A truck accident is a traffic collision involving a large commercial vehicle (typically over 10,000 pounds) such as a semi-truck, delivery truck, or other heavy commercial vehicle, which often results in more severe damage and injuries due to the significant size and weight difference compared to passenger cars. When a massive commercial truck on the I-5, 710, or 405 collides with your vehicle, the aftermath can be devastating.
Los Angeles sees thousands of these accidents every year as freight moves through our ports and across our congested freeways. These collisions often result in catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and financial uncertainty that can overwhelm families. At Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys, we understand the profound pain and confusion that follows a serious truck accident.
Table of Contents
- How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
- Why Choose Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys?
- Do I Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident?
- Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
- Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents in Los Angeles
- Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
- Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in California
- California Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
- Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
- Contact Our Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers Today
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Defective roadways, driver negligence and tire blowouts are common causes for all sorts of motor vehicle accidents, trucks included. Other causes of truck accidents may include overheated or faulty tractor trailer brakes, runaway trailers, truck company negligence, truck overloading leading to falling debris and collisions and due to the larger blank spots all trucks possess.
Truck accidents also occur due to driver negligence or recklessness. When any motor vehicle operator drives aggressively, tailgates, speeds, or drives carelessly they increase the potential for an accident. When a truck driver fails to maintain his vehicle, drives under the influence of alcohol, drugs or excessive fatigue, the likelihood of a serious and fatal accident increases far beyond the parameters of a normal collision between two passenger vehicles.
Truck accidents may also be caused by inadequate lighting or reflectors on the truck when driving at night. This increases the chance of truck under-ride accidents because other drivers may not identify the truck.
Why Choose Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys for Your Truck Accident Case?
Our Los Angeles firm has recovered over $700 million for California injury victims across all practice areas. Attorney Emily Ruby has personally secured over $100 million in compensation for her clients and maintains an impressive 97.4% success rate. Some of the many reasons to consider Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys include:
- 97.4% Success Rate
- Over $700 Million Recovered
- 2022 "Women in Law" Award Winner
- 2024 Best In Law Award Winner
- No Fee Unless We Win Guarantee
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident?
Truck accident claims are significantly more complex than typical car accident cases. These collisions involve massive commercial vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds, federal trucking regulations, multiple insurance policies, and often catastrophic injuries. Without experienced legal representation, you're at a severe disadvantage when dealing with trucking companies and their insurers.
Here's what our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers handle for you:
- Thorough Investigation: We gather crucial evidence as needed like black box data and driver logs.
- Regulatory Compliance Review: We examine whether the driver, trucking company, and vehicle were in compliance with federal Hours of Service regulations, vehicle maintenance requirements, and safety standards.
- Multiple Party Liability: We identify all potentially liable parties including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loading company, maintenance providers, and parts manufacturers.
- Insurance Coordination: Commercial truck accidents often involve multiple insurance policies with higher coverage limits. We navigate these complex insurance issues to maximize your recovery.
- Medical Expert Consultation: We work with medical experts to fully document your injuries, understand long-term treatment needs, and calculate the true cost of your damages.
- Federal Regulation Expertise: Trucking companies must follow strict federal regulations. Our attorneys know these rules inside and out and can identify violations that contributed to your accident.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
The legal professionals at Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys are uniquely equipped to handle all types of truck accidents. Some of these accident types include:
- Failure to Stop. Many truck collisions occur when car or truck drivers misjudge the stopping distance required to avoid impact.
- Faulty Tires. This can include tire blow-outs and tires with irregular wear and tear, which can drastically affect the handling and stopping ability of trucks.
- "No Zone" Accidents. These are accidents involving blind spots. The larger the truck, the larger its blind spots. Truck drivers are unable to see portions of the back and the front of their trucks, and these areas are known as no-zone areas.
- Under-ride and Over-ride Collisions. These occur when either a small vehicle rides under the truck, or a large truck rides over smaller vehicles or pedestrians. Both types of accidents are extremely devastating and normally cause the passengers of the smaller vehicle fatal or permanently disabling injuries.
