Truck Accident Claims: What Victims Need to Know

If you’ve been hit by a semi or commercial truck, your next steps aren’t just important, they're everything. The injuries are often severe. The legal landscape is complex. And the other side has teams ready to minimize your claim. That’s why having an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side isn’t optional, it’s essential. Understanding how these cases work, who’s responsible, and what you're entitled to can make the difference between walking away with real compensation or walking away with nothing.

This guide covers everything you need to know about truck accident claims: how they work, who may be liable, what compensation you're entitled to, and how a lawyer can help you get it.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different

Not all motor vehicle accidents are the same. Crashes involving large commercial trucks like 18-wheelers, box trucks, and tankers are often far more serious than typical car accidents. They also carry unique legal challenges.

Key Differences:

• Massive Force of Impact: Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, leading to devastating injuries.
• Multiple Liable Parties: Drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and others may be responsible.
• Federal Oversight: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict trucking laws that impact liability.
• Powerful Defense Teams: Trucking companies and insurers often have legal departments designed to minimize payouts.

This is why victims need a truck accident lawyer who understands the law, the evidence, and the tactics used by the other side.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Knowing what causes truck accidents can help you understand liability and build a stronger case. The most common causes include:

• Poor Road Conditions: Weather or badly maintained roads can complicate liability.
• Driver Fatigue: Drivers often work long hours, despite limits set by FMCSA regulations.
• Distracted Driving: Phone use, eating, or checking a GPS while driving leads to crashes.
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: Tight delivery windows can encourage unsafe behavior.
• Mechanical Failures: Worn brakes, tire blowouts, and steering failures can all be fatal.
• Improper Loading: Overloaded or unbalanced cargo can make a truck unstable.
• Drug or Alcohol Use: Impairment can delay reaction times and cause fatal mistakes.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

If you’re in a crash involving a commercial truck, your actions in the first hours and days can make or break your case.

Step-by-Step:

1. Call 911 and get emergency help.
2. Seek immediate medical attention—even for minor symptoms.
3. Document everything (photos, videos, witness info).
4. Avoid speaking with trucking company representatives or their insurers.
5. Contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

At Tulekyan Law, we launch an immediate investigation to preserve evidence, contact witnesses, and build your case before the trucking company can build its defense.

Who’s Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident claims often involve more than just the driver. In many cases, multiple parties share responsibility:

• Truck Driver: Speeding, fatigue, or impaired driving makes them directly liable.
• Trucking Company: They may have pushed the driver to break safety rules or failed to maintain the vehicle.
• Maintenance Company: Neglected repairs can lead to mechanical failure.
• Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded cargo can destabilize a truck and cause it to tip or spill.
• Truck Manufacturer: If a defective part caused the crash, the manufacturer may be at fault.
• Government Entities: Poorly maintained roads or missing signage can sometimes create liability for a municipality.

Each of these parties will try to avoid blame. Your truck accident lawyer’s job is to uncover the truth and hold them accountable.

What Evidence Can Help Your Case?

Winning a truck accident case often depends on fast access to key evidence. Tulekyan Law takes urgent action to secure the following:

• Black Box Data: Trucks often carry an electronic control module that tracks speed, braking, and engine performance.
• Driver Logs: Federal law requires truckers to log their hours, violations can prove fatigue.
• Maintenance Records: Show whether the truck was properly serviced.
• Dashcam Footage: Can confirm the victim’s account or show reckless behavior.
• Police Reports: Establish facts at the scene and early assessments of fault.
• Witness Testimony: Neutral third-party statements can add credibility.
• Surveillance Footage: Sometimes nearby businesses or traffic cams captured the incident.

A good lawyer won’t just accept what the trucking company hands over, they’ll subpoena data, dig deeper, and preserve evidence before it disappears.

What Damages Can You Recover?

Truck accidents usually involve serious injuries, which means the potential compensation is significant. You may be eligible to recover:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability or disfigurement

Punitive Damages (in extreme cases)

If the trucking company acted with gross negligence, knowingly letting an unqualified driver operate the vehicle, you could receive additional compensation designed to punish that behavior.

Statute of Limitations in California

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. However, time-sensitive evidence can disappear quickly. Black box data, dashcam footage, and maintenance logs might be destroyed or lost unless preserved early.

Don’t wait. Contact a truck accident lawyer immediately after your crash to protect your claim.

Why Choose Tulekyan Law as Your Truck Accident Lawyer

At Tulekyan Law, we treat every truck accident case like the serious matter it is. Our team brings experience, speed, and strategy to the table and we don’t back down.

• Immediate Case Action: We move quickly to preserve evidence, inspect vehicles, and contact witnesses.
• Industry Experts: We work with accident reconstructionists, trucking compliance professionals, and medical specialists.
• Courtroom-Ready: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That gives us leverage at the negotiating table.
• Transparent Communication: You’ll always know where your case stands.

FAQ: Truck Accident Lawyer Insights

Q: How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

Tulekyan Law works on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Q: What’s the difference between a personal injury lawyer and a truck accident lawyer?

While all truck accident lawyers handle personal injury, not all personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources to handle complex truck litigation. You need someone who knows the trucking industry, federal regulations, and how to battle corporate insurers.

Q: What if I was partially at fault?

California follows comparative negligence. You can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Contact Tulekyan Law Today

Truck accidents are overwhelming—but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Tulekyan Law, we specialize in helping victims recover from life-altering truck crashes. We know the law. We know the tactics the other side uses. And we know how to win.

Call Tulekyan Law now for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.