Injured in a Truck Accident Near LA? We Can Help.
Truck accidents often cause an incredible amount of damage since the size difference between trucks and passenger vehicles is so great. Because of this, they are commonly regarded as one of the most dangerous types of accidents.
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident, you have choices. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can help you and your family understand your rights and options under the law. A capable personal injury attorney could advocate for you.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Most truck accident lawyers work on contingency:
You typically pay nothing upfront, and legal fees only come out of a settlement or verdict — meaning hiring an attorney costs you nothing if your case doesn’t result in compensation. - Federal trucking regulations can strengthen your case:
Trucking companies must comply with FMCSA rules on driver hours, maintenance, and inspections — violations of these regulations can serve as powerful evidence of negligence. - Trucking company insurers move fast — often too fast:
Early settlement offers are frequently far below what a claim is actually worth, and accepting one can waive your right to pursue further compensation later. - Compensation can cover more than medical bills:
Depending on your case, you may be entitled to lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage — not just the cost of treatment. - Most truck accident claims settle, but preparation for trial still matters:
An attorney who is fully prepared to take your case to court often achieves stronger settlement leverage than one who only negotiates.
Laws Governing Truck Accidents in California
Truck accidents in the southern California area pose a great danger to drivers and pedestrians. In 2014, the California Highway Patrol reported that 61 people were killed and 1,635 people were injured in truck accidents in Los Angeles County.
Most truck accident claims are filed under a theory of negligence. This legal principle holds the truck driver and the owner of the truck responsible for the injuries and property damage they cause if they did not exercise ordinary and reasonable care.
California law may hold the truck driver responsible for payment of damages caused by their negligence. However, many injury victims do not know that the owner of the truck, usually a large firm, also may have to pay damages to injured parties.
Comparative Negligence
In some accident cases, the people injured in a truck accident may have taken some actions that contributed to the accident. Under California law, even when the injured person’s actions contributed to the accident, they may still be able to recover damages for their injuries from the truck driver. However, it is important to note that if they were more than 50 percent responsible for their accident, they may be barred from any recovery.
Types of Trucks that Often are Involved in Accidents
Truck accidents can occur in several situations and involve several classes of vehicles. However, some common examples of vehicles usually considered to trucks in these suits include:
- Long distance, or “big rig” trucks
- 18 wheelers
- Dump truck
- Tractor-trailer combinations
- Box trucks
- Bobcat trucks
- Automobile transport trucks
- Tow trucks
Each class of truck can cause serious injuries, even though the actual collisions may look different. Freeway collisions involving big rig or 18-wheeler trucks typically are caused by unsafe lane changes or excessive speed. On the other hand, local delivery trucks tend to cause accidents on city streets, at intersections, or in parking lots.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Immediately after a truck accident, everyone involved should seek any necessary medical attention. People are often transported from the accident scene by ambulance to a local emergency room. Even someone who does not seem to be injured immediately after an accident should still seek treatment to make sure they are alright.
Along with medical treatment, anyone in a truck accident should be concerned about gathering or preserving evidence. Photographs of the damage to vehicles and photographs of the freeway, street, or intersection where the crash happened and gathering witness statements should all be done as soon as possible to avoid losing any crucial evidence. Following medical treatment and the documentation of the accident, individuals should reach out to a Pasadena, Claremont or Los Angeles area truck accident lawyer that could help them start the process of filing a claim.
Contacting a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney
The damage caused in a truck accident can be staggeringly expensive. You may be facing expensive medical bills, time away from work, and costs associated with other damages. Compensation could help you cover these losses.
Some truck accident cases can be won or lost based on the actions taken in the first 48 hours after the incident. Do not delay contacting a passionate truck accident lawyer. They can help you today. Call for an appointment and learn your rights.
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles?
Most truck accident attorneys, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees — your attorney only gets paid a percentage of your settlement or verdict if your case is successful. If you don’t recover compensation, you typically owe nothing for legal fees. This arrangement allows injured people to pursue full compensation without worrying about affording legal representation while they’re already dealing with medical bills and lost income.
What is my truck accident case worth?
The value of a truck accident case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your current and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage, and the degree of pain and suffering you’ve experienced. Truck accident cases often involve significantly higher damages than typical car accidents because of the severity of injuries involved. An attorney can review the specifics of your accident and injuries to give you a realistic estimate of what your claim may be worth.
What federal trucking regulations could affect my case?
Commercial trucking companies and drivers must comply with regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), covering areas like driver hours-of-service limits, vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements, drug and alcohol testing, and driver qualification standards. If the trucking company or driver violated any of these federal regulations before your accident, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in your case. An attorney can request driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to uncover these violations.
The trucking company’s insurance already offered me a settlement. Should I accept it?
Be cautious before accepting any settlement offer, especially one made soon after the accident. Insurance companies for trucking companies often make quick, low offers before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or the true cost of your damages. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you typically give up your right to pursue any further compensation — even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought. It’s wise to have an attorney review any offer before you sign anything.
