Orange County Truck Crash Facts: What You Need to Know If You’re Injured By a Big Rig
Getting hurt in a truck crash in Orange County changes everything. Your injuries are likely serious, your medical bills are piling up, and you’re wondering who will pay for the damage that wasn’t your fault.
Here’s what you need to know right now: the law is on your side. California law requires trucking companies to carry insurance for exactly this reason. You have legal rights, and multiple parties may owe you money, not just the truck driver, but potentially the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, or even government agencies if poor road conditions played a role.
Most California truck accident settlements range from $75,000 to $300,000, but severe injury cases often reach hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. The insurance companies know these numbers, too, which is why they move fast to limit what they pay you.
If you’re reading this because a big rig injured you or someone you love, don’t handle this alone. The trucking company already has lawyers working to protect its interests. You deserve the same level of legal firepower fighting for yours.
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., our California truck accident lawyers can help you recover compensation after a serious big rig accident. Don’t let trucking companies and insurers pay you less than what you need after an accident. Call us at 714-602-6990 now.
Orange County Truck Accident Facts
Over 1,000 commercial truck crashes happened in Orange County between 2019 and 2021, killing 31 people and injuring 1,413 others. In 73% of these crashes, someone died or was severely hurt. When an 80,000-pound big rig collides with your car, the physics work against you every time.
Speeding caused over 6,000 serious accidents in Orange County in 2023 alone. When truck drivers speed, drive while tired, or get distracted by their phones, the results are deadly. Federal law limits how many hours truckers can drive, but violations happen daily on Orange County’s busy highways, such as I-5, I-405, and Highway 22.
Equipment failures create another major danger. Brake problems, tire blowouts, and faulty trailer connections cause crashes that seem like “accidents” but are really the result of poor maintenance. Trucking companies cut corners on repairs to save money, and you pay the price.
Multiple Parties Can Be Held Responsible in a Truck Accident
Unlike regular car accidents, where you typically sue one driver, truck crashes often involve several responsible parties. This actually works in your favor because it means more insurance coverage is available to pay your claim.
Under California law, multiple parties can owe you money, including:
- The trucking company – Under California law, employers are responsible for their drivers’ actions, even independent contractors, in many cases
- Maintenance companies – If brake failure or mechanical problems caused your crash, the company that serviced the truck may be liable
- Cargo companies – Improperly loaded or overweight cargo makes trucks unstable, making the shipper or loading company responsible
- Truck manufacturers – Defective parts that contribute to crashes create liability for the manufacturer
- Government entities – Poor road design, missing guardrails, or inadequate warning signs can make cities, counties, or the state partially responsible
California’s comparative negligence law means you can recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident. If you were 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of your total damages.
You Need a Law Firm On Your Side
Truck accidents involve federal regulations that don’t apply to regular car crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict rules for driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations strengthen your case significantly.
Trucking companies also have teams of lawyers, investigators, and adjusters working to minimize what they pay you. They’ll blame you for the accident, question your injuries, and pressure you to settle quickly for less than you deserve.
You need experienced legal representation that understands California truck accident law, knows how to investigate these cases, and isn’t intimidated by corporate legal teams.
Remember: time is your enemy in these cases. Besides California’s two-year lawsuit deadline, evidence disappears quickly. Driver logs are often overwritten after just eight days. Your attorney can send legal notices to preserve driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic data from the truck’s black box before it’s destroyed.
Contact Our Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys
Your medical bills can’t wait, and neither should your legal claim. Contact an experienced Orange County truck accident attorney at William D. Shapiro, Inc., today to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Our accident attorneys in San Bernardino have been serving Southern California for over 40 years. Simply call our law firm at 714-602-6990 or fill out our confidential contact form today to schedule a free consultation.
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.