Truck Accident Lawyer in Newport Beach

A truck accident will most likely leave you injured and in need of compensation to get your life back on track. Find out how much money the insurer should truly be paying you by speaking with a Newport Beach truck crash lawyer.

A collision with a commercial truck, often an 18-wheeler, is devastating and almost always results in significant personal injuries. Whether your case involves a traditional car accident or a more serious motorcycle accident, you need a specialized Newport Beach truck accident lawyer on your side.

At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we understand the complex federal regulations and aggressive tactics used by large trucking companies and their powerful insurers. Whether your accident was on the Pacific Coast Highway or the 73 Toll Road, our dedicated personal injury attorney team will fight to hold negligent parties accountable. We are committed to securing the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t face these corporate giants alone. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to protect your rights.

Navigating the Aftermath of a Commercial Truck Wreck

The aftermath of a collision with a commercial truck is profoundly different and more overwhelming than a typical car crash. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. The legal landscape is also far more complex; liability can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, its maintenance contractors, and cargo loaders. These corporations and their insurance carriers dispatch rapid-response teams to protect their interests, not yours. This is why you need a specialized Newport Beach truck accident lawyer immediately. At Kohan & Bablove, we understand the intricate federal regulations and launch our own investigation at once. A dedicated personal injury attorney from our team secures driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data, building a powerful case while you focus solely on your physical and emotional recovery. We bring order to the chaos.

The Kohan & Bablove Advantage: Why We Win Complex Truck Accident Claims

Choosing the right Newport Beach truck accident lawyer is a decision that defines the outcome of your case. The Kohan & Bablove advantage is our proven strategy, evidenced by our record of multi-million dollar recoveries in commercial trucking cases. We win because our personal injury attorney team excels at uncovering all liable parties, going beyond the driver to the negligent trucking company, maintenance crews, and cargo loaders. We achieve this by leveraging our access to top trucking industry and accident reconstruction experts who build an irrefutable case. Crucially, we prepare every case for trial from day one. This aggressive, trial-ready stance forces powerful insurance carriers to offer maximum compensation because they know we are fully prepared to fight and win for you in court. This is how we secure justice.

We Have Hundreds of Case Winning Records

Critical Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident

In the chaotic aftermath of a collision with a commercial truck in Newport Beach, the actions you take are critical. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers have rapid-response teams that begin building a defense against you immediately. To protect your health and your right to fair compensation, it is essential to follow these crucial steps.

Prioritize Your Health by Seeking Immediate Medical Attention

Your well-being is the absolute priority. Seek immediate medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. The adrenaline from a severe crash can mask serious conditions like internal injuries or concussions. A prompt medical evaluation at a facility like Hoag Hospital not only starts your recovery but also creates a vital medical record that officially documents your injuries and links them directly to the truck accident. This record is a cornerstone of your personal injury claim.

Create an Official Record by Reporting the Crash to the CHP or Police

An official, unbiased report is non-negotiable. It is vital to report the accident to the proper authorities, which may be the Newport Beach Police Department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) if the crash occurred on a freeway. The responding officer’s report will contain critical details, witness statements, and often a preliminary assessment of fault. This document is a powerful piece of evidence that can be essential for establishing the truck driver’s negligence.

Preserve Key Evidence: Photos of All Vehicles, Debris, and Injuries

If your injuries permit, use your smartphone to preserve key evidence. Take extensive photos and videos of everything: the position of all vehicles, the damage to your car and the truck, the truck’s license plates (both tractor and trailer), any company logos, the debris field on the road, skid marks, and your visible injuries. Also, be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses, as their testimony can be invaluable.

Do Not Speak with the Trucking Company or Their Insurance Adjusters

This is your most important legal protection. Do not speak with the trucking company or their insurance adjusters. They are not on your side. Their goal is to protect their company’s profits by getting you to admit partial fault or downplay your injuries in a recorded statement. You are not obligated to provide one. Politely decline and state that your attorney will be in contact. Your Newport Beach truck accident lawyer will act as your shield, handling all communications to protect you from their tactics.

Find the Fault

The trucking industry is huge, and multitudes of companies could have something to do with what caused your truck accident in Newport Beach. When we find the specific cause, it will usually lead us to who’s responsible.

