Commercial truck accidents are among the most serious motor vehicle collisions on California roads. The sheer weight and mass of large freight trucks means that when they collide with passenger vehicles, the results are often catastrophic. Victims frequently face life-altering injuries, months of recovery, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. These cases are also legally complex, involving multiple potentially liable parties, federal regulations, and insurance companies with significant resources dedicated to minimizing payouts.
At Callahan & Blaine, PC, our Orange County personal injury attorneys have spent over four decades handling catastrophic injury claims, including those involving commercial trucks. Our firm has secured notable results in truck accident cases, including a $28 million settlement against a trucking company and truck maintenance company. With 29 senior litigators and more than 700 years of combined experience, we have the resources and trial record to take on trucking companies and their insurers on equal footing.
How Dangerous Are Commercial Trucks on California Roads?
The scale of the problem is substantial and well documented. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022 there were 5,936 people killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks, a 2 percent increase from 2021. Seventy percent of those killed were occupants of other vehicles, not the truck itself. These numbers reflect the inherent danger that large commercial vehicles pose to everyone else on the road when they are operated negligently or inadequately maintained.
California’s highway system, with its heavy freight corridors along Interstate 5, the 405, and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, sees a disproportionately high volume of commercial truck traffic and the serious accidents that come with it.
Identifying Liable Parties in a Truck Accident Claim
One of the defining features of truck accident litigation is that liability rarely rests with a single party. Our attorneys conduct a thorough investigation to identify every potentially responsible party before a claim is filed. In a truck accident case, liability may involve the following parties:
- The truck driver, if their negligence, fatigue, impairment, or distraction caused the crash
- The trucking company, if it failed to comply with federal regulations, did not properly maintain vehicles, engaged in unrealistic scheduling, or inadequately screened and trained its drivers
- Cargo loaders, if improper loading or overloading contributed to the accident
- Truck manufacturers and parts suppliers, if a defective component caused or contributed to the crash
- Maintenance companies, if faulty repairs or inspections resulted in a mechanical failure
- Government entities responsible for road conditions or signage in some situations
Identifying all of these parties and building a coordinated case against each requires the kind of resources and experience that a large, well-established litigation firm provides.
Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Claim
Proving negligence in a truck accident case involves establishing that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused your damages. Our attorneys gather truck driver logs, electronic logging device data, maintenance records, black box data, trucking company policies, witness statements, accident scene photographs, and police reports to build the evidentiary foundation your case requires.
When professional analysis is needed, we work with accident reconstruction specialists and trucking industry professionals to explain how the accident happened and why the defendant’s conduct fell below the applicable standard of care. We also retain medical professionals and economic analysts to document the full scope of your injuries and financial losses, including the impact on your catastrophic injury recovery.
Compensation Available in a California Truck Accident Case
Truck accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for the full range of losses caused by the crash. Our attorneys pursue recovery for medical expenses including emergency care, surgery, and long-term treatment costs. Wrongful death claims are also available for the families of victims who did not survive. Beyond medical costs, we pursue compensation for lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available as well.
Contact the Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys at Callahan & Blaine, PC
If you were injured in a truck accident in Orange County or anywhere throughout Southern California, do not try to take on the trucking company’s insurance carrier alone. These companies have experienced defense teams working to protect their bottom line, and matching that opposition requires attorneys who have spent decades doing exactly this kind of work.
Callahan & Blaine, PC has produced record-breaking results in complex personal injury litigation for over 40 years and stands ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact our office today to discuss your truck accident case with our Orange County attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange County Truck Accidents
How soon after a truck accident should I contact an attorney?
As soon as possible. Trucking companies deploy their own investigators immediately after a serious accident to begin building their defense. Critical evidence, including black box data, can be overwritten or lost if not preserved quickly. Contacting an attorney within days of the accident gives your legal team the best chance to secure the evidence needed to support your claim.
What makes truck accident cases different from standard car accident cases?
Several factors distinguish truck accident litigation from standard vehicle accident cases. Multiple potentially liable parties are typically involved. Federal regulations govern the industry and create specific legal standards relevant to the negligence analysis. Trucks carry significant insurance coverage, which means the financial stakes are higher and the defense opposition is better resourced. The severity of injuries in truck accidents is generally greater, requiring more complex damages calculations.
Can I still recover damages if the trucking company is located in another state?
Yes. California courts can exercise jurisdiction over out-of-state trucking companies that operate within the state and cause accidents here. Our attorneys have experience handling claims against national and regional carriers and know how to navigate the jurisdictional and procedural issues these cases present.
What if I was hit by a truck that fled the scene?
Hit-and-run truck accidents present unique challenges but are not necessarily unwinnable cases. Physical evidence at the scene, witness accounts, and surveillance footage may help identify the vehicle and driver. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may also provide a source of compensation if the truck is never identified. Our attorneys can evaluate every available option for recovery in hit-and-run truck accident cases.
What should I do after a truck accident in Orange County?
Call 911, seek medical attention, and preserve the scene if it is safe to do so. Photograph the vehicles and road conditions, and gather the truck drivers' and the trucking company's information. Do not speak with the trucking company's insurer before consulting an attorney. Contact Callahan & Blaine to secure evidence immediately.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in California?
Most truck accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file. If a government entity is involved, an administrative claim may be required within six months. Truck accident investigations require immediate action to preserve evidence. Contact Callahan & Blaine as quickly as possible after your accident.
What role does black box or ELD data play in a truck accident claim?
Electronic logging devices and black boxes record vehicle speed, braking, hours of service, and GPS location before a crash. This data can prove driver fatigue or speeding, but it may be overwritten within days. Callahan & Blaine send legal preservation demands immediately after your accident to secure this critical evidence.
