Truck Accidents

A collision involving a commercial truck can change a person’s life in seconds. Because tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles are substantially larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, a serious truck accident can cause traumatic injuries, permanent disabilities, extensive property damage, or death. For victims and their families, the physical consequences may be accompanied by medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation expenses, emotional distress, and uncertainty about what happens next.

If you were injured in a truck accident in Orange County, you do not have to face the trucking company, its insurer, and their legal representatives alone. The Orange County personal injury lawyers at Russell & Lazarus APC represent people injured because of the negligence of commercial drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties. Our attorneys can investigate the collision, preserve important evidence, identify potentially liable parties, document your losses, and pursue the compensation available under California law.

Truck accidents can occur throughout Orange County, including on heavily traveled routes such as Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 22, State Route 55, State Route 57, State Route 73, and State Route 91. Whether a crash happens near Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Fullerton, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, or another Orange County community, determining why the collision occurred and who may be legally responsible should begin as soon as possible.

How Common Are Serious Truck Accidents?

Large-truck crashes continue to cause thousands of deaths and injuries throughout the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2023 Large Trucks Traffic Safety Facts, 5,472 people were killed, and an estimated 153,452 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2023.

These crashes can be especially dangerous to people traveling in smaller vehicles. NHTSA reported that 70 percent of those killed in large-truck crashes in 2023 were occupants of vehicles other than the large truck. The same report found that approximately 70 percent of people injured in large-truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles.

The significant difference in vehicle size, weight, stopping distance, maneuverability, and impact forces helps explain why a commercial truck collision can result in catastrophic injuries. Victims may require emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical rehabilitation, continuing medical care, or assistance with long-term disabilities.

Why Are Orange County Truck Accident Claims More Complex?

A truck accident claim can be substantially different from a typical collision between two passenger vehicles. In an ordinary automobile accident, liability may primarily involve the drivers. A commercial trucking case can involve several companies, different insurance policies, federal and California safety requirements, electronic records, corporate documents, maintenance records, and evidence controlled by the trucking company.

Determining liability after a truck accident requires examining much more than the police report. An investigation may need to determine whether the truck driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, impaired, following too closely, making an unsafe lane change, driving too fast for road conditions, or otherwise operating the commercial vehicle negligently.

The investigation should also examine the motor carrier. A trucking company may potentially bear responsibility for its own conduct or, depending on the circumstances, the conduct of its driver. Relevant issues can include hiring practices, driver qualifications, training, supervision, scheduling, vehicle inspections, maintenance procedures, compliance with safety regulations, and company policies.

Other companies can also become part of the investigation. For example, a maintenance contractor may have performed defective repairs, a cargo-loading company may have improperly loaded or secured freight, or a manufacturer may have supplied a defective truck component. Identifying every potentially responsible party is one reason commercial vehicle cases require a detailed investigation.

Who Can Be Liable for an Orange County Truck Accident?

Liability depends on the circumstances of the collision, but one or more parties could potentially be responsible, including:

• The commercial truck driver;
• The trucking company or motor carrier;
• A company that hired or contracted with the driver;
• A truck maintenance or repair provider;
• A cargo loading or securement company;
• The manufacturer of a defective truck, tire, brake, or other component;
• Another negligent motorist involved in the collision; or
• Other businesses or entities whose conduct contributed to the crash.

An experienced Orange County truck accident attorney can review the available evidence and determine which individuals, companies, and insurers should be included in the claim.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

No two commercial truck accidents are exactly alike. However, investigations frequently focus on driver conduct, vehicle condition, cargo, company practices, and compliance with trucking regulations.

Potential causes and contributing factors can include:

• Driver distraction, including mobile phone use;
• Driver fatigue or inadequate rest;
• Speeding or driving too fast for traffic and weather conditions;
• Unsafe lane changes;
• Following another vehicle too closely;
• Failure to yield the right-of-way;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Inadequate driver training or supervision;

• Improper hiring or driver qualification procedures;
• Brake failure;
• Tire failure or defective tires;
• Steering, lighting, or mechanical problems;
• Failure to properly inspect or maintain the commercial vehicle;
• Overloaded trailers;
• Improperly balanced or unsecured cargo;
• Dangerous backing or turning maneuvers;
• Unsafe driving during rain, fog, or other poor conditions; and
• Violations of applicable commercial trucking regulations.

Can Truck Driver Fatigue Cause a Serious Accident?

