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
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.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the incident.
Claims Against Government Vehicles: If your accident involves a government truck (such as a post office truck), you only have six months to file a claim under Government Code Section 911.2.
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. Recovery is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% responsible, your settlement is reduced by 20%.
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).
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks must maintain minimum coverage of $750,000 for most interstate freight, with higher limits for hazardous materials ($1 million to $5 million).
California Truck Speed Limits: California imposes a slower speed limit of 55 mph for big rigs, semi-trucks, and commercial vehicles on highways (compared to 65-70 mph for passenger vehicles). Federal crash statistics indicate 20% of big rig accidents are due to excessive speed.
Damage Caps: California does not cap non-economic damages in standard personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be available for egregious conduct.
Vicarious Liability: Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for employee driver negligence under respondeat superior.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations apply in California courts. Violations can establish negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Long Beach?
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. IMPORTANT: If your accident involves a government vehicle (such as a postal truck or city vehicle), you have only six months to file an administrative claim. Missing these deadlines typically bars recovery.
Q: Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault for the truck accident in California?
A: Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, allowing recovery even if you were mostly at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to assign more fault to victims to reduce payouts, so having an experienced attorney is important.
Q: What makes Long Beach truck accidents unique?
A: Long Beach is one of the busiest port cities in the United States, with the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles handling massive amounts of cargo that must be transported by commercial trucks. The 710 freeway (Long Beach Freeway) connects these ports and sees extremely heavy truck traffic. This density increases accident risk. Multi-vehicle pileups are common and create complex liability issues. The Terminal Island Freeway (SR-47) also carries significant commercial truck traffic.
Q: Who can be held liable in a Long Beach truck accident case?
A: Multiple parties may be liable including the truck driver (for negligent driving), the trucking company (vicariously liable or directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance), cargo loading companies (for improperly secured loads), truck or parts manufacturers (for defective equipment), mechanics (for negligent repairs), and government entities (if poor road maintenance contributed). California law allows pursuing all potentially liable parties.
Q: What damages can I recover in a California truck accident case?
A: California allows recovery of economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium). There is no cap on non-economic damages in standard truck accident cases. Punitive damages may be available for egregious conduct.