Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney

have you been in a truck accident? call j and y law firm in los angeles california at 310-774-0778
Closeup photo of a truck in los angeles, ca
Call J&Y today – pay nothing unless you win

In the State of California, you have the right to sue for compensation if you or a loved one is injured or killed in a truck accident. You should never try to negotiate with insurance companies or accept a settlement offer without having an experienced California truck accident lawyer review your situation first.

Despite the fact that truck companies are required to have large insurance policies on their vehicles, you would be shocked to learn that trucking and insurance companies “earn” tens of millions of dollars per year by short-changing, or refusing outright to pay victims, the compensation that they are owed to pay for their medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other expenses. Getting the money you deserve after a truck accident can be a difficult and time consuming process, especially if you are trying to focus all of your energy on recovery. It can also be hard to tell when you are being lowballed when talking about damages.

That is why it is highly recommended that you choose a truck accident lawyer in California that has a history of fighting against the trucking and insurance companies and winning. The lawyers at J&Y Law Firm have helped thousands of truck accident victims get the compensation they deserve throughout the State of California. Founded by two Los Angeles natives, Yosi Yahoudai and Jason Javaheri, J&Y Law Firm is entirely focused on helping innocent people get their lives back on track.

We have extensive experience litigating truck accident claims and know how to hold negligent trucking companies, truck drivers, and third parties accountable. When you work with us, we will handle all the details of your claim and fight to get you meaningful compensation. 

At J&Y Law, we offer free consultations and will charge no attorney fees until you win your case. Contact our office today so we can learn the details of your case and help you decide the right path forward.

tractor trailer driving on a road in los angeles

Truck Accident Statistics

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) collects data about truck crashes in the United States. We have compiled data fromthe FMCSA from 1975 through 2021 (the latest available data) on all accidents involving large trucks in the United States to show some important points about truck safety.

total fatalities in large truck crashes
  • 1979 had the highest number of fatalities from truck accidents at 6,702
  • There was a large drop in fatal truck accidents between 2008 and 2009 (4,245 vs 3,380)
  • Most speculate that the economic crash of 2008 was the main cause of the drop in truck accident deaths that year
  • Truck accidents have been steadily rising since 2009
  • There were 5,788 fatalities from truck accidents in 2021
  • Most truck accidents happen at around noon-time
YearMotor Vehicles On The RoadLarge Trucks On The RoadAll Fatal CrashesTotal Fatalities in All CrashesTotal Fatalities in Large Truck Crashes
1975126,153,3045,362,36939,16144,5254,483
1976130,793,2425,575,18539,74745,5235,008
1977134,514,2865,689,90342,21147,8785,723
1978140,374,0645,859,80744,43350,3316,356
1979144,317,0765,891,57145,22351,0936,702
1980146,845,1345,790,65345,28451,0915,971
1981149,330,3115,716,27844,00049,3015,806
1982151,147,7555,590,41539,09243,9455,229
1983153,829,9705,508,39237,97642,5895,491
1984158,899,7175,401,07539,63144,2575,640
1985166,047,4915,996,33739,19643,8255,734
1986168,545,2865,720,88041,09046,0875,579
1987172,749,8945,718,26641,43846,3905,598
1988177,455,4766,136,88442,13047,0875,679
1989181,164,5686,226,48240,74145,5825,490
1990184,275,4226,195,87639,83644,5995,272
1991186,370,1906,172,14636,93741,5084,821
1992184,937,8486,045,20534,94239,2504,462
1993188,349,6766,088,15535,78040,1504,856
1994192,497,4386,587,88536,25440,7165,144
1995197,064,8686,719,42137,24141,8174,918
1996201,630,6597,012,61537,49442,0655,142
1997203,567,6377,083,32637,32442,0135,398
1998208,076,4697,732,27037,10741,5015,395
1999212,685,1577,791,42637,14041,7175,380
2000225,821,2418,022,64937,52641,9455,282
2001235,331,3817,857,67537,86242,1965,111
2002234,624,1357,927,28038,49143,0054,939
2003236,760,0337,756,88838,47742,8845,036
2004243,010,5508,171,36438,44442,8365,235
2005247,421,1208,481,99939,25243,5105,240
2006250,844,6448,819,00738,64842,7085,027
2007254,403,08110,752,01937,43541,2594,822
2008255,917,66410,873,27534,17237,4234,245
2009254,212,61010,973,21430,86233,8833,380
2010250,070,04810,770,05430,29632,9993,686
2011253,215,68110,270,69329,86732,4793,781
2012253,639,38610,659,38031,00633,7823,944
2013255,876,82210,597,35630,20332,8943,981
2014260,350,93810,905,95630,05632,7443,908
2015263,610,21911,203,18432,53935,4854,094
2016268,799,08311,498,56134,74837,8064,678
2017272,480,89912,229,21634,56037,4734,906
2018273,602,10013,233,91033,91936,8355,006
2019276,491,17413,085,64333,48736,3555,032
2020275,936,36712,899,37135,93539,0074,945
2021282,354,99313,859,18139,50842,9395,788

Common Causes of California Truck Accidents

Federal and state truck safety laws are supposed to protect the public; however, truck accidents often occur for the following reasons:

