A crash with a big rig isn’t just a bigger car accident. It involves federal safety rules, trucking company records, and insurance policies far larger than a typical driver carries. An Orange County truck accident lawyer from Glotzer & Leib LLP is here to go after every party responsible and fight for compensation that reflects how badly you were hurt.
Trucking companies often send investigators to a crash scene within hours. You need someone working just as fast for you. Call 747-241-8288 for a free consultation, 24/7.
Truck cases are high-stakes, and trucking companies defend them aggressively. Our team brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience, and our tagline reflects what we deliver: “50+ Years of Experience. Millions Recovered.”
Every case depends on its facts, and no lawyer can promise a result. We can promise that we’ll dig into the trucking company’s records and fight for what your case is worth. Call 747-241-8288.
Usually, much more than a regular driver. Under federal rule 49 CFR 387.9, for-hire interstate carriers hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and higher minimums apply to certain hazardous materials.
Compare that with California’s minimum auto liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. Many people hurt by a truck assume they’re limited to one small policy, and that assumption can cost them dearly.
A truck crash often has several responsible parties, each with its own insurance. Depending on the facts, we may pursue:
Finding every responsible party matters because it can unlock additional insurance coverage. We investigate the whole chain behind the truck, not just the person behind the wheel.
Commercial trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. When a carrier or driver breaks these rules, the violation can become key evidence.
The federal hours-of-service rules in 49 CFR Part 395 limit how long property-carrying drivers can drive. In general, a driver may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, can’t drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty, and must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving.
Most interstate drivers record their hours on an electronic logging device. Carriers are required to keep those records for six months, so a delay in requesting them can mean they’re gone.
Carriers must maintain a qualification file for each driver, covering items such as the driver’s license, driving record, and medical certification. A carrier that hired a driver with a poor safety history, or failed to train or monitor them, may be liable for its own negligence.
Federal cargo securement rules in 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I set standards for tying down loads. Federal law also generally caps gross vehicle weight at 80,000 pounds on the Interstate system, and overloaded or shifting cargo can make a truck harder to stop and more likely to roll.
Big rigs are harder to steer, slower to stop, and have large blind spots. Those traits lead to crash types that rarely happen between two passenger cars.
The crash type often points to the cause. A jackknife may suggest speeding or brake problems, while a rollover can point to an improperly loaded trailer, and each one leads us to a different set of records.
Orange County sits between the Inland Empire’s warehouses and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. That puts heavy truck traffic on roads that also carry millions of commuters.
The SR-91 moves freight between the Inland Empire and coastal distribution routes, often in stop-and-go traffic where rear-end crashes with trucks are common. The interchanges with the 5 and the 57 force trucks to merge and change lanes in tight spaces, and blind-spot crashes follow.
Drayage trucks moving containers from the ports also travel through the county’s freeway network. These routes demand constant attention, and a tired or rushed driver doesn’t have it.
The most important evidence in a truck case usually belongs to the trucking company. It includes:
We send a preservation letter as early as possible, demanding that the carrier keep this evidence. Waiting weeks can give records time to be overwritten or discarded under normal retention schedules.
A fully loaded truck can weigh many times more than a passenger car. The injuries it causes are often catastrophic, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal injuries, and severe burns.
Many of these injuries require long-term care and change what a person can do for work and family. When a truck crash takes a life, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim to seek accountability and the resources they need.
Because truck injuries are often severe, a claim needs to account for the long road ahead, not just the bills you have today. Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
Putting a value on future care often takes input from your doctors and other professionals. We build that picture carefully, because once a case settles, you generally can’t go back for more.
California follows pure comparative negligence, the rule adopted by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). If a jury finds you partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover.
Most truck accident lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If a public vehicle or road condition was involved, a claim to the public entity is generally due within six months.
Truck accident lawsuits arising in Orange County are generally filed in Orange County Superior Court. The court’s Central Justice Center in Santa Ana handles unlimited civil cases from every city in the county.
Trucking companies based out of state may try to move a case to federal court when the parties are from different states. We handle those procedural fights so your case stays on track.
Here are answers to questions we often hear after truck crashes in Orange County.
It’s best to speak with a lawyer first. Trucking insurers move quickly to get recorded statements that can be used to shift blame or downplay injuries.
Possibly. A carrier operating under its own federal authority may still be responsible, and it can be liable for its own negligence in hiring or supervision. The contracts behind the load often matter.
Smaller commercial vehicles can still fall under federal safety rules, depending on their weight and whether they operate across state lines. The employer’s commercial insurance may also apply.
Truck cases often take longer than car accident claims because of the evidence and the number of parties. Some settle within a year, while others that go to litigation can take longer.
Only in limited cases. California allows punitive damages when there’s clear and convincing evidence of malice, oppression, or fraud, such as knowingly putting an unsafe driver on the road.
It can help, but it isn’t the final word. A citation shows the officer’s view of what happened, while your injury claim rests on the evidence behind it, such as video, black box data, and witness accounts. Even without a ticket, the driver or carrier may still be found responsible.
You may have a claim against the carrier, the company that loaded the truck, or a maintenance provider. Tire failures often trace back to poor inspection or maintenance, and loose cargo can point to securement violations. We move quickly to preserve the tire, debris, and inspection records before they’re lost.
Trucking companies have lawyers and adjusters working from the moment a crash happens. Glotzer & Leib LLP will fight to level that playing field and hold every responsible party accountable.
We’re available 24/7, and your consultation is free. Call 747-241-8288 to speak with an Orange County truck accident lawyer.
GLOTZER & LEIB, LLP 1020 S Anaheim Blvd Ste 208, Anaheim, CA 92805
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
