#1 Truck Accident Lawyer in Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo is known for Lake Mission Viejo and Oso Creek Trail. However, Mission Viejo might not be known as a “hub” for 18-wheelers and commercial trucks, but with the 73 freeway and I-5 in the immediate area, there are many trucks in and around Mission Viejo.

As licensed drivers in California, we know we need to be careful on the roads and follow the laws.

But it’s even more important to drive carefully around big trucks and delivery trucks because accidents involving trucks tend to cause serious injuries.

Why Contact A Mission Viejo Truck Accident Lawyer?

Daniel Kim has been helping truck accident injury victims for years and he has gained a lot of experience as a Mission Viejo truck accident lawyer.

When you are dealing with the insurance companies that represent truck companies it can become very complicated.

Daniel Kim is a very experienced personal injury attorney that won’t just settle with the insurance company to get a quick payday.

Our law firm believes in always taking of the client first, and if that means doing battle with the insurance company for months then that is what we will do to ensure you get maximum compensation.

If you have questions about your legal rights, or how the process works when dealing with a truck accident case, then call us today and get a FREE consultation.

We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Daniel has over 1,000 positive reviews on Yelp and Google from past clients who wanted to share their story.

When you are dealing with a broken leg, head injuries, ongoing physical therapy, etc., you will want to have a trusted injury lawyer like Daniel Kim on your side.

In addition, The Law Offices of Daniel Kim works on a contingency basis so you don’t have to pay any fees until we win your case.

If you want a well-known, trusted truck accident lawyer then contact us today.

Practice Areas We Specialize In

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, our personal injury attorneys in Mission Viejo exclusively handle motor vehicle accident cases. This sets us apart from other law firms that take any case just to make a quick dollar. Our outstanding attorneys focus on motor vehicle accidents. This allows us to offer the best service to our clients who want real experience and knowledge.

Car Accidents – This can involve any type of crash from an Uber wreck, to maybe a teenage driver hitting you, or maybe an old lady ran a red light and rear-ended your car. Call us for any automotive-related accident. 

Motorcycle Accidents – As we all know riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, and almost all motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents – These are always bad accidents because a pedestrian has no chance against a 2,000 lb. car that runs them over.

Bike Accidents – Bike accidents always lead to a serious injury, even if you are wearing a helmet. Broken bones and road rash are common in bike accidents.

Uber Accidents – Uber and Lyft have become so popular that sometimes it seems like every other car on the road is an Uber or Lyft driver.  Uber has a unique commercial insurance policy. Uber passengers and other cars who were hit by an Uber driver can file a claim.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Settlement Worth?

Once you get out of the hospital and you are on track to heal from your injuries (physical therapy, etc.), you’ll start to wonder how much your truck accident case might be worth?

This is a very common step for our clients, and when you initially contact us we will do our best to answer all your questions.

Each truck accident is different because each victim will suffer different injuries, each car involved will have different amounts of property damage, etc.

In addition, each injury victim will recover in their own way depending on the injuries they suffered and what their health was like before the crash.

There are certain factors that will always play a part in a settlement, things like lost wages, medical bills, the severity of the injuries, etc.

Daniel Kim and his legal team will fight the insurance companies all the way to make sure you get maximum compensation.

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Mission Viejo

Driving on the Mission Viejo roadways can be very dangerous, particularly when you mix in large semi-trucks or 18-wheelers that share these roads with other distracted drivers and uninsured motorists.

On major freeways and at higher speeds, even small driving errors can end in catastrophe when a large truck is involved.

These accidents can often result in injury and in some instances death, especially when it is with a much smaller vehicle.

If you were injured in an accident described below, then contact our Mission Viejo truck accident lawyers today.

Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents:

• Tire blowout – can cause the driver to lose control of the truck
• Override – the truck runs over a smaller vehicle, devastating consequences
• Under-ride – this occurs when a vehicle slides under a truck, serious injury can occur
• Rollover – when a driver loses control the truck can easily slide and rollover
• Jack-knife – when the trailer of the truck skids at a 90-degree angle, can be catastrophic
• Runaway trailer –in some cases, the trailer can actually become disconnected and end up crashing into oncoming traffic
• Head on – this type of crash usually causes fatal injuries or life-long disabilities
• T-bone – if a truck driver runs a red light it can easily hit another vehicle on the side
• Overloaded trailer – if the cargo isn’t situated properly or secured it can fall into traffic causing a number of injuries and damage

Main Reasons for Truck Accidents in Mission Viejo

Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers cause accidents every day in Mission Viejo, and more often than not injuries and damages are extremely common.