  • Driver FatigueDespite federal laws that impose hourly driving limits and mandatory rest breaks on truckers, truck driver fatigue is common. Truckers must meet strict delivery deadlines, cover vast distances, and drive for long periods of time, increasing the risk of fatigue. Both the trucking company and the truck driver may be liable when driver fatigue causes or contributes to a truck accident.  
  • Distracted Driving – Truck drivers rely on GPS navigation to plot their routes and smartphones to connect with dispatchers and other truckers, resulting in distracted truck driving. J&Y works to hold truck drivers liable for accidents caused by distracted driving.
  • Improper Maintenance – Trucking companies and truck owners must comply with applicable safety laws and ensure vehicles and components such as braking systems, engines, tires, brake lights, hitch assemblies, and straps are properly maintained. Defective brakes and tire blowouts frequently result in truck accidents in California.
  • Inadequate TrainingTrucking companies must vet and properly train truck drivers. Because seasoned truck drivers earn more per mile than new drivers, trucking companies often send inexperienced truckers out on the road without the necessary skills to safely maneuver trucks and tractor-trailers.
  • Improper Loading – Federal and state laws regulate permissible cargo weight; however, improper loading is common, which can make a vehicle harder to stop or maneuver. The party responsible for improperly loading the truck, including the trucker, the trucking company, or a third party –  freight, cargo, or warehouse operator – may be held liable.
graphic of a truck driving down the highway with cars behind it

Types of Truck Accidents in California

Some common types of truck accidents include:

  • Rollover accidents – Speeding and improper loading can result in rollover accidents, particularly on steep inclines or declines. Rollover accidents can also occur when truck drivers hit curbs, swerve around other vehicles or objects, or take curves too fast.
  • Jackknife accidents – Tractor-trailers can “jackknife” when the drive-axle brakes lock, causing the trailer to skid and come to a stop at a 90-degree angle with the tractor.
  • Brake failure accidents – Poorly maintained or improperly installed brakes can fail. Also, short stops can cause brakes to overheat, resulting in brake failure.
  • Runaway truck accidents – Truck drivers who use improper breaking techniques can cause runaway truck accidents, especially at intersections, toll booths, off-ramps, and railroad crossings. 
  • Blind spots – Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers have blind spots along the sides and rear known as “No-Zone” areas. Other drivers who fail to avoid No-Zone areas can be seriously injured in a truck accident when truck drivers change lanes or make turns
  • Rear-end accidents – When a truck collides with the back of another vehicle, occupants of a smaller vehicle can suffer catastrophic and/or fatal injuries. 
  • Under-ride accidentsThis type of truck accident occurs when truck drivers suddenly slam on the brakes and vehicles traveling behind fail to stop in time and become crushed under the rear of a truck.
  • Wide-turn accidents – Truck drivers can underestimate the space needed to complete a turn or fail to spot vehicles in the trailer’s path, pinning them against other vehicles, medians, or other obstacles.  
los angeles truck accident attorney shaking hands with a truck driver

Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accident claims are complicated, often involving several parties: the truck driver, the trucking company, other motorists, and insurance companies. It takes an experienced truck accident attorney to sort through all the details, identify the responsible party or parties, and get you the compensation you deserve. When you are injured in a truck accident it is vitally important to retain and get guidance from an experienced truck accident lawyer. Los Angeles may be an expensive place to live, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Let J&Y handle all the details of your claim while you focus on healing from your injuries. If you choose our team to represent you, your attorney will: 

  • Investigate the accident site
  • Obtain and review the police report
  • Identify and interview witnesses
  • Subpoena the truck driver’s GPS data and review their driving record
  • Subpoena the trucking company’s maintenance logs and personnel records 
  • Collect medical evidence to document your injuries and treatment
  • Negotiate a fair and just settlement with insurance companies and opposing counsel
  • File a truck accident lawsuit if necessary

Above all, we will fight to get you just compensation, including damages such as:

  • Medical expenses 
  • Rehabilitative costs
  • Lost wages – present and future
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Permanent disability/disfigurement
  • Replacement services
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium

If a family member has died in a truck accident, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to obtain compensation for final medical expenses and other losses. We will stand by you during this difficult time and help you find justice and peace of mind. 

The J&Y Legal Team

Contact Our Experienced California Truck Accident Attorneys Today!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, a California truck accident lawyer from J&Y Law will offer compassionate, effective representation and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to set up a consultation

J&Y Law helps truck accident victims all throughout the state of California including the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas.


Truck Accident FAQs

What is the average settlement for a truck accident lawsuit in California?

In California, the average settlement amount for a commercial truck accident is around $75,000. However, the amount of money that an accident victim actually receives can vary greatly from one case to the next. Depending on the nature of your injuries and other circumstances such as losing your employment, your payout could be in excess of millions of dollars. Please consult with our attorneys to determine a more exact figure based on your unique circumstances.

How long does a truck accident lawsuit usually take?

In truth it can really depend on how complex the crash is, how agreeable the other parties are (insurance companies, drivers, witnesses, etc.) and the backlog in the court system at the time. In some cases an injured person could receive a check in as little as three months, but other cases can stall in the courts for years. Your lawyer will always weigh the pros and the cons with you as you discuss legal matters together, so it is important to find an attorney that you trust who has experience in situations like your own to have the best chance at a speedy resolution and a payment that allows you to complete the path to recovery.


Additional Reading About Truck Accidents In California