Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Fresno, California
The firms in this guide
- Nunes Law, Inc. Call Nunes Law, Inc.: (559) 436-0850
- Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian Call Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian: (559) 277-7300
- Carter Law Group Call Carter Law Group: (559) 485-1212
- The Matiasic Firm, P.C. Call The Matiasic Firm, P.C.: (559) 432-4500
- Freedman Law Call Freedman Law: (559) 447-9000
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
Federal Coverage, Daily Driving Limits and Highway Speed in Fresno Truck Crash Claims
A Fresno truck crash on a highway brings federal carrier rules and California’s speed statute together. The questions are whether the truck was an interstate commercial motor vehicle, what coverage the carrier had to carry, and how long the driver had been driving.
Interstate Commercial Motor Vehicles
Under 49 CFR 390.5, a commercial motor vehicle includes a vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, along with passenger and hazardous materials thresholds.
Carrier Coverage
Under 49 CFR 387.9, a for-hire carrier hauling nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in public liability coverage. Under 387.7, the carrier may not operate until that coverage is in effect, and the proof is public information produced on reasonable request.
The Daily Window
Except as otherwise provided in 49 CFR 395.1, 49 CFR 395.3(a) requires 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving, limits a property-carrying driver to 11 hours of driving, bars driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and bars driving once more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without a consecutive 30-minute interruption.
Speed
Vehicle Code § 22350 bars driving on a highway faster than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, traffic and the surface and width of the highway, and in no event at a speed that endangers persons or property.
Fresno Truck Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) adopted pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $500,000 in damages and 40 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $300,000.
Does every truck carry $750,000 in coverage?
No. The $750,000 floor in 49 CFR 387.9 applies to for-hire carriers hauling nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in vehicles rated 10,001 pounds or more; listed oil and hazardous materials carry $1,000,000 or $5,000,000, and carriers operating only within California fall outside that row.
How long do I have to sue?
Two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 for injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect. A claim against a public entity must first be presented within six months after accrual under Government Code § 911.2.