Mission Viejo Truck Accident Attorney
Representing Mission Viejo Clients Injured in Truck Accidents
Thousands of communities across the United States rely on commercial trucking for the goods they need every day. The commercial trucking industry is crucial to the American economy, but large tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks are inherently dangerous for many reasons. Due to the large size of most commercial trucks, any truck accident is likely to result in devastating damage to the other drivers involved. Truck accidents are also likely to involve multiple vehicles, making the processes of determining liability and collecting compensation exceedingly difficult for the victims involved.
If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a truck accident in Aliso Viejo or elsewhere in the Mission Viejo area, a Mission Viejo truck accident attorney is your best resource if you want to determine the best legal options available to you. Whether your truck accident occurred because of a negligent truck driver, a mechanical failure, or the fault of a third-party driver who caused the accident, it’s vital to know your rights and the value of legal representation as you work toward your recovery.
Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Injury?
It’s normal to wonder whether you really need a lawyer if fault for your recent truck accident seems clear. While it is technically possible for an injured driver to navigate a personal injury claim on their own, doing so is much easier said than done. Pursuing a civil claim requires meeting strict court deadlines and following carefully constructed procedures. Any errors can jeopardize a claim, potentially risking the plaintiff’s ability to recover their losses.
If you do not hire a Mission Viejo truck accident lawyer to represent you, you would not only need to meet the court’s procedural requirements but do so while managing your personal responsibilities and the aftermath of your truck accident. This can be incredibly stressful but hiring an experienced Mission Viejo truck accident attorney can handle your legal affairs so you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind.
Easton & Easton offers more than 100 years of combined personal injury experience to our clients in Mission Viejo, CA and surrounding areas. Our firm has successfully represented many truck accident claims for Mission Viejo clients and can apply this experience to your case. We strive to maximize our client’s recovery in every case we accept, and we’ll take time to get to know you and your situation to provide the most comprehensive, client-focused representation we possibly can. Do not risk your recovery due to your fear of expensive legal fees. We offer contingency fee billing, meaning we only take legal fees when we win as a percentage of your case award, ensuring your recovery.
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
You can rely on your Mission Viejo truck accident lawyer to provide several valuable functions during your truck accident case. First, you must determine liability for your accident, and this can be much more difficult in truck accident claims than in most other vehicle accident claims. Our team will carefully review the details of your recent accident to determine the party or parties responsible for causing it.
Next, we will help you calculate your claimable damages. It’s common for our clients to undervalue their damages initially, and this is another reason to talk to experienced Mission Viejo personal injury lawyers to handle your claim. Without experienced legal advice on your side, you could unintentionally settle for much less than your claim is actually worth. We will help you explore every available channel of compensation to maximize your recovery.
Once we have determined fault for your damages and the exact range of those damages, we will guide you through the legal proceedings necessary for securing the compensation you deserve. The majority of personal injury claims filed in California settle outside of court. Swift settlement typically suits both parties more than intensive litigation. However, settlement is only possible if the defendant accepts liability for the plaintiff’s damages and is willing to negotiate compensation. If the defendant denies liability, or if they dispute the extent of the damages the plaintiff seeks, the case may proceed to trial.
Your Mission Viejo truck accident attorneys can guide you through every phase of your truck accident case with confidence. We’ll help you gather the evidence and testimony you will need to prove liability for your accident. If necessary, Easton & Easton can consult with various expert witnesses to substantiate your claim for damages and/or prove the defendant’s liability beyond any doubt. For example, an accident reconstruction expert could help you prove exactly how your truck accident occurred and firmly establish the defendant’s liability for your damages. An expert witness with a medical background could potentially provide the testimony you need to prove the full scope of your pain and suffering resulting from your truck accident. You can rely on our team for comprehensive representation through all settlement negotiations, and we are not afraid to take your case to court if necessary for your recovery.
Vicarious Liability in Truck Accident Claims
One of the reasons so many truck accident claims are more complex than standard car accident claims is the legal concept of “vicarious liability.” This term can come into play whenever one party bears liability for the actions of another party. When it comes to truck accident claims, some accidents may indicate that a trucking company, truck owner, or some other party aside from the truck driver bears some responsibility for these accidents occurring. Consider a few examples of how vicarious liability may influence your truck accident claim:
- You experience a truck accident caused by a drunk truck driver. The trucking company that employed the driver failed to conduct a background check that would have revealed the driver’s record of conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) which should have been considered during the hiring process. In this situation, the employer bears vicarious liability for the accident.
- You experience a truck accident that occurs when a tractor-trailer experiences a mechanical failure on the road. An investigation determines that the truck did not receive appropriate maintenance, and the truck driver failed to perform a proper inspection before starting their delivery. In this situation, the party responsible for the truck’s maintenance can bear vicarious liability.
- A truck picks up cargo from a distributor, but the distribution team does not load the cargo correctly. This causes an unbalanced trailer. The driver experiences a weight shift while driving, panics, overcorrects their steering, and causes an accident. The driver did not react appropriately, but the distributor also bears vicarious liability for creating the hazard in the first place.
These are just a few possible examples of how vicarious liability can come into play in a truck accident claim. If more than one party bears fault for your recent truck accident in the Mission Viejo area, it’s vital to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible to determine the best approach to this type of challenging civil claim.
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles. They also have higher centers of gravity which makes them more vulnerable to inertia and more likely to tip over under certain conditions. Some of the most commonly reported causes of truck accidents in California include:
- Truck driver negligence. While truck drivers must complete extensive training to obtain their commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs), they can still make negligent errors that lead to accidents. If a truck driver causes a truck accident due to inattention or any other type of negligence, they will likely bear liability for any other drivers’ resulting damages.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. DUI is not only extremely dangerous for the impaired driver and everyone around them, but also illegal and will lead to severe criminal penalties for the impaired driver if they cause an accident. Truck accidents can happen due to impaired truck drivers, who will likely lose their CDLs after causing DUI truck accidents, or third parties who drive impaired around larger trucks.
