same personal injury process but require a higher level of compensation to account for the future medical expenses the claimant will likely incur and the loss of future earning capacity.

Compensation for a Wrongful Death

If you lost a spouse or domestic partner, parent, or other loved one due to a Eureka truck accident, you can seek compensation for your losses through a wrongful death claim.

The type of compensation you can pursue through your claim includes payment for expenses and impacts such as:

Medical expenses incurred from the treatment of the deceased’s final injuries
The expenses associated with a funeral, and burial or cremation
The loss of income and other benefits the deceased would have likely earned if they had survived
The loss of financial support the deceased provided to their family members
The loss of companionship, affection, love, guidance, and moral support provided by the deceased to their family members

Frequently Asked Questions About Eureka Truck Accidents

Is the truck driver always liable in a Eureka truck accident?

No. There are several potential sources of liability in a truck accident, including:

The truck driver.
The trucking company that employs the driver and must ensure they are appropriately licensed and trained to perform the job duties safely. Trucking companies may also bear the responsibility to maintain and insure the truck.
The shipper, in some cases, who is tasked with ensuring that the truck and its driver comply with federal regulations and correctly load the cargo
Other drivers, whose reckless and careless actions resulted in an accident involving a truck. Many pile-up accidents involving more than two vehicles result from one negligent driver.
The manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of defective parts used on the truck or other vehicles.

What is the average settlement for a Eureka truck accident?

A settlement represents the unique outcome of a single case and the willingness of both parties to agree to resolve the claim out of court.

Every case involves different factors, such as:

The severity of the injuries involved
The amount of insurance the at-fault party has
The amount of income the claimant was making before the injury and the likelihood that they will be able to return to their job without a loss of earning capacity resulting from the injury
The patience of the claimant in waiting for an offer that will fairly compensate them

Because of all these factors, there is no average settlement. Moreover, the experienced attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel are committed to getting the compensation our clients need to recover fully from their injuries. We do not aim for average settlements.

What types of services can a lawyer provide for my Eureka truck accident claim?

Some of the services a lawyer can provide:

Valuing your claim
Determining liable parties
Managing communication with the at-fault party’s insurance provider to protect the value of your claim from common insurance company tactics and negotiate the settlement you deserve
Gathering evidence and witness testimony
Guiding you so you can make informed decisions about your case
Litigation services
Assistance collecting your settlement or award

I can’t afford an attorney. Can I still file a claim?

You can still file a claim. Moreover, thanks to the contingent fee billing method we use, you can afford to hire us. Truck accidents are complex and require advanced investigations to obtain the evidence necessary to prove the claim.

Deadlines, court formalities, the discovery process, the process of valuing their claim, and understanding the documentation they need to collect from their doctors often overwhelm individuals who represent themselves.

Why Hire Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel to Help With Your Claim?

attorney russel reiner - Reiner Slaughter Mainzer & Frankel - california injury attorney

Russel Reiner, Eureka Truck Accident Lawyer

The trucking industry is heavily regulated. While this offers some protections for other users of the roadways, it makes personal injury and wrongful death claims particularly complex. Reiner, Slaughter & Franke l have been helping individuals obtain compensation for the expenses they incurred in truck accidents for 40 years, garnering more than $600 million for our clients in negotiated settlements and court awards.

No two cases are alike, so we are proud to offer personalized legal solutions for accidents of all kinds. Let our legal team answer your questions about your case during your free case evaluation. Contact us online or by calling (707) 445-9628.