Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer

The team at Child & Jackson is here to support the victims of Sacramento truck accidents as they address the hardships and challenges created by this potentially devastating and life-altering incident.

If you or a family member has become the victim of an accident involving a big rig in Sacramento, know that our truck accident lawyers are eager to provide a free consultation and case evaluation to ensure you understand the legal merit of your case and the gravity of these brutal accidents. Also know that even after gathering a great deal of information and guidance from our Sacramento truck accident lawyer, you are never obligated to hire Child & Jackson or take any legal action. The choice to move forward with legal action is always up to you.

Do I Need a Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer?

The short answer is no; you are not legally required to hire a Sacramento truck accident lawyer to file a lawsuit. But there is much more to consider than what your legal obligation is. When you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, the chances of the incident resulting in only minor injuries and losses are rare. These accidents typically cause massive damage due to the sheer size and weight of a semi, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while your car, truck, or SUV is in the range of 3,000 to 7,000 pounds. All of these facts point to a case that will include significant medical expenses and other damages as you address your damaged or destroyed vehicle, loss of other personal property, and loss of income.

Handling your own truck accident lawsuit or even working with the liable party’s insurance company to resolve the matter is going to take time, energy, and skills that you might not be ready to dedicate to the process. Consider that you are the only one who can invest the time and effort needed to heal, rehab, and overcome your Sacramento truck accident injuries. Conversely, the truck accident lawyers at Child & Jackson are more than ready to handle every aspect of your lawsuit so that you can focus on your mental, emotional, and physical healing and well-being. Finally, know that a truck accident lawsuit or settlement handled by a legal professional like the Child & Jackson team will typically result in a far more robust compensation or settlement amount than one litigated or negotiated by the injury victim. Entrust your health and care to medical professionals, and the legal pros at Child & Jackson will resolve your Sacramento truck accident case with an equal level of dedication and success.

Request Your Free Consultation Today

After an accident with a semi-truck in Sacramento, there are sure to be many questions and uncertainties that are clouding your thoughts.

The simple solution to these many unknowns is a free consultation and case evaluation with the truck accident lawyers at Child & Jackson.

Soon, you will have a clear understanding of your ability to pursue legal action, the possible outcomes for the case, and how our team can focus on securing the financial help you need to eliminate the mounting bills and losses that are adding to your daily stress.

Keep in mind, you are never required to move forward with legal action or hire our firm.

 The initial goal is only to provide you with valuable information and peace of mind that there are solutions to the issues you face. And the choices for your future are always up to you.

Understanding Truck Accident Liability

When you imagine a truck accident in Sacramento or see the remains of a truck and other vehicles along the road after an accident, the huge truck almost jumps out at you. The sheer size of the truck evokes thoughts about how the truck driver caused that incident and the carnage. In many instances, you are on the right path in thinking that the truck driver was negligent and the result was a massive truck accident because the driver was:

  • Driving while under the influence of a mind-altering substance
  • Operating the rig beyond the legal time limit for driving and was overly tired
  • Driving at a rate of speed that was unacceptable for the current road or weather conditions or over the legal speed limit
  • In a state of road rage or anger
  • Distracted by technology, eating a meal, or doing anything that took attention away from complete focus on operating an 80,000-pound vehicle in a safe manner

While all of those issues could be a cause or a contributing factor in a Sacramento truck accident, it is vital that you know there can be other contributing factors or causes that are far beyond the truck driver. Other liable parties in the incident can include:

  • The owner of the truck
  • A truck leasing company
  • The maintenance company hired to service the truck
  • The freight company that loaded the truck
  • The manufacturer of the truck
  • Other vehicle drivers
  • The city, state, or federal agency or entity responsible for the road care
  • Nearby property owners along the site of the accident

Common Truck Accidents in Sacramento

As the capital city of California, Sacramento is a busy area where I-5 and I-80 converge. These are major highways for north-to-south and east-to-west trucking of goods and components used nationwide. With the large number of trucks moving through and around the city, there is always the potential for a truck accident caused by a poor choice by a truck driver or by a passenger vehicle running near a big rig. The result of just a fraction of a second of a lapse in judgment can result in a Sacramento truck accident that might include:

