Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer if a Truck Damages My Car?
Driving is a daily necessity for many people in California. You rely on your car to get to work, pick up groceries or drive your kids to after-school activities. Most days feel routine—until a large truck collides with your vehicle and leaves you with a dented or completely wrecked car.
You might wonder if you need legal support or if you can handle the property damage claim on your own. Learn what you should know about truck accidents, your options for seeking compensation and how an attorney can help guide you through the process.
Should I Contact a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?
Contacting a lawyer is usually a good idea if a large truck damages your vehicle. While you might handle a minor fender-bender on your own, truck accidents can be more complicated for several reasons.
Large Truck Crashes Tend To Be More Severe
A collision between a standard passenger car and a large truck often causes more extensive damage to the car than a typical crash between two smaller vehicles. Large trucks weigh at least 10,000 lbs and can easily crush your vehicle even at low speed impacts.
Severe damage can lead to thousands of dollars in repair costs or even a total loss, making insurance company negotiations more complicated. Adjusters might push back on the claim amount because of the high repair bill, especially if your car is new or has specialized parts.
Federal Trucking Regulations Are Complex
Commercial truck drivers operate most large trucks and must follow federal regulations to keep roads safe. For example, when truck drivers exceed their legal driving hours, fatigue can slow their reaction time, making a crash more likely.
Proving these issues isn’t always straightforward, as it can involve digging through driver logs or repair records. A lawyer knows how to find and interpret this information so that the right people are held responsible for your property damage claim.
Multiple Parties Could Share Liability
Truck accidents can involve multiple parties because the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance crew or even a parts manufacturer might share blame. Determining who should pay for your vehicle damage can get complicated. You might need to send letters to multiple insurance carriers or file additional paperwork to protect your claim.
An attorney typically has the resources to identify all responsible parties, collect evidence and negotiate with different insurers. By doing so, you could end up with a better chance of recovering full repair costs.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims in California?
In California, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for property damage. This timeline is separate from claims for personal injuries. That window might seem like plenty of time, but investigating truck accident property damage can take several months, especially if multiple parties and complex regulations are involved.
If you miss that three-year mark, the court will likely dismiss your claim, and you will lose the opportunity to recover repair costs. If you’re unsure of the deadlines for your property damage claim, a lawyer can help.
How Much of My Truck Accident Settlement Will an Attorney Take?
Many attorneys who handle truck accidents use a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you recover money through a settlement or court award. They typically take a percentage of what you receive, which might be between 25% and 40%. For property damage-only claims, some lawyers adjust their fees based on how complicated the case is.
When you talk with a lawyer, make sure you ask about their contingency fee and any other possible expenses, such as court filing fees or costs for expert reports. Some attorneys use a sliding scale, so if your case goes to trial, the fee might change.
This setup can give you peace of mind because your attorney has an incentive to work toward a favorable outcome. If you don’t win, they usually don’t get paid.
How Do I Determine the Severity of My Damages?
To determine how severe the damage is, you usually need an estimate from a mechanic or body shop. Many insurance companies want at least one official estimate—sometimes more if there’s a dispute about the amount.
If you think the crash affected your car’s internal systems, ask for a full diagnostic scan. Newer vehicles have advanced electronics that can be expensive to fix if they’re damaged. Also, keep receipts for recent upgrades or repairs since they may increase your car’s value and support your claim.
In some situations, you can file a diminished value claim. That means your car could be worth less even after repairs because it was in an accident. This claim seeks payment for the difference between what your car is worth now and what it would be worth if it had never been in a crash. An attorney can explain this in more detail.
Should I Take the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?
Insurance companies often make a low initial offer for property damage claims. They may claim your car’s repair or replacement cost is lower than you think, or they might leave out other costs like towing or rental car fees. If you accept their first offer without reviewing it carefully, you might not get enough to cover all your repairs, especially if the truck crash caused serious damage.
An attorney can help you figure out if the first offer is fair. They’ll look at repair estimates, photos from the scene and reports that show who is at fault. If the offer seems too low, a lawyer can negotiate to get you a better settlement.
While you can try negotiating on your own, keep in mind that insurance adjusters are trained to pay out as little as possible. Talking to a lawyer can give you peace of mind if you’re unsure or worried about missing something in the offer.
Once you accept a settlement, you usually can’t go back for more money later if hidden damage shows up. That’s why it’s important to fully understand your losses before agreeing to any offer.
Move Forward With Johnson Attorneys Group on Your Side
If a large truck damages your car, it can be stressful and costly. You might feel overwhelmed by insurance adjusters, unsure about who’s responsible or frustrated by all the paperwork and deadlines.
Let Johnson Attorneys Group help. Our truck accident lawyers offer a free case review to explain your options, answer your questions and walk you through your next steps. With the right support, you can feel confident you’re not settling for less than what you’re entitled to.
