Overview
Commercial truck accidents are among the most devastating on our roads. The average tractor-trailer weighs 80,000 pounds when fully loaded -- more than 20 times the weight of a typical passenger vehicle. When a collision occurs between these vehicles, the results are often catastrophic.
Unlike passenger vehicle accidents, truck accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties. The truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loading companies, vehicle manufacturers, and maintenance providers may all bear some responsibility for a crash. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations add another layer of complexity that requires attorneys with specific experience in this area.
At The Brandi Law Firm, we investigate truck accidents thoroughly, examining driver logs, electronic data recorders, maintenance records, company safety records, and cargo loading procedures. Our Man-Machine-Environment approach is particularly effective in truck accident cases, where the cause of the crash may involve driver fatigue, vehicle defects, and road conditions simultaneously.
We have the resources to take on large trucking companies and their insurers, who often dispatch rapid response teams to accident scenes to protect their interests. If you've been injured in a truck accident, prompt legal representation is critical to preserving evidence.
Types of Cases We Handle
Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Collisions involving large semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, often causing catastrophic injuries due to the extreme size and weight differential.
Delivery Truck Accidents
Crashes involving commercial delivery vehicles making frequent stops in urban areas, often caused by time pressure and distracted driving.
Tanker Truck Accidents
Incidents involving vehicles carrying hazardous materials, fuel, or chemicals, which can result in fires, explosions, and environmental contamination.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trucks
Accidents caused by cargo that exceeds weight limits or is improperly secured, leading to rollovers, jackknifes, or falling debris.
Driver Fatigue Accidents
Crashes caused by truck drivers who exceed hours-of-service regulations, drive while fatigued, or falsify their driving logs.
Maintenance Failure Accidents
Collisions caused by brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical defects resulting from inadequate vehicle maintenance.
Understanding California Law
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to both federal FMCSA regulations and California state laws. Federal regulations govern hours of service, vehicle maintenance standards, driver qualifications, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a truck accident case.
California Vehicle Code includes specific provisions for commercial vehicles, including speed limits, lane restrictions, and equipment requirements. Additionally, California's comparative negligence system applies, meaning the trucking company's share of fault determines their share of liability.
The statute of limitations for truck accident claims in California is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity is involved (for example, if a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash), shorter deadlines may apply. Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, so prompt legal action is essential.
Potential Compensation
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to pursue compensation for the following types of damages:
Our Process
Rapid Response Investigation
We move quickly to preserve critical evidence including the truck's black box data, driver logs, drug and alcohol test results, and vehicle inspection records before they can be altered or destroyed.
Regulatory Analysis
Our team reviews FMCSA compliance records, hours-of-service logs, driver qualification files, and the trucking company's safety history to identify violations that contributed to the crash.
Liability Chain Investigation
We identify every potentially responsible party, including the driver, trucking company, broker, cargo loader, vehicle manufacturer, and maintenance provider.
Damages Assessment
We work with medical professionals, life care planners, and economists to calculate the full extent of your current and future losses.
Aggressive Litigation
Trucking companies and their insurers have significant legal resources. We match those resources and are prepared to take your case to trial.
What Sets Us Apart
Notable Case Results
The results described below are representative of past outcomes. Each case is unique. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Passenger v. Ford Motor Company
Our client was paralyzed during a rollover due to a defective seat latch in a commercial van.
Husband and Wife v. State of California
Our clients were struck by an uninsured motorist who crossed over a median that should have had a barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in a truck accident?
Multiple parties may share liability in a truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the vehicle manufacturer, the maintenance provider, and even the broker who arranged the shipment. Our attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability.
What is a truck's black box?
Most commercial trucks are equipped with an electronic control module (ECM) or event data recorder (EDR) that records information such as speed, braking, engine RPMs, and other data in the moments before a crash. This data can be critical evidence, but it may be overwritten if not preserved quickly.
How are truck accident cases different from car accident cases?
Truck accident cases are more complex because they involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, larger insurance policies, and typically more severe injuries. Trucking companies often send rapid response teams to accident scenes, making prompt legal representation essential.
What if the truck driver was violating hours-of-service rules?
Federal regulations limit how many hours a truck driver can operate without rest. If a driver exceeded these limits or falsified their logs, this can be strong evidence of negligence. Our attorneys analyze electronic logging device data to uncover these violations.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is generally two years, but critical evidence in truck cases can be lost quickly. We recommend consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident to help preserve important evidence.
Attorney Advertising. The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. To understand how the law applies to your specific situation, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Free Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one has been affected by truck accidents, contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
Contact Us(888) 309-1224Our Track Record
- More Than 150 Years Of Combined Experience
- Focused Exclusively On Personal Injury
- Licensed In California, Nevada, And Arizona
- More Than $1.6 billion In Verdicts & Settlements
- A Reputation The Insurance Companies Take Seriously
- You Pay Nothing Unless We Get Compensation For You
- Always Prepared To Go To Trial If Negotiations Break Down
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More Than 150 Years Of Combined Experience