A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, and when one is involved in a collision on the 405, the 5, or the 10, the results are rarely minor. Truck accident claims are also more complex than a typical car accident, because liability often extends beyond the driver to the trucking company, a cargo loader, or even the truck or parts manufacturer.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Driver fatigue from long hauls and tight delivery schedules
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo that shifts or falls
- Poor vehicle maintenance — brake failure, tire blowouts, worn parts
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Wide turns and blind spots that other drivers underestimate
- Speeding to meet delivery deadlines
Federal Trucking Regulations Matter
Commercial truck drivers and carriers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets strict hours-of-service limits designed to prevent fatigue-related crashes: generally an 11-hour driving limit within a 24-hour period, a 14-hour on-duty limit, mandatory breaks, and a 34-hour “reset” after reaching weekly driving limits. When a driver or carrier violates these rules — often provable through the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data — it can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Who Can Be Held Liable
- The truck driver, for negligent or reckless driving
- The trucking company, for negligent hiring, training, or scheduling that pressures drivers to violate safety rules
- A cargo loading company, if improperly secured freight caused or contributed to the crash
- A parts manufacturer, if a defective component (like brakes or tires) failed
Because more than one party can share fault, truck accident cases often involve multiple insurance policies and require early evidence preservation, including the truck’s black box data and driver logs, before they can be lost or overwritten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the trucking company responsible, or just the driver? Often both. Trucking companies can be held liable for their own negligence — in hiring, training, maintenance, or scheduling — in addition to the driver’s actions. What evidence is important in a truck accident case? Electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and driver qualification files are often critical, and they should be requested and preserved as early as possible. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California? Generally two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. What does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer? We work on contingency: no fee unless we win. If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, contact The Law Office of Joshua P. Koshki for a free consultation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Serving These California Communities
We help injury victims throughout the Los Angeles area and across California, including:
