by: adminOn: November 17, 2025
Due to its high population density, thriving consumer market, and extensive network of highways, California experiences one of the highest truck traffic volumes in the United States. As of 2023, California was one of the top three states that recorded the highest number of fatalities from large truck crashes. While not all truck accidents are fatal, they can still cause significant distress and damage to the involved parties.
Lasting injury, loss of wages, property damage — the repercussions of a truck accident are almost always severe. Thankfully, involved parties could be eligible for a variety of compensations. Of course, any compensation is subject to truck accident liability and other contributing factors.
What are the laws governing truck accident liability in the sunny state? Let’s find out everything about truck accident laws and truck accident liability in today’s article.
Truck accidents differ significantly from other motor vehicle accidents. While the premise is still that of personal injury laws, other regulations apply to truck accident cases.
Multiple rules and regulations govern truck accident laws. A truck accident lawsuit takes compliance standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the State Vehicle Code (CVC), and personal injury laws into account.
A trucking accident lawsuit is significantly different from other types of motor vehicle accident proceedings because of:
Liability extends beyond the truck driver. It could involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking companies, manufacturers, loaders, maintenance companies, and other stakeholders.
While drivers can be held responsible for speeding, distracted, or impaired driving, an accident may not always be their fault.
Other factors can also play a pivotal role in accidents. Driver fatigue due to Hours of Service violations, faulty systems, improper maintenance, overloaded cargo, and inadequate training are just a few of the many reasons that could be considered the precursor for the accident.
Different types of stakeholders, including third-party service providers could be held accountable for truck accidents. That’s why determining who is responsible for a truck accident is non-negotiable in truck accident lawsuits.
Unlike other motor vehicle accidents, gathering evidence of a truck accident goes beyond what is circumstantial. It comprises driver logs, black box data, electronic logging devices (ELDs), maintenance records, and cargo manifests. Collecting physical and digital evidence is an integral part of a truck accident lawsuit.
The stakes of a truck accident are high.
An accidental collision with a truck or a crash can result in intense physical damage. Depending on the type of collision, it can lead to permanent brain or spinal injuries, soft tissue or organ damage, fractures, and more. The repercussions of such injuries can be traumatic, to say the least.
Then there’s the matter of unforeseen medical expenses associated with consequent treatment or even hospitalization requirements.
In addition, truck accidents can cause significant damage to physical assets. This can include anything from smaller motor vehicles to roadside public and private property.
Given the variable nature and intensity, establishing liability in a truck accident case is imperative in truck accident claims. It’s not as simple as filing for a truck accident claim with the insurance company and waiting for a settlement.
In California, truck accidents are considered personal injury cases. Much like other personal injury claims, any compensation an injured party may receive is subject to the statute of limitations (typically two years since the date of the accident) and the comparative negligence clause.
But what gains precedence in the matter is determining who is liable in a truck accident. That’s because determining truck accident responsibility is a matter of proving negligence. Ascertaining who is liable in a truck accident is a long-drawn out process. It involves identifying the culprit via a breach of their duty of care.
The trucking industry stakeholders, including the company, the driver, and handler are legally obligated to ensure their operations are safe and secure. From handling cargo with caution to ensuring proper maintenance, driver training, and adherence to traffic rules, the duty of care encompasses multiple rules for each stakeholder.
All the stakeholders are squarely responsible for following regulations specific to their duty of care. This could include safety regulations or traffic laws, or both. Any failure to adhere to this duty of care is considered a breach.
These two factors form the causal link between the events that lead to the accident and the damages incurred because of it. The party that has breached their duty of care is considered the negligent one. Therefore, they must pay compensation to the injured.
This compensation can be towards economic as well as non-economic damages in truck accidents lawsuits.
The process of proving truck accident liability is anything but simple.
Proving legal responsibility is a time-sensitive matter. It must be done in the correct and legally admissible manner. The sanctity and accuracy of the process directly impacts the compensation injured persons receive from insurance companies, responsible parties, etc.
That’s where personal injury lawyers can simplify the process for the injured.
Personal injury lawyers specializing in truck accident disputes can handle the matter in a methodical manner. They can conduct a thorough investigation to check the preliminary accident reports, traffic camera footage, and different types of digital evidence.
These findings form the basis of either a settlement, a trucking accident lawsuit, or a truck accident claim. They also determine the value of the claim.
By proving legal responsibility, personal injury lawyers can ensure that the injured victims get compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. In exceptional cases, even punitive damage recovery is a possibility.
If you or someone you know has been in a truck accident, reach out to our Glendale personal injury lawyers. We provide one free case evaluation to understand the unique requirements of your case. Our experienced lawyers are committed to helping you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation.