Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers

If a large commercial truck collided with you, causing considerable injuries or losses, you deserve answers and support to obtain the compensation you need.

The Orange County truck accident lawyers at Neale & Fhima APC handle these cases with the focus and skill they demand. We know what makes truck crashes different from other accidents, and we build strong cases using detailed evidence. If a truck crash disrupted your life, we’re ready to help you take action. Contact us for a free consultation today.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow rules that don’t apply to everyday drivers. When they break those rules, it can lead to disaster.

Driver fatigue and hours of service violations

Truck drivers often push themselves to stay on the road longer than they should. Federal law limits how many hours a trucker can drive without rest. Ignoring these rules leads to exhaustion and poor reaction times.

Distracted driving and cell phone use

Some truck drivers text or check GPS devices while driving. A few seconds of distraction can cause a truck to slam into stopped traffic or drift into another lane.

Improper loading and cargo securement

Unbalanced loads or loose cargo can cause a trailer to swing out or topple. If cargo spills onto the road, it can create dangerous hazards for everyone nearby.

Mechanical failures and poor maintenance

Worn tires, faulty brakes, and engine problems should be caught during regular inspections. Skipping repairs or delaying maintenance puts lives at risk.

Speeding and aggressive driving

When truckers rush to meet deadlines, they may drive too fast for road conditions. A speeding truck takes much longer to stop and can cause more serious damage.

Weather-related factors on Orange County highways

Rain along the State Route 133 or heavy fog on the Ortega Highway can make big rigs harder to control. Wet roads reduce traction, and visibility issues increase crash risk.

Types of Truck Accidents

Each type of truck crash has its own causes and consequences. Here are some of the most common:

Jackknife accidents

This happens when the trailer swings out at an angle, forming an L or V shape with the cab. Jackknifing often results from sudden braking or slick roads.

Rollover crashes

Tall trailers have high centers of gravity, making them easier to tip. Rollovers can trap other drivers under the truck or block multiple lanes.

Rear-end collisions

A fully loaded truck takes much longer to stop than a car. If a driver isn’t paying attention, they might crash into stopped traffic ahead.

Blind spot accidents

Truck drivers have large blind spots on all sides. If they change lanes without checking carefully, they can sideswipe smaller vehicles.

Wide turn accidents

Trucks often need to swing left before making a tight right-hand turn. If a car tries to pass on the right, it could get trapped or crushed.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different?

Truck crashes aren’t like fender benders. They require more investigation, more paperwork, and a deeper understanding of industry rules.

Complex Federal Regulations

The trucking industry follows rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include:

• Hours of service limits, which set how long a trucker can drive in a day or week
• Vehicle inspection requirements for brakes, tires, lights, and other systems
• Driver qualifications, including licensing, drug testing, and training

When a company or driver skips these steps, they may be liable for the damage that results.

Multiple Liable Parties

Many people and companies play a part in truck operations:

• The driver may have made a mistake or broken the law
• The trucking company may have pressured them to keep driving or skipped maintenance
• A vehicle manufacturer might’ve sold defective parts
• A cargo loading company could’ve secured the freight poorly
• A maintenance provider may have failed to fix known problems

Truck cases often require sorting through contracts, logs, and business relationships to find out who’s responsible.

Severe Injury Patterns

Because trucks are so large and heavy, the injuries they cause tend to be much more serious. Victims often suffer:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Broken bones in multiple places
• Damage to internal organs
• Fatal injuries

These injuries may require long-term treatment and can change a person’s life forever.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

No two cases are the same. The final settlement depends on many factors.