Fatigue is an important issue in commercial trucking because professional drivers may spend many hours on the road. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules limit the amount of time many property-carrying commercial drivers may drive and remain on duty.

Under current FMCSA hours-of-service regulations, property-carrying drivers generally may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty and generally may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Federal regulations also include rest-break and weekly on-duty limitations, subject to applicable exceptions.

In a truck accident investigation where fatigue is suspected, attorneys may examine electronic logging device records, driver schedules, dispatch communications, fuel receipts, toll records, GPS information, delivery records, and other information that may help establish how long a driver had been working or driving before the collision.

What Evidence Should Be Preserved After a Truck Accident?

Some of the most important evidence in a trucking case may be controlled by the trucking company or other commercial entities. For that reason, preserving evidence quickly can be critical. An attorney can send a preservation notice requesting that relevant records and electronically stored information not be destroyed or overwritten.

Depending on the case, important truck accident evidence may include:

• Electronic logging device (ELD) data;
• Electronic control module or vehicle data;
• GPS and telematics information;
• Dash camera or surveillance video;
• Driver qualification and training records;
• Driving history;
• Hours-of-service records;
• Dispatch communications;
• Truck inspection reports;
• Maintenance and repair records;
• Brake and tire inspection records;
• Cargo manifests and bills of lading;
• Cargo loading and securement information;
• Post-crash testing records when applicable;
• Photographs and measurements from the accident scene;
• Police or California Highway Patrol reports;

• Witness statements; and
• Medical documentation showing the extent of the victim’s injuries.

Electronic information can sometimes be overwritten through ordinary business practices, and physical evidence can change as damaged trucks are repaired. This makes early investigation particularly important in commercial trucking cases.

What Injuries Can Result From a Commercial Truck Collision?

The force created in a collision with a large commercial vehicle can result in injuries requiring months or years of treatment. In the most serious cases, an injured person may never fully return to their pre-accident condition.

Truck accident injuries may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck and back injuries, herniated discs, broken bones, internal organ injuries, chest injuries, burns, lacerations, nerve damage, crushing injuries, amputations, and other catastrophic injuries.

Serious injuries can affect much more than physical health. A victim may be unable to work, care for children, participate in normal activities, or live independently. A properly prepared truck accident claim should therefore consider both the immediate consequences of the collision and the victim’s reasonably anticipated future needs.

What Compensation May Be Available After an Orange County Truck Accident?

If another party’s negligence caused a truck accident, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for the losses resulting from the collision. The damages available depend on the facts of the individual case.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Emergency medical treatment;
• Hospital and surgical expenses;
• Doctor and specialist care;
• Physical and occupational rehabilitation;
• Prescription medication and medical equipment;
• Reasonably necessary future medical expenses;

• Past lost wages;
• Loss of future earning capacity;
• Vehicle and other property damage;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Loss of enjoyment of life; and
• Other legally recoverable economic and non-economic damages.

When a truck accident results in death, surviving family members may have rights under California wrongful death and survival laws. In limited circumstances, additional damages may also be available when the evidence satisfies California’s legal requirements.

Why Should I Be Careful When Talking to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Carrier?

Following a serious collision, an insurance representative may contact you and request a recorded statement, medical authorization, documents, or information about your injuries. The insurance company may also make an early settlement offer.

It is important to understand that the trucking company’s insurance carrier is evaluating the accident from the perspective of its insured and its own financial interests. Statements made before the full extent of an injury is understood can later become part of the claim.

A settlement can also affect your ability to seek additional compensation if future medical problems develop. Before accepting a settlement or signing a release, an injured person should understand the nature of their injuries, anticipated medical treatment, lost income, and other damages.

Why Hire an Orange County Truck Accident Attorney?

A commercial trucking company may begin investigating an accident immediately. Its insurer, claims professionals, investigators, and attorneys may quickly collect evidence and evaluate potential exposure. Having your own legal team allows an independent investigation to begin on your behalf.

A truck accident attorney from Russell & Lazarus APC can investigate the collision, communicate with the insurance carriers, request preservation of evidence, review trucking records, consult appropriate experts when necessary, document your injuries and financial losses, and determine which parties may bear responsibility.

Commercial vehicle cases often require more than establishing that a driver made a mistake. The investigation may need to determine whether company policies, maintenance failures, regulatory violations, cargo problems, or other corporate conduct contributed to the collision.

