Common Truck Accidents Truck Accident Causes Truck Accident FAQ's Truck Insurance Choosing a Lawyer

$5 Million against construction companies for a truck/auto accident.

$1.9 Million for a pedestrian vs. truck accident.

$1 Million for a Concord woman who lost control of her minivan and struck a traffic pole after being sideswiped by a big rig.

$1 Million for minor client who was a passenger in a van which rear-ended a big rig on I-5.

$750,000 for Plaintiff who was severely injured while riding his motorcycle when defendant backed his pickup truck into the street from a blind driveway.

$730,000 for a pedestrian vs. truck accident.

$625,000 for the victim of a pedestrian vs. truck accident in Oakland.

$197,500 for the victim of a truck accident on Interstate 80.

$125,000 for severe leg fracture when tractor-trailer turned in front of motorcycle.

$120,000 for Plaintiff who suffered a severe fracture when a garbage truck pulled into his path as he was riding his motorcycle to work.

More Case Results

Truck Accident FAQ

What should I do after a truck accident?

The first thing you should do is get out of harm's way and get medical help for anyone who was injured. After that, you should call the police; in addition to helping clear the roadway, they will write a report with their professional opinion on how the accident happened. Take down the names, insurance information and phone numbers of all the drivers and passengers involved. And call your insurance company as soon as possible -- in some cases, waiting too long could hurt your claim. In California, you also must report an accident to the DMV if it caused a death, injury or more than $750 worth of property damage.

At the scene, you should photograph or write down all the conditions and evidence: skid marks, damage to vehicles, the sequence of events as you remember them and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Keep all the paperwork related to the accident. If a trucking company sends attorneys or agents to settle with you, politely refuse to speak with them. Instead, call Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen for a free and confidential evaluation of your case.

Should I go to the hospital or my doctor even if I feel fine?

Yes, and the sooner, the better. Injuries, especially head injuries, can be subtle or have no symptoms at first, especially if the victim is in shock. A pain that may seem minor at first can turn into a serious problem over time. It's important to have a medical professional examine you to detect symptoms you may miss and provide an expert opinion. And if you decide to pursue litigation later, the paperwork generated by a medical visit will help you show that you did your best to avoid and treat any injury.

My insurance company won't cover my accident, even though I thought it had to. What can I do?

If an insurer refuses to pay a claim that it's legally bound to pay, that's called insurance bad faith and it is not legal. Some insurers try this, thinking accident victims are too ignorant or powerless to fight them. You can prove them wrong with the help of a trucking accident attorney from Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen. Our experienced insurance bad faith attorneys will explain your coverage, negotiate aggressively with insurers and, if necessary, take them to court.

Can I afford an attorney?

Yes! Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen almost always works on contingency, which means we don't get a cent until we win your case. At that time, the firm will take a percentage of the verdict or settlement. We will decide on that percentage when we draw up the contract we sign when you agree to hire us. We don't even charge for the initial consultation, in which you tell us about your case and we give you an experienced legal opinion on it.

Should I sue? I don't think the truck driver has much money.

Truck drivers may or may not have much money, but it's unlikely that the truck driver was the only one who contributed to your injuries. The accident may also have been caused by a trucking company that encouraged unsafe behavior or provided unsafe equipment; a manufacturer of defective truck equipment; another driver or passenger; or a government agency that designed or maintained an unsafe road.

Only you can decide whether you want to file a lawsuit. However, if your attorney works on contingency, like Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen, your expenses will be very little. And you could collect a significant amount of money to compensate you for injuries, costs and your pain and suffering.