Will my truck accident case go to trial, or will it settle?
The majority of truck accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than going to trial. However, having an attorney who is fully prepared to litigate — and who has a track record of taking cases to court when necessary — often results in stronger settlement offers from insurance companies, since they know the case can’t simply be lowballed without consequence. Your attorney will pursue the strategy most likely to maximize your compensation, whether that’s a negotiated settlement or a courtroom verdict.
How long does a truck accident case take to resolve?
Timelines vary widely depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether liability is disputed. Some cases settle within a few months, while others — particularly those involving serious injuries, multiple liable parties, or disputes over fault — can take a year or more, especially if litigation becomes necessary. Your attorney should be able to give you a realistic timeline estimate once they’ve reviewed the specifics of your accident and injuries.
What should I look for when choosing a truck accident attorney?
Look for an attorney with specific experience handling commercial truck accident cases, not just general car accident claims — trucking cases involve unique federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties (driver, trucking company, and sometimes cargo loaders or maintenance providers), and larger insurance policies with more aggressive legal teams. Ask about their trial experience, their process for investigating federal regulation violations, and how they communicate with clients throughout the case.
Local Resources in Los Angeles
Truck accidents in Los Angeles often cause catastrophic injuries and involve commercial carriers, insurers, and layers of federal regulation that ordinary car crashes do not. In the aftermath, it helps to know where to turn for emergency care, official reports, and information about the trucking company involved. The trusted local and federal resources below can help. Because trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves, speaking with a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer as soon as possible can help preserve critical evidence and protect your claim. Contact our office for a free consultation.
Police & Public Safety
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) – Handles law enforcement, investigations, and collision reports for crashes on city surface streets. For emergencies dial 911; for non-emergency police response, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273). Visit Website
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) – Los Angeles – The primary agency for truck collisions on freeways and highways (such as the 405, 5, 10, and 101), where most large-truck crashes occur. CHP also enforces commercial vehicle safety regulations. Visit Website
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Handles incidents in unincorporated areas and communities outside LAPD jurisdiction. Visit Website
Accident Reports & Records
- California Highway Patrol Collision Reports – Because most large-truck collisions happen on freeways and highways, the CHP is usually the reporting agency. Request your report through the CHP. Request a Report
- LAPD Traffic Collision Reports – For truck crashes on city surface streets, request the report by mail from the Records and Identification Division, Document Processing Unit, P.O. Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030. For status updates, call (213) 486-8130. Request a Report
- California DMV – SR-1 Accident Report – California requires drivers to report an accident to the DMV within 10 days when there is injury, death, or property damage over the state threshold. File an SR-1
Commercial Carrier & Trucking Records
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – The federal agency that regulates commercial trucking. Its public database lets you look up a carrier’s safety record, inspection history, and crash data, and file a complaint against a motor carrier. Visit Website
- FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot – A free public tool to look up a trucking company by name or USDOT number to see its registration, fleet size, and safety rating. Look Up a Carrier
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Provides vehicle safety recall information and complaint data that may be relevant to a truck or its equipment. Visit Website
Medical & Emergency Care
- Los Angeles General Medical Center (formerly LAC+USC) – One of the busiest Level I trauma centers in the country, equipped for the severe injuries common in truck collisions. Located at 2051 Marengo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Visit Website
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – A Level I trauma center with a 24/7 emergency department serving central Los Angeles. Located at 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Visit Website
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center – A Level I trauma center serving the Westside, recognized for advanced neurosurgical and critical care. Located at 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095. Visit Website
Urgent Care & Rehabilitation
- UCLA Health Urgent Care – Walk-in care for non-life-threatening injuries at multiple Los Angeles locations, with specialist referrals. Visit Website
- Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute – Orthopaedic and physical rehabilitation services for the serious, long-term injuries that truck crashes often cause. Visit Website
Towing & Vehicle Recovery
- Official Police Garages (OPG) of Los Angeles – The network of city-authorized garages that tow and store vehicles after collisions within LAPD jurisdiction. If your vehicle was towed after a crash, the responding officer can tell you which OPG has it. Visit Website
- AAA Roadside Assistance – Southern California – 24/7 towing and roadside help for members throughout Los Angeles. Call 1-800-400-4222. Visit Website
Transportation Services
- LA Metro – Bus and rail transit throughout Los Angeles County for getting around while your vehicle is out of service. Call 323-466-3876. Visit Website
- Access Paratransit – Shared-ride service for LA County residents whose injuries prevent them from using regular public transit. Call 1-800-883-1295. Visit Website
Courts & Legal Resources
- Los Angeles Superior Court – Stanley Mosk Courthouse – The primary civil court for Los Angeles County, where truck accident lawsuits are filed. Located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Call (213) 830-0803. Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
- LA County Department of Mental Health Help Line – Free, 24/7 support and counseling referrals for trauma and emotional recovery after a serious accident. Call 1-800-854-7771. Visit Website