California Truck Accident Lawyer

California’s roadways are among the busiest in the country, with thousands of commercial trucks traveling daily across major interstates like I-5, I-80, and I-15. Unfortunately, this constant flow of large vehicles increases the risk of devastating truck accidents. For victims and their families, these accidents often bring life-altering consequences—severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and emotional trauma.

After years of proven success fighting for personal injury victims in Nevada, Van Law Firm has expanded into California to offer the same high-level legal support to those hurt in commercial truck collisions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, big rig, or delivery truck, our experienced California truck accident lawyers are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

With complex liability issues and high-stakes insurance negotiations, truck accident cases require a legal team that understands California law and knows how to win. Van Law Firm’s legal team of California personal injury attorneys bring seasoned attorneys, personalized attention, and a track record of success to your corner.

Why You Need a California Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. Unlike standard car collisions, these cases often involve multiple liable parties, large-scale insurance policies, and federal trucking regulations—all of which make navigating a claim extremely difficult without legal representation.

Here’s why hiring a qualified California truck accident attorney is essential:

Complex Liability: In a single accident, the truck driver, the trucking company, a third-party maintenance provider, or even a cargo loader may share responsibility. Pinpointing liability requires deep investigation and access to evidence like logbooks, black box data, and maintenance records.
Federal and State Regulations: Commercial trucks are subject to strict oversight by agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in addition to California-specific trucking laws. An experienced lawyer understands how violations of these rules can impact your case.
Aggressive Insurance Defense Teams: Trucking companies are typically backed by insurers with extensive resources and aggressive legal teams. They move quickly to protect their interests—often before the victim even leaves the hospital. Without representation, you risk accepting a lowball settlement or unknowingly damaging your claim.
Maximizing Compensation: A skilled attorney doesn’t just build a strong case—they fight to ensure you recover all eligible damages, from current and future medical expenses to lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Peace of Mind: The aftermath of a truck accident is overwhelming. Hiring a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in California allows you to focus on recovery while your legal team handles the investigation, paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations.

At Van Law Firm, we’re not just here to file paperwork—we’re here to stand up to powerful trucking companies and deliver justice for our clients. Contact us today for your free case review: (626) 899-1000.

For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving California, call (725) 900-9000

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California

Truck accidents don’t happen in a vacuum. In California, where high-speed freeways meet busy urban centers, a wide range of factors can lead to catastrophic crashes involving large commercial vehicles. Identifying the cause of the accident is a crucial part of building a strong legal case—and it often reveals negligence that can be directly tied to the truck driver, the trucking company, or a third party.

Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in California:

Driver Fatigue: Federal law limits how many hours truck drivers can be on the road, but those rules are often bent or ignored. Long hauls, tight schedules, and pressure to meet delivery deadlines contribute to drowsy driving—a major cause of commercial truck collisions.
Distracted Driving: Whether it’s texting, eating, or using GPS devices, distracted driving is dangerous for any motorist—but when it involves an 80,000-pound semi-truck, the consequences can be deadly.
Speeding and Reckless Driving: Despite their size and weight, some truck drivers exceed safe speeds—especially on downhill grades or during inclement weather. Failing to drive with caution puts everyone on the road at risk.
Improperly Loaded Cargo: Uneven or unsecured cargo can shift in transit, leading to loss of control or jackknife accidents. In these cases, third-party shippers or cargo handlers may be liable.
Mechanical Failures or Poor Maintenance: Worn-out brakes, blown tires, and faulty steering systems can cause or worsen accidents. If a maintenance company or the trucking company failed to inspect or service the vehicle, they may be held accountable.
Weather and Road Conditions: California’s diverse climate can create unpredictable hazards—from heavy fog in Central Valley to slick mountain passes. Safe operation under these conditions requires heightened awareness and skill.

Understanding the cause of the crash allows your California truck accident lawyer to zero in on who is responsible—and how to hold them financially accountable. If you were a bystander that was involved in a truck accident, reach out to Van Law Firm. Our team of California pedestrian accident lawyers would like to hear your story.

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Types of Truck Accident Injuries

When a fully loaded commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. These aren’t minor fender benders—victims of truck accidents in California frequently suffer from serious, life-altering injuries that require extensive medical care and long-term recovery.

Below are some of the most common injuries we see in truck accident claims:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A sudden blow to the head during a crash can lead to concussions, brain swelling, memory loss, cognitive impairments, permanent disability, and in catastrophic cases, death.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, ongoing pain, and the need for adaptive equipment or lifelong care.
Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries: The immense force of a truck collision can cause compound fractures, crushed limbs, or shattered joints, often requiring multiple surgeries.
Internal Injuries: High-impact crashes can damage internal organs, cause internal bleeding, or result in dangerous complications that aren’t immediately visible.
Burns and Lacerations: Fires and hazardous cargo spills can cause severe burns or deep cuts, leading to scarring, infection, and emotional trauma.
Psychological and Emotional Trauma: Many survivors suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances long after the physical wounds have healed.

These injuries come with serious financial and emotional costs. Medical bills, lost income, and the need for rehabilitation or lifelong assistance can quickly overwhelm a victim and their family. That’s why it’s essential to work with a truck accident attorney in California who can pursue the full compensation you deserve.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a California Truck Accident?

