Commercial vehicle accidents extend far beyond traditional “big rigs.” Each has distinct legal and mechanical features relevant to liability:

Semi-Trailer Trucks (“18-Wheelers”)

These consist of a tractor (front) and a detachable trailer (rear). Their high center of gravity and weight make them prone to:

• Jackknife accidents
  
• Rollover crashes
  
• Wide-swing turning collisions
  
• Brake and tire blowouts
  

Single-Unit Trucks (Delivery Trucks, Box Trucks, Dump Trucks)

Vehicles like UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and local freight trucks fall into this category. These trucks often operate in dense urban areas, creating risks for:

• Pedestrians
  
• Cyclists
  
• Parked vehicles
  
• Residential traffic
  

Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks (Commercial Fleets and Work Trucks)

Often used by construction companies, utilities, and contractors. These trucks frequently haul:

• Trailers
  
• Equipment
  
• Hazardous materials
  
• Overloaded cargo
  

Tanker Trucks (Fuel, Chemicals, Hazardous Materials)

Tanker trucks pose the highest risks due to:

• Liquid load “sloshing” causing rollovers
  
• Explosive or toxic cargo
  
• Strict federal and state handling regulations
  

School Buses and Passenger Transport Buses

School buses are governed by special safety regulations. Collisions involving children or multiple passengers may trigger:

• Enhanced liability
  
• Public entity claims
  
• Higher damages due to vulnerable victims
  

Commercial vehicle crashes often stem from two primary categories:

A. Driver Error (Most Common Cause)

Driver negligence includes:

• Fatigue from excessive hours (Hours-of-Service violations)
  
• Distracted driving (texting, GPS use)
  
• Speeding or unsafe speed for conditions
  
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or stimulants
  
• Improper lane changes or wide turns
  
• Failure to yield
  
• Tailgating or unsafe following distances
  
• Inexperienced or improperly trained drivers
  
• Aggressive driving or road rage
  

B. Improper Vehicle Maintenance

Poor maintenance is a leading cause of catastrophic truck failures. Common issues include:

• Brake failures
  
• Tire blowouts or worn retread tires
  
• Steering malfunctions
  
• Suspension defects
  
• Trailer coupling and hitch failures
  
• Electrical and lighting defects
  
• Fluid leaks (oil, coolant, hydraulics)
  
• Faulty cargo securement mechanisms
  

Under FMCSR 49 CFR §396, carriers must maintain strict inspection and repair schedules. Failure to comply constitutes negligence.

Truck drivers and carriers must comply with a complex regulatory framework, including:

FMCSA Regulations

• Hours-of-Service (49 CFR §395) – mandatory rest periods to prevent fatigue
  
• Driver Qualification Files (49 CFR §391)
  
• Drug & Alcohol Testing (49 CFR §382)
  
• Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance (49 CFR §396)
  
• Cargo Securement (49 CFR §393)
  

Violations can establish negligence per se — automatic liability if the violation caused the crash.

California Regulations

• Vehicle Code §21702 – commercial driving hour limits
  
• Vehicle Code §35550 – weight limits
  
• Vehicle Code §22406 – 55 mph speed limit for trucks on highways
  
• Vehicle Code §34501 – CHP inspection requirements for commercial carriers

Truck accident cases often involve numerous defendants:

• Truck driver (negligent operation)
  
• Trucking company / motor carrier (vicarious liability & direct negligence)
  
• Shipping company or broker (negligent selection of carrier)
  
• Maintenance contractor (failure to inspect/repair)
  
• Vehicle or part manufacturer (product liability)
  
• Trailer owner
  
• Warehouse or loading crew (improper cargo securement)
  
• Public entity (roadway defects)
  

California’s pure comparative negligence (CACI 405) applies to all parties.

We send litigation preservation (spoliation) letters to collect:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data
  
• Black-box (ECM/EDR) downloads
  
• GPS and telematics data
  
• Dispatch records
  
• Driver qualification files
  
• Drug/alcohol testing results
  
• Maintenance logs
  
• Bill of lading & weight manifests
  
• Dash-cam footage (cab cameras)
  

This evidence often shows violations such as falsified logs, speeding, or ignored maintenance warnings.

Large trucks are uniquely vulnerable to:

• Poor road maintenance
  
• Sharp incline changes
  
• Narrow shoulders
  
• Misaligned curbs
  
• Deep potholes
  
• Faded lane markings
  
• Dangerous construction zones
  

Under Gov. Code §835, public agencies may be liable when unsafe road conditions contribute to a crash.

Under CACI 426, carriers are directly liable for:

• Hiring unqualified drivers
  
• Failing to verify CDL credentials
  
• Ignoring prior collisions or DUI history
  
• Inadequate training on turning, braking, or cargo handling
  
• Pressuring drivers to violate Hours-of-Service rules
  

In many catastrophic crashes, systemic company negligence is the root cause.

Punitive damages may be awarded under Civil Code §3294 and CACI 3949 when:

• Drivers falsify logs
  
• Companies force illegal scheduling
  
• Trucks operate with knowingly defective brakes
  
• Drivers operate under the influence
  
• Companies violate FMCSA regulations intentionally
  

These damages punish wrongdoing and deter similar conduct.

• Semi-trailer trucks / 18-wheelers
  
• Single-unit commercial trucks (UPS, FedEx, Amazon, USPS)
  
• Heavy-duty pickup trucks (work trucks, utility fleets)
  
• Tanker trucks (fuel, chemicals, HAZMAT)
  
• School buses
  
• Cement mixers
  
• Dump trucks
  
• Refrigerated trucks (“reefers”)
  
• Logging trucks
  
• Agricultural haulers
  

Each requires unique litigation strategies and regulatory analysis.

California hosts some of the largest freight, logistics, and trucking operations in the U.S., including:

• J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
  
• UPS (United Parcel Service)
  
• FedEx Freight
  
• XPO (formerly XPO Logistics)
  
• Old Dominion Freight Line
  
• Roehl Transport
  
• Swyft Transportation
  
• Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (includes Swift Transportation & Knight Transportation)
  
• CRST International
  
• Marten Transport
  
• TCI Transportation
  
• Prime Inc.
  
• Estes Express Lines
  
• Saia LTL Freight
  
• Schneider National
  
• Werner Enterprises
  
• R+L Carriers
  
• YRC Freight (Yellow Corporation legacy)
  

These companies operate thousands of vehicles throughout California’s freeways, shipping hubs, ports, and industrial corridors.

Victims may recover:

• Medical expenses
  
• Rehabilitation & future medical care
  
• Lost income & diminished earning capacity
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Property damage
  
• Loss of consortium
  
• Punitive damages (in egregious cases)
  

There is no cap on general damages in truck accident cases.

• Two years from the date of injury (CCP §335.1)
  
• Six months to file a claim against government vehicles (Gov. Code §911.2)