Truck Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield, Serving Lancaster

Truck Accident Help from Our Bakersfield Office After a Commercial Truck Crash

If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial truck near Lancaster, you may have a claim against more than one party. Truck crashes follow a different path than car crashes. Colvin Accident Lawyers, based in Bakersfield, California, handles truck accident claims for people hurt in and around Lancaster and the Antelope Valley. This page explains what sets truck cases apart, which deadlines matter, and what to do now.

Why Truck Crashes in Lancaster Are Different from Car Accidents

Truck crashes differ because the trucks are heavier, more companies can be involved, and federal rules create records. A crash with a loaded commercial truck usually causes more severe injuries than a crash between passenger cars.

A commercial truck can weigh many times more than a passenger car. That weight changes what happens in a collision. Impact forces are higher, and people in smaller vehicles are often crushed or thrown.

State Route 14 runs through the Antelope Valley and carries heavy truck traffic alongside daily commuters. Crashes happen on the freeway and on surface streets. When traffic slows suddenly, a big rig may not stop in time.

More than one company is often involved. The driver, the motor carrier that runs the truck, and sometimes a company that loaded, maintained, or leased the equipment can each play a role. Each keeps its own paperwork.

That paperwork matters. Federal trucking rules require logs, inspection records, and other documents. These records can be as important as the crash scene itself.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Lancaster

Most truck crashes trace back to driver fatigue, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, poor maintenance, cargo problems, or driving too fast for conditions. Many of these causes leave records you can check.

Fatigue is a major concern. Federal hours-of-service rules say a driver may not drive after 14 consecutive hours that follow 10 consecutive hours off duty. Under the federal hours-of-service rule for property-carrying commercial motor vehicles, a driver may drive a total of 11 hours within the period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on-duty following 10 consecutive hours off-duty (federal hours-of-service regulation).

Following too closely is another common cause. California law says a driver may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent (Veh. Code § 21703). A heavy truck needs room to stop when freeway traffic slows.

Unsafe lane changes and blind-spot collisions also cause crashes with large trucks. Equipment problems matter too. Federal rules require every motor carrier and intermodal equipment provider to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control. Parts and accessories shall be in safe and proper operating condition at all times, including but not limited to frame and frame assemblies, suspension systems, axles and attaching parts, wheels and rims, and steering systems (federal inspection, repair, and maintenance regulation). Each commercial motor vehicle must, when transporting cargo on public roads, be loaded and equipped, and the cargo secured, to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle. Cargo must also be contained, immobilized or secured to prevent shifting upon or within the vehicle to such an extent that the vehicle’s stability or maneuverability is adversely affected (federal cargo securement regulation).

Common Injuries After a Truck Accident

Truck crashes often cause serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, and burns. Some injuries take days or weeks to show their full effects.

Concussions and more serious brain injuries are a common concern. Symptoms may not appear right away. Get medical care promptly and keep every record, even if you feel mostly fine.

Spinal cord and back injuries can affect movement and may need long-term care. Crush injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries can result from impact or from being pinned inside a vehicle. Fuel fires and rollovers can cause burns.

Catastrophic injuries change how a person works, cares for family, or lives alone. The medical needs can continue for years. When a truck crash is fatal, a wrongful death claim may be asserted by any of the following persons, including the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, or by the decedent’s personal representative on their behalf. Under California law, the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain dependent or related people may assert the claim, or the decedent’s personal representative may do so on their behalf (Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60).

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Truck Crash

Several parties can be part of a claim after a truck crash, including the driver, the trucking company, and companies that loaded or maintained the truck. Which parties are responsible depends on the facts of each crash.

The driver’s conduct on the day of the crash is central. Speed, fatigue, following distance, and lane changes all matter. The driver’s records can show what the driver was doing before the collision.

The motor carrier may also be part of the claim. A trucking company can be questioned about how it trained, supervised, and scheduled its driver. Ownership and lease papers can show which company controlled the truck.

A loading company, maintenance contractor, or equipment maker may be involved if its work or product contributed to the crash.

Deadlines and Evidence You Should Act On Quickly

The general deadline to file a California injury lawsuit is two years, but a claim against a public entity starts sooner. The law gives two years to file an action for injury to a person or for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).

Except as provided in Sections 946.4 and 946.6, no lawsuit for damages can be brought against that entity until the claim is acted on or deemed rejected (Gov. Code § 945.4).

Trucking records have a short life. Under federal recordkeeping rules, a motor carrier must keep the records of duty status and required supporting documents for each of its drivers for not less than 6 months from the date of receipt (federal record-of-duty-status regulation). Six months is the minimum, so request records early.

Gather these items as soon as you can:

• The police report number
• The truck company name and the DOT number on the cab
• Photos of the scene, vehicles, and any cargo
• Names and phone numbers of witnesses
• All medical records and bills
• A written log of symptoms, missed work, and appointments

A preservation letter asks the trucking company, in writing, to keep its logs and maintenance files.

Dealing with Trucking Companies and Insurance Adjusters

Trucking companies and their insurers often reach out early. What you say in those first calls can be used later, so stay careful and keep notes.

Stick to facts. Avoid statements about fault, how bad your injuries are, or how you feel. Do not guess about speed or distances.

Do not sign a release or accept a settlement offer until you understand your injuries and future medical needs. Some injuries show their full effects only after time passes.

A truck claim is built from several parts: medical costs, lost income, future care, and the effect on daily life. Each part needs documentation. Commercial policies can include several layers of coverage, so a truck claim often takes more investigation than a standard car claim.

What Happens at Your Free Consultation

Colvin Accident Lawyers offers a free, confidential initial consultation with no obligation to continue. This is the first step, and it is a conversation, not a commitment.

Bring what you have. That may include the police report, photos, medical records, insurance letters, and messages from the trucking company or its insurer. You do not need every document to start.

During the meeting, you can talk through what happened, your injuries and treatment, and the deadlines that may apply to your situation. You can also ask questions about the next steps and how the firm works before you decide anything.

Talk to Colvin Accident Lawyers About Your Lancaster Truck Crash

Donald Norman Colvin is the attorney at Colvin Accident Lawyers. If a commercial truck crash left you hurt, or left your family without a loved one, you may need to decide soon whether to pursue a claim.

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