Westwood Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a truck accident in Westwood? 

We are trial-tested truck accident lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter.

If you have been injured in a collision with a commercial truck in Westwood, an attorney can help you pursue compensation from the trucking company, the driver, and any other parties whose negligence caused the crash. Our Westwood, CA truck accident lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group handles truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Founding attorney Wayne R. Cohen has represented truck accident victims since 1991. Contact our office for a free consultation.

Truck Accident Lawyer Westwood, CA

A truck accident case is a personal injury claim filed by someone injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, or other large vehicle used for business purposes. These cases differ from standard car accident claims because they typically involve commercial insurance policies with higher coverage limits, federal and state trucking regulations, and multiple potentially liable parties including the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the vehicle maintenance provider.

Westwood sits near the I-405 corridor, one of the most heavily trafficked freeways in Southern California. Large trucks traveling to and from the Port of Los Angeles, regional distribution centers, and commercial delivery routes regularly pass through the area. Collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles at freeway on-ramps, along Wilshire Boulevard, and at major intersections near commercial zones in Westwood are not uncommon. A truck accident attorney in Westwood, CA can investigate the crash, preserve critical evidence such as the truck’s electronic logging device and maintenance records, and build a claim against all responsible parties.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Westwood

Truck crashes take many forms, and the type of collision affects how liability is established and which federal or state safety regulations may have been violated. We handle truck accident cases for Westwood residents, including:

• Rear-end collisions. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds and requires significantly more stopping distance than a passenger vehicle. When a truck driver follows too closely or fails to brake in time, the force of a rear-end collision can be devastating. Back injuries, spinal cord damage, and whiplash are common results.
• Jackknife accidents. When a truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, it can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic and strike several vehicles. Jackknife accidents are often triggered by sudden braking, wet roads, or improper load distribution.
• Underride crashes. A passenger vehicle that slides beneath the rear or side of a truck trailer in a collision faces catastrophic outcomes. The roof of the smaller vehicle can be sheared off entirely. These crashes carry among the highest fatality rates of any truck accident type.
• Wide-turn accidents. Truck drivers making right turns must swing wide to clear the turn, and that maneuver can trap or crush vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians positioned to the right of the truck. Blind spots and the length of the trailer make these turns particularly hazardous.
• Blindspot collisions. Large trucks have extensive blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer, and in front of the cab. A truck driver who changes lanes or merges without accounting for vehicles in those zones can cause a serious collision.
• Cargo spills. Improperly secured, overloaded, or unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transit and cause the truck to roll over or lose its load onto the roadway. Other vehicles that strike spilled cargo or swerve to avoid it can suffer significant damage and injury.
• Tire blowouts. A blown tire on a commercial truck can send debris across the road and cause the driver to lose control. Defective tires, poor maintenance, and overloading all increase the risk. Other motorists struck by tire debris or involved in the resulting crash may have claims against the trucking company and the tire manufacturer.
• Rollover accidents. Speeding on curves, top-heavy loads, and driver overcorrection can all cause a truck to roll onto its side or roof. Rollover crashes often block multiple lanes and can involve several vehicles.
• Hazmat incidents. Trucks carrying flammable, corrosive, or toxic materials present additional risks when involved in a crash. A collision that ruptures a hazmat container can cause burn injuries, chemical exposure, and environmental contamination that affects everyone in the immediate area.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Westwood, CA?

Experienced Representation Against Trucking Companies

Attorney Wayne R. Cohen has represented truck accident victims since 1991. His legal analysis has been featured by CNBC, the LA Times, USA Today, and the ABA Journal. Wayne graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan and cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, and he teaches as a Professorial Lecturer at GWU Law School. He founded Cohen Injury Law Group and has spent more than 35 years building and trying personal injury cases on the plaintiff side. Over his career, attorney Wayne Cohen has recovered millions of dollars for clients with serious injuries.

Nicholas E. Cohen, the firm’s Managing Partner, oversees litigation strategy and case operations. A graduate of USC and Loyola Law School Los Angeles, he brings legal training and business management perspective to the firm’s client work.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Westwood, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group represents injured plaintiffs only. We do not represent trucking companies, their insurers, or any other defendants. Every truck accident case is handled on a contingency basis.

What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases

Because of the size and weight disparity between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, the injuries sustained in truck accidents are frequently catastrophic. Occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs, internal organ injuries, and severe burns. Many of these injuries result in permanent disability or require years of ongoing medical care.

Economic damages include hospital bills, surgical costs, rehabilitation, assistive devices, prescription medication, and wages lost during recovery. When the injuries prevent the victim from returning to work at the same capacity, diminished future earning capacity is a major component of the claim. Noneconomic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the ways the injuries have diminished the person’s quality of life. In cases where a truck accident results in a death, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.

What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident claims are more complex than standard motor vehicle cases for several reasons, and getting the investigation started quickly is one of the most important factors.

• Trucking companies and their insurers often send their own investigators to the scene within hours of a crash. If you do not have an attorney preserving evidence on your behalf, critical records such as the electronic logging device data, driver qualification files, and maintenance logs may be altered or destroyed before you have access to them.
• Multiple parties can share liability. The truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the maintenance provider, the vehicle manufacturer, and in some cases the entity that hired the trucking company can all bear responsibility depending on the facts.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations set strict standards for driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and drug and alcohol testing. Violations of these regulations are strong evidence of negligence.
• Insurance adjusters working for trucking companies are experienced at minimizing payouts. They will look for any opportunity to shift blame onto the injured driver or argue that the injuries are less severe than claimed.

What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?

Truck accident cases often take longer to resolve than car accident cases because the stakes are higher, the liability is more complex, and the insurance policies are larger. A general outline of the process follows.

• Medical treatment and stabilization come first. Truck accident injuries frequently require emergency surgery, ICU stays, and months of rehabilitation before the injured person reaches maximum medical improvement.
• Your attorney immediately sends a spoliation letter to the trucking company to preserve all evidence, including the truck’s black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and dispatch communications.
• After treatment concludes, your attorney calculates the full value of the claim and prepares a demand package for the trucking company’s insurer.
• Settlement negotiations can take months. If the insurer does not offer a fair amount, your attorney files a lawsuit. Discovery, depositions, and trial preparation follow.
• California provides a two-year statute of limitations under CCP 335.1 for personal injury claims, including truck accident cases.

What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?

Having your materials organized before the first meeting allows your attorney to begin building the case immediately.

• The police report or California Highway Patrol report from the crash
• Photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
• Medical records and bills from emergency treatment and follow-up care
• Documentation of lost wages or changes in employment status
• Any correspondence from the trucking company’s insurer

Your attorney will review the documentation, explain how federal and California trucking regulations apply, and outline the next steps.

What Are Important California Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?

Truck accident cases are governed by a combination of California personal injury law and federal trucking safety regulations. The following resources provide a starting point for locating the applicable statutes and data.

• CCP 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California, including truck accident cases.
• California Civil Code 1714 defines the general duty of care that truck drivers, trucking companies, and all other persons owe to others on the road.
• The California Courts Self-Help Center provides guidance on filing a personal injury lawsuit and what to expect during the civil litigation process.
• The FMCSA Large Truck Crash Facts report provides national statistics on fatal, injury, and property damage crashes involving large trucks and buses.
• The FMCSA safety data portal offers access to trucking company safety records, inspection results, and crash data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a truck accident in Westwood, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group can help you pursue compensation from the trucking company and its insurer. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Your first consultation is free. Contact us to schedule a case review.