PERSONAL INJURY

Truck Accident Attorney in Fresno, California

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 361 truck accident fatalities in California in 2017. There were 87 fatal crashes involving only the truck and no other vehicles, and 233 crashes that involved other vehicles. Trucks are by no means small vehicles, and many times, crashes with them can be devastating or even fatal. If you or a loved one has been in a semi-truck accident, hiring a personal injury attorney will allow you and your family to worry about recovery as your legal representation works to get you compensation for what you have endured. 


At The Winter Law Group, we service clients in Fresno, as well as Clovis, Visalia, Madera, Madera County, and Merced County.



A truck is driving down a highway next to a car.

Laws regarding truck accidents

When it comes to trucks, truck accidents, and the rules of the road, there are some laws that pertain to truck accidents, at both the state and federal levels.

Federal motor carrier safety regulations

At the federal level, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations speaks to regulations in the trucking industry. Title 49 dictates things such as how long truck drivers can work (14 consecutive hours). Of those hours, they can only drive 11 of them straight. The code also regulates how often they can have shifts and the recording of their driving information.

California department of transportation

Within the state of California, the Department of Transportation has regulations as well. In order to increase safety, there are many rules, such as limiting how much weight a particular truck can carry, who can be licensed to drive a semi-truck, and even how their driving hours are logged each day. Some of these are similar to federal regulations.

Statute of limitations

If you or a loved one do get into a truck accident, there is a statute of limitations on filing the claim. In California, the time window is two years from the date of injury.

A man is standing on the steps of a semi truck.
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Assessing liability

In any kind of personal injury case, including 18-wheeler accidents, fault must be determined. In a truck accident case, there are a few different parties that may be held liable, including:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The truck manufacturer (or parts manufacturer)
  • The person who loaded the cargo
  • The maintenance personnel



Every case must be assessed individually to determine fault.

Factors in determining liability

In addition to figuring out who is at fault, the factor of liability must be considered as well. The three main factors are the road conditions, the truck driver, and the vehicle driver. Uncontrollable elements, such as weather, can play a factor. The roads can be slippery from snow and ice or visibility could be low due to fog. The truck driver could have inadequate training or be fatigued from long shifts. The vehicle driver may be distracted in some other way or tired.

Filing a personal injury claim

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, you must have standing. This happens two different ways: either you are the victim of the accident, or a loved one is. In order for you to file on behalf of a loved one, they must have lost their life or be incapacitated. Only immediate family members — spouses, children, and parents — may file on their loved one’s behalf.

Truck Accidents Attorney Serving Fresno, California

At the Winter Law Group, we understand how to litigate these cases from the initial crash site investigation through the ultimate resolution of the case. We will aggressively fight for the compensation that you deserve after your accident. Contact us for a consultation. We serve clients in Fresno, as well as Clovis, Visalia, Madera, Madera County, and Merced County, California.