Large truck accidents in Los Angeles often result in devastating injuries that can prove life-changing and tragically, fatal. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer helps victims of truck crashes protect their legal rights and seek compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages. Since truck accidents are far more complex than average auto accident, a knowledgeable lawyer can help victims and families navigate complex liability issues involving commercial carriers, insurance companies and federal regulations.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, this page will help you better understand the common causes of truck crashes, who can be held liable, what types of injuries are sustained in such accidents, what steps to take after a truck accident and how to choose an attorney to help uphold your rights.
Why Los Angeles is One of the Most Dangerous Cities for Truck Accidents
Los Angeles County sees a number of large truck accidents on a daily basis simply because of the high number of big rigs on the county's freeways and surface streets, fueled by the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach – which form the busiest container port complex in North America. TIMS data show over 2,300 injuries from truck collisions in 2024. Major truck corridors in the county, including the I-710, I-5, I-10, I-405 and SR-91, create a risky environment for all drivers. Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also highlight the dangers of large commercial trucks.
|
Freeway/Corridor |
Why It's Dangerous |
|
I-710 (Long Beach Freeway) |
Major port drayage route; heavy truck traffic |
|
I-5 (Golden State Freeway) |
High crash count in CA; crosses LA County end to end |
|
I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway) |
Major cross-city artery; high rear-end and sideswipe risk |
|
I-405 (San Diego Freeway) |
Dense stop-and-go traffic; frequent merging collisions |
|
SR-91 (Riverside Freeway) |
Links Inland Empire warehouses to port routes |
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Los Angeles
Most Los Angeles truck accidents happen as a result of negligence on the part of the driver, the trucking and other parties. Here are some of the most common causes of these horrific accidents that we see in the Los Angeles area:
·z. Driver fatigue: When drivers break federal hours-of-service rules, there is the risk of them getting exhausted and causing an accident when they doze off while driving. Being too tired to drive can also lead to situations where drivers are unable to focus on the road.
· Distracted driving: Cell phone use, texting and other distractions such as eating, drinking or streaming movies or TV shows while driving can lead to a devastating truck crash.
· Speeding: California law limits trucks over 10,000 pounds to 55 mph. When a driver goes over that speed limit or drives too fast for roadway conditions, then he could be held liable for any crash that results from such negligence.
· Unrealistic delivery schedules: Truck drivers often operate on tight deadlines that border on the ridiculous or are just plain unrealistic. These schedules don't allow truck drivers to take the rest breaks they need to drive safely.
· Inadequate driver screening: Some truck companies hire drivers without checking their CDL status, driving record, drug test results, etc. This is considered negligent hiring and put others on the roadway in grave danger.
· Poor maintenance/brake failure: Neglected brakes are among the top mechanical causes of truck accidents in California. Truck companies and truck owners have a duty to maintain their vehicles properly.
· Improperly secured cargo: Overloaded trucks or shifting loads cause rollover crashes, jackknifing accidents and dangerous road debris.
Types of Truck Accidents That Occur on LA Freeways
· Jackknife accidents: These are cases where a trailer might swing to the side causing the truck driver to hit the brakes hard. Slick roadways can also cause jackknife accidents.
· Underride collisions: When passenger vehicles slide under trailers, the result can be gruesome and fatal injuries. Trucks must use the legally-required rear guards to prevent these tragic crashes.
· Rollover accidents: Large trucks can roll over when a driver is going too fast or when trucks are not loaded properly. These types of crashes are especially seen on LA freeway on-ramps.
· Rear-end collisions: Large trucks need longer stopping distances, which increases the risk of truck accidents in LA's stop-and-go traffic.
· Wide-turn accidents: Large trucks swing wide before right turns, hitting vehicles that travel alongside.
· Cargo spill accidents: Unsecured loads scatter across freeways, creating hazards for other vehicles on the roadway.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Los Angeles Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars, which means they have that much more potential to cause severe or fatal injuries.
· Traumatic brain injuries: Head injuries could range from concussions to severe injuries like bleeding in the brain, which could cause cognitive problems that affect everyday life for victims and their families.
· Spinal cord injuries: Spinal trauma can lead to partial or complete paralysis, which may require lifelong care and adaptive equipment. The costs for medical equipment, treatment and 24/7 care could add up very quickly.
· Broken bones: Fractures to the skull, ribs, pelvis, arms and legs often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation as well as time away from work.
· Internal organ damage: Ruptured organs such as the spleen, liver or kidneys could lead to dangerous internal bleeding, which could even turn out to be fatal.
· Burn injuries: Truck accidents that involve fuel fires can cause severe burn injuries that often require costly and painful skin graft surgeries.
· Wrongful death: Families of deceased truck accident victims may be able to pursue compensation for damages such as lost future income, funeral and burial services and loss of love and companionship, among other damages.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Los Angeles?
Unlike car accidents, large truck crashes involve several defendants that have their own insurance companies and legal defense teams. Since California has a “pure comparative fault rule,” a number of different parties can be held liable. Identifying these different individuals and entities is important to make sure your compensation is maximized.
|
Potential Liable Party |
Basis for Liability |
|
Truck driver |
Negligent driving, hours-of-service violations, impairment, distraction |
|
Trucking company (carrier) |
Negligent hiring/training, unrealistic deadlines, failure to maintain vehicles properly |
|
Cargo loader/shipper |
Improper loading, overloading or unsecured cargo |
|
Truck manufacturer |
Faulty brakes, tires or steering components (product liability) |
|
Maintenance vendor |
Negligent inspection or repair of the truck or trailer |
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in LA?
