Truck Accident Lawyer in Pasadena & Los Angeles
Because of their size and weight, collisions with semis, box trucks, and delivery vehicles tend to cause more severe injuries than passenger-car crashes. These cases are also more complex: the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or even the truck manufacturer can each share responsibility. Trucking companies carry much larger insurance policies and often send an investigator to the scene within hours, which is one reason early legal advice matters — critical evidence like black-box data and logbooks can be lost or overwritten if it isn’t preserved quickly.
Common Causes
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance (brakes, tires)
- Wide turns and blind spots ("no-zones")
- Driving under the influence or while distracted
Compensation That May Be Available
- Extensive medical and rehabilitation costs
- Long-term or permanent disability care
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family in fatal crashes
California Law Note
Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets rules on driver hours, vehicle inspection, and maintenance. A violation of those federal rules can be important evidence of negligence in a civil claim.
Related Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Most California personal injury claims — car accidents, slip-and-falls, dog bites, and similar cases — must be filed within two years of the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Wrongful death claims generally follow the same two-year rule, measured from the date of death. There are important exceptions: claims against a government agency (a city, county, school district, or transit authority like Metro) usually require a formal claim within six months, and the clock can run differently for claims involving a minor. Because missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim, it’s worth confirming your specific deadline early rather than assuming the standard two years applies.
View this answer on its own page →What is my personal injury case worth?
There’s no fixed formula, and anyone who promises you a specific number before reviewing your medical records and the facts of your case is getting ahead of the evidence. Case value generally depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries, your total medical expenses (past and projected future treatment), lost income, the strength of the liability evidence, available insurance coverage, and how the injury has affected your daily life. A free consultation lets us look at your specific situation and give you a realistic, honest assessment rather than a guess.
View this answer on its own page →Office-Specific Information
Each office has its own detailed page on our main site:
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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Free consultation. No fee unless we recover compensation for you — case costs may still apply regardless of outcome; ask us for the specifics in writing.