Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Ventura

Lawyer Helping to Resolve Delivery Truck Accident Claims in Ventura

Delivery trucks are a way of life in Ventura, with large commercial trucks, delivery vans, box trucks, and construction vehicles on the freeways and streets delivering goods to businesses and consumers. While we rely on these services to keep the stores stocked and deliver goods to our doors, the high numbers of delivery vehicles pose a risk to drivers who share the road.

Delivery Trucks and Vehicle Crashes: The Shocking Numbers

Staggering numbers of truck accidents occur in California, and Ventura County is no exception. Recent data from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) reveals the following numbers of collisions involving large trucks and buses in a recently reported year:

Total vehicles involved in fatal and non-fatal crashes: 12,801
Total fatal crashes: 256
Total non-fatal crashes: 12,545
Total injuries as a result of crashes: 5,560

In Ventura, some of the most common delivery trucks serving the area include Amazon, Target, FedEx, and UPS, with hundreds of other less well-recognized delivery trucks traveling the streets and highways in the area. When you, or someone you love, was seriously injured in an accident with a delivery truck, you need legal support from a truck accident attorney to help you pursue compensation.

Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents in Ventura

Delivery truck drivers are expected to deliver cargo within a tight timeframe. They travel the same streets and freeways, day after day, are often tired, or could be busy with other activities, such as calls and texts, eating, or social media. Some of the most common causes of delivery truck accidents in Ventura include the following:

Distracted driving
Blind spots
Unsafe lane changes
Speeding
Aggressive driving
Fatigued driver
Unevenly loaded cargo
Drunk or drug-intoxicated driver
Untrained, inexperienced driver

Types of Injuries In Delivery Truck Accidents in Ventura

The injuries sustained in a crash with a delivery truck can range from minor to very serious to fatal. The larger size and weight of a delivery truck make the vehicle particularly dangerous when it collides with a passenger vehicle. The types of injuries that will require extensive medical interventions include the following:

Broken Bones

The force of a delivery truck collision can result in fractures or broken bones, ranging from simple breaks that heal by keeping the area immobilized to complex, compound fractures requiring surgery. Commonly fractured areas include the ribs, arms, legs, pelvis, and collarbone. Severe breaks can lead to long-term mobility issues, chronic pain, or permanent disability.

Crush Injuries

Crush injuries occur when a person is trapped between objects or pinned under a heavy vehicle during a truck accident. These injuries can cause severe tissue damage, nerve damage, and even amputation in extreme cases. Crush injuries may also lead to compartment syndrome, a dangerous condition where swelling and pressure restrict blood flow, potentially causing permanent muscle or organ damage.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is extremely vulnerable in high-impact crashes, leading to injuries that range from herniated discs to partial or complete paralysis. Damage to the spine can result in loss of sensation, chronic pain, limited mobility, and permanent disability. In severe cases, spinal cord injuries may require lifelong medical care and rehabilitation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A TBI occurs when the brain sustains damage from a violent impact, sudden jolt, or penetration injury in a truck crash. Symptoms range from mild concussions to severe cognitive impairment, memory loss, loss of motor function, and personality changes. Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term or permanent effects, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Head Injuries

Head injuries in delivery truck accidents include skull fractures, contusions, and lacerations caused by direct impact or flying debris. Even if there is no visible wound, an internal brain injury may still occur. Untreated head trauma can lead to dangerous swelling, internal bleeding, or lasting cognitive issues.

Neck Injuries

The whiplash motion caused by the sudden force of a truck crash often leads to severe neck strain, soft tissue damage, or disc herniation. More severe neck injuries can involve fractures in the cervical spine, which can lead to paralysis or loss of mobility. Even minor neck injuries can result in chronic pain, stiffness, and long-term discomfort.

Back Injuries

Back injuries from delivery truck accidents can include herniated discs, muscle strains, fractured vertebrae, and nerve damage. These injuries often cause persistent pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing daily activities. Severe back injuries may require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or lifelong treatment.

Internal Injuries

The blunt force trauma from a truck accident can cause internal bleeding and organ damage, which may not be immediately apparent after the crash. Ruptured spleens, liver damage, punctured lungs, and kidney injuries are common. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention to prevent further complications or death.

Who Is Liable?

Determining liability is the first, most critical step in a delivery truck accident. Various information could help pinpoint what occurred, including dashcam video, security video, truck black box data, eyewitness testimony, and an evaluation of the accident scene and the vehicles involved. The most common liable parties include the following:

Truck driver
Trucking company
The cargo-loading firm
Truck maintenance firm
Truck manufacturer
Truck parts manufacturer
Other vehicle operators

Filing a Claim in a Delivery Truck Accident in Ventura

After a collision with a delivery truck, your attention is naturally on trying to recover your health and undergoing the advised medical treatments to attempt to restore your quality of life. Sadly, this is not always possible. Some injuries are so severe that the victim will never again enjoy the quality of life they had before the accident and may require ongoing medical or nursing care. The initial step in filing a claim is to put a dollar value on the case. The types of damages valued include the following:

Economic damages: The costs you incurred in medical care, including ambulance transportation, emergency surgery, medications, testing, and all other medical expenses, along with lost income from work, reduced earning capacity, and estimated future medical costs and losses.
Non-economic damages: These losses are more personal, including pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, emotional anguish, loss of consortium (the loss of companionship, love, and emotional support, affection and intimacy in marriage, and loss of household help in parenting and other responsibilities).
Punitive damages: In some rare cases involving drivers who have acted with extreme negligence, malice, or a deliberate disregard for the safety of others, punitive damages could be awarded, intended to deter such actions in the future.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Delivery Truck Accident in Ventura

Most personal injury cases are settled without filing a lawsuit in civil court. In some cases, the insurance company may attempt to shift blame and reduce the value of a valid claim. When a fair settlement offer is not forthcoming within a reasonable amount of time, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to pressure the company to treat the injured person fairly. In many cases, this action will lead to a settlement offer, while in others, the case proceeds to court. In either case, you can trust our personal injury lawyer to present a persuasive case in court when pursuing compensation at trial.