Truck accident victims can seek compensation for economic damages for quantifiable financial losses and non-economic damages for the harm and distress that is caused by the crash. California does not put a cap on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in personal injury cases.
|
Economic Damages |
Non-Economic Damages |
|
Past and future medical expenses |
Pain and suffering |
|
Lost wages and earning capacity |
Emotional distress |
|
Rehabilitation and physical therapy |
Loss of life's enjoyment |
|
Home modifications and adaptive equipment |
Loss of consortium |
|
Property damage and vehicle replacement |
Mental anguish and PTSD |
Steps to Take after a Truck Accident in Los Angeles
The options for protecting your legal rights well and the quality of care you can receive for your complete physical recovery are impacted by the actions that you take or neglect to take immediately following your truck accident.
1. Do contact/call 911 at once if possible.
You should also remove yourself from immediate danger, but remain at the accident site — or close to it. Please remember that your statement in the official report will be valuable evidence in your case.
2. Seek medical help right away.
There are a lot of injuries that may not manifest right away, like head injuries and internal organ trauma. Documenting your injuries and the treatment you got after the accident is a critical piece of your case.
3. Do not give any recorded statements before contacting your Lawyer first.
In such cases it is best not to talk to any party including insurance company representatives/adjusters (including your own) before speaking with your truck accident attorney.
4. Take photographs/videos.
If possible, record evidence at your accident site including photos and videos that show information and details such as different angles of the crash scene, any tire skid marks, the condition of the roadway, any spilled cargo, your physical injuries, etc. Your accident attorney can also do this for you.
5. Collect key information.
This typically includes the truck driver's name, the carrier's name, insurance details and the truck's DOT number.
6. Contact a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help preserve important evidence such as black box data and driver logs, which can otherwise be lost or destroyed.
Steps that Your Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer will Takes
To ensure that your case is handled effectively, the attorney will immediately send a legal hold letter to the other party/parties. This document is also known as a “spoliation letter” and is meant to preserve evidence and records from the truck such as black box logs, driver's logs, dashcam footage, any maintenance records as well as the driver's drug test results after the accident, etc.
Your lawyer will also subpoena the company's hiring records/files and dispatch records for evidence of negligence, such as whether the carrier knew about the driver's history and the truck's mechanical issues, etc. The lawyer will also get accident reconstruction experts to help piece together the cause of the crash and the factors that led to it.
Truck cases are governed by regulations set by the FMCSA under Title 49 C.F.R., including hours-of-service, maintenance standards and insurance minimums. Your law firm will prepare the case as if it is going to trial to put you at a tremendous advantage and in a position to receive the best possible settlement.
How is a Truck Accident Case Different from a Car Accident Case?
|
Factor |
Car Accident |
Truck Accident |
|
Liable parties |
Usually, one or two drivers |
Driver, shipper, manufacturer, maintenance vendor |
|
Insurance coverage |
State minimum limits |
Federal minimum $750,000; often $1 million to $5 million-plus |
|
Governing law |
California Vehicle Code |
California law plus federal FMCSA regulations |
|
Key evidence |
Police reports, dashcam footage |
Black box, ELD logs, maintenance, dispatch records |
|
Investigation |
Moderate complexity |
Requires trucking industry experts |
Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer: Choosing the Right Attorney
Your personal injury lawyer needs to have the ability and the resources to handle commercial trucking litigation effectively. To ensure that you are selecting the right attorney for your case, please consider the following:
Specific experience: You should find out how many commercial truck accident cases his or her law firm has handled.
Readiness to handle Trials: In many cases, an insurance company will be aware of the litigating firm/attorney to the extent it can impact your settlement favorably. This is due to the reputation the reputation that precedes your lawyer and the resources the firm has when taking a case to trial.
Track record and established results: You should evaluate your lawyer's ability to handle your case successfully based on his or her current track record and case results, especially with truck accident cases.
Fee structure: You should have to pay an upfront fee to you lawyer for handling your case. An established firm will have the resources to take you on as a client based on contingency terms and charge you only when compensation has been recovered for your truck injury accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Truck Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in California?
California's statute of limitations is two years from the date of the crash. Claims against government entities have a much shorter deadline. They must be filed within six months.
How much is a truck accident settlement worth in Los Angeles?
Settlement values can vary widely. Minor injuries might settle from $50,000 to $200,000; serious injuries often go over $500,000. Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases against large carriers or corporations can hit several million dollars.
Can I sue the trucking company – not just the driver?
Yes, under respondeat superior, carriers can be held vicariously liable for truck driver negligence. They can also be held responsible for negligent hiring, training and failure to maintain their fleet.
What is the truck's black box and why does it matter?
A black box records the truck's speed, braking and throttle data second before a crash. It can also be overwritten within days, which means you could lose valuable evidence within a matter of days. A legal hold letter should be sent immediately to preserve it.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
California “pure comparative fault rule” lets you recover compensation even if you were partly responsible Your award will likely be reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, a $1-million settlement might be reduced to $800,000.
Injured in an LA Truck Crash? Here's What Comes Next
Truck accidents in Los Angeles don't happen in a vacuum and for no reason. Many truck crashes happen because of acts of negligence on the part of truck drivers, trucking companies and large corporations that put profits before other people's safety. California law gives injured victims the right to hold all responsible parties liable and fully accountable.
Our firm handles truck accident cases throughout Los Angeles on a contingency fee basis. This means you don't pay us any fees or upfront costs unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free 24/7 case review.
