California Truck Accident Lawyers
When an 80,000-pound semi-truck causes a collision, the injuries are catastrophic and the trucking company's investigators are often at the scene before the tow truck. We hold carriers accountable by preserving the evidence they would rather lose and using federal safety rules to prove what happened. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
What to Do Right Now
Trucking companies often have investigators at the scene within the hour. You need to act even faster to protect your rights.
Call 911 and secure the scene
Emergency responders document the damage. Their reports are the foundation of your case.
Document the truck and trailer
Photograph the DOT number, license plates, company name on the cab, and any cargo that shifted or spilled.
Get the driver and the carrier
Get the driver's CDL info and the motor carrier's name. Do not admit fault.
Identify witnesses
Carriers will blame road conditions or the other driver. Independent witnesses prove what happened.
Get a full diagnostic workup
Truck impacts cause internal trauma. Get imaging done immediately, even if you can walk away.
Call a truck accident lawyer
We send a preservation letter immediately so the carrier cannot overwrite black box or logbook data. 800-707-0707.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Each crash type points to a different failure: driver, carrier, loader, or mechanic. The cause decides who pays.
Jackknife Accidents
The trailer swings out and sweeps across lanes, usually from hard braking on a downgrade like the Altamont Pass or in wet conditions.
Underride Collisions
A passenger car slides under the trailer. Among the deadliest crash types on the road.
Rollover Crashes
High center of gravity plus a curve, a shifted load, or an overcorrection.
Wide-Turn and Blind-Spot Crashes
A truck swings right to turn left, or changes lanes into a car it never saw on I-680 or I-880.
Rear-End Truck Collisions
A fully loaded semi needs the length of a football field to stop. Following distance is a federal rule, not a courtesy.
Lost Cargo and Road Debris
Unsecured freight, spilled gravel, or a blown retread that causes a crash behind the truck.
Commercial Vehicles We Bring Claims Against
Different vehicles fall under different safety rules and different insurance. We know which ones apply.
Semi-Trucks and 18-Wheelers
Interstate carriers governed by federal FMCSR rules, with the largest policies and the most aggressive defense teams.
Delivery Vans (UPS, FedEx)
Last-mile collisions where rushed drivers run residential streets on a schedule.
Garbage and Sanitation Trucks
Often city-owned or contracted, which means a six-month government claim deadline.
Cement Mixers and Dump Trucks
Construction vehicles whose weight makes even low-speed impacts severe.
Flatbeds and Cargo Carriers
Shifted cargo, improper loading, and unsecured freight that ends up in your lane.
Amazon and Gig Delivery
Holding platforms responsible for their delivery partners under California agency law.
Why a Truck Case Needs a Firm That Tries Cases
Trucking companies hire rapid-response teams to control the evidence. We hire forensic engineers to find it.
| Critical data | The insurance approach | The Scranton approach |
|---|---|---|
| The black box (EDR) | "Data was lost or overwritten" | Immediate preservation demand for speed and brake data |
| Logbook integrity | Driver fatigue records stay buried | Full audit of hours-of-service violations |
| Company liability | Blame the driver alone | Vicarious liability of the carrier and parent company |
| Cargo and maintenance | Mechanical failure ignored | Inspection reports, maintenance logs, and load weights reviewed |
Truck Accident Settlement Ranges in California
Truck cases run higher than car cases for two reasons: the injuries are worse, and commercial policies are far larger, often $750,000 to several million dollars. There is still no formula, and the injury drives the range.
Fractures, disc injuries, and injuries requiring months of treatment without surgery.
Surgery, permanent impairment, and significant lost earning capacity.
Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation. Often limited only by the policies available.
Loss of support and companionship. We pursue the carrier, the driver, and every other liable party.
What moves a case up or down the range
- Medical costs, past and future
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Proven FMCSR violations, such as hours-of-service or maintenance failures
- How many parties share liability: driver, carrier, loader, maintenance contractor
- Available coverage across all of those parties
- Permanence of the injury and effect on daily life
Ranges are illustrative and based on general experience with California commercial vehicle claims. They are not a prediction for any individual case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Northern California's Freight Corridors
We analyzed every fatal crash in Contra Costa County recorded by the federal government from 2019 through 2024. The county's truck routes are at the top of the list.
Northern California carries some of the nation's heaviest truck traffic: the Altamont Pass on I-580, the I-880 corridor through Oakland's port, the Donner Pass on I-80, and the I-5 stretch through the Central Valley. These routes move thousands of loaded semis a day, and they produce multi-vehicle pileups in weather and at rush hour. We know where the crashes cluster and which agencies hold the camera footage.