- Imbalanced cargo. A poorly packed trailer can cause a truck driver to lose control over their vehicle around sharp turns. Those responsible for loading truck cargo must ensure the cargo is balanced and secured properly to maintain a safe center of gravity.
- Mechanical failures. Trucks spend more time on the road than most other vehicles and drive for longer periods than most passenger vehicles. They have much greater maintenance and repair demands than passenger vehicles as a result. If any party responsible for truck maintenance fails to perform truck service as required, or if they do not properly install replacement parts, the truck could have a mechanical failure on the road that causes a deadly accident. It’s also possible for a parts manufacturer to face a product liability claim if a defective truck part causes an accident.
- Distracted driving. The most commonly cited cause of vehicle accidents in the U.S. is distracted driving. Even momentary distraction can be enough for a driver to cause a catastrophic accident.
No matter how your truck accident happened, if one or more parties bear liability for causing it, you have the right to hold them accountable with a personal injury claim. Your Mission Viejo truck accident attorney will be a crucial asset as you navigate the complex legal proceedings ahead of you.
Determining Responsibility for Your Truck Accident Damages
The first step toward recovery in any personal injury claim is identifying the party responsible for your damages. “Negligence” is the central concept of every personal injury lawsuit filed in California. This term describes a failure to act with reasonable care. In your truck accident claim, you must identify the defendant or defendants you believe to be responsible for your damages, and prove they were negligent in some way that directly caused your claimed damages. You and your attorney must also prove that your damages would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence.
When vicarious liability comes into play, or when more than one party bears fault for causing a truck accident, the court must determine each defendant’s share of liability for the plaintiff’s damages. Easton & Easton will help you gather the evidence you need to prove fault for the recent truck accident and establish the full range of your claimable damages.
Damages and Compensation for Truck Accidents Claims
Truck accidents are capable of inflicting devastating losses to those involved, and your truck accident claim is likely worth more than you may have initially expected. The team at Easton & Easton will help you explore all available avenues of compensation in your claim to ensure you obtain the best recovery possible from your damages. Some of the most commonly claimed damages in Mission Viejo truck accident claims include:
- Medical expenses. Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and much more. A plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for immediate medical expenses like hospital bills, but they may also claim long-term medical expenses if their injuries require extensive ongoing treatment.
- Lost income and lost earning capacity. Your truck accident may have left you unable to work while you recover from your injuries. You could have also developed a disability or permanent medical condition from your accident that may interfere with your ability to work in the future. You can include lost income and lost future earning potential in your lawsuit, and your attorney will help you calculate the future earnings you would have reasonably expected to earn to ensure the fullest recovery possible.
- Property damage. A truck accident is likely to total a smaller passenger car. If your vehicle was damaged or destroyed in the truck accident you recently experienced, you can receive compensation for your vehicle repair costs or the actual cash value of your vehicle.
- Pain and suffering. California law allows personal injury plaintiffs to recover monetary compensation for noneconomic damages like physical pain and psychological trauma. Your Mission Viejo truck accident attorney will help you determine a reasonable amount to include in your lawsuit based on the severity of your injuries and the likelihood that you will experience long-term complications or permanent disability due to your accident.
When you calculate these damages with the help of an experienced attorney, you may discover that your claim is worth much more than you may have originally anticipated. When you have an experienced Mission Viejo truck accident attorney working on your case, you are much more likely to maximize your recovery in a relatively short time.
What Should I Expect From a Truck Accident Lawyer?
The attorneys at Easton & Easton can help you navigate your truck accident case with confidence. When you are struggling with severe physical injuries, economic strain from lost income and medical bills, and ongoing pain and suffering as you attempt to manage your household after a truck accident, the thought of pursuing a civil claim for your damages can seem overwhelming. Our goal is to help you rest and recover with peace of mind as we manage your truck accident claim.
Our team will carefully review all relevant documentation and evidence related to your truck accident to help you determine liability. This includes the police report from the accident, the medical report from your doctor that outlines your injuries and medical prognosis, and statements from eyewitnesses who saw your truck accident occur. We’ll use this information to help you identify the party or parties responsible for causing the accident. If necessary, we can also issue subpoenas for traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, and even drivers’ cell phone records.
After we help you establish liability for your damages, we will move to calculating the exact range of your damages. Many of our clients are surprised to learn the true values of their claims once they meet with our team. We provide client-focused legal counsel to every client we represent, so we’ll take the time to get to know you and your situation before conducting a meticulous review of your damages.
Most truck accident claims settle outside of court, and we will guide you through your settlement negotiations. However, some claims may go to court when defendants contest liability or when a case involves complex details that demand formal legal review. Whether we can settle your case or we need to take it to trial, you can rely on us to provide comprehensive and client-focused legal counsel throughout every phase of your truck accident claim.
Contact Our Mission Viejo Law Offices to Find Your Legal Team
A truck accident can easily be a life-changing experience that affects you and your family in many negative and unpredictable ways, but you do not need to face this situation alone. The team at Easton & Easton can provide the legal counsel you need to secure fair compensation for your losses to the fullest extent possible under California law. We know how to approach difficult truck accident claims and take time to learn as much as we can about every client we represent to provide individualized representation.
The sooner you secure legal counsel and begin working on your case, the better your chances will be of maximizing your recovery after a truck accident. Easton & Easton are standing by ready to assist you. If you are ready to discuss your legal options with an experienced Mission Viejo truck accident attorney, contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!