Truck Accidents Throughout Orange County, California

Russell & Lazarus APC represents injured people throughout Orange County. Commercial truck crashes may occur on major freeways, surface streets, industrial routes, construction corridors, and roads connecting Orange County with Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and the rest of Southern California.

Our Orange County truck accident attorneys can assist clients from communities including Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Tustin, Westminster, Yorba Linda, and surrounding areas.

If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a commercial truck collision, contacting an attorney promptly can help protect evidence and allow your legal team to investigate before important information disappears. Contact Russell & Lazarus APC’s Newport Beach office to discuss an Orange County truck accident and learn more about your legal options.

FAQs

1. What should I do after a truck accident in Orange County?

After a truck accident in Orange County, seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries initially appear minor. Call law enforcement, document the accident scene when it is safe to do so, take photographs of the vehicles and roadway, obtain witness information, and keep copies of your medical records and accident-related expenses. You should also consider speaking with an experienced Orange County truck accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier.

2. Who can be held responsible for a truck accident in Orange County?

Depending on how the accident occurred, potentially responsible parties may include the truck driver, trucking company, motor carrier, cargo-loading company, maintenance provider, truck or parts manufacturer, or another negligent driver. In some cases, several parties may share responsibility for the same Orange County truck accident.

3. Why are commercial truck accident claims more complicated than car accident claims?

Commercial truck accident claims can involve multiple defendants, commercial insurance policies, federal and California trucking regulations, electronic driving records, maintenance documents, driver qualification files, cargo records, and other evidence that is generally not involved in an ordinary passenger vehicle accident. Determining who controlled the truck and why the collision occurred requires a detailed investigation.

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

In many California personal injury cases, an injured person generally has two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, exceptions can apply, and claims involving a public entity may have significantly shorter notice requirements. Because filing deadlines depend on the circumstances of the accident, it is important to speak with an attorney promptly rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.

5. What evidence can help prove an Orange County truck accident claim?

Evidence may include photographs and videos from the accident scene, police or California Highway Patrol reports, witness statements, medical records, electronic logging device data, GPS information, onboard vehicle data, dash-camera footage, driver qualification records, inspection reports, maintenance records, dispatch communications, and cargo documents. Some trucking-company evidence can be lost or overwritten, making early preservation important.

6. What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?

California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means that an injured person may still be able to recover compensation even when they are partially responsible for an accident, although the amount recovered may be reduced according to their percentage of fault. Determining fault in a commercial truck collision requires an evaluation of all available evidence.

7. What compensation may be available after a truck accident in Orange County?

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical expenses, future medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other accident-related losses. The value of a truck accident claim depends on the severity of the injuries, available evidence, liability, insurance coverage, and other case-specific factors.

8. How much is an Orange County truck accident case worth?

There is no standard settlement amount for an Orange County truck accident case. A claim involving temporary injuries and limited treatment will be evaluated differently from a collision resulting in permanent disability, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or other catastrophic injuries. Medical costs, future care, lost income, pain and suffering, liability, and available insurance coverage can all affect the potential value of a claim.

9. Where do truck accidents commonly occur in Orange County?

Commercial trucks travel throughout Orange County on major transportation corridors such as Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 22, State Route 55, State Route 57, State Route 73, and State Route 91. Accidents can also occur on local streets near warehouses, commercial districts, construction projects, distribution facilities, and major intersections in communities such as Anaheim, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo.

10. Do I need an attorney after an Orange County truck accident?

You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but serious truck accident claims can become complicated quickly. A lawyer can investigate the collision, preserve evidence, determine which parties may be responsible, communicate with insurance companies, calculate accident-related damages, negotiate a settlement, and file a lawsuit when necessary to protect the injured person’s rights.

Contact an Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a commercial truck accident in Orange County, taking action quickly can help protect important evidence and your legal rights. Russell & Lazarus APC represents people injured in truck accidents throughout Orange County, including Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and surrounding Southern California communities.

Contact Russell & Lazarus APC to discuss your Orange County truck accident with an experienced personal injury attorney and learn more about the legal options that may be available to you.

Speak With an Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer

After a serious truck accident, evidence can disappear, electronic information can be overwritten, and memories can fade. Starting the investigation early can help preserve information necessary to establish what happened, identify the parties who may be responsible, and protect your right to pursue compensation.

If you were injured in a commercial truck accident in Orange County, contact Russell & Lazarus APC to discuss your accident and legal options with an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Deadlines, liability, available damages, and other legal issues depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Consulting with an attorney about your individual situation is recommended.