Available 24/7: Call 760-835-9353 | No Recovery, No Fee Guarantee
A serious traffic collision with a semi or commercial vehicle can leave you facing injury, mounting bills, and an uncooperative insurance carrier. A local truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights, coordinate medical care, and pursue full financial compensation. Our law firm represents clients across the Inland Empire—San Bernardino County and Riverside County—from first call to settlement or verdict. Truck cases are different: they involve federal safety regulation, complex evidence, and multiple at‑fault parties. Before you talk to an adjuster or sign any policy forms, get clear legal advice about fault, deadlines under California law, and your best next step.
What To Do After a Truck Crash in the Inland Empire (First 48 Hours)
Call 911 and get medical care. Use emergency services and follow doctor orders, including physical therapy. Keep every receipt for expense and treatment.
Alert law enforcement. A police report by a local department or California Highway Patrol preserves details you’ll need later.
Document the scene. Photograph both vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, speed limit signs, road debris, construction zones, and damage to the trailer or cargo.
Exchange information. Record driver license, DOT number, insurance policy, and telephone number. Collect witness names and email address if possible.
Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
Call our office. Early guidance helps preserve black‑box data, video surveillance, and inspection records.
Why Truck Cases Are Different Under California & FMCSA Rules
Large trucks operate under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules in the United States: hours of service limits (to prevent fatigue and drowsy driving), equipment inspection and logging, vehicle weight and transport limits, and cargo securement. Failures—bad brake maintenance, worn tire tread, missing underride guards, or improper trailer hookups—can cause rollovers, jackknifing, or rear‑end impacts. Distracted or texting while driving, reckless driving, drunk driving/driving under the influence, and speeding increase risk on IE highway corridors (I‑10, I‑215, SR‑210, SR‑60, SR‑91). Our team knows how to demand the company’s safety manuals, dispatch logs, and driver qualification files to show systemic problems within the corporation.
Proving Negligence & Legal Liability
To establish negligence, we prove the duty of care, breach, causation, and damages. Potential defendant parties include the truck driver, motor carrier, shipper/broker, maintenance contractor, or manufacturer (product liability) when a component fails. We gather evidence—ECM/EDR downloads, eyewitness testimony, dash‑cam video, inspection reports, and expert reconstruction. Under comparative negligence, a plaintiff can recover despite partial fault; recovery is reduced by the percentage of responsibility. If a company hides documents or violates safety rules, that can support higher legal liability and settlement leverage.
Injuries We See in Truck Accidents in the Inland Empire (Back, Neck, Brain)
Truck crashes can cause catastrophic injuries: spinal cord trauma, orthopedic bone fractures, herniated discs, neck and knee damage, concussion/brain injury, internal bleeding, burns, lacerations/wound, and long‑term pain that affects quality of life and may require a wheelchair. We help coordinate care with your physician, manage health insurance issues, and document treatment (including soft tissue harm, pain levels, and therapy progress). Emotional stress and anxiety are real consequences after a violent impact.
Damages You Can Pursue (Economic & Non‑Economic)
Recoverable damages often include: medical expenses (ER, imaging, surgery, rehab), future care, lost income, property damage, car rental, and out‑of‑pocket costs with reimbursement. Non‑economic harms include pain and suffering, loss of activities, and loss of consortium. In rare cases involving extreme misconduct (e.g., intoxication or willful violations), punitive damages may be available. Families may also bring a wrongful death claim after a fatal collision.
Insurance, Claims & Negotiation Strategy
Truck cases usually involve multiple insurance layers: the carrier’s commercial vehicle liability, excess/umbrella policy, shipper or corporation coverage, and sometimes a product liability policy. We identify limits, track claims deadlines, and handle communication with each insurance company. If an insurer delays or denies in bad faith, we evaluate insurance bad faith exposure. Our approach to negotiation blends evidence with practical considerations—venue, jury tendencies, and the carrier’s litigation history—to pursue a fair settlement.
Who Can Be Liable in a Truck Case?
Truck driver and motor carrier (dispatch pressure, training, supervision)
Shipper/broker (dangerous cargo loading)
Maintenance/repair contractors (tire, brake, lighting)
Manufacturer/product liability (defective parts)
Public entities (poor traffic flow, signals, or dangerous conditions)
Other motorists (passenger cars, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian impacts) Real‑world matters include delivery fleets (Amazon/UPS/FedEx), dump truck and garbage truck operations, tow truck crashes, and bus collisions.
Our Process: From Investigation to Trial
Free evaluation with an attorney; we outline timelines and next steps.
Evidence preservation: letters to secure black‑box data, driver logging, and maintenance records.
Liability analysis: expert downloads, scene mapping, and testimony development.
Demand & negotiation: present damages and fault with citations to California law and FMCSA rules.
Lawsuit: file the complaint in the proper court, proceed through discovery, depositions, mediation, and, if needed, trial before a judge or jury.
Resolution: settlement or verdict—we explain liens and your net recovery. Contingency fee; no upfront payment.
Timelines & Statute of Limitations in California
Strict statute of limitations rules apply in California (and shorter notice rules can apply to public entities). We track every relevant statute and preserve rights while you treat. Call as soon as possible; early involvement lets us inspect the tractor and trailer, capture ECM data, and interview witnesses before traffic memories fade.
Local Roads & Safety Resources (IE Corridors)
The Inland Empire runs on freight. Heavy traffic on I‑10, I‑215, SR‑60, SR‑210, and SR‑91 creates traffic congestion and unique hazards like road debris, high vehicle weight, and weather risk (wind, dust; occasional snow in mountain passes). For safety research and statistics, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, National Safety Council, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While headlines often focus on Los Angeles or San Diego, the same safety principles apply here in Southern California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a car crash and a truck crash case?
Trucking involves FMCSA rules, multiple policies, and corporate decision‑making. That complexity shapes legal liability and recovery.
Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
Options include health insurance, MedPay, and lien‑based care. We pursue reimbursement at settlement or verdict.
What if the driver was texting or fell asleep?
Texting while driving, drowsy driving, or HOS violations can establish negligence and support punitive damages in extreme cases.
Can you help if the truck left the scene?
Yes. We use camera networks and EDR data; we may also pursue other at‑fault motorists or product liability claims if a failure contributed.
Do you take 18‑wheeler cases?
Yes—we handle 18 wheeler and tractor trailer cases across the IE and also act as commercial truck accident lawyer counsel for serious injuries.
Talk With an Inland Empire Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a tractor‑trailer crash, get answers now. We’ll explain fault, coverage, treatment options, and the path from claim to lawsuit if necessary. Start by telephone at 909‑915‑0181 (Redlands) or 760‑835‑9353 (Palm Springs), or email our law offices to schedule a free evaluation.
Attorney advertising. This is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines vary; contact a lawyer promptly.
