1. Nunes Law, Inc.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, improperly maintained truck accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks, head-on truck collisions
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, third party negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Frank Nunes is the firm founder and lead counsel with over 17 years of experience. Former attorney for a national insurance company, providing insight into insurance company tactics. The firm has represented clients since 2007 and has experience handling complex trucking cases involving multiple liable parties including truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo owners, and maintenance providers.
Location: 2233 Huntington Drive, Suite 16, Fresno, CA 93721
Contact: (559) 436-0850 | https://www.nuneslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
2. Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, improper truck maintenance accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, speeding truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, comprehensive truck accident investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Law firm dedicated to helping accident victims obtain compensation for injuries attributed to negligence. Attorneys conduct comprehensive investigations to determine multiple liability issues. Experience handling cases involving trucking companies that pushed drivers to disregard federal regulations. The firm helps clients navigate California’s comparative fault laws.
Location: 1401 Fulton Street, Suite 820, Fresno, CA 93721
Contact: (559) 277-7300 | https://www.tpslawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial case evaluation available
3. Carter Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, big rig accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, cargo securement failures, improper maintenance accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, black box data retrieval and analysis, vehicle maintenance record investigation, cell phone record analysis, dash cam footage review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Led by top-rated California trial attorney Daniel Carter with over 25 years of experience handling complex auto accident cases. The firm has successfully recovered tens of millions in damages from trucking companies, insurance carriers, and other adversaries. Achieved a Top 100 verdict in the state of California in 2021. In 2023, there were 225 truck accidents in Fresno County with at least 58 in the city of Fresno.
Location: 3401 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite B, Fresno, CA 93711
Contact: (559) 485-1212 | https://carterlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless recovery made)
4. The Matiasic Firm, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, truck rollover accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, employer negligence (trucking company pressure to violate regulations), hours of service violations, improper truck maintenance accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, truck inspection violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorneys have recovered more than $12 million on behalf of injury victims. The firm achieved one of the largest verdicts for personal injury and wrongful death in Madera County. Attorneys have been featured in the Fresno Bee and have appeared on multiple television stations. Attorneys have been included in the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.
Location: 2377 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 116, Fresno, CA 93711
Contact: (559) 432-4500 | https://www.thematiasicfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Freedman Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, big rig accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, burn injuries from trucking accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding truck accidents, improperly maintained truck accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Fresno personal injury attorneys have represented over 10,000 Central Valley residents in lawsuits and insurance claims. Experience handling complex and severe big rig collisions. Significant settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims and families. The firm has the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to navigate complex trucking claims.
Location: 2150 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711
Contact: (559) 447-9000 | https://www.freedmanlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Personal injury claims must be filed within this timeframe.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the incident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 338.
Claims Against Government Entities: Claims against California state or local government must be filed within six months of the injury under Government Code Section 911.2. Failure to file a timely claim bars the lawsuit.
Fault System: California is a traditional fault-based state. The at-fault party and their insurance company are responsible for paying damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. A plaintiff can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. The plaintiff’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if damages are $100,000 and the plaintiff is 25% at fault, they recover $75,000. California’s pure comparative fault system is favorable to plaintiffs.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires minimum liability insurance of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5). Note: These minimums are lower than most other states.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in California must comply with federal insurance requirements. Interstate carriers must maintain minimum coverage of $750,000 for most freight. Higher limits apply to trucks hauling hazardous materials ($1 million to $5 million).
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: California law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing.
Damage Caps: California does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases (except in medical malpractice cases where non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 – $350,000, now adjusted for inflation). Punitive damages may be available in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud.
Vicarious Liability: Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of employee drivers under respondeat superior. California also has permissive use statutes that can extend liability.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations apply in California courts. Violations of FMCSR, including hours of service rules and maintenance requirements, can establish negligence.
Hours of Service Regulations: Under FMCSA regulations, truck drivers may not operate their vehicles for longer than 11 hours driving time or 14 hours total work time. Violations are common causes of accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in California?
A: Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. If your claim involves a government vehicle or entity, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the injury. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to seek compensation.
Q: Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault for the truck accident in California?
A: Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which is favorable to accident victims. You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% at fault and your damages total $500,000, you would receive $300,000 (reduced by 40%). Insurance companies often try to assign more fault to victims to reduce payouts, so having an experienced attorney to counter these tactics is important.
Q: Who can be held liable for a truck accident in California?
A: Multiple parties may be held liable in California truck accident cases. The truck driver can be liable for negligent driving (fatigue, distraction, speeding, impairment, traffic violations). The trucking company may be vicariously liable for employee driver negligence or directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, pressure to violate hours of service regulations, or maintenance failures. Cargo loading companies may be liable for improperly secured loads. Truck or parts manufacturers may be liable for defective equipment. Maintenance providers may be liable for negligent repairs. Other drivers whose negligence contributed to the accident may also share liability.
Q: What damages can I recover in a California truck accident case?
A: California allows truck accident victims to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and other quantifiable financial losses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. There is no cap on non-economic damages in standard truck accident cases. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud to punish egregious conduct.
Q: How does the trucking company’s insurance work in California truck accident cases?
A: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce are required to carry significantly higher insurance limits than passenger vehicles. Federal law requires most trucking companies to maintain at least $750,000 in liability coverage, with higher limits ($1 million to $5 million) for trucks carrying hazardous materials. This larger insurance pool typically provides more resources for victim compensation. However, trucking company insurers often vigorously defend claims to minimize payouts. An experienced truck accident attorney can navigate these complex insurance issues and help maximize recovery.