Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial truck accidents are different than car accidents. The injuries and losses are usually more significant, and the problems related to these accidents are often compounded by multi-party responsibility for the accident.

Truck accident injuries can haunt you for a lifetime. Your injuries may cost you time off work, extensive medical bills, chronic pain, and the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed. Additionally, the insurance company may deny your claim leaving you feeling stressed and hopeless about the future.

The dedicated commercial truck accident attorneys at Ellis Law are committed to helping you recover maximum compensation for your truck accident injuries and holding the negligent truck driver or trucking company responsible for their negligence.

You can put your trust in Ellis Law. We are skilled negotiators and trial litigators who will fight aggressively on your behalf. Our truck accident attorneys have:

• Extensive knowledge of the trucking industry and its regulations;
• Decades of experience helping accident victims recover for their losses;
• A track record of results securing millions in compensation for our clients; and
• The resources necessary to take on trucking companies and their insurance companies.

Call Ellis Law now to discuss your legal rights and options during a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. The sooner you contact our attorneys, the faster we can help you get started on the path to recovery.

Verdicts & Settlements

Real Results for Los Angeles Injury Victims

Millions recovered for those injured by negligent truck drivers across California.

Truck Accident $3,000,000 Recovery

Truck Driver Asleep at the Wheel

$3 million was awarded to the family of plaintiff after his delivery van was struck by an 18-wheeler, resulting in his death.

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Truck Accident $2,500,000 Recovery

Truck Accident Caused by Left Turn

Defendant was driving his 18 wheeler southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard and made an unsafe left turn by crossing the center median.

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Truck Accident $1,990,000 Recovery

Truck Accident Caused by Unsafe Lane Change

Defendant made an unsafe lane change by merging from lane #3 to lane #4 and struck the left side of plaintiff’s vehicle.

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View All Case Results

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is evaluated on its individual facts and circumstances.

How an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

At Ellis Law, our truck accident attorneys work tirelessly to build a solid case for total compensation after your truck accident. Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation of your truck accident to determine the cause of your accident and the parties responsible. We do this by reconstructing your accident using physical evidence and witness testimony.

After your initial meeting, Ellis Law immediately starts collecting physical evidence and witness testimony before it deteriorates, is lost, or is no longer fresh in the minds of witnesses. It is crucial you contact us right away so we can ask the court to order the wrecked truck and any records associated with the truck be held and made available to our attorneys and experts for evidentiary purposes.

The evidence we gather will include the truck’s event data recorder or black box information. The black box records information from the time of the accident, including changes in speed or engine malfunctions.

In addition to investigating the circumstances of your truck accident, Ellis Law’s attorneys will do the following on your behalf:

• Coordinate with accident experts and injury specialists to analyze, build, and value your claim;
• Handle all conversations and correspondence with the liable parties, their insurance providers, and any accident-related creditors;
• Aggressively negotiate a fair settlement for your losses, both current and future; or
• Litigate your case in front of a judge and jury, if necessary.

At Ellis Law, our truck accident attorneys understand a trucking accident can instantly change your life. We know you need to focus your time and energy on healing from your injuries and managing the recovery process. That is why we handle every aspect of your truck accident claim.

Contact us in Los Angeles today and schedule your complimentary appointment with an experienced truck accident attorney. Ellis Law’s attorneys will answer your legal questions and address your most pressing truck accident concerns.

Commercial Trucks Federal Rules and Regulations in California

The commercial trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA. The FMCSA puts forth laws and regulations to make the roadways safer for commercial truck drivers and other motorists. The FMCSA’s rules are enforced by state agencies or by the federal government.

FMCSA regulations cover all areas of the trucking industry including, but not limited to:

• Regulatory fees;
• Trucking company record retention;
• Truck driver hours-of-service;
• Truck driver qualifications;
• Truck maintenance;
• Cargo limits and transportation of hazardous materials; and
• Prohibited practices by truck drivers, trucking companies, and other members of the trucking industry.

