How Do Truck Accident Claims Differ From Car Accident Claims in California?

California has about 15.9 million registered trucks, making it the state with the most trucks licensed. Large vehicles travel about 2,466 miles of extensive interstate highways each day. When trucks in California mingle with other cars on the road, they can cause major accidents with extensive damages and injuries. If you decide to hire an attorney for a claim, you may wonder: How do truck accident claims differ from car accident claims in California?

Belgum, Fry & Van Allen can explain the major differences between heavy-duty vehicles and traditional car accident claims. In California, truck accident claims are typically more complex than car accident and personal injury cases because of their size and weight, which can result in more extensive injuries and damages, longer crash investigations, multiple parties involved, and a longer litigation timeframe.

Truck Accidents Often Result in Extensive Property Damage and Medical Costs

In California, claims against trucking companies can be more complicated than traditional two-car accidents because of the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Truck size and weight regulations mix federal and state regulations and laws. A standard U.S. semi-truck usually measures 72 feet in length, 8.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet high. Currently, 80,000 pounds is the state limit for gross vehicle weight (20,000 pounds for a single axle and 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle).

Due to their significant height and weight, commercial trucks traditionally cause more property damage and injuries when involved in an accident. Property damage can be extensive, especially in crashes happening at high speeds on California freeways.

Truck accidents can also result in higher costs and catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and even death. Factors such as drunk driving, excessive speed, and driver fatigue contribute to the severity of these accidents. With more extensive property damage and increased medical costs, truck accident claims typically have higher settlement outcomes to compensate for the damages and injury costs.

Lengthy Investigations

When compared with traditional car accidents in California, it can take a longer period of time to conduct a detailed investigation of a truck accident. Truck accident investigations often require examining police reports, the accident scene, vehicle damage, etc.

An investigation can involve reviewing maintenance records, electronic logging devices (ELDs), and driver logs. This evidence can provide valuable data about the truck’s breaking pre-accident, speed, and other important factors critical to liability determination.

An expert familiar with FMCSA regulations can help your attorney determine whether the involved truck driver may have violated any federal regulations, which can help strengthen your claim. Since truck accidents typically involve complicated federal regulations and considerations of compliance, they can be more complex than a traditional car crash.

Multiple-Party Liability for California Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can ultimately involve multiple defendants, like a driver, their employer, a truck manufacturer, a cargo loading company, and more. Trucking companies can be responsible for their employee’s actions during the scope of their work duties.

Multiple parties can be responsible for failing to follow FMCSA regulations. Many parties can also be responsible for driver negligence, as distracted driving, speeding, failure to properly maintain vehicles, and inadequate driver training can result in trucking company and driver liability. With multiple parties involved, it can be a more complicated case, but it can also favorably result in multiple avenues for financial recovery.

Longer Litigation

Truck accident cases often take more time to resolve than standard car accident claims because of the complex liability determinations and the likely involvement of many defendants. As a result, the entire legal process can take more time due to multiple parties needing to conduct a detailed investigation and complete the discovery (evidence-gathering) phase of a claim. With multiple parties involved, it can lead to higher damages and potentially multi-party liability.

Ultimately, the key difference between trucking and standard car crashes is that truck accident claims typically are more complicated due to their substantial size and weight. This can lead to serious injuries and property damage, longer investigations, multiple defendants, and a longer litigation period.

FAQs

Q: How Common Are Truck Accidents in California?

A: Commercial truck accidents are fairly common in California and continue to be a concern. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) A&I Crash Statistics, in 2024 11,473 fatal and nonfatal collisions involving large trucks occurred in California. Unfortunately, of those accidents, 279 resulted in fatalities.

With 39.43 million California residents in 2024, truck accidents remain a significant issue. Trucking regulations attempt to keep Californians safe on the roads when they mingle with commercial vehicles.

Q: How Much Could I Get From a Truck Accident Settlement?

A: In California, the amount you could get from a truck accident settlement typically depends on the factual circumstances of your accident, the number of responsible parties involved, and your attorney’s negotiation skills and experience resolving truck accident cases.

A licensed California attorney can typically help estimate the value of your specific case based on their prior experience with similar claims.

Q: If I’ve Been in a Truck Accident, Why Should I Hire an Attorney?

A: If you’ve been in a truck accident, you should hire an attorney because they can help you navigate the complicated legal process, ensure you get complete compensation, and protect your legal rights. Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, which can make proving liability challenging. An experienced truck accident attorney can maximize your recovery amount for medical bills and property damage, which can be extensive after the accident.

Q: Should I Negotiate With an Insurance Company After a Truck Accident in California?

A: It’s not recommended to negotiate with an insurance company without an attorney, as insurance companies typically try to offer lowball payouts or even outright deny claims. Having an attorney can help you handle these situations and fight for fair compensation. An attorney can help you avoid making mistakes and get a better settlement offer than you may be able to get working alone.

Consider Consulting a Trusted California Attorney – Call Belgum, Fry & Van Allen

California truck accident cases are often more complex than traditional car crash cases, which means you typically need a different legal strategy to protect your financial recovery. The team at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen knows how to maximize recovery for medical bills and property damage after serious truck accidents.

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with an experienced California truck accident attorney.