Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represent step truck accident victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a step truck accident in Fremont, our team of experienced accident attorneys will provide you with the legal expertise necessary to get you fully compensated for your damages. Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Step Van Accident in Modesto?
Step vans, also known as step trucks, walk-in vans, or delivery vans are commercial vehicles used to transport goods and services. These vans are typically used by Amazon, UPS, and maintenance companies. Although these vans are smaller than an 18-wheeler, their accidents can be just as devastating to the average-sized vehicle.
Filing a personal injury claim can be difficult as well. Depending on the owner of the van, it can be tricky to know who is at fault. Typically, the liable party in a step van accident will be the company that owns the van. However, Amazon hires independent contractors, so Amazon would generally not be liable for an accident involving one of their step vans. As you can see, step van accidents can get complicated. For this reason, an accident attorney is recommended to guide you through these legal complexities.
A personal injury attorney can:
- Increase your initial settlement by letting the insurance adjuster know you intend to invoke your rights
- Make you aware of the compensation you will need in order to treat your injuries and make a full recovery
- Help you understand what a fair settlement should be based on your case
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages you’ve suffered
- Evidence that a person, or business, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence the accident was in no way your fault, nor could you have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached and present your case in front of a jury
Common Injuries from Step Van Accidents in Modesto
Step van accidents can be horrific because they typically involve multiple vehicles. According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, there were over 500 severely injured accident victims in 2021 in Modesto’s Stanislaus County. These injuries often leave passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians with significant injuries, or lifelong disabilities. The most common injuries sustained from truck accidents in Modesto include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial trauma
- Spinal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Wrongful deaths
Who Can You File a Claim Against in a Step Van Accident in Modesto?
If you’ve sustained verifiable injuries from a step van accident, you can file a claim against:
- The van company
- Property owners
- Government entities
- Independently contracted drivers
- Step van manufacturers
In the case of a step van accident, you would file a claim against the liable entity’s insurance. In most cases, the van driver is employed to drive for a company, and the company can be held responsible for the driver’s actions. This is known as vicarious liability, which states:
“Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is vicariously liable for his employee’s torts committed within the scope of the employment…
The losses caused by the torts of employees, which as a practical matter are sure to occur in the conduct of the employer’s enterprise, are placed upon that enterprise itself as a required cost of doing business.”
To prove vicarious liability an experienced accident lawyer investigates all potential at-fault parties, collects evidence, and builds a case to show who is specifically at fault.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Step Van Accident?
There is no specific amount of compensation for a step van accident. The results vary widely from case to case due to the complex nature of van accidents. Most settlement amounts are an accumulation of the damages you’ve suffered such as:
- Medical Expenses: includes all costs related to current and future medical treatment, covering hospital bills, ambulance rides, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any other medical needs.
- Lost Wages: you can claim compensation for lost income, as well as loss of earning capacity if the injury results in long-term, or permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: this is a subjective damage, which includes:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other Expenses: property damage, travel for medical treatment, and cost of home modifications (if necessary)
- Wrongful Death Claim: if the bus accident results in a fatality, a claim can be filed by the deceased’s spouse, partner, or children (if not applicable, then parents or siblings are allowed to file a claim). Wrongful death damages include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of consortium
Contact a Step Van Accident Attorney in Modesto
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to the carelessness of a step van driver, the Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto can help you obtain the compensation you need. We know how overwhelming this situation can be. That’s why we will exercise every available legal avenue to get you the maximum compensation for your damages. For expert legal counsel, contact your Modesto attorneys today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.