Contra Costa County Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can be devastating, in large part due to the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles. That said, if you were injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or another commercial vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. The legal team here at O’Connor Law APC has decades of experience representing accident victims in the Bay Area, and we stand ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact a skilled Contra Costa County injury lawyer from our firm today for comprehensive representation in your truck accident claim.

Identifying the Party Responsible

In the aftermath of a truck accident, one of the most important steps in building a successful personal injury claim is determining who was at fault. Unlike typical car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple parties, each of whom may share responsibility. At O’Connor Law APC, we take a thorough, investigative approach to ensure that every potentially liable party is identified and held accountable.

The three most common parties that may be responsible for a truck accident are truck drivers, trucking companies, and truck maintenance crews.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with care and comply with both state traffic laws and federal trucking regulations. When a truck driver fails to uphold this duty, catastrophic accidents can occur. Common examples of driver negligence include:

• Driving while fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel
• Distracted driving, such as texting or using GPS while operating the truck
• Speeding, especially on downhill grades or in poor weather conditions
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failing to properly inspect the vehicle before a shift

Even a momentary lapse in judgment can have life-altering consequences when operating a vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds. If a truck driver’s negligent behavior caused your accident, they may be held directly liable.

Trucking Companies

In many cases, the trucking company that employs the driver may also bear responsibility for an accident. Trucking companies have a legal obligation to hire qualified drivers, maintain safe operational practices, and ensure that their employees follow all safety regulations. Unfortunately, some companies cut corners in pursuit of profits. They may:

• Fail to properly vet or train drivers
• Encourage or pressure drivers to exceed legal driving hours, violating federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations
• Neglect to maintain or inspect their fleet of vehicles
• Falsify driving logs to cover up HOS violations

When a company’s policies or lack of oversight contribute to an accident, they can be held vicariously liable for the harm their driver causes—or directly liable for their own negligent business practices.

Truck Maintenance Crews

Commercial trucks require regular inspections and meticulous maintenance to remain safe for the road. If a third-party maintenance provider or in-house repair crew fails to detect or address mechanical issues, the consequences can be catastrophic. Common maintenance-related causes of truck accidents include:

• Brake failure due to poor maintenance or worn components
• Tire blowouts caused by underinflated or overused tires
• Steering malfunctions from improperly repaired or neglected systems
• Lighting or signal issues that reduce visibility to other drivers

If it’s found that improper or negligent maintenance played a role in your accident, the party responsible for maintaining the vehicle may be liable for your injuries and losses.

At O’Connor Law APC, we work with accident reconstruction experts, review maintenance logs and driver records, and investigate every angle to ensure that all negligent parties are brought to justice.

Pursuing Compensation for Your Truck Accident Injury

Once liability is established, the next step is securing the compensation you need to move forward with your life. A truck accident can leave you facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Fortunately, California law allows victims of negligence to pursue compensation for a wide range of damages. There are two primary categories of damages in personal injury cases:

Economic Damages

These are the tangible, financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses, both current and future (hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, etc.)
• Lost wages due to time missed from work
• Loss of future earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous occupation
• Property damage, such as the repair or replacement of your vehicle

Non-Economic Damages

These are the intangible effects the accident has had on your quality of life. Though harder to quantify, they are no less important. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or permanent disability
• Loss of consortium (impact on a relationship with a spouse or partner)

To recover compensation, you’ll need to demonstrate not only that the other party was at fault, but also that their negligence directly caused your injuries and resulting losses. At O’Connor Law APC, we build strong cases backed by evidence, expert testimony, and clear documentation of your damages, so you’re not left footing the bill for someone else’s recklessness.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in CA

Time is of the essence in any personal injury case. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. This means that if you fail to file your claim within that two-year window, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. That said, there are exceptions that can either shorten or extend this deadline. For example:

• If the claim is against a government entity (such as a municipal vehicle or road maintenance agency), you typically have just six months to file a government claim.
• If the injured party is a minor or legally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the statute may be tolled, or paused, until certain conditions are met.

It’s also important to consider that waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence, locate witnesses, or preserve important records. That’s why it’s in your best interest to speak with a qualified truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer

O’Connor Law APC has been a steadfast legal advocate for accident victims across the Bay Area for decades. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to another party’s negligence, you can depend on a skilled personal injury lawyer from our firm to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact O’Connor Law APC for a free initial consultation today.