California Truck Accident Lawyer
Fighting for Victims of Commercial Truck Collisions
We are a California truck accident law firm that goes after the records a motor carrier controls before they age out, because the carrier's investigators were at the scene while you were still in the emergency room.
Collisions involving large trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial vehicles are among the most destructive on the road. Because of their size and weight, trucks cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities when they strike passenger vehicles. We represent truck accident victims and their families from four offices across California and Washington, holding negligent drivers, trucking companies, and insurers accountable for the harm they cause.
📞 Call us today for a free consultation: (888) 932-2626 →
Who Is Liable in a Semi-Truck Accident in California
Truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accident claims. Multiple parties may share liability, and each will have its own insurer and legal team working to avoid responsibility. Our firm has the experience and resources to untangle those relationships and pursue every available source of compensation.
Step 1:
The truck driver
Fatigue, hours-of-service violations, distraction, speed, improper lane changes, and operating a vehicle known to be unsafe.
Step 2:
The trucking company
Negligent hiring, inadequate training, and dispatch schedules that push drivers past federal limits.
Many truck accidents come down to preventable negligence, and driver fatigue is among the most frequent factors. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hours-of-service rules, a property-carrying driver may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and is capped at 60 hours in 7 days or 70 in 8. Electronic logging devices record whether those limits were respected. Distracted driving, speeding, improper lane changes, and failure to yield also play major roles, as do mechanical failures from poor maintenance, overloaded trailers, and defective brakes or tires.
At Kashani Law we investigate the cause of every crash, analyzing logbooks, black box and electronic logging data, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and company practices to establish what actually happened. That evidence has short retention windows and carriers are not obligated to preserve records nobody has demanded, which is why formal preservation notice needs to go out within days of the crash rather than weeks.
The Catastrophic Impact of Truck Accidents
Because of the size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles, victims often suffer life-altering injuries. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, severe burns, and internal organ damage are tragically common. These injuries require extensive medical treatment and may lead to permanent disability. Families are often left facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and the long-term emotional toll of a devastating crash. Our firm ensures that claims account for both immediate and future damages, including rehabilitation, home modifications, and loss of earning capacity.
Wrongful Death From Truck Accidents
Tragically, many truck accidents result in fatalities. Surviving family members have the right to pursue wrongful death claims against the responsible parties. These lawsuits can provide compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the emotional devastation of losing a loved one. While no amount of money can undo the loss, holding negligent trucking companies accountable provides justice and financial stability for grieving families. Kashani Law approaches these cases with compassion and relentless determination.
Compensation Available in Truck Accident Cases
Victims of truck accidents in California may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of earnings, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and property damage. In cases involving permanent disability, compensation may also cover long-term care, mobility aids, and vocational rehabilitation. Punitive damages may be available if the trucking company engaged in reckless practices such as falsifying logbooks or ignoring safety violations. Our goal is always to maximize recovery so victims can rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you are involved in a truck accident, your first priority is safety and medical care. Call 911 immediately and ensure that law enforcement documents the crash. If possible, gather evidence at the scene, including photos of the vehicles, skid marks, and road conditions. Obtain the driver’s information, including the trucking company’s name and insurance details. Avoid speaking with trucking company representatives or insurance adjusters, as they may attempt to minimize your injuries. Contacting Kashani Law right away ensures that evidence is preserved and your rights are protected.
Where We Handle Truck Accident Claims
We handle commercial trucking cases from four offices across two states. Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys cover the Los Angeles region, and our Seattle truck accident lawyers handle Washington claims, where the filing deadline is three years rather than California's two. We also take trucking cases out of our San Francisco and Oakland offices, and our California personal injury practice covers how these claims relate to other injury cases we handle.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Claims
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Who is liable in a semi-truck accident in California?
Frequently more than one party. Liability can extend to the driver, the motor carrier, the company responsible for maintenance, the shipper who loaded the freight, and a parts manufacturer, each with separate insurance. Identifying every liable party matters because one policy often cannot cover a catastrophic injury.
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Why do truck accident cases need to start so quickly?
Because the evidence that decides them is controlled by the other side and does not last. Electronic logging data, driver logs, and maintenance records have short retention periods, and a damaged truck can be repaired or sold before anyone inspects it. Formal preservation notice should go out within days of the crash.
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The trucking company's insurer contacted me already. Should I talk to them?
Not without a lawyer. Carrier insurers assign serious crashes to experienced adjusters immediately, and early contact is aimed at locking in a version of events and testing how quickly you will settle. Decline the recorded statement and refer them to counsel.
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Do you handle truck accident claims in Washington as well as California?
Yes. Our Seattle office handles Washington trucking claims under Washington law, including the three-year filing deadline set by RCW 4.16.080. The same team handles the case rather than referring it to local counsel.
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How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
Generally two years from the date of the crash in California and three years in Washington. Those are filing deadlines, not investigation deadlines. The evidence these cases turn on can be gone within months, so waiting until the deadline nears usually means waiting too long.
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What does it cost to bring a truck accident case?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency and you owe no attorney's fee unless we win. We advance case costs, which in trucking cases routinely include accident reconstruction and expert analysis, and recover them out of a settlement or verdict.
Why Choose Kashani Law for Your Case?
When it comes to any claim or case, experience matters. Here’s why clients trust Kashani Law:
Proven Results – We have secured millions for our clients.
Personalized Legal Support – We treat every client like family, ensuring your case gets the attention it deserves.
We Handle Insurance Companies –
Don’t let insurers lowball your claim—we fight for full compensation.
No Fees Unless We Win –
You don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