Possible culprits are not limited to just one, and they may include the following:

• Truck drivers or owners
• Trucking companies
• Other businesses
• Cargo loaders and dock workers
• Mechanics
• Maintenance personnel
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Part manufacturers
• Part installers
• Government entities
• Construction companies
• Safety inspectors

If more than one company or person does have a part to play in your accident, we must name each liable party in your injury claim so you can get justice and maximize your compensation.

Before Dealing with Insurers, Arm Yourself with Knowledge

A collision with a commercial truck is not just a bigger car accident; it is a complex legal battle against a well-prepared corporate opponent. The moment the crash occurs, the trucking company and its insurer deploy a team to protect their financial interests. Facing this corporate machine alone is a strategic impossibility. A skilled Newport Beach truck accident lawyer is an absolute necessity to protect your future.

Protecting You From Insurer Tactics

The trucking company’s insurer will contact you immediately, asking for a recorded statement. This is a strategic trap. They are trained to ask leading questions designed to get you to inadvertently accept partial blame for the accident. They do this because under California’s comparative negligence rules, any percentage of fault assigned to you will directly reduce your compensation. Your attorney acts as your shield, handling all communications and ensuring you never make this critical error.

Identifying All Potential Defendants

Unlike a simple car crash, liability in a truck wreck is rarely limited to the driver. A thorough investigation may reveal negligence on the part of the trucking company for poor hiring, the cargo company for improper loading, or even the manufacturer of a faulty part. A top personal injury attorney knows how to identify and pursue claims against all potential defendants, which is critical for securing full compensation.

Securing Critical Evidence

Commercial trucks contain a wealth of evidence that is crucial to your case but can disappear quickly, such as driver logbooks and “black box” data. A Newport Beach truck accident lawyer acts immediately, sending a legal spoliation letter to demand that this critical evidence is preserved before it can be “lost” or destroyed.

Calculating the True Lifetime Cost of Your Injuries

The injuries from a truck wreck are often catastrophic. The true cost is not just today’s medical bills; it is the true lifetime cost of your injuries, including future surgeries, lost earning capacity, and chronic pain. Insurance companies will never offer this. We work with medical and financial experts to build a comprehensive life care plan, accurately calculating this total value to ensure your settlement covers all your future needs.

Causes of Semi-Truck Collisions in Newport Beach

Unlike typical car accidents, collisions involving large commercial trucks are often caused by violations of complex federal laws. Proving a violation of these rules is a powerful way to establish negligence. An experienced Newport Beach truck accident lawyer is an expert in leveraging these regulations to investigate the true cause of your crash and build an undeniable case.

Driver and Company Negligence

To combat the immense danger of distracted, drowsy, drunk, or drugged drivers, the FMCSA strictly limits the hours a trucker can be on the road. However, trucking companies often impose ridiculously fast route schedules, which can lead to HOS (Hours-of-Service) violations and driver fatigue. This pressure also encourages aggressive or negligent driving habits. Furthermore, companies have a federal duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. If they hire a driver with a history of recklessness, they can be held liable for negligent hiring.

Mechanical Failures and Loading Errors

Federal law mandates that trucking companies follow strict maintenance schedules. When a crash is caused by brake failure or a tire blowout, it often points to underlying repair or installation problems. In some cases, the issue may even be design or manufacturing defects in vehicle parts that were never addressed. The way cargo is loaded is also critical. Accidents are frequently caused by poorly secured cargo or unbalanced loads, which can shift during transit and cause the driver to lose control.

External Road and Site Hazards

While driver and company errors are common, other factors can also lead to a crash. An investigation might reveal that the accident was caused by poorly maintained bad roads or traffic equipment. In other situations, the unique dangers present in construction zone mishaps can be the primary cause. Even in these scenarios, a thorough investigation is necessary to determine if a professional driver should have been able to navigate the conditions safely.

Building a Powerful Case: Our Evidence-Gathering Strategy

In the high-stakes world of truck accident litigation, the side with the best evidence wins. Trucking companies know this and have teams dedicated to controlling the narrative from the moment a crash occurs. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, our Newport Beach truck accident lawyer team launches an immediate and aggressive counter-investigation designed to uncover the truth and build an irrefutable case on your behalf.

Issuing Immediate Spoliation Letters to Preserve Evidence

This is our critical first move. We issue immediate spoliation letters to the trucking company and all other potential defendants. This is a formal legal demand that they preserve all crucial evidence related to the crash, including driver logbooks, maintenance records, post-accident drug tests, and electronic data. This legal maneuver prevents them from “losing” or destroying evidence that is vital to proving your case.

Deposing Drivers, Company Managers, and Witnesses

A deposition is sworn, out-of-court testimony that is a powerful tool for locking in a story. A skilled personal injury attorney from our firm will meticulously prepare for and conduct depositions of the truck driver, company safety managers, maintenance personnel, and any eyewitnesses. We use this opportunity to expose inconsistencies, uncover safety violations, and establish a clear record of negligence from the key players themselves.

Analyzing Data from the Truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD)

Modern trucks are required to have an Electronic Logging Device (ELD), often called a “black box.” This device is a treasure trove of data. We are experts at analyzing data from the truck’s ELD, which can show the truck’s speed, braking patterns, GPS history, and whether the driver violated Hours-of-Service rules. This objective, digital evidence can be the key to proving exactly how the driver’s negligence caused the accident.

Common Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in Newport Beach

Not all truck accidents are the same. The physics of a massive commercial vehicle leads to unique and particularly devastating types of collisions. An experienced Newport Beach truck accident lawyer must understand the specific mechanics and common causes behind each type of crash to effectively prove liability. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we have a deep understanding of these complex scenarios.

Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

A “jackknife” occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out to a 90-degree angle with the cab, often caused by sudden braking or a loss of traction. A “rollover” happens when a truck, due to high speed, a sharp turn, or a cargo shift, tips completely over. Both are incredibly dangerous, often involving multiple vehicles. Our investigation focuses on driver error, speed, and improper cargo loading as primary causes.

Underride and Override Collisions

An “underride” collision is one of the most catastrophic, occurring when a smaller passenger car slides underneath the side or rear of a truck’s trailer. Federal law requires trucks to have underride guards, but if they are missing or poorly maintained, the trucking company can be held liable. An “override” crash is when a truck’s height allows it to run over the top of a smaller vehicle.

Lost Load and Debris-Related Crashes

When cargo is not properly secured, it can fall from the truck bed onto the roadway, creating a sudden and unavoidable hazard for other drivers. This can lead to chain-reaction collisions or direct impacts with heavy debris. A skilled personal injury attorney will identify and pursue claims against the company responsible for the negligent loading and securement of the cargo.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn Accidents

Large trucks have significant “no-zones” or blind spots on all four sides. While drivers are trained to account for these, negligence can lead to devastating lane-change accidents. Similarly, trucks must make wide right turns, but when a driver fails to check their mirrors or signal properly, they can easily crush a vehicle in the adjacent lane.

Injuries in Big Rig Wrecks

The serious injuries you’ll endure can severely affect how you live your life and make your living. Your Newport Beach semi-truck accident lawyer will work closely with your doctors to make sure each injury is accounted for and listed in your personal injury lawsuit. There’s no going back once your case is settled, so we must be thorough.

In a truck accident, you might suffer the following injuries:

• Brain and head injuries
• Facial injuries that can cause disfigurement
• Neck, back, and spine injuries, which can cause paralysis or whiplash
• Internal organ damage
• Broken or fractured bones
• Severed limbs or medical amputations
• Severe burns injuries, requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems

Recovering Compensation for an 18-Wheeler Crash

A truck accident claim is not just about today’s bills; it is about securing your entire future. A dedicated Newport Beach truck accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys is an expert at identifying and calculating the full value of your claim, ensuring no aspect of your loss is overlooked. In the most tragic cases, our firm also provides compassionate guidance and legal representation to secure wrongful death support for grieving families.

Economic Damages (Medical Bills, Lost Wages, Future Care Costs)

Economic damages represent the tangible financial losses resulting from the crash. Our team meticulously documents every expense, including all Current and anticipated medical expenses, from initial trauma care to projected surgeries. This category also covers all Immediate and projected wage losses and your diminished future earning capacity. We also pursue compensation for the repair or replacement of your vehicle due to Property damage and the significant costs of any necessary Accommodations to your car, home, and workplace due to new or worsened disabilities.

