Law Offices of Mark Murad | Pasadena Office | Free Consultation, No Fee Unless We Win
A semi truck accident lawyer represents people injured in crashes with tractor-trailers and big rigs. The lawyer preserves trucking evidence, identifies every responsible party, and pursues the driver, the carrier, and their insurers. At the Law Offices of Mark Murad, your first consultation is free and you pay no fee unless we win. California generally allows two years to sue, but trucking records can be erased much sooner.
Hurt in a Semi Truck Crash? Start Here
A semi truck crash is not just a bigger car accident. A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and the company behind it usually brings in its insurer quickly. Meanwhile, the records that prove what happened sit in the company's hands.
Our Pasadena team handles truck injury claims from first call to settlement or trial. This page explains who may be responsible, which evidence disappears first, and how to vet a truck accident lawyer before you sign.
What Is a Semi Truck Accident Lawyer?
A semi truck accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney who handles claims against truck drivers, trucking companies, and related parties. These cases involve federal safety rules, company records, and larger insurance policies than ordinary car crashes.
Who Needs a Semi Truck Accident Lawyer?
Consider calling one if:
- You or a passenger suffered a serious injury, such as a spinal, head, or fracture injury.
- A truck jackknifed, rear-ended you, or swung wide into your lane.
- A loved one died. See our Pasadena wrongful death lawyers.
- A trucking company's adjuster is asking for statements or offering a quick settlement.
- You were a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, or pedestrian.
Why Choose a Professional Semi Truck Accident Lawyer?
Trucking cases are won on records. A truck accident lawyer who knows federal motor carrier rules knows which documents to demand and how fast. Before hiring anyone, ask:
- Have you handled claims against trucking companies, not only individual drivers?
- Will you send a written preservation demand right away?
- How are expert and court costs handled in the written fee agreement? California requires one for contingency fees (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147).
- Who will actually update me, and how often?
Expert Insights: What Decides a Semi Truck Case?
Evidence has a short shelf life. Carriers generally must keep driver logs and supporting records for only six months (49 CFR § 395.8). Dashcam, GPS, and engine data can be overwritten even sooner under routine company practice. An early written preservation demand protects them.
Several parties may share fault. The driver, the motor carrier, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or a parts maker may each play a role. Suing only the driver can leave the strongest insurance policy untouched.
Hours-of-service rules matter. Federal rules limit property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window, with a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving (FMCSA). Logs, dispatch records, and delivery schedules show whether a driver was pushed.
Insurance may not be enough. The federal minimum for most for-hire freight carriers is $750,000 (49 CFR § 387.9). Catastrophic injuries can exceed that, so we look for additional policies and coverage layers.
Illustrative example. A driver is rear-ended by a semi on the 210 and waits eight months to call a lawyer. By then, the driver logs are past the six-month retention window. Fault is still arguable, but a key check on the trucker's hours is gone. (Hypothetical, not a past client.)
Service Details at a Glance
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Fee | Contingency: no fee unless we win |
First consultation | Free |
Office | 155 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 800, Pasadena, CA 91101 |
Phone | (626) 388-1521 |
Parties reviewed | Driver, carrier, loader, maintenance provider, manufacturer |
Injury lawsuit deadline | Generally 2 years (CCP § 335.1) |
Public entity claims | Generally 6 months (Gov. Code § 911.2) |
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Benefit | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
Evidence preservation | Written demands for logs, GPS, dashcam, and maintenance records |
Multi-party investigation | Driver, carrier, and third parties all reviewed |
Federal rule review | Hours of service, maintenance, and driver qualification files |
Expert access | Reconstruction and medical experts for serious injuries |
Insurer handling | Calls and offers go through us |
Full damages review | Medical care, future care, lost income, pain |
No upfront cost | Fees come from your recovery |
Which Truck Crashes Do We Handle?
Crash Type | Why Legal Help Matters |
|---|---|
Jackknife | Braking, load, or maintenance problems |
Rear-end | Following distance, fatigue, or distraction |
Underride | Trailer guard and visibility issues |
Wide turn or sideswipe | Lane position and driver training |
Rollover | Speed and cargo loading |
Tire or brake failure | Maintenance records and possible parts claims |
Fatigue-related | Hours-of-service logs |
Serious injuries may qualify as catastrophic injury or spinal cord injury claims. Hurt outside Pasadena? See our Los Angeles and Glendale truck accident pages.
How Does a Semi Truck Accident Claim Work?
Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
1. Free consultation | We review the crash, injuries, and deadlines |
2. Preservation demand | Written request to the carrier for logs, GPS, dashcam, and maintenance files |
3. Investigation | Police report, witnesses, scene, and vehicle inspection |
4. Liability analysis | Identify every responsible party and policy |
5. Medical documentation | Treatment records and medical experts if needed |
6. Negotiation or lawsuit | We present the demand and file suit before the deadline if offers fall short |
7. Resolution | Settlement or verdict, with liens and costs resolved before payout |
Semi Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does a semi truck accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. The consultation is free, and our fee comes only from a settlement or verdict. Get the percentage and cost terms in writing.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California?
Generally two years for injuries (CCP § 335.1). If a government-owned truck was involved, a claim is usually due within six months.
What should I do after a semi truck accident in Pasadena?
Call 911 and get medical care. Photograph the truck, plates, and damage, and note the company name and USDOT number on the cab. Do not give the trucking insurer a statement.
Who can be held liable in a semi truck crash?
The driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance provider, or a parts manufacturer may share liability. The evidence decides who.
How much is a semi truck accident case worth?
It depends on injuries, future care, lost income, fault, and available insurance. No honest estimate is possible before reviewing your records.
How is a truck injury lawyer different from a car accident lawyer?
Truck cases involve federal safety rules, corporate defendants, and records that get overwritten. For ordinary collisions, see our Pasadena car accident lawyers.
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurance adjuster?
You are generally not required to. Speak with an attorney first, because casual answers can be used to reduce your claim.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California's comparative fault rule reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault instead of barring it.
Do truck accident cases go to trial?
Most settle before trial. We still prepare each file for court, because that readiness pushes insurers toward fairer offers.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
That label does not automatically protect the carrier. The carrier's control and operating authority matter, so the facts decide.
Final Key Takeaway
Act before trucking records disappear. Get medical care, avoid statements to the carrier's insurer, and speak with a semi truck accident lawyer before accepting any offer.
Talk to a Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Call (626) 388-1521 or request your free consultation. Meet our attorneys.
Law Offices of Mark Murad, 155 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 800, Pasadena, CA 91101
This page offers general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Sources: FMCSA, Summary of Hours of Service Regulations; FMCSA financial responsibility rule, 49 CFR § 387.9, via Federal Register; 49 CFR § 395.8; California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, Government Code § 911.2, and Business and Professions Code § 6147 via California Legislative Information.