Orange County is a key freight corridor linking the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with the rest of California and beyond. As commercial truck traffic increases along freeways like the I-5, I-405, SR-55, SR-91, and SR-22, so do the risks for everyday drivers.
What the Data Shows
By mid 2024 nearly 3,000 semi truck crashes had been reported statewide. There were about 20 fatalities among those crashes. In Orange County alone over 12,500 vehicle crashes caused injury or death in 2023, and several hundred involved semi trucks. The number of these truck involved crashes has been steadily rising.
Why Smaller Vehicles Suffer More
When an 80,000 pound semi collides with a typical passenger car the passenger vehicle almost always bears the worse consequences. The mass difference makes injuries far more severe for people in smaller vehicles.
What Drivers Should Be Aware Of
- Semi truck cases are more complex than regular car accidents because they often involve multiple liable parties such as the driver, trucking company, cargo owner, or part manufacturers.
- Federal regulations govern many aspects of truck operation such as driver rest hours, vehicle maintenance, weight limits, and cargo loading. Violations of those rules can affect legal outcomes.
- Commercial trucks carry higher insurance amounts, often over $1,000,000. That fact means insurance companies for trucking firms strongly defend against claims.
How a Local Truck Accident Lawyer Helps
- Preserving evidence is crucial. Trucks have electronic logs, GPS, cameras, and other data. Without a legal request those records may be lost.
- Attorneys familiar with truck laws can analyze logbooks, driver rest records, maintenance files or any possible federal regulation violations.
- Ways to properly value damages include accounting for medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity, rehabilitation, and the emotional toll.
- Identifying all responsible parties such as driver, company, parts supplier or loading company is key to ensuring full liability is pursued.
What You Should Do If You Are in a Truck Accident
- Get medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor at first. Some symptoms develop over time.
- Document everything. Take photos of vehicle damage, the scene, skid marks, weather, truck identifiers, and anything that seems relevant.
- Report the crash and gather witness contact details.
- Consult an attorney experienced with truck accidents as soon as possible. Early legal involvement improves chances of preserving evidence and achieving fair compensation.
Hillstone Law Is Ready to Help
If you are injured in a truck collision in Orange County we can review your situation, uncover all responsible parties, gather evidence including data recordings and maintenance records, calculate all of your damages, and negotiate with insurers or litigate in court to pursue full compensation.
Note: These blog posts are created solely for the use of Hillstone Law. The information is gathered from internet research, publicly available sources, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. While we aim to share helpful and educational content, Hillstone Law does not independently verify every detail. Some information may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change without notice. If you believe any part of a post is inaccurate, misleading, or infringes upon copyright, please contact Hillstone Law immediately so we can review it and take appropriate action, including correction or removal.
Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
