Truck Accident Attorneys — Northern California
Truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on California roads. When an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle collides with a passenger car, the results are often catastrophic. Rush Injury Law has a proven track record of recovering multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims.
Preserving Evidence in a Truck Accident
Evidence plays an essential role in truck accident claims. Following a collision, the truck driver is likely immediately in contact with the trucking company, which in turn reports the accident to their insurer. Right away, the insurer begins gathering evidence to deny a potential injury claim. Working with a lawyer as soon as possible can ensure key evidence does not mysteriously disappear.
Much like airplanes, most commercial vehicles have a black box that records data. The box can give detailed information about what was happening just before the accident, including:
- The driver's speed
- Recent gear shifting
- Brake usage
- Communications between the driver and the trucking company
- The driver's length of time behind the wheel
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
- The truck driver (negligent driving, hours-of-service violations)
- The trucking company (negligent hiring, inadequate training)
- The cargo loading company (improperly secured loads)
- The truck manufacturer (defective parts or equipment)
- Maintenance companies (failure to properly service the vehicle)
Federal Trucking Regulations
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to strict federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include hours-of-service limits, mandatory rest periods, drug and alcohol testing, and vehicle inspection requirements. Violations of these regulations are powerful evidence of negligence.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
- Speeding. Truck drivers may feel pressured to meet delivery schedules, but speeding is extremely dangerous for large trucks.
- Truck driver negligence. Truck drivers are held to a higher duty of care than most other drivers.
- Regulatory violations. Violations of FMCSA and DOT regulations are powerful evidence of negligence.
- Improper maintenance. Any failures in truck maintenance can easily lead to devastating accidents.
- Poorly secured cargo. A tractor-trailer's cargo load must be loaded securely and adequately balanced.
Our Truck Accident Results
$1,875,000 — Truck accident verdict (Marin County)
Frequently Asked Questions
How are truck accident cases different from car accident cases?
Truck accident cases are significantly more complex. They involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, commercial insurance policies with much higher limits, and specialized evidence like black box data and driver logs. You need an attorney experienced in trucking litigation.
What evidence is important in a truck accident case?
Critical evidence includes the truck's electronic logging device (ELD) data, the driver's logbooks, the truck's black box (ECM) data, maintenance records, the driver's personnel file, drug and alcohol test results, cargo loading records, and surveillance footage.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Act Quickly — Evidence Disappears Fast.
No fees unless we win.