Because trucks grossly outweigh other motor vehicles, crashes involving them often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. If you were seriously injured or your loved one was killed in a truck accident, California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC is prepared to advise you on how to pursue the compensation you deserve and need. Contact our dedicated Irvine truck accident lawyers for assistance today.
Irvine serves as a critical logistics corridor for Southern California, with heavy commercial traffic flowing constantly through the I-5 and I-405 interchange (the El Toro Y) and along the SR-55. When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle at highway speeds, the results are almost always devastating. Our firm is intimately familiar with the specific dangers of Irvine’s commercial routes and the complexities of litigating against large trucking corporations that often have teams of lawyers on standby to protect their bottom line.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, our number one goal is to recover the compensation you need to move on with your life. In the case of a fatality, this means equipping you to care for your family despite the sorrowful loss of your loved one. Speak with our compassionate Irvine auto accident lawyers so we can work to hold all liable parties accountable for your injuries.
Truckers are often paid based on how quickly they transport their cargo and how many shipments they complete. This pressure to travel farther and faster leads to long hours on the road. Truck driver fatigue is one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents. Inattentive driving, in turn, leads to traffic violations and poor reflexes while driving. Truckers may also cut corners on safety inspections and continue to drive with malfunctioning tires, brakes, or lights. In some cases, truck drivers will even take certain illicit substances in order to stay awake, which can significantly impact their ability to safely operate their vehicles.
Further, 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks are far more complicated to maneuver than other motor vehicles, and even the slightest human error can result in a variety of devastating accidents, including:
In 2026, trucking companies must adhere to strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines, including electronic logging device (ELD) mandates for “Hours of Service.” Beyond driver error, liability may also rest with the trucking company for negligent hiring or the cargo loaders for improper weight distribution. Additionally, per California Vehicle Code § 22406, commercial trucks are restricted to a maximum speed of 55 mph. Proving a violation of these specific state and federal laws is often the key to securing a successful verdict or settlement.
After a truck accident, the first thing you should do is call the police. They will write an accident report and ensure emergency medical services, if needed, are sent to the scene of the accident. From here, if you can, you should get the truck driver’s insurance information and take pictures/videos of the scene of the accident and any property damaged. You should then speak with any witnesses and collect their contact information.
If you are transported to and treated in a hospital, you should keep copies of all medical documentation pertaining to your injuries. Finally, you should hire a team of competent truck accident lawyers who can effectively fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Importantly, you must not discuss details of the case on social media or with anyone other than your attorney.
In the state of California, those injured in truck accidents will generally only have two years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim. If you wait longer than two years, the statute of limitations can expire and you may lose your right to sue. That said, the sooner you speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, the better.
Be aware that if your accident involved a government-operated vehicle—such as a city maintenance truck or a public utility vehicle—the timeline to file a formal administrative claim may be as short as six months. Early legal intervention ensures all deadlines are met and evidence is preserved before it can be lost or altered.
Here at California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC, we are committed to helping our clients pursue effective claims against all liable parties. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact our lawyers for a free phone consultation today. We will fight for you, every step of the way.
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