What Are Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents in Los Angeles and Southern California

Commercial truck accidents often occur when truck drivers and trucking companies ignore FMCSA rules and regulations. Each accident type presents distinct risks, evidentiary challenges, and legal considerations, all of which should be thoroughly evaluated at the outset of a claim, and include the following:

• Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer folds toward the cab, forming a V-shape, often after sudden braking or loss of traction. Jackknifing can sweep across multiple lanes, endangering nearby vehicles and making it nearly impossible for the driver to regain control.
• Head-on collisions. These occur when truck drivers lose control and swerve into oncoming traffic. These accidents usually occur at high speeds and often result in fatalities.
• Underride collisions: A smaller vehicle can become lodged beneath the rear or side of a trailer if the truck stops suddenly or lacks underride guards. Due to the force and positioning of the impact, these accidents are often fatal or result in traumatic head and neck injuries.
• Rollovers: Trucks may tip onto their side during high-speed turns, sudden swerves, or after colliding with curbs or embankments. These crashes can block multiple lanes and cause secondary accidents.
• Rear-end collisions: Trucks require longer stopping distances, so a brief distraction or brake delay can lead to a crash. Rear-end impacts by a commercial vehicle often result in whiplash, spinal injuries, or worse for occupants in smaller vehicles.
• Blind spot accidents: Large commercial trucks have substantial blind spots, particularly along the sides and rear of the trailer. If drivers fail to monitor these areas before merging or changing lanes properly, they may negligently cause collisions, such as sideswipes or forcing nearby vehicles off the roadway.

Which Vehicles Are Commonly Involved in Semi-Truck Accidents?

Various types of vehicles are commonly involved in commercial truck accidents, each presenting distinct risks and legal considerations:

• 18-wheelers and semi-trucks: Their large mass and high speeds make collisions particularly severe, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Tanker trucks: These pose unique legal and safety risks due to the nature of their cargo. Crashes can lead to hazardous material spills, fires, or explosions, often invoking state and federal regulations.
• Flatbed trucks: Their open cargo areas require proper loading and securement, governed by FMCSA regulations. Improper loading can result in falling debris, potentially causing multi-vehicle accidents or roadway obstructions.

Each accident scenario requires a tailored legal approach based on the specific vehicle involved, the dynamics of the crash, and the parties at fault. Accurately identifying the type of truck involved is a crucial first step in establishing liability and gathering the appropriate evidence.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Los Angeles?

According to the Department of Transportation, Los Angeles is home to some of the nation’s busiest interstate highways, such as the 405 and I-10, and a single error can result in a devastating crash. The most common causes of truck accidents in Los Angeles include the following:

Driver Fatigue

Fatigue impairs reaction time, judgment, and decision-making, much like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Truck drivers may push beyond federally regulated hours of service (HOS) to meet tight deadlines, significantly increasing the risk of crashes.

Whiplash

The extreme forces in a truck crash can cause a person’s head and neck to stretch backward and then snap forward. This whipping motion may strain and sprain the muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons in the neck. Whiplash can take weeks or months to heal.

Mechanical Failures

Brake system malfunctions, tire blowouts, and steering issues are the most common mechanical problems. These failures can arise from neglected inspections or deferred maintenance, potentially resulting in liability for the trucking company or maintenance provider.

Distracted Driving

Operating a commercial vehicle while texting, adjusting in-cab technology, or eating can cause deadly lapses in attention. Reading or sending a text takes the driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. Traveling at 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Distracted driving is enough to trigger a multi-vehicle collision.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Rain, fog, and high winds are particularly hazardous for large trucks with limited maneuverability and extended stopping distances. Reduced visibility and slippery roads increase the chance of jackknife and rollover accidents.

Improper Loading

Uneven or overloaded cargo shifts the truck’s center of gravity, making it harder to control and more likely to roll over. To help prevent accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates truck weight limits and how cargo must be secured to avoid items from falling and shifting in transit. Poorly secured loads can also fall onto the roadway, creating secondary hazards for other drivers.

Liability in improper loading cases is often shared among multiple parties, and determining responsibility requires a thorough investigation of contracts, inspection logs, and compliance with federal regulations.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Some drivers exceed safe speeds, especially if they are behind schedule. The stopping distance for an 80,000-pound vehicle traveling at high speeds is significantly greater than that of a passenger car, increasing the risk of rear-end or multi-vehicle collisions.