The smaller vehicles more often than not suffer the worst injuries in a big rig crash.

There are many laws and guidelines that attempt to make the OC roads safer, but accidents still occur no matter what.

There are even specific regulations in California that deal with the size and weight limits of trucks and the cargo they ship.

Common causes for semi-truck accidents in Mission Viejo below:

• Equipment failure – the equipment not working correctly can result in major problems
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications – keep drivers up but have multiple side effects
• Failing to signal – not using turn signals properly
• Speeding – always one of the leading causes of semi-truck accidents
• Road rage – aggressive driving contributes to many accidents
• Weather conditions – rain, snow, sleet, or fog can cause 18-wheelers to lose control
• Driver fatigue – this has led to much scrutinization of the trucking industry
• Distracted Driving – boredom from the highway can lead to not paying attention
• Unrealistic delivery deadlines – California state law does enforce hourly driving limits, but not all truckers adhere to these rules

How to File a Truck Accident Claim

Sadly many truck accident victims think they will “take care of their injury case” on their own.

Once you get started dealing with the insurance companies and the medical bills piling up, etc., you’ll realize fast you want a good truck lawyer.

When you hire The Law Offices of Daniel Kim you can count on us to file all the necessary paperwork and files to make sure your injury settlement goes smoothly.

The laws surrounding truck accidents are very hard to navigate when you are dealing with big commercial insurance companies.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that you’ll just handle the insurance company on your own and receive a big settlement, it won’t happen.

Types of Trucks on Mission Viejo Roads

Nowadays there are a lot of commercial trucks on the Orange County freeways and roadways which definitely cause many auto accidents.

But many trucks like dump trucks and box trucks use side streets and are in residential neighborhoods, near schools, etc.

Anytime a large vehicle like an 18-wheeler is driving near a lot of pedestrian and kids, the danger level goes up exponentially.

Truck drivers and the public both need to be careful and follow all traffic laws that apply to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles.

Below is a list of the more common large trucks that pose a danger to pedestrians and motorists in Mission Viejo.

• Flatbed trucks – often carry heavy loads and usually very large
• Dump trucks – these are often large loads and travel on residential city streets
• Semi-trucks – 18-wheelers and big rigs that can cause severe damage and injuries
• Garbage trucks – trash trucks are often in residential areas with kids, pedestrians nearby

Mission Viejo Truck Accident Statistics

With a population density more than 2225% higher than the California State average, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that there are quite a few accidents on Mission Viejo roads.

At the same time, Mission Viejo is one of the safer towns in all of Orange County, with just slightly over one truck accident per 1000 people living in the city (on average) during 2017.

Truck Accident Injuries and Fatalities in Mission Viejo

It’s also good news that the overwhelming majority of truck accidents in Mission Viejo did not end up resulting in fatalities.

Anytime you’re talking about commercial vehicles colliding with smaller automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, and even pedestrians the risk is high for fatalities – but fewer than 10 people died as a direct result of truck accidents in Mission Viejo during 2017.

The injury rate was still quite high, however, with over 80% of truck accidents in Mission Viejo throughout 2017 having at least one injury reported at the scene or after seeking medical attention.

Percentage of Accidents Involving Drugs or Alcohol

Drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of drugs and alcohol remain a big problem in Mission Viejo, as well as throughout the rest of California.

11% of all motor vehicle accidents in California were caused by operators driving while they were under influence of drugs, and DUI charges are up 30% across the last five years.

Registered Truck Drivers

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there were just slightly over 450,800 commercial trucks registered throughout the state as of 2017

Dangerous Intersections in Mission Viejo for Truck Accidents

There are a number of dangerous intersections in Mission Viejo, particularly when it comes to trucks and commercial vehicles.

But the most dangerous intersections in the entirety of Mission Viejo would have to be:

• The Oso Parkway Exit of the I-5 South
• Olympiad Road at Alicia Parkway
• Alicia Parkway and Jeronimo Road
• Alicia Parkway and Muirlands
• Puerta Real and Crown Valley Parkway

All truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators should be careful when going anywhere near the intersections we highlighted above.

Freeways/Roads with the Most Truck Accidents in Mission Viejo

The I-5 South, Alicia Parkway, and Crown Valley Parkway are some of the freeways and roads in Mission Viejo that are home to a significant amount of accidents.

Motorists need to be aware of their surroundings whenever they are going to be going along these roads.