Delivery Truck Accidents in Ventura: FAQ

What should I do after a delivery truck accident?

If you’ve been in a delivery truck accident, take these steps:

Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help at the ER.
Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and injuries, if possible.
Get contact information from the truck driver, witnesses, and any other involved parties.
Do not admit fault or discuss the details with the insurance company personnel without first speaking with an attorney.
Seek medical attention even if you believe you are uninjured—some injuries are not visible but can be fatal, such as closed head injuries.
Contact an attorney to protect your rights and help you to seek full compensation.

Who can be held liable in a delivery truck accident?

Liability in a delivery truck accident may involve multiple parties, including:
The truck driver if they were speeding, distracted, or were violating traffic laws.
The delivery company if they failed to maintain their vehicles or put pressure on a driver to meet delivery deadlines when it would be unsafe to do so.
Manufacturers if a defective truck part or truck design contributed to the crash.
Third-party maintenance companies failing to keep the truck in good working order led to a mechanical failure.
Other drivers if their negligence played a role in the accident.

A thorough investigation by an experienced attorney can determine who is responsible for your damages.

What types of damages can I recover after a delivery truck accident?

If you were injured due to a delivery truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses (current and future).
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you cannot work.
Pain and suffering, including emotional distress.
Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement).
Loss of consortium (if your relationship with a spouse is affected).
Wrongful death damages (if you lost a loved one in the accident).

A personal injury lawyer can help you value your claim accurately.

What if the delivery truck driver was working at the time of the accident?

If the driver was working, their employer may be liable under vicarious liability laws. The delivery company could be held responsible for your damages. Many delivery companies, including Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and USPS, hire independent contractors, which can make determining liability a more complex task. A lawyer can help uncover all responsible parties and ensure all liable parties are named in the claim or lawsuit.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a delivery truck accident in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. If you are filing a claim against a government entity, such as an accident with a postal service truck, the deadline is far shorter. Failing to file on time could prevent you from recovering compensation, so it’s advised that you speak with our lawyer as soon as possible.

What if the delivery truck company’s insurance tries to deny my claim?

Delivery companies and their insurance providers often try to minimize payouts by:

Claiming you were at fault for the accident.
Downplaying your injuries or medical needs.
Claiming the extent of your injuries is due to a pre-existing condition.
Offering a low settlement before you have evaluated the full extent of the damages.
Delaying paying a claim could inspire you to accept less or nothing at all.

A skilled attorney can negotiate aggressively on your behalf, handle insurance tactics, and take legal action if necessary.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

California follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault in the accident. The compensation paid will be reduced by the percentage of fault ascribed to you. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 20%. Having a lawyer on your side can help minimize your liability and protect your right to compensation.

Are delivery truck accidents different from regular car accidents?

Yes. Delivery truck accidents often involve larger, heavier vehicles and corporate liability, making claims more complicated. The differences include the following:

More severe injuries are due to the size and weight of the delivery truck when contacting a regular passenger vehicle.
It may involve multiple liable parties, including delivery companies, contractors, and manufacturers.
Corporate defense law firms may be hired by an insurance company to defend significant settlements—we level the playing field.

Because of these complexities, working with an attorney who understands truck accident claims is crucial.

How much does it cost to hire a delivery truck accident lawyer?

At Skinner Law Corp., we work on a contingency fee basis. There is no risk in hiring our firm, as you only pay legal fees when we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or in court.

Why Choose Skinner Law Corp in Ventura?

A Fighter for the Underdog – Troy Skinner grew up in the South Bronx, where he learned resilience, tenacity, and the importance of standing up for those facing tough odds. He brings this same unshakable determination to every case he handles.
Experienced Litigator – With years of experience managing the litigation department at a boutique plaintiff’s firm in Santa Monica, Troy has honed his skills in high-stakes legal battles, going head-to-head with Big Insurance and Big Business to secure fair compensation for his clients.
A Reputation for Relentless Advocacy – As a zealous advocate, Troy doesn’t back down from a fight. He pursues every case with passion and professional skills, ensuring injured individuals get the justice they deserve.
A Personal Calling – Representing victims of personal injury and workplace injustices isn’t just a job for Troy—it’s his true calling. He believes in making a difference in people’s lives, holding negligent parties accountable, and helping clients move forward to rebuild their lives.
A Unique Path to Law – Before becoming an attorney, Troy worked in finance, mortgage lending, and hospitality, gaining real-world experience. He connects with his clients on a personal level. His background in business and service industries gives him an edge in negotiations and case strategy.
No Fees Unless We Win – At Skinner Law Corp., we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay legal fees unless we win your case. We are fully invested in securing the best possible outcome for you.

If you were injured in a delivery truck accident or another personal injury case, don’t go up against insurance companies alone—let Skinner Law Corp fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 310-356-0074 to speak with us about your case.