- Swinging Turns. Also known as squeeze play, these are accidents that occur on wide turns. Drivers often swing in the opposite direction to complete a wide turn. When the truck swings it may squeeze the car beside it into the curb or another vehicle because of the truck's large blind spots.
- Jack-Knife and Rollover Accidents. Tractor-trailers have three sets of brakes: trailer axle brakes, drive axle brakes and steering axle breaks. If the steering axle brake locks up, then the truck will continue moving straight ahead without the ability to steer. When the drive axle brake locks, the truck will jack-knife. Rollover truck accidents can occur at speeds as little as 5 miles per hour simply because a big rig's center of gravity is so much higher than a car.
- Brake Failure. This can be caused by improper installation or lack of maintenance of aged brakes. Improper loading, overuse or sudden stopping at high speeds can cause truck's brakes to overheat and fail. The larger the truck, the more likely the brakes may overheat.
Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles experiences truck accidents every year that can be caused from heavy commercial traffic moving through the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, congested highways like the I-5 and 405, and constant distribution activity throughout the region.
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate without rest breaks. Drivers must take mandatory rest periods after 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on duty. However, pressure to meet delivery deadlines often leads to violations of these safety rules. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that driver fatigue was associated with 13% of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. When drivers operate while fatigued, reaction times slow and decision-making becomes impaired.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road and may become distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, eating, or other activities. Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, even a moment of inattention can result in catastrophic accidents on busy Los Angeles freeways.
Improper Loading and Cargo Issues
Incorrectly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause trucks to become unstable, tip over, or lose their loads on the highway. With Los Angeles being a major shipping hub, overloaded trucks would be a catastrophic danger.
Vehicle Maintenance Failures
Commercial trucks require regular maintenance and safety inspections. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering problems can be a result of inadequate maintenance. Our attorneys review maintenance records carefully to identify safety violations.
Aggressive or Reckless Driving
Some truck drivers could engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding, following too closely, or making unsafe lane changes. The pressure to navigate Los Angeles traffic and meet tight delivery schedules can lead to aggressive driving.
Weather and Road Conditions
While Los Angeles has generally favorable weather, trucks are more susceptible to accidents during rare rain or in construction zones.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
The massive size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means that truck accidents often result in severe, life-changing injuries. Understanding the full scope of your injuries is crucial for pursuing appropriate compensation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most serious consequences of truck accidents. These injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage requiring lifelong care. Symptoms may include memory problems, personality changes, cognitive difficulties, and physical impairments.
Brain Injury Symptoms:
- Memory loss and confusion
- Personality changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical coordination problems
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
The force of a truck collision can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, home modifications, and ongoing care. After a traumatic injury where spinal cord damage has occurred, it is important to contact an experienced spinal cord injury attorney who specializes in personal injury accidents.
Long-term Effects:
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Loss of sensation
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Chronic pain
Multiple Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries
Truck accidents can cause complex fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries may require multiple surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and may result in permanent disability.
Internal Injuries
The impact force in truck collision can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent. These injuries can be life-threatening and require emergency medical intervention.
Burn Injuries
Truck accidents involving fires or hazardous materials can cause severe burn injuries requiring extensive treatment including skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and long-term wound care. These types of personal injuries can be some of the most physically painful and physiologically damaging to accident victims.
Psychological Trauma
Beyond physical injuries, truck accident victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts that require professional treatment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
One of the most complex aspects of truck accident cases is determining all parties who may bear responsibility for the collision. Multiple entities are often involved in commercial trucking operations, and identifying all liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation.
- The Truck Driver. The individual operating the commercial vehicle can be held liable for accidents caused by their negligent or reckless behavior. This could include violations of traffic laws, driving while fatigued, distracted driving, or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The Trucking Company. Trucking companies have extensive legal responsibilities for the vehicles they operate and the drivers they employ. They can be held liable for inadequate driver training, failure to properly maintain vehicles, violating federal safety regulations, or pressuring drivers to violate hours of service rules.
- Vehicle Owner or Leasing Company. In some cases, the truck is owned by a separate entity from the company operating it. The owner can be liable for accidents if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or allowed it to be operated in an unsafe condition.
