Truck Accident Lawyer in Palo Alto, CA
Truck wrecks on highways surrounding Palo Alto often severely injure unsuspecting motorists. When these multi-ton big rigs smash into light vehicles, the damage inflicts grave harm. The truck accident lawyers at Moseley Collins Law have over 40 years of experience helping families pursue fair compensation after catastrophic collisions. If you or a loved one suffered harm from a negligent truck driver on roads around Palo Alto, learn why our firm provides the tireless representation urgently needed.
High volume routes intersecting Palo Alto like US-101, I-280 and SR-82 see a dangerous influx of large commercial trucks that heightens wreck risks. Our lawyers hold negligent truckers and their employers accountable by pinpointing:
- Driver violations of “Rules of the Road”
- Company failures with equipment maintenance
- Overloading cargo beyond legal weight limits
- Requiring exhausted truckers to drive excessive hours without rest
In serious injury cases, we immediately dispatch investigators to the crash site to preserve critical evidence before destruction or manipulation. For over 40 years, our firm has fought for maximum compensation for clients against powerful interest groups.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes Around Palo AltoSome common factors leading to truck accidents in the Palo Alto area include:
- Unsafe speeds on I-280 with its steep inclines
- Fatigued or distracted truckers traveling I-101 from the busy Port of San Francisco
- Sudden stops or swerving on SR-82 to avoid collisions
- Shifting cargo loads causing loss of control
- Intoxicated or drugged driving
- Defective parts like worn tires or failing brakes
- Aggressive behaviors like tailgating
Per the FMCSA, nearly 5,000 people die annually across America in truck crashes, with 90% involving occupants of light vehicles.
Palo Alto sits adjacent to trucker corridor US-101 connecting San Francisco to San Jose. Truck drivers hurrying to meet delivery deadlines often cut corners that turn deadly. Major carriers operating trucks through Palo Alto areas that contribute to accidents include FedEx, UPS, Estes Express Lines, US Foods, and the Department of Homeland Security with customs inspections.
Why Truck Wreck Claims Are More ComplexSeveral factors complicate pursuit of fair compensation:
- Multiple negligent parties - Drivers, companies, parts suppliers like tire makers, cargo loaders can share blame.
- Massive insurance policies with lower “per person” payout maximums, necessitating claims against multiple coverage plans.
- Lengthy crash reconstructions by engineering specialists to pinpoint root cause.
- Strict federal evidence rules unique to trucking wrecks.
- Trucking corporations quickly retaining defense experts to dispute damages.
Delays prove deeply frustrating for families desperate to cover expenses. Large insurers know time works in their favor. Having a lawyer intimately familiar with truck wreck complexities offers critical advantages.
Catastrophic Injuries From Truck AccidentsWhen a fully loaded 80,000-pound truck collides with a light passenger car, the damage and energy forces inflicted cause grave harm. The size discrepancy between large commercial vehicles and smaller sedans or SUVs means truck wrecks commonly result in catastrophic injuries for regular motorists. Some major types include:
Traumatic Brain InjuriesThe violent back and forth motion of heads during truck crashes leads to permanent destruction of brain tissue. Patients suffer extensive memory loss, concentration deficits, confusion, chronic headaches alongside personality changes that destroy lives.
Spinal Cord DamageThe overwhelming crushing forces of truck impacts frequently fracture vertebrae and sever spinal cords. This creates partial or total paralysis below the point of injury, vastly inhibiting mobility and independence.
Amputated LimbsBadly mangled appendages often require surgical amputation after grisly truck accidents. The sudden loss of arms or legs necessitates fitting prosthetics and learning entirely new methods for performing routine tasks.
Internal Organ DamageThe tremendous blunt forces of truck collisions transfer through the body, bursting or lacerating vulnerable internal organs. This leads to compromised organ function or shutdown causing long-term health complications.
Burn InjuriesTruck wrecks can ignite engine fires or explosion hazards from certain cargo loads. Victims sometimes suffer disfiguring second and third-degree burns over large body surface areas requiring extensive grafting and scar treatment procedures.