Truck Accidents Contributing Systemic and Regulatory Issues

Several systemic and regulatory issues contribute to unsafe conditions in the commercial trucking industry. These underlying problems not only compromise driver well-being but also significantly increase the risk of accidents on the road:

• Tight delivery deadlines. When companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, it can lead to violations of hours of service (HOS) rules, skipped rest periods, and compromised safety. If fatigue contributes to an accident, both the driver and the motor carrier can be held liable for negligence or regulatory non-compliance.
• Negligent hiring or training. Employers have a legal duty to ensure that commercial drivers are properly licensed, trained, and qualified to operate large vehicles. Failure to do so may constitute negligent hiring, supervision, or retention. California and federal law require motor carriers to conduct background checks, verify commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), and ensure drivers meet medical and training standards.
• Non-Compliance with DOT/FMCSA Regulations. Trucking companies must comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) and FMCSA regulations, including routine vehicle inspections, driver logbook entries (electronic or paper), and mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Failure to meet these requirements can be used to establish negligence in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, especially when non-compliance leads to a preventable accident.

The causes of truck accidents are often complex and may involve multiple liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, or equipment manufacturers. Establishing liability in a truck accident case requires a skilled attorney who can conduct a thorough investigation, identify all responsible parties, and build a strong legal claim grounded in both state and federal regulations.

Liability for Commercial Truck Accidents

There are cases where the truck driver is not directly at fault for a truck accident. Instead, the truck driver may share liability with their employer or another party responsible for putting the truck and its cargo on the road. An experienced truck accident attorney will know how to investigate a complex truck accident case and identify the party or parties liable for any accident.

Liability for a truck accident may reside with any of the following:

• The truck driver;
• Another driver on the road;
• The trucking company that employed the driver;
• Someone who maintained or repaired the truck;
• The manufacturer of the truck’s parts;
• The manufacturer of the truck; and
• The facility that loaded the truck.

Serious Truck Accident Injuries in Los Angeles

Due to commercial trucks’ immense weight and force, even low-speed collisions can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Accident survivors are often left facing extended recovery times, permanent disabilities, and significant lifestyle changes.

Recognizing the full scope of these injuries is essential for calculating damages and ensuring victims receive adequate care and compensation.

Common injuries in truck collisions include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs range from mild concussions to life-altering brain damage that affects memory, mood, and cognitive function. These injuries may require long-term care, ongoing therapy, and can significantly affect one’s ability to work and maintain relationships.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, altering a person’s mobility and independence. Spinal cord injury victims may require lifelong use of mobility aids and face complications like chronic pain or loss of organ function.

Broken Bones and Fractures

High-impact collisions frequently cause compound or complex bone fractures that require surgery. Recovery may involve months of physical therapy, and some victims are left with reduced range of motion or chronic pain.

Internal Injuries

Blunt or penetrating blows to the body can damage internal organs like the heart, liver, stomach, spleen, bowels, or kidneys. Fractures of the ribs or sternum may cause pieces of bone to tear into organs and require immediate surgery.

Severe Burns and Lacerations

Severe burns occur from flammable cargo, ruptured radiators, or hot metal. These are serious, catastrophic injuries requiring long recovery periods. Burns pose a continual threat of infection and other complications.

Emotional and Mental Anguish

The trauma of suffering a catastrophic injury or witnessing a loved one’s serious injury or death can cause tremendous psychological damage, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.

Long-Term Medical and Personal Impact

Truck accident injuries often result in long-term consequences that continue to affect victims well after the initial trauma. The aftermath of a truck accident can bring numerous challenges for survivors, such as:

• Extended hospitalization and rehabilitation may keep victims out of work for months or longer.
• Adaptive equipment and home modifications, such as wheelchairs, ramps, or hospital beds, can become a permanent part of daily life.
• Mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, or depression, are common after serious crashes and may require professional treatment.
• Loss of earning capacity due to physical limitations may impact the victim and their family’s financial stability.

The long-term effects of a truck accident are not just physical. They often reshape every aspect of a victim’s life. When calculating damages, it’s crucial to account for ongoing medical needs, emotional suffering, and future income loss. Ellis Law truck accident attorneys consider all these factors in any settlement or legal action.

Proving a truck accident claim

Truck drivers — including the drivers of semi-trucks and tractor trailers — are subject to a variety of federal laws under The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) that do not apply to drivers of normal passenger vehicles.