- Cargo Loading Company. Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause accidents through shifting loads, cargo spills, or vehicle instability. The company responsible for loading the truck can be held liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance and Repair Companies. Third-party companies that perform maintenance or repairs on commercial trucks might be liable if mechanical failures caused by their negligent work led to accidents. This includes brake failures, tire problems, or other mechanical issues.
- Parts Manufacturers. If a defective truck part or component caused the accident, the manufacturer of that part can be held liable under product liability laws. This might include defective brakes, tires, steering components, or other safety-critical parts.
- Government Entities. In some cases, dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage maintained by government agencies can contribute to truck accidents. While claims against government entities involve special procedures and limitations, they may be possible in certain circumstances.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in California
California law allows personal injury victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. The goal is to restore you to the position you would have been in if the accident had not occurred. Depending on your claim, these damages could be substantial.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses: All past and future medical costs including emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical equipment. | Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries, both past and future. |
| Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to your inability to work, plus future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to previous employment | Emotional Distress: Mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts of the accident and your injuries |
| Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident | Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for your inability to enjoy activities you previously enjoyed due to your injuries |
| Home and Vehicle Modifications: Costs for modifications to accommodate disabilities if required due to your injuries | Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent physical changes caused by your injuries |
| Ongoing Care Costs: Long-term care expenses including in-home nursing care and assistance with daily activities | Loss of Consortium: Compensation for spouses for the loss of companionship and intimacy resulting from severe injuries |
Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct such as drunk driving, deliberate safety violations, or reckless disregard for public safety, California courts may award punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
California Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
CRITICAL DEADLINE: You have only 2 years from the date of your truck accident to file a lawsuit in California courts. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation forever.
The statute of limitations begins running on the date of the accident, not when you discover your injuries or when you finish medical treatment. However, there are limited exceptions to this rule:
- If the accident involved a government vehicle or government employee, you may need to file a claim within 6 months
- If you were a minor at the time of the accident, the deadline may be extended
- In rare cases involving delayed discovery of injuries, the deadline might be extended
Don't wait to contact a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. Important evidence might disappear, and witnesses can forget details. The sooner you contact our firm, the stronger we can make your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
How much is my truck accident case worth?
The value of your truck accident case depends on many factors including the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the degree of negligence involved. Truck accident settlements can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for the most severe cases. Our attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your case and fight for maximum compensation based on your specific circumstances.
How long will my truck accident case take?
Truck accident cases typically take longer to resolve than regular car accident cases due to their complexity. Simple cases might settle within 6-12 months, while complex cases involving severe injuries or disputed liability could take 2-3 years or more. We work efficiently while ensuring we don't settle too quickly and leave money on the table.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
Never accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company without consulting an experienced truck accident attorney. Initial offers are typically far below the true value of your case. Insurance companies hope you'll accept a quick, low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Even if the truck driver was an independent contractor rather than an employee, the trucking company may still be liable for the accident. We'll investigate the relationship between the driver and company to determine all potential sources of compensation. Independent contractor relationships don't automatically shield companies from liability.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you could still recover 80% of your total damages.
What if the truck driver was under the influence?
If the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, this strengthens your case significantly and may support a claim for punitive damages. We'll work with law enforcement to obtain all evidence related to intoxication and use this to maximize your compensation.
Do I need to go to court?
Most truck accident cases settle out of court through negotiations with insurance companies. However, we're always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation. Insurance companies take cases more seriously when they know your attorneys are experienced trial lawyers.
How much do your services cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your case. Our fees come directly from your settlement or verdict, so you can pursue justice without any upfront costs or financial risk.
Contact Our Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, time is critical. Don't face this fight alone. At Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys, we've dedicated our careers to helping injury victims obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. With over $700 million recovered for our clients and a 97.4% success rate, we have the experience and resources to take on the biggest trucking companies and their insurers.
Call (323) 782-0535 now for your free, confidential consultation.
Your consultation is completely free with no obligation. We'll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand the compensation you may be entitled to receive. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.
Our Los Angeles office is conveniently located at: 400 Continental Blvd, Suite 320 El Segundo, CA 90245
Don't let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Contact Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys today and let us fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