The physical and emotional toll from truck accident injuries stretch years as victims undergo repeated corrective surgeries and rigorous therapy regimens before reaching maximum recovery. Even then, permanent disabilities often diminish quality of life tremendously from pre-crash states.
Police Stations to Report Truck CrashesIf involved in a truck wreck in Palo Alto or surrounding region, immediately contact emergency services and law enforcement. Some local agencies include:
- Palo Alto Police Department - 275 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301. The PAPD patrols over 26 square miles serving around 70,000 citizens. They respond to truck accidents citywide.
- California Highway Patrol Redwood City - 580 Forest Lodge Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061. The CHP specializes in highway truck wrecks across San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Their MAIT Teams lead serious crash investigations.
- Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office - 55 W Younger Ave, San Jose, CA 95110. TheSCCSO assists with enforcement and truck crash response across unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.
Save a copy of the official police report containing witness statements and officer observations that prove invaluable in lawsuits later.
Why Retaining Our Firm Makes SenseWith over 40 years of combined litigation experience, the truck accident lawyers at Moseley Collins Law hold the skill to stand toe-to-toe against corporate defense firm tactics pressuring victims into quick, low settlements. We provide personalized counsel recognizing no two clients or legal matters are identical. Among our credentials:
- Millions of dollars recovered for clients
- Full-time medical staff to aptly value injury claims
- Certified accident reconstructionists among our Palo Alto area lawyers
- Proven record delivering California’s top results and settlements
- Hundreds of 5-Star review online
We prepare every case for trial from day one, unwilling to accept anything less than maximum value for harmed clients. Our reputation persists from treating each client like members of our own family.
We Serve Truck Accident Injury Victims in the Following Nearby Areas:- Stanford
- Mountain View
- Los Altos
- Sunnyvale
- Santa Clara
- Cupertino
No matter what stage of the aftermath you currently face, our lawyers make ourselves available for urgent consultations 24/7 by calling 800-426-5546. Let us provide compassionate guidance so you can focus energy on what matters most - healing.
What to Expect When Meeting Our Palo Alto LawyersDuring initial no-obligation consultations, our lawyers explain viable legal options after truck crashes in easily understood terms. We welcome any questions you may have. There is no fee for this service. Our lawyers provide transparent insight into factors like:
- All liable at-fault parties
- Navigating federal truck wreck regulations
- Estimating potential case settlement ranges
- Likely litigation timeframes depending on injuries
- Selecting the most effective legal experts from our in-house specialists
Kindly decline to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters without counsel present. Adjusters may use your words against you later. Our lawyers artfully negotiate these discussions to prevent exploitation.
Our Promise to Truck Accident Victims in Palo AltoDuring initial free consultations, one of our compassionate lawyers meets with you personally to evaluate potential legal options after truck crashes around Palo Alto. We encourage injured parties and family members to share details about the collision, commercial truck and driver involved and the harms inflicted so we can fully assess potential negligence factors. Families struggling to keep up with sudden expenses require strong advocates fighting for their best interests every step of the way. Please call us anytime at 800-426-5546 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)The statute of limitations for each individual case will vary and may be enlarged depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Thus, you are encouraged to contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible.
Our lawyers help clients recover compensation for all losses - medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, loss of consortium for spouses, and funeral costs in fatality claims. Let us fully account for the ways the wreck devastated your finances now and in the future.
Commercial carriers maintain high insurance minimums per federal law. Therefore, trucking companies and their insurers generally pay settlements, not individual employee drivers themselves. However, if a driver was independently negligent like driving drunk, they can share liability.
Case values vary drastically based on injury severity, impact on quality of life, available insurance coverage, and factors proving legal liability. An experienced lawyer should evaluate your specific case details before estimating its potential value range. Reach out for a free consultation.
Duration depends on injury recovery timeframes which differ by harm suffered. Minor soft tissue injuries may conclude within months while catastrophic spinal or brain trauma cases could continue for years before reaching an outcome. We regularly expedite matters through aggressive advocacy tailored to your unique needs.