Injured By A Truck In California?

We specialize in truck accident injury cases throughout Los Angeles and the entire State of California, and if you were injured by a truck, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus is built to fight for maximum compensation—starting right now.

A truck crash is not a “bigger car accident.” It is a different category of case with different rules, different defendants, different insurance layers, and a much more aggressive defense playbook.

Trucking companies and their insurers move fast—often within hours—to control the scene narrative, limit their exposure, and protect their driver and business. If you wait, you give them the advantage.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Our attorneys are standing by to take your call. Don’t wait. Waiting only hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

What should you do if you’re injured by a truck in California?

If you’re injured by a truck in California, you should:

1. Get medical care immediately and follow up consistently,

2. Call police/CHP and ensure a report is made,

3. Photograph the scene, vehicles, company markings, and your injuries,

4. Get witness info,

5. Do not give recorded statements to the trucking insurer, and

6. Speak with a truck accident lawyer who can preserve evidence like black-box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.

Call 818-784-8544 to speak with The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. We specialize in trucking injury claims in Los Angeles and throughout California.

Why The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus is the right choice for California truck accident victims

When you’re hit by a commercial truck, you are immediately up against a system designed to minimize payouts. You need a law firm that understands trucking cases from the inside out—not a general practice that “also handles” truck claims.

What “truck-accident specialization” means in real terms

A serious truck case demands rapid, technical, evidence-driven action, including:

• Preserving black-box/ECM data before it’s overwritten

• Securing driver logs (ELDs) and Hours-of-Service records

• Investigating cargo loading and securement

• Reviewing maintenance and inspection records

• Identifying the correct defendants: driver, carrier, broker, shipper, maintenance contractor, parts manufacturer, and others

• Pinpointing violations of FMCSA regulations and safety standards

• Confronting multi-layer insurance structures and corporate defense counsel

That is exactly why truck cases are won or lost early.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait—waiting only hurts your case.

Truck accidents in California are common—and uniquely dangerous

California is one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors. In Los Angeles and Southern California, heavy truck traffic is constant—especially near:

• Major freeways: I-5, I-10, I-405, I-110, SR-60, SR-91, US-101, SR-57, SR-210

• Industrial routes and warehouses in and around the Inland Empire

• The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where drayage trucking is nonstop

• Distribution hubs across LA County, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura County

When a fully loaded big rig, tractor-trailer, box truck, or tanker collides with a passenger vehicle, the outcomes are often catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries, spinal trauma, fractures, internal injuries, and life-altering disabilities.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, you need a legal strategy designed for maximum value—not quick settlement pressure.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

The trucking company is already building its defense—here’s what they do

After a serious truck crash, trucking insurers and defense teams often deploy a “rapid response” approach. That can include:

• Dispatching investigators to the scene

• Attempting to secure statements from drivers and witnesses

• Controlling or “managing” evidence access

• Creating internal reports designed to reduce corporate exposure

• Pushing the victim into a fast settlement before the full medical picture is clear

Meanwhile, injured victims are dealing with pain, medical appointments, missed work, and uncertainty—while the other side quietly constructs a file to pay as little as possible.

This is exactly why you should not wait to call. Evidence disappears. Data gets overwritten. Witnesses become hard to find. The story gets “cleaned up.”

Call 818-784-8544 now. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting only hurts your case.

Common causes of truck accidents in Los Angeles and throughout California

Truck crashes are frequently preventable. Many stem from safety shortcuts, poor supervision, or profit-driven decisions.

1) Driver fatigue and Hours-of-Service violations

Long routes, tight delivery windows, and pressure from dispatch can lead to exhausted driving—slower reaction time, lane drifting, and deadly errors.

2) Distracted driving

Commercial drivers may look at dispatch messages, GPS systems, phones, or onboard tablets—seconds that can change lives.

3) Unsafe lane changes and blind-spot collisions

Big rigs have massive “no-zone” blind spots. Improper merges on congested LA freeways are a major hazard.

4) Speeding and aggressive driving

A truck that is too fast for traffic conditions cannot stop in time—especially with heavy cargo.

5) Brake failure, tire blowouts, and maintenance neglect

Poor inspections and deferred repairs can turn a commercial vehicle into a rolling hazard.

6) Improper loading and cargo shifts

Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or sudden loss of control.

7) Impaired driving

Any substance impairment behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is inexcusable—and often devastating.

8) Poor training, negligent hiring, or negligent supervision

Some carriers cut corners by hiring unsafe drivers or failing to properly train and monitor them.

These causes are not “bad luck.” They are evidence—when properly uncovered and documented.

Call 818-784-8544 to speak with a Los Angeles–based truck accident law firm that handles cases statewide.

Who can be liable in a California truck accident?

This is one of the biggest differences between truck crashes and standard car accidents: liability is often shared across multiple parties. Identifying every responsible entity is critical to maximizing recovery.

Potential defendants may include:

• The truck driver

• The trucking company/carrier

• A freight broker (who arranged transport)

• The shipper (who hired or controlled aspects of the load/route)

• Cargo loading companies

• Maintenance/repair contractors

• Truck or parts manufacturers (brakes, tires, coupling devices, etc.)

• Government entities (dangerous road design/maintenance—special rules apply)

The more thoroughly liability is investigated, the stronger your claim becomes—especially when the defense tries to blame you.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait.

What compensation can you recover after a truck accident in California?

Your damages should reflect the full human and financial impact of the crash—not just the first wave of bills.

Depending on the facts, compensation may include:

Economic damages

• Ambulance, ER, surgery, hospitalization

• Follow-up treatment, imaging, medication

• Physical therapy, rehab, and future medical care

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Out-of-pocket costs (transportation, home modifications, devices)

• Property damage

Non-economic damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disruption

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Loss of consortium (impact on spouse/relationship)

Potential punitive damages (in certain cases)

In limited circumstances—such as egregious conduct, intentional safety violations, or intoxication—punitive damages may be available to punish and deter.

Your case value depends on evidence, liability clarity, injury severity, future prognosis, and the strength of your legal team’s approach.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 to discuss what your claim may truly be worth.

Critical steps to take after a truck accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California

If your crash just happened—or you’re still in the early stages—these steps matter:

1. Get medical care immediately
   Even if symptoms feel “minor,” serious injuries can be delayed. Medical documentation is also essential.

2. Report the crash
   CHP or local police reports can become key evidence.

3. Photograph everything
   Vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, company logos/identifiers, license plates, and injuries.

4. Get witness information
   Names, phone numbers, and brief statements if possible.

5. Do not give recorded statements to the trucking insurer
   They are trained to extract soundbites that reduce your claim value.

6. Do not sign releases
   Especially medical authorizations that allow broad fishing expeditions into your health history.

7. Call a truck accident lawyer immediately
   The goal is evidence preservation and rapid case positioning before the defense locks things down.

Call 818-784-8544 now for a FREE consultation. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait—waiting only hurts your case.

Why trucking cases require fast evidence preservation

In trucking litigation, some of the most important evidence is time-sensitive:

• Electronic logging device (ELD) data and driver logs

• Engine control module (ECM) / “black box” data

• Dash cam footage (if installed)

• Dispatch communications

• GPS/telematics

• Pre- and post-trip inspection reports

• Maintenance logs

• Drug/alcohol testing records

• Load documentation and bills of lading

If this evidence is not preserved early through proper legal action, it can be lost—sometimes permanently.

That is not a technical detail. That is leverage.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544. The sooner you call, the sooner we can protect your case.

How insurance companies try to reduce truck accident payouts

Expect these tactics:

• “You were in their blind spot.”

• “You stopped suddenly.”

• “You changed lanes.”

• “Your injuries are from a prior condition.”

• “You don’t need that treatment.”

• “This is the best we can do—take it now.”

This is why trucking insurers push speed: they want resolution before you understand the true value of your injuries and long-term needs.

A strong truck accident claim is built with medical proof, expert support when needed, and hard liability evidence that forces the carrier to take your case seriously.

Call 818-784-8544 and speak with a lawyer for FREE.

California deadlines: Why time matters even if you’re still treating

California law limits the time you have to file most injury lawsuits. While exceptions can apply, waiting is risky—especially if a public entity is involved (road defect cases can have much shorter notice requirements).

Even aside from legal deadlines, waiting can weaken:

• evidence quality

• witness availability

• crash-scene documentation

• your medical narrative (gaps in treatment are used against you)

If you’re unsure whether you still have a case, the safest move is to speak with counsel immediately.

Call 818-784-8544. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting only hurts your case.

Los Angeles truck accident hotspots and high-risk scenarios

Truck collisions in LA frequently occur in predictable situations:

• Stop-and-go congestion on I-405, I-10, and US-101

• High-speed merges and lane changes on I-5 and SR-91

• Port-adjacent routes near I-710 and I-110

• Nighttime warehouse and freight runs through industrial corridors

• Jackknife/rollover scenarios on curves, ramps, and downhill grades

• Rear-end crashes where trucks cannot stop in time

• Underride/override crashes (particularly catastrophic)

If your collision occurred in any of these scenarios, it is essential that the liability analysis is done correctly. The defense will have a story ready—your job is to have a stronger one backed by evidence.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation.

What makes a truck accident claim “high value”?

The highest-value truck cases are typically driven by:

• clear liability evidence (regulatory violations, records, data)

• serious injuries with documented impact

• future medical needs and impairment

• credible experts when required

• consistent treatment and strong medical narratives

• a law firm willing to fully build the case—not shortcut it

The difference between a rushed claim and a properly built trucking case can be substantial.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, our focus is straightforward: hold every responsible party accountable and pursue maximum compensation under the law.

Call 818-784-8544 now. Don’t wait.

Frequently Asked Questions: California Truck Accidents

How long does a truck accident case take in California?

Some cases resolve faster than others, depending on injury severity, treatment timeline, liability disputes, and the carrier’s willingness to negotiate. A serious trucking case often requires building medical and liability proof thoroughly before settlement discussions become meaningful.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

In many situations, yes. California applies comparative fault principles in most vehicle collision cases, which means your recovery may be reduced by your share of responsibility—but you may still have a viable claim.

What if the truck driver says they didn’t see me?

“That’s a blind spot” is a common defense claim. It does not automatically excuse unsafe lane changes, failure to check mirrors, or negligent driving. Evidence often tells the real story.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

You should be extremely careful. Recorded statements are often used to minimize your claim. It is usually best to speak with a truck accident attorney first.

What if my crash involved a city vehicle or road defect?

Claims involving public entities can trigger special procedures and shorter deadlines. If road design, missing signage, or dangerous conditions contributed, get legal guidance immediately.

Call 818-784-8544 to speak with a lawyer for FREE.

Talk to a California Truck Accident Lawyer Now

If you were injured by a truck anywhere in California—especially in Los Angeles—you need a law firm that specializes in truck accident injury cases and knows how to preserve evidence, identify every defendant, and push for maximum compensation.

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus RIGHT NOW at 818-784-8544 and speak with a lawyer for FREE.
Our attorneys are standing by to take your call.
Don’t Wait! Waiting only hurts your case! The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.