  • Loss of cargo or the entire load
  • A head-on collision
  • Side swipe incident
  • A truck or other vehicle being run off the road
  • A runaway truck
  • Rollover truck accident
  • A DUI accident
  • Accident caused by an overloaded truck
  • Truck accident caused by a vehicle or equipment failure
  • Wide turn accident
  • Truck involved hit and run
  • Failure to yield or left turn accident

Establishing the Value of a Sacramento Truck Accident

When you sit down with a Child & Jackson truck accident lawyer, you will learn a great deal more about the possible value of your truck accident lawsuit. The process of determining the value of your lawsuit will involve compiling all of your economic damages, or items with a clear dollar value, as well as those called non-economic damages because they are more focused on quality of life than a financial loss.

Common economic damages tabulated in your Sacramento truck accident lawsuit include:

  • All current and future medical expenses related to the truck accident injuries
  • The cost of transportation to your medical appointments
  • Any expenses for therapy or counseling to address the trauma and emotional harm caused by the accident
  • Your lost wages if the truck accident injuries prevent you from working
  • Potential lost earnings if the truck accident injuries result in a disability that will limit your earning capacity or capability in the future
  • The cost to repair or replace any personal property damaged or destroyed in the incident

The non-economic damages that are frequently included in a truck accident lawsuit are:

  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of daily activities and family life
  • Loss of the ability to participate in the lives and activities of loved ones like children or grandchildren
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Ongoing emotional challenges like depression, anxiety, or PTSD

Statute of Limitations for a Sacramento Truck Accident

Victims of a truck accident in Sacramento typically have 2 years from the date of the accident to have their case prepared and filed with the court. The time limit is strictly enforced, and once it has expired, the victim loses the right to pursue legal action for damages arising from this incident. If the semi-truck involved in your Sacramento truck accident was owned and operated by a local, state, or federal government entity or agency, that time limit is significantly reduced. In these cases, you are given only six months from the date of the accident to have your case filed with the court.

For more information on these time limits and the time needed to prepare a Sacramento truck accident lawsuit, reach out to Child & Jackson today to request a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Sacramento

In most cases involving a truck accident in Sacramento, the matter is resolved through negotiation. This occurs long before the case ever goes to court. It is most likely that your Child & Jackson truck accident lawyer will resolve your case with a settlement instead of the more time-consuming process of taking the lawsuit to court.

Yes, you can still pursue legal action if you were named partially liable for the Sacramento truck accident. California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means liability for an accident can be shared among multiple parties. If that is what happens in your truck accident case, you will be permitted to pursue the portion of your damages that is equal to the share of the accident liability assigned to the other party in the crash. If you are 25% liable, you would be able to seek up to 75% of the damages you sustained from the truck driver who was liable for that share of the accident.

All accidents and lawsuits are as unique as the parties involved. There are no standard time limits or completion times for these cases. However, you can be well prepared by having documentation, photos, and all your medical records ready so your legal team at Child & Jackson can prepare the case as quickly as possible. But the best way to get your Sacramento truck accident case resolved swiftly is to entrust it to the professionals at Child & Jackson. Other lawyers, insurance company staff, and law enforcement will know that you are focused and serious about resolving the matter when you have a legal team representing you and your best interests.

Contact a Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer

The stress of a truck accident is enough to slow your healing and cause you to lose sleep at night. The last thing you need is a fear of the unknown or the worries of trying to litigate the lawsuit on your own.

Reach out to Child & Jackson today for a free consultation and case evaluation to learn more about your rights and options as well as the services we offer. If you like what you hear, we will take on the case and never ask for any upfront legal fees or expenses.

We work on a contingency basis, so our clients never need to worry about affording the legal guidance they need and deserve. When your case is resolved, you can pay your legal fees and expenses from the compensation or settlement funds you received.

Erik E. Child
Partner & Personal Injury Attorney
Bryan Jackson
Partner & Personal Injury Attorney