1. Heiting and Irwin
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, tanker truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, catastrophic injuries from truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, head-on truck collisions, rear-end truck accidents, hazardous material spills, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, distracted driving accidents, fatigued driver accidents, impaired truck driver accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, evidence collection and preservation, negligence determination, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Established law firm with over $500 million recovered for clients since 1976. Six attorneys on staff including James Otto Heiting, Richard H. Irwin, Jean-Simon Serrano, Joshua Cates, Sara B. Morgan, and William C. Bibb. Deep commitment to the fundamental values of the American justice system. Focused on obtaining justice for clients in the Inland Empire and Riverside area. Provides accident checklist resources for truck accident victims.
Location: 6346 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Contact: (951) 682-6400 | https://www.heitingandirwin.com/areas-of-practice/truck-accidents/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
2. The Dominguez Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck crashes, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, commercial truck accidents, catastrophic injury from truck crashes, wrongful death from truck accidents, brain injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, lane change accidents, blowout accidents, truck driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, improperly loaded truck accidents, defective truck accidents, impaired driving truck accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive truck accident investigation, FMCSA regulation analysis, trucking company liability investigation, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, seven and eight-figure verdict recovery, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Over 30 years of experience serving the greater Los Angeles and Riverside area since 1987. Over $1 billion recovered for clients. Award-winning personal injury attorneys with seven and eight-figure verdicts for truck accident clients. 2026 Best Law Firms recognition by Best Lawyers. Named to U.S. News Best Law Firms list. Extensive community involvement including charitable causes, scholarships, and social justice initiatives. Multiple office locations throughout Southern California.
Location: 3250 Wilshire Blvd. #2200, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (serves Riverside County)
Contact: (800) 818-1818 | https://dominguezfirm.com/locations/riverside/riverside-truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no-recovery, no-fee guarantee.
3. Castillo and Montes Attorneys At Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck accidents, wrongful death claims, personal injury from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rear-end truck accidents, intersection truck accidents, lane change accidents, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, fatigued driver accidents, impaired truck driver accidents
Legal Services: Full case investigation, evidence collection including accident scene photos and witness statements, police report procurement, medical record documentation, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation (related cases)
Background: Over 30 years of dedicated experience handling complex truck accident cases in Southern California. Established track record with top insurance companies. Significant reported case results including $3,225,000 catastrophic serious injury settlement, $2,750,000 car accident injury settlement, $2,360,000 personal injury settlement, and $1,850,000 workers’ compensation insurance settlement. Five office locations throughout Southern California including Riverside, Indio, San Diego, Pomona, and Cathedral City. Spanish-speaking services available.
Location: 3600 Lime St, Building 6, Suite 623, Riverside, CA 92501
Contact: (951) 552-9181 | (800) 497-9774 | https://www.castillolaw.us/riverside/personal-injury/truck-accidents/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
4. Alvandi Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, semi-truck collisions, big rig accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Distracted driving accidents, speeding and aggressive driving accidents, fatigued truck driver accidents, blind spot accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end truck collisions, intersection accidents, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, trucking company liability investigation, respondeat superior claims, independent contractor liability analysis, FMCSA regulation violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Experienced personal injury attorneys serving Riverside and surrounding communities. Significant reported case results including $5,400,000 for tree trimming accident, $4,400,000 for construction site incident, $1,500,000 for worksite accident, $850,000 for roofing injury case, and $700,000 for office-related injury. Focus on holding negligent parties accountable for truck accidents throughout the Inland Empire.
Location: Riverside, California (serves Riverside County)
Contact: (951) 322-4046 | https://www.alvandigroup.com/riverside/truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case review available. Contingency fee basis.
5. The Accident Network Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig crashes, tractor-trailer collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, cargo truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions, override accidents, T-bone collisions, fatigued driver accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding truck accidents, mechanical failure accidents, improper cargo loading accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive truck accident investigation, at-fault party identification, trucking company liability claims, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, documentation of accident-related impacts, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, surgical and treatment cost recovery
Background: Experienced truck accident attorneys with extensive experience and in-depth understanding of the legal landscape of commercial truck accident cases. Focus on understanding the full impact accidents have on clients to evaluate case strength and build effective strategies. Advocates for injured victims and families throughout Riverside County.
Location: Riverside, California (serves Riverside County and Southern California)
Contact: Contact form available on website | https://accidentnetwork.com/truck-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from truck accidents. The deadline runs from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, California allows three years under Code of Civil Procedure Section 338. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities require a preliminary administrative claim to be filed within six months of the accident.
