Navigating Commercial Truck Laws in California
Getting into an accident with a commercial truck can turn your world upside down. One moment, you’re cruising down the highway, and the next, you’re caught in a whirlwind of confusion, pain, and uncertainty. If you’re reading this, you’re likely in this exact situation. You’re not alone, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed.
California highways are major thoroughfares for commercial trucks going across the state and even across the country. But when these giants of the highway collide with passenger vehicles, the results can be devastating. You might struggle with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and many questions. After a commercial truck accident in California, it is natural to wonder if the truck driver or trucking company violated any laws that might have led to your crash. If they did, what are your rights? Where do you go from here?
The Golden State’s Truck Rules: A Balancing Act
California’s commercial truck laws keep our economy rolling and ensure the safety of everyone on the road. These regulations cover everything from truck size and weight to driver qualifications and hours of service. They’re designed to prevent accidents, but when collisions occur, they also play a crucial role in determining liability.
Let’s dive into two key California laws that could be relevant to your case:
California Vehicle Code Section 35551 – Weight Limits
This law sets strict weight limits on commercial trucks. For example, a single axle can’t bear more than 20,000 pounds, while a tandem axle is limited to 34,000 pounds. These limits aren’t arbitrary—they’re carefully calculated to ensure trucks can stop safely and don’t cause excessive wear and tear on our roads.
Why does this matter to you? If the truck that hit you was overloaded, it could have contributed to the accident. Overloaded trucks take longer to stop and are more prone to rollovers. If investigators find the truck was over the legal weight limit, it could strengthen your case significantly.
California Vehicle Code Section 34501.2 – Hours of Service Regulations
This law adopts federal regulations limiting the time commercial truck drivers can be behind the wheel. In general, drivers can’t drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They’re also restricted to a 14-hour “driving window” after coming on duty following ten consecutive hours off duty.
These rules exist because fatigue is a major factor in truck accidents. A drowsy driver is a dangerous driver, especially when they’re piloting an 80,000-pound vehicle. If the driver who hit you was violating these hours-of-service regulations, it could be a crucial piece of evidence in your favor.
California Vehicle Code Section 34501.12 – Motor Carrier Safety Inspections
This law outlines the requirements for safety inspections of commercial vehicles. It mandates:
“Every motor carrier shall periodically inspect every vehicle of a type described in subdivision (a) that is under its control, in a manner approved by the department in accordance with the regulations adopted by it.”
Why it matters: If the truck involved in your accident hadn’t undergone required safety inspections or if inspections were improperly conducted, this could indicate negligence on the part of the trucking company.
The Human Side of Truck Accidents
While understanding the laws is important, let’s not forget the human element. You’re not just dealing with legal codes and regulations – you’re coping with a traumatic event that’s turned your life upside down. You might be in pain, worried about medical bills, or struggling to care for your family while you recover. These feelings are valid, and they’re an important part of your story.
This is where having an experienced California trucking accident attorney by your side can make all the difference. You need a law firm who understands truck accidents and both the intricacies of the law and the personal toll these accidents can take.
Why a Truck Accident Attorney Matters
You might be wondering if you really need a truck accident attorney. After all, isn’t that what insurance is for? While it’s true that insurance plays a role, commercial truck accidents are far more complex than your average fender bender.
Multiple parties could be liable in a truck accident – the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, or even the truck manufacturer. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to investigate and identify all potentially responsible parties.
Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of truck accident lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need someone in your corner who can level the playing field.
Contact Our California Truck Accident Law Firm
The road to recovery after a truck accident can be long and winding, but you can make it through with the right support and information. You’ve already taken an important step by educating yourself about commercial truck laws in California. Call our truck accident law firm to take the next step.
Your story doesn’t end with this accident. The journey might not be easy, but you have the strength to see it through. Take it one step at a time, and remember – you’re not just a statistic or a case number. You’re a person deserving of justice and compassion, and there are people ready to stand by your side every step of the way. Our San Bernardino truck accident lawyers are here to help you through this difficult time.
Simply call our truck accident law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form today.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.