Proven Legal Advocacy for Victims of Big‑Rig Collisions on California Roads
Accidents involving tractor‑trailers also known as 18-wheelers, big rigs, or semi-trucks often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These cases involve unique complexities: multi-party liability, federal trucking regulations, and high-stakes insurance. At Hillstone Law, our California attorneys specialize in tractor‑trailer accident injury claims, offering 24/7 support, free consultations, and contingency-fee representation, meaning you owe nothing unless we win.
The Scope & Severity of Tractor‑Trailer Crashes
- In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes nationwide, an 8% decrease from 2022 but a 43% rise over the last decade.
- In California alone, these trucks were involved in 9,012 crashes in 2023, resulting in 419 deaths and 5,932 injuries.
- In the previous year, 15,651 trucks were involved in crashes, resulting in 531 fatalities and over 6,100 injuries.
- In 2022, California reported 436 deaths from large‑vehicle collisions, placing it among the states with the highest fatal crash totals.
Why Tractor‑Trailer Accidents Are Especially Dangerous
- Massive weight and size disparities—big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, make impacts extremely violent.
- Tractor-trailers carry dangerous cargo and lack maneuverability, increasing rollover, jackknife, and underride crash risks.
- Victims in standard vehicles, motorcycles, or cyclists have only small protection compared to big rigs.
- Truck operators must follow strict federal rules on hours of service, maintenance, and cargo loading violations often indicate liability.
Leading Causes Behind These Collisions
Accidents often stem from:
- Driver fatigue due to long hours or pressured schedules
- Distracted driving involving cellphones, GPS devices, or onboard electronics
- Speeding or reckless turns, particularly in urban delivery routes or highway exits
- Mechanical issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or trailer coupling malfunctions
- Improper cargo loading causing instability or rollover
- Shared blame scenarios, since FMCSA reports show in two-vehicle crashes involving trucks, 56% of the time the car driver is at fault, with trucks at fault in 44% of collisions.
Typical Injuries & Consequences
Victims of tractor-trailer collisions frequently suffer:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions, and spinal cord trauma
- Multiple bone fractures, crush injuries, amputations
- Internal injuries, bleeding, organ damage, shock
- Soft tissue trauma (e.g., whiplash), emotional trauma, PTSD
- Loss of life, leading to wrongful death claims with survivors seeking compensation for funeral costs, lost support, and emotional suffering
Compensation Available in California
Victims or families may pursue:
Economic Damage Recoveries
- Emergency and ongoing medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential
- Vehicle and property damage
Non-Economic Damage Recoveries
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life
Wrongful Death Awards
- Funeral expenses, loss of support, grief damages
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so partial fault does not bar recovery; compensation is simply reduced by the fault percentage.
Determining Liability in Tractor‑Trailer Accidents
Responsible parties may include:
- Truck drivers, for negligence such as speeding or distraction
- Trucking companies and cargo carriers, for hiring unqualified drivers or failing to maintain trucks
- Fleet operators or dispatch services, when they set dangerous delivery schedules
- Maintenance providers responsible for vehicle safety protocols
- Other motorists or third parties, if their negligence contributed
Hillstone Law works closely with accident reconstructionists, engineers, and medical professionals to investigate each case including black box (ELD), logbooks, vehicle inspection reports, driver records, and cargo manifests.
Why Hillstone Law Is Your Best Choice
- Specialized in tractor-trailer and big-rig accident law, including high-complexity cases
- Access to top-tier technical experts, investigators, and medical professionals
- Skilled advocacy capable of confronting powerful trucking defense teams
- No upfront fees, you only pay if we recover compensation for you
- Serving clients across all of California, from Los Angeles freeways to rural highways
Time Limits & Preserving Evidence
- Most personal injury and wrongful death cases must be filed within two years of the crash. Exceptions apply for minors, delayed discovery, and government claims.
- Immediate action is critical to preserve vital evidence: ELD data, driver logs, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and eyewitness statements.
What You Should Do After a Tractor‑Trailer Crash
- Get medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem minor
- Document the scene, photos/videos, license plates, damage, skid marks
- Collect witness information, names, contact details, and statements
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers or trucking companies before legal advice
- Contact Hillstone Law promptly, we begin evidence preservation and investigation without delay
Snapshot – Tractor‑Trailer Accident Overview
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Annual CA crashes | ~9,000 tractor-trailer collisions in 2023 |
| Fatalities & Injuries | 419 deaths, nearly 6,000 injuries in 2023 |
| Peak Crash Causes | Fatigue, distraction, speed, mechanical failure |
| Injury Severity | TBIs, spinal injury, fractious trauma, fatalities |
| Liability Targets | Driver, trucking company, maintenance/logistics providers |
| Recovery Rule | Pure comparative negligence in California |
| Time Limit | Typically 2 years from crash date |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe anything up front?
No—Hillstone Law works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation.
Do most cases settle or go to trial?
Many cases settle, but we prepare every case for court if insurers or defendants fail to offer fair compensation.
Can I still recover if I share fault?
Yes. Under California’s comparative negligence law, you may recover compensation reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
How do you identify responsible parties?
We analyze driver logs, electronic recorder data, maintenance records, and accident reconstruction to uncover all potentially liable parties.
Contact Hillstone Law Today
Tractor-trailer accidents can instantly alter lives. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a big-rig collision in California, reach out to Hillstone Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll preserve evidence, assess liability, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.