Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Long Beach, California
The firms in this guide
- The Dominguez Firm Call The Dominguez Firm: (800) 818-1818
- The May Firm Call The May Firm: (562) 888-0085
- Law Office of Michael D. Waks Call Law Office of Michael D. Waks: (888) 394-1174
- Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP Call Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP: (562) 981-1010
- The Beliz Law Firm, P.C. Call The Beliz Law Firm, P.C.: (562) 452-3772
1. The Dominguez Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, speeding accidents, oversized load accidents, impaired driving accidents, insufficient training accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, 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: Full-service law firm with over 30 years of experience helping truck accident victims in Long Beach and throughout Los Angeles County. Own team of award-winning trial attorneys (not an attorney referral service). Can see cases through to trial. Attorneys travel to client homes or hospitals. Handles claims involving government trucks with awareness of shorter 6-month filing deadlines.
Location: 888 W. 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (serves Long Beach)
Contact: (800) 818-1818 | https://dominguezfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (you win or you don’t pay)
2. The May Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver error accidents (88% of commercial trucking accidents per FMCSA), hours of service violations, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, improper maintenance accidents, multi-vehicle pileups involving trucks
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, 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: Award-winning team with an impressive 99% win rate, including difficult cases other law firms turned away. Firm is trial-ready and insurance companies are aware of this reputation. Experience handling multi-vehicle accidents and complex liability cases common in densely populated Long Beach.
Location: 2999 E. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 230, Long Beach, CA 90803
Contact: (562) 888-0085 | https://mayfirm.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
3. Law Office of Michael D. Waks
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Speeding truck accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, improper maintenance accidents, tire blowout accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, aggressive investigation with expert team, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorney Michael D. Waks has more than 30 years of experience. Employs an aggressive investigative team and expert witnesses. Every detail of truck accidents is closely examined to determine negligent parties. Experience handling cases involving unsafe driving, oversized loads, driver fatigue, and insufficient training.
Location: 5850 Canoga Avenue, Suite 400, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (serves Long Beach)
Contact: (888) 394-1174 | https://www.michaelwaks.com
Consultation: Free case review available
4. Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Lane restriction violation accidents, improper lane change accidents, driver fatigue accidents, improper maintenance accidents, cargo securement failures, rear-end collisions with trucks, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, California Department of Transportation regulations compliance, 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: Southern California personal injury law firm with experience handling truck accident claims. Attorneys understand California’s specific truck regulations including speed limits for big rigs and lane restrictions. Experience in establishing defendant negligence and navigating procedural requirements. Provides immediate guidance on evidence gathering and medical attention.
Location: 6033 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (serves Long Beach)
Contact: (562) 981-1010 | https://www.hsrlegal.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. The Beliz Law Firm, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, improper maintenance accidents, cargo securement failures, rear-end collisions with trucks, multi-vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, spoliation letters to preserve evidence, investigator and expert hiring, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorney Michael Beliz has years of experience representing injured victims in Long Beach truck accident claims. Firm has 5-star rating on Google. Notable settlement of $100,000 policy limit for truck accident victim on Katella Avenue in Anaheim. Immediate independent investigation upon retention. Experience with heavily traveled routes including the 710 freeway (Long Beach Freeway) and routes connecting Long Beach and Los Angeles ports.
Location: 3520 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 213, Long Beach, CA 90807
Contact: (562) 452-3772 | https://www.belizlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
Federal Carrier Insurance, Driving Limits and California Fault Rules for Long Beach Truck Crashes
A Long Beach truck crash claim turns on two layers of law: federal rules that set what an interstate motor carrier had to carry and how long its driver could drive, and California rules that divide fault and set deadlines.
Whether the Federal Rules Apply
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 vehicles meeting passenger or hazardous materials thresholds. A truck operating only within California falls outside this interstate definition.
Minimum Carrier Insurance
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, with $1,000,000 or $5,000,000 for listed oil and hazardous materials categories. Section 387.7 bars operating until that financial responsibility is in effect, and the proof (an MCS-90 endorsement, MCS-82 surety bond or FMCSA self-insurance authorization) is public information produced on reasonable request.
Driving Limits
Except as otherwise provided in 49 CFR 395.1, a property-carrying driver needs 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving, may drive up to 11 hours, may not drive after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and needs a 30-minute interruption after 8 hours of driving (49 CFR 395.3(a)).
Post-Crash Testing
Under 49 CFR 382.303, the carrier must test the surviving driver for alcohol and drugs after a fatal crash, and after a crash with injury treated away from the scene or a disabling tow-away if the commercial driver is cited for a moving violation arising from the crash within 8 hours (alcohol) or 32 hours (drugs). If the alcohol test is not given within 2 hours, the carrier records why, and attempts stop at 8 hours; drug testing attempts stop at 32 hours.
Long Beach 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 $100,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $80,000.
How long do I have to sue the carrier and driver?
Two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 for injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect. If a public entity’s truck was involved, Government Code § 911.2 requires the claim to be presented within six months after accrual.
Is each defendant liable for all of my noneconomic damages?
No. Under Civil Code § 1431.2(a), each defendant’s liability for noneconomic damages is several only, in direct proportion to that defendant’s percentage of fault.