Truck Accident Lawyers in California
The truck accident lawyers at Cutter Law understand how devastating big-rig accidents can be. Trucking accidents involving semi trucks often result in severe injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries and fatalities, regardless of whether the other vehicle involved was a passenger car, an SUV, a truck or even another semi truck.
Common Causes of California Truck Accidents
Commercial truck drivers undergo mandatory specialized training in defensive driving and vehicle operations. They’re also required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), indicating a higher standard of responsibility and expertise. In addition, drivers must adhere to strict rest periods and limits on mileage and time spent on the road.
Truck accidents can be caused by a single factor or a combination of several, including:
- Speeding
- Tire blowouts
- Improper passing
- Cars in the truck’s blind spot
- Driver fatigue, inexperience, or lack of training
- Poorly maintained trucks
- Improperly attached trailers or loads
- Negligence in hiring on the part of the trucking company
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Even with the extra care and training, accidents can happen. Many California accidents occur on the state’s highways, such as the I-5, I-10, and I-715, and a majority occur in Los Angeles County.
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Featured Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Attorney Margot Cutter views her job as a way of helping people get back up after they’ve been knocked down, whether it’s from a car accident, medical malpractice or the loss of a loved one.
Cutter Law is as good as it gets! Margot is an outstanding trial attorney.
What to Do After Being Involved in a Truck Accident
Being involved in a truck accident is disorienting, and what happens in the first few hours often shapes the entire case. Call 911 right away so paramedics can treat any injuries and an officer can respond to write up an accident report. Even if you feel fine at first, ask to be checked out at the scene. Truck crash injuries are frequently severe. Broken bones, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries are common, and some injuries, like soft tissue damage or a concussion, don’t show symptoms for a day or two.
Once everyone is safe, try to get the truck driver’s name, the trucking company, and insurance information for both, along with photos of the vehicles, the road, and any visible damage or injuries. This matters more in truck accident cases than in an ordinary car crash. Trucking companies often send an investigator or a company attorney to the scene within hours, sometimes before the wreckage is even cleared, and evidence like the truck’s black box data can be overwritten or lost if no one steps in to preserve it.
That is why it helps to talk to an attorney early, even before anything has been filed. Reaching out right away gives someone the chance to send a formal request to preserve the truck’s data and inspect the vehicle before that evidence disappears, rather than trying to reconstruct what happened weeks later from memory alone.
Contact a lawyer. They can help in a number of ways. They can help identify responsible parties, investigate case theories, and assist you in recovering the most amount of money possible.
Margot Cutter,
Partner at Cutter Law
Common Roadways and Intersections in California for Serious Injury and Deadly Truck Accidents
Although trucking accidents can happen anywhere, there are a few places in California where the risk is higher:
- I-5 highway, from Southern California to Northern California
- I-10, from Southern California to the border with Arizona
- I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
- Highway 49 in Merced County
- State Road 138, crossing Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County
When traveling on these roads, take extra care.
Verdicts and Settlements
At Cutter Law P.C., we have a long record of successfully representing clients hurt from motor vehicle accidents in California. Below is a representative snapshot of the successful cases our law firm has handled:
for a pedestrian whose knee and pelvis were injured as a result of being hit by a vehicle.
How Much Compensation Can I Get With A Truck Accident Lawyer?
Each claim is different, but for all accident claims involving a truck driver, the amount of damages your personal injury lawyer will ask for is based on a few figures. These may include the following:
- The amount required to replace or repair your car,
- Your immediate medical care costs, including emergency medical care
- Any ongoing medical treatment to recover
- Lost wages from missing work due to injury
- Emotional or mental trauma.
There are no caps to compensation for vehicle accident-related personal injury lawsuits in California.
California personal injury law breaks damages down into three different categories:
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are monetary losses sustained because of your accident. These are easily quantified, such as medical bills, property repairs and replacements, and loss of earnings at work. Your lawyer will ask for documentation for all of these.
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are a little more subjective and include emotional and mental trauma from the accident, loss of companionship, and decreased quality and enjoyment of life. If, for example, you’re seeking therapy because of emotional trauma from the accident, your attorney may ask for documentation of that.
3. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are essentially fiscal punishment. These are intended to deter a trucker or trucking company from engaging in negligent or illegal practices.
What If a California Truck Accident Killed My Loved One?
If your loved one was killed in a truck accident, you might be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver and the trucking company.
California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) Section 377.60 allows each heir of a person killed in a truck driving accident to pursue a wrongful death claim on their own behalf. Heirs are considered to be people “who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.”
Under the statute, heirs may include:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Children and the issue of any deceased children (grandchildren)
- Whoever would qualify for intestate succession if there is no immediate family
Wrongful death claims may include non-economic damages, such as emotional trauma and loss of companionship, as well as punitive damages. In addition, these claims may include compensation for loss of economic support and funeral costs.
The statute of limitations for California wrongful death claims is two years from the date of the deceased’s passing.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in California?
You have two years to file a personal injury claim after a truck accident and three years to file a property damage claim, although it’s best to file as soon as possible. This gives your lawyers access to proof while it’s fresh.
Do I Really Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
The team at Cutter Law has extensive experience handling truck accident cases, including those with wrongful death claims. We fight hard for our clients and aren’t afraid to take on major corporations and insurance companies. While each case is different, you can review our results and the outcomes of recent personal injury cases. We handle truck accident cases all over Northern California, including Sacramento, Oakland, and Santa Rosa.
Have you or a loved one been involved in a truck accident? Contact the California personal injury lawyers at Cutter Law today for a free consultation.
401 Watt Ave #100 Sacramento, CA 95864
1901 Harrison Street Suite 910 Oakland CA 94612
51 E St Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About California Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one have been injured in a California tractor-trailer accident, you’re probably worried and full of questions. We can answer questions specific to your accident’s circumstances during your consultation.
Can I Still Receive Compensation If I’m Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Yes! California is a pure comparative negligence state for personal injury claims, which means that even if you shoulder some of the blame for the accident, you may still receive compensation.
The comparative negligence rule assigns a percentage of the blame to each party. If you are 20% to blame for that accident, you’ll receive 20% less than the settlement awarded.
Should I Speak with the Opposing Driver’s or Trucking Company’s Insurance Provider?
It’s always best to refrain from communicating with the other party, including the driver, representatives from the company, and their insurance company.
If they reach out to you directly, give them the phone number of your lawyer. Don’t speak to the other party without your personal injury lawyer, and don’t accept a settlement without consulting your attorney.
Who Can I Sue in a Truck Accident Case?
Your lawyer may opt to file suit against the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or even the company that loaded the carg
How Much Does It Cost Upfront to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Cutter Law personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that we’re only paid once we’ve successfully settled your claim. We can discuss specific fees one-on-one.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Compensation for My Injuries?
Each case is different. A straightforward case can take a shorter amount of time, while cases involving multiple parties can take much longer. If your case goes to trial, it can take months or even years to conclude.
Start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, how it’s affected your life, and what you need to move forward.
You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
From day one, we go all in—gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial if needed. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
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As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
In October of 2019, I lost my leg because of a driver running a stop sign. I called Cutter Law from the hospital room. The next day, I met Margot Cutter after she traveled 200 miles to the hospital to meet me. After meeting and talking to Miss Cutter, I hired Cutter Law to represent me. Best decision ever!! Margot herself handled my case. She made sure my medical bills were taken care of and got me a great settlement. Cutter Law bent over backwards to take care of me. Margot Cutter is more than my attorney; she has become a friend. I will not hesitate to recommend Cutter Law!! Everybody in the office has been great. There is NO doubt in my mind, Cutter Law P.C. was absolutely the right choice.
Margot Cutter is one of the best personal injury lawyers in the Sacramento, California area. She treats her clients with compassion, kindness, and like family. If you or someone you know needs the best 18-wheeler, truck, or car accident attorney in Sacramento, I highly recommend that you choose Cutter Law P.C.
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.