Comparative Negligence: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under California Civil Code Section 1714. An injured party can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. However, compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff. For example, if a plaintiff is found 25% at fault and damages total $400,000, the plaintiff would recover $300,000.
Fault System: California is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accidents, meaning the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires minimum liability coverage of 15/30/5: $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 per accident for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended given the state’s high rate of uninsured drivers.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in California must comply with FMCSA insurance requirements. Trucks carrying non-hazardous cargo must carry minimum $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials must carry between $1 million and $5 million depending on the type of hazardous cargo. Trucks for hire transporting oil must carry $1 million minimum coverage.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: FMCSA regulations apply in California courts and establish requirements including: 11-hour maximum driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty; 14-hour on-duty limit; 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving; 60/70-hour weekly limits over 7/8 consecutive days; mandatory pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections; CDL requirements for commercial truck operators; drug and alcohol testing requirements with zero tolerance policy; electronic logging device (ELD) requirements for hours of service tracking.
Vicarious Liability: California recognizes the doctrine of respondeat superior, meaning trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers when those acts occur within the scope of employment. California courts have also recognized liability for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and entrustment.
Government Claims: Claims against government entities in California require compliance with the California Tort Claims Act. A preliminary administrative claim must be filed with the government entity within six months of the accident. Failure to file the administrative claim typically bars any subsequent lawsuit.
Punitive Damages: California Civil Code Section 3294 allows punitive damages when there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. In truck accident cases, this may apply when a driver was intoxicated or when a trucking company consciously disregarded safety regulations.
Damage Caps: California does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in truck accident personal injury cases. Medical malpractice caps under MICRA do not apply to truck accident claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in California?
California provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from truck accidents under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. The deadline runs from the date of the accident, and filing after this deadline typically bars your claim. For property damage claims, you have three years under Code of Civil Procedure Section 338. If a truck accident resulted in death, the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities such as Caltrans or city vehicles require filing an administrative claim within six months of the accident under the California Tort Claims Act. Because evidence can be lost, witnesses may become unavailable, and trucking companies may destroy records after certain periods, it is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident.
How does California’s comparative negligence law affect my truck accident case?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover damages even if you were primarily at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were found 30% at fault and your total damages were $500,000, you would recover $350,000. Unlike states with modified comparative negligence rules that bar recovery at 50% or 51% fault, California has no such threshold. This means even a plaintiff found 80% responsible could still recover 20% of their damages. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to shift blame onto plaintiffs to reduce payouts. The 25,000-30,000 trucks traveling daily along Interstate 10 in Riverside County increase the risk of accidents, making it important to work with an experienced attorney who can minimize fault attributed to you.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Riverside?
Truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties beyond just the driver. The truck driver may be liable for negligence such as fatigued driving, distracted driving, speeding, or impairment. The trucking company may be liable under respondeat superior for driver actions within the scope of employment, as well as for its own negligence in hiring, training, supervision, or enforcing safety regulations. The truck manufacturer may be liable if defective brakes, tires, steering, or other components contributed to the crash. Cargo loaders may be liable if improperly loaded or unsecured cargo caused the accident. Maintenance companies may be liable if they failed to properly service the vehicle. In California, government entities like Caltrans may face liability for dangerous road conditions that contributed to the accident, though claims against government entities have special procedural requirements.
What types of damages can I recover in a California truck accident case?
California truck accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses (hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, medical devices), lost wages and income, reduced earning capacity due to disability, property damage, and other quantifiable financial losses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and disability. California does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. In cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving or conscious disregard for safety regulations, punitive damages may also be available under California Civil Code Section 3294 if proven by clear and convincing evidence. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents in Riverside County?
The increase in warehouse and distribution center development in Riverside County has led to a significant rise in truck traffic, with approximately 25,000-30,000 trucks traveling daily along the busiest sections of Interstate 10. Common causes of truck accidents include driver fatigue from long hours behind the wheel and pressure to meet deadlines despite federal hours of service regulations; speeding to arrive at destinations on time; poor truck maintenance including issues with brakes, lights, and tires; truck defects from manufacturing or improper repairs; improperly loaded trucks where cargo is unsecured or over weight limits; and alcohol or drug use despite FMCSA zero tolerance policies. Common types of truck accidents in Riverside County include jackknife accidents (where the trailer swings out), rollover accidents (especially on curved roads), underride accidents (where a car goes underneath a truck), lane change accidents (due to large blind spots), and blowout accidents (from tire failures on the 18 wheels of a large truck).