Written By
Valerie Catalano, J.D.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Southern California is known for its warm winds, beautiful beaches and movie stars on every corner. It is also known for its nine-lane highways filled with fast-moving vehicles. When one of those vehicles is a truck that hits your car, you need the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer in Anaheim.
This guide will explain truck accident laws in California and provide you with a list of the best lawyers to contact if you are interested in filing a claim. With the help of one of Anaheim’s truck accident lawyers, you could be coasting toward compensation.
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Best Truck Accident Attorneys in Anaheim
Richard G. Barone
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1980
Law School Attended
San Fernando Valley College of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Alex Behar
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2010
Law School Attended
Loyola Law School
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Carl E. Douglas
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1981
Law School Attended
University of California Berkeley School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Bijan Esfandiari
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2002
Law School Attended
University of California Los Angeles School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Adam M. Foster
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2014
Law School Attended
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Ilan Heimanson
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1998
Law School Attended
Boston University School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Ian I. Herzog
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1968
Law School Attended
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Moses Lebovits
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1975
Law School Attended
University of California Los Angeles School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Lyssa Roberts
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
2004
Law School Attended
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Federico C. Sayre
CA Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to CA Bar
1975
Law School Attended
University of California Berkeley School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Practice Areas
Compare Top Truck Accident Attorneys in Anaheim
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Anaheim, California
Filing a truck accident lawsuit in California is relatively easy. California has some of the most generous personal injury laws, placing minimal roadblocks between a plaintiff and compensation. Plaintiffs should still, however, hire an Anaheim truck accident lawyer before pursuing a case.
While California laws may not hinder plaintiffs, the legal system is still quite complex. Many plaintiffs are unlikely to understand the differences between economic damages (costs and expenses incurred due to an injury) and noneconomic damages (compensation for pain and suffering).
An experienced Anaheim truck accident lawyer will help their clients navigate the legal system smoothly.
California Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases
The statute of limitations is a regulation that limits how long a plaintiff may wait to file a California personal injury lawsuit after suffering an injury. In California, a claimant may file a lawsuit up to two years after getting hurt.
While this law does not explicitly place a time limit on insurance claims, it does so in effect. There is no way to force an insurance company to pay compensation once the statute of limitations has run out.
Thus, a claimant needs to act quickly when they have a truck accident claim, regardless of whether they are filing a lawsuit or pursuing an insurance claim.
California Laws for Truck Drivers
Several California laws can impact truck accident lawsuits and insurance claims. Truck drivers need to be aware of these laws to protect themselves in the event they are involved in an accident.
Claimants also need to be aware of these laws before pursuing damages, but typically, their Anaheim truck accident lawyers will explain them before they pursue any legal options.
- Pure comparative negligence. California applies a pure comparative negligence standard to personal injury lawsuits. If the plaintiff is partially responsible, they can still receive damages from a lawsuit. Those damages are prorated based on the percentage for which the plaintiff is responsible.
- Uninsured drivers. If a driver is uninsured, they may seek only economic damages from a lawsuit. Uninsured drivers can never receive noneconomic damages after a truck accident.
- Criminal activity. If a driver was engaged in criminal activity when they got into a truck accident, they can’t receive noneconomic damages for their injuries. Thus, if the driver was fleeing police, for example, even if the truck driver was liable, they could get compensation only for economic damages.
Identifying Fault for Truck Accidents in California
California uses a fault-based system for auto insurance. This means that the insurance company of the driver who is at fault is responsible for compensating the driver who was not at fault.
As previously noted, though, California uses pure comparative negligence. Thus, if a driver was 10% at fault, the insurance company of the other driver would cover 90% of their compensation, and their insurance company would cover the remaining 10%.
This can create some complicated scenarios. More importantly to most drivers, it allows insurance companies to dispute how much an individual driver is at fault, potentially leaving them on the hook for expenses that neither company will cover.
One of the ways that an Anaheim truck accident lawyer can help is by determining fault. Typically, an Anaheim truck accident lawyer will independently investigate an accident to collect evidence of which party is responsible.
An experienced lawyer will talk to witnesses, examine the log books of the truck driver, examine the black box of the truck and find any relevant physical evidence.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
An Anaheim truck accident lawyer can help you in several ways. That help usually starts with a free consultation. During the consultation, your attorney will typically examine the details of your case and determine whether you are likely to win.
Furthermore, because experienced attorneys have dealt with similar cases, they can usually determine the approximate value of your claim during the initial consultation or after minimal investigation of the facts. This knowledge helps you determine whether it is worth your time to pursue a claim.
If you decide to pursue a claim, your Anaheim truck accident lawyer will also use that calculation to negotiate a fair settlement with the truck company’s insurer. Typically, insurers try to undervalue claims, knowing that the average person doesn’t know how to identify a poor settlement offer. Your attorney removes that advantage that the insurance company has.
Finally, if all else fails, your lawyer will file a lawsuit and represent you in court. It’s almost impossible to win a lawsuit if you aren’t represented by a skilled attorney.
How To Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Anaheim, CA
Choosing the best truck accident lawyer may seem challenging, even with this guide. All of the attorneys on this list are excellent. But which is best for your case? Consider the following factors when making that decision.
- Previous results. By looking at the previous results of an attorney, you can determine whether they have handled similar cases and the approximate size of the awards they’ve obtained.
- Languages spoken. If English is not your native language, it’s best to hire a lawyer who speaks your native tongue. It will make communication much easier.
- Injury focuses. Some of the lawyers on this list focus on specific types of injuries. If you suffered that type of injury, they are probably your best choice.
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Anaheim Truck Accident Attorneys
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the truck accident lawyers in Anaheim of 2024. Its mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Anaheim Truck Accidents
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The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.
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