Factors That Affect Settlement Value

The following can impact how much you receive:

• How serious your injuries are and whether you’ll fully recover
• The cost of medical treatment now and in the future
• The amount of work time you’ve missed and how it affects your career
• The emotional and physical pain caused by the crash
• The cost of fixing or replacing your car and other property

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Courts and insurers look at both measurable and non-measurable losses:

• Economic damages include hospital bills, therapy costs, lost wages, and benefits
• Non-economic damages cover things like trauma, anxiety, and losing the ability to enjoy daily life

Punitive Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Sometimes, the court adds extra damages to punish bad behavior. This happens when:

• The driver or company acted with clear disregard for safety
• They knew their actions could hurt someone but did it anyway

These additional damages can increase the total amount you receive.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

If you’re in a crash involving a truck:

• Move to a safe place and call 911
• Take photos of the scene, including vehicle damage and road conditions
• Get the driver’s license, plate, insurance, and employer details
• Talk to any witnesses and ask for their contact info
• Don’t say anything that could be taken as an admission of fault
• Seek medical treatment, even if your injuries seem minor.
• Reach out to an attorney right away

Medical Documentation

Seeing a doctor right away supports your case and your recovery:

• Follow through with every treatment and referral
• Keep track of all appointments, prescriptions, and diagnoses
• Make notes about how your injuries affect your sleep, work, and hobbies

Important Evidence to Preserve

Lawyers at Neale & Fhima APC know how to find and secure key documents, including:

• Electronic logging device (ELD) data that shows driving hours
• Driver qualification files with training and discipline records
• Truck inspection and repair reports
• Load sheets that show how cargo was packed
• Footage from cameras at nearby businesses or inside the truck

Acting quickly helps prevent companies from hiding or deleting this evidence.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

In most cases, you must file within two years of the crash date. The same deadline applies to wrongful death cases starting from the date of death. Missing the deadline may cause you to lose your right to recover anything.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Waiting too long can cause problems with:

• Preserving dash cam or security video
• Finding eyewitnesses who still remember details
• Holding insurers accountable before they set their own deadlines
• Requesting records that trucking companies only keep for a short time

How Our Attorneys Can Help

We dig deep into every case. Our team:

• Visits the crash site and studies road conditions
• Consults with professionals who reconstruct crashes
• Reviews company records for safety violations
• Examines all available insurance policies

We secure evidence before it disappears by:

• Downloading electronic truck data
• Requesting driver records
• Getting video from nearby cameras
• Talking to people who saw the crash happen

Insurers often make low offers, especially in large truck cases. We handle negotiations by:

• Dealing with multiple insurance companies at once
• Rejecting unfair offers
• Showing the full scope of damage using expert reports
• Keeping you shielded from common insurer tricks

If the company refuses to do the right thing, we’re ready to go to court:

• We work with medical and financial experts
• We explain complex trucking rules in simple terms
• We build presentations that help juries see the full story
• We aim to recover the full amount you’re owed

Why Choose Our Orange County Truck Accident Legal Team

Neale & Fhima APC has helped many people across Orange County recover after truck crashes. Our team understands how trucking companies operate and knows how to hold them accountable. We have the tools and dedication to take on tough cases and push for meaningful results.

Frequently Asked Questions About OC Truck Accidents

Do I need a lawyer if the truck driver’s insurance company contacts me?

Yes. Insurance companies look out for themselves, not you. Their goal is to settle fast and pay as little as possible. A lawyer can protect you from saying something that hurts your claim.

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

Yes. California law lets you recover a reduced amount based on your share of the blame. That’s why it’s important to get legal help to make sure fault is determined correctly.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Some companies try to avoid responsibility by claiming the driver wasn’t an employee. That doesn’t always work. You may still be able to hold the company accountable.

What if the truck is registered out of state?

Even if the truck comes from another state, we can still pursue a claim in California. Trucking companies must follow federal and state rules.

What if the trucker or trucking company doesn’t have insurance?

Uninsured or underinsured cases can still move forward. Other parties involved in the trucking operation may carry coverage. We look at all possible sources of payment.

Take Action: Contact Our Skilled OC Truck Accident Attorneys Now

The sooner you get legal help, the better. Neale & Fhima APC offers free case reviews and takes immediate steps to protect your interests. Trucking companies move fast after crashes, and so should you. Call us today at 888-407-2955 to learn how we can help.