Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Irvine, California
The firms in this guide
1. Kubota & Craig
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, overloaded truck accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver log analysis, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Combined 50+ years of trial-proven experience. Recovered hundreds of millions for clients. Cynthia Craig recognized as one of Southern California’s formidable personal injury attorneys with over 20 years of trial experience and landmark multimillion-dollar victories. Recognized on Super Lawyers List year after year.
Location: Orange County, CA (serves Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and throughout California)
Contact: https://www.kubotacraig.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless case is won
2. Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, car accidents, motorcycle accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, equipment malfunction accidents, brake failure accidents, intoxicated driver accidents, fatigued driver accidents, manufacturing defect accidents, maintenance negligence accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive accident investigation, federal trucking regulations analysis, driver log review, vehicle maintenance record investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Reputable personal injury law firm in Irvine specializing in truck accident cases. Well-versed in California laws with proven track record of successfully handling truck accident claims. Focus on holding multiple liable parties accountable including trucking companies, cargo loaders, and manufacturers.
Location: Irvine, CA (also serves Orange County and Whittier)
Contact: (949) 239-7011 | https://www.hanningsacchetto.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. MOET Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, overloaded truck accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, fatigued driver accidents, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations investigation, evidence preservation, driver log analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Years of experience dealing with trucking accident lawsuits. Concluded countless successful negotiations and litigations. Serve Irvine and throughout Orange County including Huntington Beach, Irvine Spectrum Center, Woodbridge, University Town Center, and surrounding communities.
Location: Irvine, CA (serves Orange County)
Contact: https://www.moetlaw.com
Consultation: Free no-obligation consultation, no payment unless case is won
4. Crockett Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Commercial truck crashes, semi-truck accidents, driver negligence accidents, pedestrian accidents involving trucks
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Kevin Crockett is managing partner, graduated first in class from University of California, Irvine with degree in Criminology, Law, and Society, followed by law degree from UCI School of Law. Recognized as standout in plaintiffs’ litigation for personal injury law by Best Lawyers. Previously senior attorney at one of California’s largest personal injury law firms. Secured $1 million settlement in case involving child struck by commercial truck.
Location: Irvine, CA (also offices in Palm Springs, Indio, Moreno Valley, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Norwalk)
Contact: https://crockettlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no upfront fees
5. Law Offices of David Azizi
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Big rig accidents, multi-car pileups caused by trucks, driver negligence accidents, distracted driving accidents, fatigued driver accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: David Azizi has devoted entire career to personal injury law. Recognized as Rising Star Super Lawyer for several consecutive years, now distinguished as California Super Lawyer. Works with accident reconstructionists, local police, private investigators, and doctors to build cases. Handles cases throughout Irvine and California.
Location: Irvine, CA (serves all of California)
Contact: 800-991-5292 | https://www.azizilawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case review available 24/7
Commercial Vehicle Scope, Weekly Hours and Carrier Records in Irvine Truck Crashes
An Irvine truck crash claim starts with whether the truck falls under the federal motor carrier rules. If it does, the driver’s hours over the prior week and the carrier’s maintenance and accident files become part of the record.
Which Trucks Are Covered
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. The weight test uses the rating or the actual gross weight, whichever is greater.
Weekly Hours
Under 49 CFR 395.3(b), a property-carrying driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days if the carrier does not operate every day, or after 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if it does; under 395.3(c), the period may end with 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Maintenance Files
Under 49 CFR 396.3, every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair and maintain each vehicle subject to its control, keep maintenance records for 1 year where the vehicle is housed or maintained, and keep them for 6 months after the vehicle leaves its control.
The Accident Register
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, with copies of required accident reports.
Irvine 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 $200,000 in damages and 30 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $140,000.
If the carrier and another driver share fault, how are noneconomic damages split?
Under Civil Code § 1431.2(a), each defendant is liable for noneconomic damages only in direct proportion to that defendant’s percentage of fault, with a separate judgment for that amount.
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. If a government vehicle was involved, Government Code § 911.2 requires the claim to be presented within six months after accrual.