Non-Economic Damages (Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress)

Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for the profound, non-financial ways the injury has impacted your life. While there is no price tag for human suffering, these losses are very real. This covers your physical Pain and suffering, the mental anguish of your Emotional distress, and the lifelong impact of scarring or Disfigurement. In cases where a severe injury harms a spousal relationship, a claim can also be made for the Loss of consortium.

Punitive Damages (When the Trucking Company Shows Gross Negligence)

In cases where the trucking company or driver acted with extreme recklessness, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not intended to compensate you but to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior. This could apply if a company knowingly falsified logbooks or forced an unqualified driver to operate a vehicle. We always investigate if the defendant’s egregious conduct warrants pursuing these additional damages.

.Your Free Consultation: Questions to Ask Our Newport Beach Truck Accident Attorneys

Your free consultation is your opportunity to interview a potential advocate and ensure they have the highly specialized skills required for a truck accident claim. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we welcome tough questions. We believe an informed client is an empowered one. Here are the key questions to ask any Newport Beach truck accident lawyer you consider.

What is your experience with cases involving federal trucking laws (FMCSA)?

This is the most critical question. A truck accident case is not just a big car accident case. A top-tier attorney must demonstrate a deep and practical understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA). Their answer should reflect a confident familiarity with concepts like Hours-of-Service, maintenance logs, and driver qualification files, as these regulations are often the key to proving negligence.

Who are the potential defendants in a complex trucking case like this?

This question tests their strategic thinking. An experienced lawyer will immediately look beyond just the truck driver. Their answer should include a discussion of potential liability for the trucking company (the motor carrier), the owner of the trailer, the company that loaded the cargo, maintenance contractors, and even parts manufacturers. Identifying all potential defendants is crucial for maximizing your financial recovery.

How do you handle evidence preservation with large trucking companies?

A proactive and aggressive attorney will have a clear answer. They should immediately mention sending a “spoliation letter.” This is a formal legal demand that the trucking company preserve all crucial evidence, such as the truck’s “black box” data, driver logs, and maintenance records. This immediate action is non-negotiable and shows the firm is prepared to act decisively.

What is your strategy for dealing with multiple insurance carriers?

A truck accident often involves multiple insurance policies: one for the driver, one for the trucking company, one for the cargo, and more. An experienced personal injury attorney will have a clear strategy for identifying all applicable policies and navigating the complex interplay between them to ensure every possible source of compensation is pursued.

Can you explain your fee structure for truck accident cases?

There should be no ambiguity about legal fees. A reputable firm will confirm they work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win. They should clearly explain their percentage and confirm that they advance all case costs, removing any financial risk from you.

Our Financial Commitment: You Pay Absolutely Nothing Unless We Win

At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we remove all financial barriers to justice. With a clear explanation of our contingency fee agreement, we ensure you understand our simple promise: you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Critically for complex trucking claims, we finance the full cost of your litigation, including expensive expert fees, so you never pay a dollar out-of-pocket. Our written agreement guarantees no hidden costs and no surprises. This is our unwavering commitment—we invest in your case, and you pay nothing unless we secure a financial victory for you.

California’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims

In California, the law sets a strict time limit, the statute of limitations, for filing a truck accident claim. For most personal injury cases, you have just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, this deadline can be much shorter. Claims against government entities—if a public agency was involved—can require formal action within only six months. Missing this non-negotiable deadline means you permanently forfeit your right to seek any compensation. It is absolutely critical to contact a dedicated Newport Beach truck accident lawyer immediately to protect your claim.

Reach Out to a Newport Beach Truck Accident Attorney

Because you only have two years to file a personal injury claim and investigating a trucking industry accident is so complicated, you probably need to get things underway as soon as possible. Call your Newport Beach truck accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove, Injury Attorneys, and we’ll do the rest. You can schedule a complimentary case evaluation by completing the form below or calling us at 949.535.1341.

Address: 20371 Irvine Ave Suite 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660

What Our Clients Say on Google

Phone: 949.535.1341