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California Truck Accident Lawyer

If you've been injured in an accident with a semi-truck in California, The Advocates can help you recover.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You

Any type of car accident can be a life-changing event, but commercial truck accidents have even more potential for devastation—such collisions often result in catastrophic injuries, property damage, and lasting pain and suffering.

If you or a family member has been injured in a big rig accident, you need competent, compassionate legal representation. The Advocates are experienced truck accident attorneys who are ready to help. We will do everything we can to get you fair compensation for your truck accident claim.

The Next Steps In Your California Truck Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get the damage on your car assessed and fixed

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Truck Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

We only get paid if we win your case!

Hable con un profesional

California Semi-Truck Accident Statistics

California state semi-truck accident statistics  

  • In 2021, California had the third-highest number of non-occupants killed in large truck crashes, behind Texas and Florida.
  • Large trucks make up about 7% of the vehicles involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in the state.
  • Nationwide, 5,700 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2021.
  • Around 63% of semi-truck crashes happen during daylight hours.

Common causes of truck accidents

  • Distracted driving: Many truck drivers travel long stretches through remote areas. It is easy to “zone out” or become otherwise distracted.
  • Drowsy driving: When driving many hours at a time, truckers may become tired behind the wheel.
  • Drunk driving: In 2021, more than 1,400 traffic fatalities in California involved at least one driver under the influence of alcohol.
  • Mechanical failure: One of the most common causes of semi-truck crashes is faulty equipment.
  • Improper passing or turning: Drivers of passenger vehicles may fail to realize that large trucks are unable to stop as quickly as smaller cars. Cutting off a tractor-trailer is dangerous and can be deadly.

Common truck accident injuries 

It is not unusual for commercial vehicle accidents to cause severe injuries, especially for occupants of other cars involved in the crash. Some common types of truck accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
  • Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Cuts, scrapes, and bruises

California Semi-Truck Laws

Speedometer scoring high speed in fast motion blur.

What is the speed limit for semi-trucks in California?

While many highways and interstates in California have posted speed limits from 65-70 miles per hour, the maximum speed limit for trucks with three or more axles is 55 miles per hour.

How many hours can a truck driver work at one time?

Trucking companies often pay truckers on a per-mile basis. This incentivizes truck drivers to work long hours, which can lead to driver fatigue and present a hazard to everyone on the road.

To address this concern, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) created the Hours of Service Rule, a federal regulation limiting how many hours a trucker may drive at once.

The Hours of Service Rule lays out the following guidelines:

  • Truckers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
  • Drivers may only be on-duty, driving or not, for a maximum of 14 consecutive hours.
  • Drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
  • In adverse conditions, the 11-hour and 14-hour maximums may be increased by up to 2 hours.

How long do I have to file a truck accident case?

All personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, or time limit for filing your case. Truck accident victims in California have two years to file a lawsuit with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

If you believe you have a valid injury case, it is a good idea to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Once the statute of limitations expires, you will lose your right to a claim.

What types of damages can I seek in a truck accident lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries after an accident with a semi-truck, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Exactly how much your case is worth will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case.

Some common damages in truck accident cases include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Non-economic damages, like emotional distress
  • Funeral and burial expenses (in the case of wrongful death)

The best way to know how much your case is worth is to speak with a personal injury lawyer. The Advocates offer free case evaluations to help you understand your legal options.

Why Should I Hire a California Truck Accident Attorney?

After your accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company may try to avoid offering you a fair settlement for your damages. A personal injury attorney can build your case and negotiate with adjusters to help you obtain maximum compensation.

The Advocates injury law firm is ready to help. We will take on the stressful parts of the claims process so you can focus on feeling better. With an Advocate on your side, you are never alone.

Contact us today for a free consultation. You deserve an attorney who will fight for your recovery. You deserve an Advocate.