Truck accident lawyers near you
2026 Data ReportThe Most Dangerous Roads in Contra Costa County
509 people killed in 469 fatal crashes over six years. Highway 4 leads. See the full rankings, hotspots, and methodology.
Read the report →How We Hold Carriers Accountable
FMCSR and ELD data
Commercial trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They dictate how many hours a driver can be on the road, how often the truck must be inspected, and what medical certifications a driver must hold. We audit logbooks and Electronic Logging Device data for violations, and we often find that driver fatigue or skipped maintenance was the real cause of the crash.
Corporate liability
Carriers try to isolate the driver. We pursue vicarious liability against the carrier, negligent hiring and training claims, and third-party claims against loaders and maintenance contractors. More liable parties means more coverage for your recovery.
Deadlines and evidence
The California statute of limitations, Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, generally gives you two years. But black box data can be legally overwritten within weeks if no one demands it be preserved. That is why the first call matters.
Six-month government deadline: if the truck was government-owned or operated, such as a city sanitation truck or a Caltrans vehicle, a written government claim must be filed within six months. Miss it and that claim is gone.
"Trucking companies have an unfair advantage. They have lawyers and investigators on speed dial the moment a crash happens. Our firm was built 50 years ago to be the equalizer for California families. We do not just take on cases; we take on corporations. We know how to get the data they try to hide, and we know how to make them pay what you are actually owed."
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Suing a trucking company is a complex fight. We manage every stage so you can focus on healing.
Free case review
You call or send the form. We ask about the crash, the carrier, and your injuries, and tell you plainly what the liability picture looks like.
Evidence preservation
We send a preservation letter to the carrier to stop them from destroying logs, ELD data, or the black box. We obtain the CHP report and secure dashcam and traffic footage.
Medical care coordination
Neurologists and orthopedic surgeons who understand catastrophic injury, many on a lien basis so you pay nothing while the case is pending.
Demand and negotiation
A comprehensive demand covering medical costs, lost earning capacity, future care, and pain and suffering, against every policy that applies.
Litigation and trial
If the carrier will not pay fair value, we file suit. We try cases in California Superior Court and federal court.
Resolution and payment
We resolve liens and paperwork and get your money to you quickly. You pay nothing unless we win.
The Attorneys Who Handle Your Case
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a truck accident different from a car accident case?
Trucking cases involve federal FMCSR regulations and multi-layered corporate liability. Because semi-trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the injuries are usually more catastrophic, and the insurance policies are significantly larger, often $1 million or more.
What is spoliation of evidence?
Spoliation occurs when a trucking company destroys evidence like GPS data, logbooks, or the truck's black box after a crash. We stop this by sending an immediate preservation letter that legally requires them to keep all records for your case.
Can I sue the trucking carrier if the driver was a contractor?
Yes. Trucking companies often label drivers as independent contractors to try to avoid liability. California agency law looks at the company's actual control over the driver, and we use it to hold the carrier responsible.
How do I pay for my medical bills while my case is pending?
We work with Northern California doctors and specialists who accept liens. They get paid from your settlement later, so you get the care you need now with nothing out of pocket.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, generally two years. If the truck was government-owned, such as a city sanitation truck, the deadline for a government claim drops to six months. Missing these deadlines ends your right to recover.
What is FMCSR?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are the rules governing commercial trucking safety. They cover driver hours, vehicle inspections, weight limits, and drug and alcohol testing. Proving a violation is often the strongest path to full compensation.
What if the trucking company offers a quick settlement?
Do not sign it. Early offers are designed to close your claim before the full extent of your injuries is known. Have a lawyer review the offer first. The review is free.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. If we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
Hit by a Truck? Tell Us What Happened.
An attorney reviews your details and calls you back. Do not sign anything the carrier sends you first.
Or call 800-707-0707- 100% confidential
- No fee unless we win
- Available 24/7, English and Spanish
Got it. We'll call you shortly.
While you wait:
- Do not sign anything from the trucking company or its insurer.
- Do not give a recorded statement.
- Keep every photo, report, and piece of paperwork.
Do Not Sign Anything the Carrier Sends You
Let us review your case first. It is free, and the black box data will not wait.
Attorney Advertising. Scranton Law Firm, 2450 Stanwell Dr, Concord, CA 94520. Responsible attorney: Christian Scranton, California State Bar #196959. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.