The FMCSA sets forth rules on almost all aspects of truck operation including:

• Maximum drive time and on-duty time.
• Inspection and maintenance requirements.
• Requirements for weight allocation.
• Loading/unloading requirements.

If any FMCSA rules, or any state or federal laws, are violated, this creates a presumption that the driver responsible for the violations is negligent. Because the defendant is presumed negligent in these situations, the plaintiff’s case may be easier to prove.

Truck Accident Compensation

The injuries suffered in a truck accident can be lifelong and require ongoing medical and daily care expenses. Many victims of truck accidents can no longer perform their previous job or work in any other capacity, and they may suffer from chronic pain, disfigurement, and cognitive problems.

The compensation sought in a truck accident claim will depend on the severity and type of injuries suffered, the prognosis for recovery, and the overall impact of the accident on the victim’s life. Truck accident compensation often includes two types of damages, economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are monies awarded to cover any medical expenses, bills, and monetary losses that arise from a truck accident.

Economic damages often include the following:

• Present and future medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of earning capacity;
• Disability;
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy; and
• Funeral and burial costs if a truck accident is fatal.

Non-economic damages are for the personal costs of a truck accident. These are subjective expenses and do not have set dollar values.

Common non-economic damages are:

• Pain and suffering;
• Mental and emotional trauma;
• PTSD;
• Disfigurement and scarring;
• Loss of quality of life; and
• Loss of consortium.

Another type of damages available in a truck accident lawsuit is punitive damages. Punitive damages are a rare type of damages awarded by the court meant to punish a wrongdoer for egregious behavior and to deter similar behavior in the future.

An experienced truck accident attorney can review the facts of a specific truck accident case and offer advice on the types of damages available to an accident victim.

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

Ellis Law works on a contingency fee basis—no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless they win your case. The initial consultation is free.

Who can be held liable for a Los Angeles truck accident?

Liability may rest with the truck driver, the trucking company, another motorist, the company that maintained or repaired the truck, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts, or the facility that loaded the cargo. Often more than one party shares fault.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in California?

Generally two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If a government entity is involved, you must file an administrative claim within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Confirm your deadline with an attorney promptly.

What federal regulations apply to commercial trucks?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates hours of service, driver qualifications, vehicle inspection and maintenance, weight limits, cargo securement, and hazardous materials transport. A violation can create a presumption of negligence against the responsible party.

What evidence is important in a truck accident claim?

The truck’s event data recorder (black box), driver hours-of-service logs, maintenance and inspection records, the police report, witness statements, photos, and any surveillance footage. Because this evidence can be lost or destroyed, it’s important to act quickly so an attorney can request it be preserved.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you are involved in a truck accident in Los Angeles, it is crucial that you stay calm and call for medical and police assistance. Next, take the following steps to protect your legal right to a truck accident claim:

• Follow your doctor’s orders for your care, work, and leisure activities;
• Take pictures. If possible, take photographs of the vehicles, and damages, and accident skid marks;
• Get contact information from other drivers and witnesses. Take a picture of other drivers’ car insurance documentation and drivers’ licenses if available;
• Preserve your evidence by keeping any accident photos or videos in a safe place;
• Maintain records. During your truck accident claim, you may accumulate medical records, medical bills, pay stubs, repair estimates, and benefits statements. Keep all of these together and in order for your legal claim;
• Keep a pain journal. Proving pain and suffering can be difficult. A pain journal can document how your injuries affect your life; and
• Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer. Do not try to handle your own truck accident claim. Contact an attorney who is experienced in pursuing truck accident claims and who will guide you through the process.

Do not give any statements or sign anything with the insurance company after your truck accident. Call Ellis Law to manage all those communications on your behalf and ensure your legal rights are protected. Schedule a complimentary consultation with our truck accident attorneys now to discuss your claim and how we can help you and your family.

Truck accident claims are more complex than accidents involving just passenger cars. Truck accidents are usually more severe, and insurance claims are much higher. At Ellis Law, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources needed to investigate your case, assess the total amount of damages you deserve, pursue the trucking company, and hold every liable party responsible for your injuries.

Truck Accident Representation for Victims in Los Angeles and Southern California