Commercial truck drivers and carriers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Key rules include Hours of Service (HOS) limits, mandatory Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance standards, federal weight limits, and cargo securement rules. Violations of any FMCSA regulation can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.

Truck accident claims are generally more complex than standard car accident cases. They often involve multiple liable parties — the driver, trucking company, cargo loader — along with federal regulatory violations, larger insurance policies, and more severe injuries. Critical evidence like black box data, electronic logs, and maintenance records must be preserved immediately through a legal hold letter before it disappears.

Multiple parties can be held liable simultaneously. Depending on the facts, responsibility may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, the truck manufacturer, or a third-party provider. California follows pure comparative fault, meaning liability is apportioned among all responsible parties — and a partially at-fault victim can still recover damages.

In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident involved a government owned vehicle or occurred on government property, that window can shrink to six months. For property damage to your vehicle, you generally have three years. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation entirely regardless of how strong your case is. Do not wait to consult an attorney.