California Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck wrecks are often life-changing events. Unfortunately, they are increasingly common on California highways and roads. If you have been injured in a trucking collision, you are likely dealing with physical and emotional recovery on top of medical bills and time off work. Our knowledgeable commercial trucking accident attorneys can help.

The Barnes Firm offers personalized, 24/7 support with personal injury cases in California and works to achieve the best possible outcome. Call our law office at (800) 800-0000 to speak with a California truck accident lawyer about your case and the steps to pursue compensation.

Why Do Truck Accident Victims Choose The Barnes Firm for Their California Case?

With unmatched experience and resources, our firm has earned a national reputation for high-quality service and results. With over 500 years of combined legal experience and a capacity to take on major trucking companies and their insurers, you can trust our attorneys to get the job done.

We can use our deep understanding of state and federal trucking laws to navigate your case, no matter how complex. When you choose to partner with our truck accident attorneys in California, you secure the following client-centered benefits:

• Direct communication with your attorney
• Free case reviews
• 24/7 availability
• A team that is willing to come to your home, hospital, or office if needed

Our Legal Team Understands Your Community

Our compassionate and highly experienced attorneys are local and have deep knowledge of courts and judges, dangerous intersections, and the best medical providers to utilize for your injuries. We have secured numerous awards, including Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Our team is also a part of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, among other organizations.

• Mory Ahmadi – Los Angeles, CA
• Jeffrey Bodily – San Diego, CA
• Corinne Brophy – Oakland, CA
• Cody Christiansen – Oakland and San Francisco, CA
• Scott Kennedy – Los Angeles and San Diego, CA
• Mason Aria – Oakland, CA
• Seth Mitchell – Los Angeles, CA
• Allen Oghassabian – San Diego, CA
• Christian Oliver – San Diego, CA
• John Sheehan – Los Angeles, CA
• Landon Vivian – Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA
• Ronni Whitehead – Los Angeles, CA

California Settlements and Verdicts Secured for Our Truck Accident Clients

At The Barnes Firm, we have a long track record of obtaining impressive case results for our clients, including numerous truck accident settlements and verdicts. Some of the highlights include the following:

• $3.5 Million – Our client sustained shoulder, elbow, hand, and head injuries after being struck by a truck.
• $1.6 Million – Our client was struck by a truck, sustaining head, neck, shoulder, and foot injuries.
• $1.5 Million – Our client was sideswiped by a tractor-trailer, sustaining serious back injuries.
• $1.5 Million – Our client was rear-ended by a UPS truck while stopped at a red light, sustaining neck, back, knee, and shoulder injuries.
• $1.43 Million – Our client was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle, resulting in severe back and shoulder injuries.

Testimonials From Our Satisfied Clients in California

Terry C.

I was very happy with my overall experience with Barnes Firm. It was my pleasure to work with Mory Ahmadhi. She was very professional and patiently explained each step of the process to me. I am happy with my settlement. Thank you, Mory! I will gladly send you referrals!

Francine M.

My personal attorney from The Barnes was Seith Mitchell, who went above and beyond all my expectations in settling my personal injury lawsuit. He showed compassion and great understanding…by the end of my case, I felt like family to the law firm.

Amanda H.

My personal injury lawyer was amazing, and they helped me with my car lawsuit. I can’t thank them enough! Very diligent on getting me a fair among and kept me updated along the way and has worked so hard to get me the amount they did. Very professional and cares about their clients. Great law firm and I highly recommend Allen O.

The Differences Between Truck Accident and Car Accident Cases in California

Trucking collision cases are typically more complicated to navigate than a typical passenger vehicle crash. Some of the challenges that an experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate include:

• More severe injuries: Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, accident victims are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries.
• Multiple defendants: Many parties might be liable for a truck accident, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance crew, cargo loader, government entities, and truck part manufacturers.
• Complex insurance coverage: With multiple parties involved, several policies may cover an accident. These policies generally have higher policy limits and lawyered coverage, making it more difficult to navigate insurance claims.
• Trucking regulations: Regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state oversight agencies often play a role in truck accident cases.
• Obtaining and preserving evidence: Trucking companies typically possess black box data, dash cam footage, driver logs, maintenance records, company policies, and other key pieces of evidence needed to build a truck accident claim.

Common Causes of Commercial Trucking Accidents in California

Several factors can contribute to a California truck accident, including the following:

Driver Negligence

When drivers engage in negligent or reckless behavior, the risk of a crash increases. Negligence behind the wheel includes speeding, intoxication, or distracted driving, such as texting. Truckers may also be negligent for violating hours-of-service rules, leading to fatigue.

Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance, including tire blowouts and faulty brakes, can all cause a serious wreck. In these cases, the team responsible for repairing and maintaining the truck may be held liable.

Cargo Issues

Cargo loaders are responsible for properly loading a truck’s bed or trailer. When cargo is overloaded, unsecured, or unbalanced, accidents can happen. When loads shift inside a trailer, jackknifing and rollovers often result. In addition, unsecured loads may come loose and spill debris onto the road.

Employer Negligence

A trucking company may be held accountable under the theory of vicarious liability if the at-fault driver was its employee and caused that accident. For the company to be liable for the driver’s negligence, the driver must have been acting within the scope of their job duties when the accident occurred. However, many truck drivers are independent contractors, not trucking company employees. In such cases, vicarious liability will likely not apply.

However, in some cases, the trucking company may be held liable for its own negligence. If an accident results from company negligence, like inadequate training, inadequate background checks, or an unreasonable schedule, the injured party may be able to sue the company.

Road Conditions or Infrastructure Problems

Government entities may also be sued in scenarios involving road debris, poor signage, and inadequate lighting. These cases can be especially complex to navigate and may have tighter filing deadlines to adhere to.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident in California?

You may be able to hold more than one party liable for your injuries in a trucking collision, including the following:

• Truck Drivers: Negligent, careless, or reckless driving
• Trucking Companies: Vicarious liability, negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or unreasonable policies
• Cargo Loading Companies: Improperly securing loads or overloading
• Maintenance Providers: Faulty inspections or negligent repairs
• Truck Manufacturers: Design or manufacturing defects
• Government Entities: Road defects or maintenance failures

Available Compensation in a California Truck Accident Lawsuit

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the strength of evidence, you may be eligible for several forms of compensation: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages are designed to cover the calculable losses from a personal injury, such as the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages from time off work
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages compensate you for the more subjective and difficult-to-calculate losses, including the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death damages

Punitive Damages

In California, a court may award punitive damages if the defendant acted maliciously, oppressively, or fraudulently. These rare damages aim to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct. They may be available in cases involving drunk driving or extreme misconduct.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in California

Our dedicated lawyers have experience handling a variety of truck accident cases in California, including the following:

• Rear-End Collisions
• Jackknife Accidents
• Underride Accidents
• Rollovers
• Blind Spot Crashes
• Wide Turn Accidents
• Multi-Vehicle Wrecks
• Uninsured and Underinsured Crashes
• FedEx, UPS, and Other Delivery Truck Accidents

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in California

California’s statute of limitations gives most accident victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including claims against government entities. In these instances, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the incident.

If the government denies your claim, you then have an additional six months from the date of denial to file a lawsuit in court. Understanding the deadlines that apply to your specific case is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve.

Call The Barnes Firm To Get Your Free Case Review Today

Trucking collisions are often traumatic, life-changing experiences that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and financially drained. Our team is dedicated to helping victims pursue justice in their recovery journey.

When you partner with our California truck accident attorneys, we guarantee no fee unless you get paid. Our lawyers are available 24/7 and will come to you. Contact us today to get started on building a compelling case.