One of the most important—and most complex—steps in any truck accident case is determining who is legally responsible for the crash. Unlike a typical car accident in California, where the at-fault party is often limited to the other driver, truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties, each of whom may have played a role in causing the incident.

Here are some of the key parties that may be held liable in a California truck accident case:

The Truck Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, under the influence, or violating rest regulations, they can be directly at fault. Evidence such as the truck’s black box, driver logs, and witness testimony can help prove negligence.
The Trucking Company: Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are often liable for the actions of their employees. Trucking companies can also be held responsible for negligent hiring practices, poor maintenance, or forcing drivers to violate hours-of-service rules.
Maintenance Providers: If an outside contractor was responsible for inspecting or servicing the truck and failed to do so properly, they could be liable for mechanical failures that contributed to the crash.
Cargo Loaders or Shippers: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause trucks to tip, jackknife, or lose control. If a third-party company handled the loading, they may share in the liability.
Truck or Part Manufacturers: In some cases, a defective part—like faulty brakes or a blown tire—caused the accident. When a manufacturing or design flaw is to blame, the company that produced the part may be held accountable under product liability laws.

Because of the complexity of these cases, working with an experienced California truck accident lawyer is crucial. At Van Law Firm, our team conducts detailed investigations, reviews driver logs and inspection reports, and collaborates with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case and pursue every liable party.

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Understanding California Truck Accident Laws

Navigating a truck accident claim in California requires a deep understanding of both state and federal laws. Your ability to recover damages depends not only on proving negligence but also on meeting certain legal requirements and deadlines.

Here are some key laws that affect California truck accident cases:

Comparative Fault Rule: California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation—your total award will just be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault, your final compensation would be reduced by 20%.
Statute of Limitations: In California, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Federal Trucking Regulations: In addition to California’s laws, trucking companies and drivers must comply with federal regulations governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules cover things like driver qualifications, maximum hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and more. Violations of these rules can be used as evidence of negligence.
Reporting Requirements: Any accident that results in injury or death must be reported to law enforcement. It’s also important to gather documentation like the official police report, medical records, and witness statements early in the process.
Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks must carry significantly higher insurance coverage than private passenger vehicles. This can mean larger potential payouts for injury victims—but it also means insurers will fight hard to limit what they pay out.

Understanding these legal nuances is critical to protecting your rights. A dedicated truck accident attorney in California will ensure your claim is filed correctly, within the statute of limitations, and supported by the strongest possible evidence.

Why Californians Trust Van Law Firm After a Truck Accident

When you’ve been hit by a commercial truck, you don’t need a generic injury attorney—you need a battle-tested truck accident lawyer who knows how to win. At Van Law Firm, we bring the full force of our legal team, investigative resources, and decades of experience to every case. Our mission? To hold negligent trucking companies accountable and help California families get their lives back.

Here’s what sets Van Law Firm apart:

Decades of Experience: We’ve recovered millions for injury victims across Nevada—and now we’re delivering that same relentless representation to California.
Aggressive Insurance Negotiation: Trucking companies and their insurers don’t intimidate us. We know their tactics, and we know how to fight back.
Nationwide Recognition: Our firm has earned a reputation for excellence, with glowing client testimonials and recognition across multiple states.
No Out-of-Pocket Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
Client-First Mentality: You’re not just a case number. We take the time to understand your story, support your recovery, and fight like it happened to one of our own.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident—whether on a California highway, city street, or rural road—you deserve a law firm that knows how to win big cases. Don’t settle for less. Let Van Law Firm take the pressure off your shoulders and fight for every dollar you’re owed. Call us today: (626) 899-1000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident in California?
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it’s best to begin the claims process as soon as possible to preserve evidence and witness statements.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation will simply be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

How much is my truck accident case worth?
It depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and whether there’s evidence of gross negligence. A skilled truck accident attorney in California can help estimate your case value after reviewing the details.

Will I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Most truck accident claims settle out of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, Van Law Firm is fully prepared to take your case to trial.

How much does it cost to hire a California truck accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we win your case.

No obligation consultations are always free.

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Client Testimonials

These guys are amazing. Helped me throughout the process. Always there when I need help. Inititailly called a law firm (the one that has lots of ads on the radio), but they declined my case. Van Law Firm accepted my case without a second thought! Kudos to Daniel, my case manager, and Amanda who expedited my payment process. Highly recommended.

Milby Mags

Got in an accident at the beginning of the year and they have been awesome, especially with it being my first accident and me being like this. They have been very communicated, stayed in contact with me the whole time, giving me updates when there were any and even when there weren’t and answered any question I had. I would recommend them to anyone. Everyone I have talked to there has been very friendly. I would give them a 10 out of 10.

Ethan Gullet

They made sure that my insurance company covered what I paid for them to which included the gap for my car that was totaled. My medical costs were taken care of and reduced substantially so I was able to get more on my settlement. My case manager, Will Garcia, was always helpful in assisting me and answering any questions I had. They really did an amazing job with my case. I would definitely recommend them to anyone in need of this type of legal help. Most lawyers do not help you with the recovery of the car and rental etc. They are amazing.

Teresa Cuthbertson