A crash with a semi or delivery truck can change your life in seconds. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can find out who is responsible, secure the evidence before it disappears, and deal with the trucking company’s insurers. Abramson Labor Group represents people hurt in truck accidents across California. Our case reviews are free and confidential, and we work on contingency.
A truck crash is not just a bigger car crash. Commercial trucks follow federal safety rules, carry larger insurance policies, and keep electronic records of how long the driver was on the road. Those records can show whether fatigue played a role, but they are not kept forever.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits driving time for truckers in interstate commerce. According to the FMCSA summary of hours-of-service rules, a property-carrying driver:
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 11-hour driving limit | May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty |
| 14-hour limit | May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty |
| 30-minute break | Must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without one |
| 60/70-hour limit | May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days |
An electronic logging device “synchronizes with a vehicle engine to automatically record driving time” (FMCSA). But a carrier only has to keep records of duty status and supporting documents “for a period of not less than 6 months” (49 CFR 395.8(k)). A lawyer can ask the company to preserve these records before they can be discarded.
More than one party may share the blame. California law makes “a principal” responsible “for the negligence of his agent in the transaction of the business of the agency” (Civil Code section 2338). That means a trucking company can be responsible when its driver causes a crash on the job.
Each party may have its own insurance. Interstate for-hire carriers of ordinary freight in trucks of 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in financial responsibility, and some hazardous loads require $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 (49 CFR 387.9).
You can still recover. In Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), the California Supreme Court held that a person’s own negligence “shall not bar recovery.” Your damages are reduced by your share of the fault. Trucking insurers often try to shift blame onto the other driver, so careful evidence matters.
Get medical care first, even if you feel fine. Report an injury crash to the CHP or local police within 24 hours (Vehicle Code section 20008), and file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or property damage is over $1,000 (California DMV). If you can, photograph the truck, its company name and DOT number, the scene, and your injuries.
The trucking company’s insurer may call you quickly. Before you give a recorded statement or sign anything, consider speaking with a truck accident lawyer.
California law measures damages as “the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused” by the wrongful conduct (Civil Code section 3333). That can include medical bills, future care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering.
Truck crashes often cause severe harm, including brain injuries. When a crash takes a life, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim. Our article on who can file a wrongful death claim in California explains who qualifies.
| Type of claim | General deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsuit for your injuries, or for a death | 2 years | Code of Civil Procedure 335.1 |
| Lawsuit for damage to your car or other property | 3 years | Code of Civil Procedure 338(c)(1) |
| Claim against a city, county, or state agency for injury | 6 months (written claim to the agency) | Government Code 911.2 |
The legal deadline is not the only clock. Driver logs may only be kept for 6 months, and trucks get repaired or sold. If you were hurt, consider speaking with a lawyer early.
If you were hurt while driving for your job, workers’ compensation benefits may cover your medical care and part of your lost pay. A workers’ comp claim “does not affect” your right to recover damages from someone other than your employer, such as another driver (Labor Code section 3852).
We also represent people hurt in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, and pedestrian accidents. See all of our practice areas, or read our personal injury FAQ.
We represent people hurt in truck accidents in Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, the Inland Empire, and throughout California from our Burbank office.
We work on contingency, so you do not pay anything unless we win. The case evaluation is free. Our fee is a share of any recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees.
Often, yes. A principal is responsible “for the negligence of his agent in the transaction of the business of the agency” (Civil Code section 2338). Whether that applies depends on the driver’s relationship with the company, which a lawyer can investigate.
Electronic logs, dispatch records, and fuel receipts can show how long the driver was on duty. Compare them with the federal limits, such as the 11-hour driving limit (FMCSA). Because carriers may keep these records for as little as 6 months, they should be requested early.
You do not have to. Early offers often come before the full cost of your treatment is known. Have the offer, and any release you are asked to sign, reviewed before you agree.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, we can review what happened and explain your options. Request your free case evaluation or call us at (213) 493-6300.
You do not pay ANYTHING unless we win!
Last updated: October 2026
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice. Every situation is different. For advice about your specific case, talk to a licensed California attorney.
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