Top California Truck Accident Attorneys

There are many reasons a tractor-trailer, flatbed, or other type of large truck could cause a bad accident. Truck accidents often involve:

• Brake malfunctions
• Tire blowouts
• Head-on collisions
• Wide-turn accidents
• Rollovers
• Speeding
• Trucker inexperience
• Fatigued, drowsy, distracted, or impaired truck driver.

An experienced California truck accident attorney can identify the cause of a crash and file documents to protect evidence - like surveillance video and black box records - before it is routinely destroyed.

Where do truck accidents happen in California?

Truck accidents can happen anywhere – on rural back roads, highways, neighborhood streets, and shores, for example. However, some locations experience more crashes than others. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, multiple fatal truck accidents have occurred at these and other spots in California:

• Los Angeles – I-5, 16th St, Washington Blvd
• Corona – I-10, San Bernadino Fwy
• San Diego – I-15
• Bakersfield – CA-178, CA-99
• Sacramento – I-5, I-80, US-50, CA-99

Car accidents and truck accidents may seem similar but for crash victims seeking financial compensation, there are significant differences.

• The size of large trucks increases injury severity and risk of a fatal accident.
• Different federal and state laws apply to the trucking industry affecting liability.
• Multiple parties may be at fault in a single truck accident.

Truck accident attorneys in California understand the unique situation, evidence, and legal standards that apply to truck accidents. They understand the strategies required to investigate out-of-state companies and collect records from the liable companies and drivers.

Who is at fault in a California truck accident?

After a truck accident, multiple investigations are conducted to determine fault – and each one can have different results. Investigators include the responding police officer and lawyers or other representatives for each party involved. California is a pure comparative fault state, which means a person may file a claim for injury compensation even if they are 99 percent at fault in a crash.

In general, the ones who are at fault in a crash are also the ones liable to pay for victims’ damages. After a truck accident, liable parties may include:

• Trucker
• Truck owner
• Trucking company (employer)
• Cargo owner
• Cargo loaders
• Maintenance crews
• Defective truck parts manufacturers.

Settlements, verdicts, and decisions that favor truck accident victims can average anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some even result in multi-million-dollar payouts. It all depends on the circumstances of the case. Factors that typically determine truck accident compensation include injury type and severity. In general, the more severe the injury, the more compensation a person collects. Truck accidents typically result in severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), fractured bones, burns, head injuries, spinal cord damage, amputation, and whiplash among other injuries. Fault is another big factor in crash compensation. Injured California truck accident victims may be entitled to collect compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Long-term rehabilitation and disability equipment
• Lost wages and diminished future earning potential
• Pain and suffering.

An experienced California truck accident attorney can calculate a compensation package that places the highest value on their client's health and comfort. Then they can aggressively fight for maximum compensation.  To get an estimate of how much an individual claim is worth, a crash victim can contact a lawyer for a free case consultation.

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

With few exceptions, California has a two-year statute of limitations of truck accident and wrongful death lawsuits. Any action taken after the two-year limit will more than likely be dismissed. Two years may seem like a long time, but your lawyer needs to get started collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and finding the liable parties right away to protect important documents and build the best case for maximum compensation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as well as state laws create trucking industry regulations. After a California truck accident, the following laws may apply:

• Hours of Service (HOS)
• Black box
• Employee standards
• Vehicle maintenance
• CARB truck ban. In 2023, the California Air Resources Board’s ban on large truck engines made before 2010 went into full effect.
• Cargo laws. State regulations that seek to stop cargo shift and liquid container collapse.
• 55 mph speed limit. In general, trucks cannot drive over 55 mph in California. They must also use designated slow-moving-vehicle or truck-only lanes when available.
• Route restrictions. California also enforces special route restrictions for the heaviest trucks.

How a California truck accident lawyer can help

When you are involved in a truck accident, the insurance companies and trucking companies may try to avoid liability and deny your claim. An experienced California truck accident lawyer can help level the playing field by investigating your accident and gathering evidence. Studies show that, on average, people who consult lawyers collect more in damages than those who do not. This is true even after the attorney’s fee is paid. In California, truck accident attorneys typically work for a contingency fee. That means there are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses for their service. And if they don’t win, you don’t pay.

Do not try to take on the insurance company and trucking industry alone. Contact a California truck accident lawyer with a track record of success and schedule your free case consultation today.