The catastrophic force of an 80,000-pound semi-truck collision leaves victims facing life-altering consequences that extend far beyond physical recovery. Trucking companies deploy aggressive legal teams and insurance adjusters who begin building their defense immediately, often while you’re still receiving emergency medical treatment.
The complex web of federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and corporate liability structures makes these cases fundamentally different from standard vehicle collisions.
Rancho Cucamonga’s position as a critical junction for interstate commerce brings thousands of commercial trucks through our community daily. The convergence of the I-10, I-15, and Route 66 creates one of Southern California’s busiest freight corridors, connecting the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to distribution centers throughout the nation.
This constant flow of commercial traffic through San Bernardino County puts residents at heightened risk for devastating truck collisions and other commercial vehicle accident cases that require experienced legal representation.
At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, your case receives the focused attention it demands from an attorney who understands the technical complexities of trucking litigation and the personal toll these accidents take on victims and their families.
Unlike firms that delegate your case to junior staff, you work directly with your lawyer throughout the process, ensuring your voice is heard and your interests are protected against well-funded trucking companies and their insurers.
How Our 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Rancho Cucamonga Assist With Your Claim
An 18-wheeler is a commercial truck with 18 wheels that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. These massive vehicles are also called semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, or big rigs.
When an 18-wheeler hits you, your injuries are typically much worse than in a regular car crash. The trucking company will have teams of lawyers and investigators working against you within hours of the accident.
You need an attorney who understands federal trucking regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, you work directly with your lawyer, not a paralegal or case manager. We handle cases throughout San Bernardino County from our offices in San Bernardino, Ontario, and Riverside.
Who Pays After An 18-Wheeler Accident?
Vicarious liability is when one party is legally responsible for another party’s actions. This means trucking companies are usually liable when their drivers cause accidents, even if the company did nothing wrong directly.
Multiple parties can be responsible for your 18-wheeler accident:
The truck driver:
For speeding, driving while tired, or using their phone
The trucking company:
For hiring unqualified drivers or forcing unrealistic delivery schedules
Cargo loading companies:
For improperly securing freight that shifts and causes rollovers
Maintenance contractors:
For failing to inspect brakes, tires, or steering systems properly
Parts manufacturers:
For defective components that fail and cause crashes
Each responsible party typically has separate insurance policies. This creates multiple sources of compensation for your injuries.
California follows pure comparative negligence rules. This means you can still recover money even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
What Evidence Proves A Trucking Claim
Trucking companies often destroy evidence after 30 days unless legally required to preserve it. An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a computer that tracks how long a driver has been on duty and driving. Federal law requires most commercial trucks to have these devices.
The truck’s “black box” is an Event Data Recorder that captures speed, braking, and steering data seconds before a crash. This information can prove the truck driver was speeding or failed to brake properly.
Critical evidence in your case includes:
- Driver qualification files showing training and background checks
- Post-accident drug and alcohol test results
- Maintenance records proving the truck was roadworthy
- Surveillance footage from the truck’s dashboard camera
- Witness statements from people who saw the crash happen
Steps To Preserve Evidence In 72 Hours
Time is your enemy after an 18-wheeler accident. Evidence disappears quickly, so your attorney must act immediately.
- Send a spoliation letter: This legal document orders the trucking company to preserve all evidence of your crash.
- Download electronic data: Experts extract information from the truck’s computers before they get overwritten.
- Photograph everything: Document the accident scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions before cleanup crews arrive.
- Interview witnesses: Get statements while people’s memories are still clear and accurate.
- Secure video footage: Request surveillance recordings from nearby businesses before they’re deleted.
Where Do 18-Wheeler Wrecks Happen In Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga sits at the intersection of major freight corridors connecting the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the rest of America. Heavy truck traffic creates dangerous conditions on local roads.
Common accident locations include the I-15 and Route 66 interchange, where trucks merge at high speeds. The I-10 corridor through nearby Fontana and Ontario sees constant significant rig traffic heading to distribution centers.
Foothill Boulevard carries both local commuters and commercial trucks on the same roadway. Haven Avenue and Milliken Avenue have numerous warehouse entrances where trucks frequently turn across traffic lanes.
The area around Ontario International Airport has increased cargo flights, bringing more trucks to the surrounding roads.
What Causes 18-Wheeler Crashes
Hours-of-service rules are federal regulations limiting how long truck drivers can work. Drivers can only drive 11 hours within a 14-hour work period before taking a mandatory 10-hour break.
Driver fatigue causes many serious truck accidents when companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines. Truck drivers have a lower legal blood alcohol limit of 0.04% compared to 0.08% for regular drivers.
Driver-related causes:
Fatigue:
Working beyond legal hour limits to meet delivery schedules
Speeding:
Driving too fast for the road or weather conditions
Distraction:
Using cell phones, GPS devices, or eating while driving can lead to a distracted driving accident
Impairment:
Alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications
Inexperience:
Inadequate training on handling large commercial vehicles
Equipment and company failures:
Brake problems:
Worn brake pads or failed air brake systems
Tire issues:
Blowouts from poor maintenance or overloading
Cargo shifts:
Improperly secured loads that cause loss of control
Mechanical defects:
Steering failures or engine problems
Poor maintenance:
Skipping required safety inspections
What Injuries And Losses Can You Claim
Economic damages are your actual financial losses that can be calculated with bills and receipts. Non-economic damages compensate you for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
The massive weight difference between your car and an 18-wheeler often causes catastrophic injuries. Traumatic brain injuries occur when your head strikes the interior of your vehicle during impact.
Spinal cord damage can result in partial or complete paralysis requiring lifelong medical care. Multiple bone fractures often need surgical repair with metal plates and screws.
You can seek compensation for:
Medical expenses:
Hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation, and future treatment needs
Lost income:
Wages you’ve missed and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
Property damage:
Vehicle repairs or replacement, and damaged personal belongings
Pain and suffering:
Physical discomfort and emotional trauma from the accident
Loss of enjoyment:
Inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed
Krasney Law Accident Attorneys works with medical experts to calculate your lifetime care costs and ensure you receive full compensation.
What If You Are Partly At Fault
Pure comparative negligence is California’s rule that reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. You can still recover money even if you were primarily responsible for the accident.
If you’re 20% at fault and your total damages are $500,000, you would receive $400,000. Trucking companies always try to blame the other driver to reduce their payments.
Common blame tactics include claiming you were in the truck’s blind spot or made an unsafe lane change. They might argue you were speeding or distracted by your phone without any proof.
Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize your recovery.
What Should You Do After A Truck Accident
Your actions immediately after the crash can significantly impact your case outcome. Stay calm and focus on protecting your health and legal rights.
Steps At The Scene
Never admit fault or apologize, even if you think you might have contributed to the accident. Insurance companies will use any statements against you later.
- Call 911 immediately: Report the accident and request medical help for anyone injured.
- Get truck information: Write down the DOT number, company name, and driver’s license.
- Take photographs: Document all vehicle damage, skid marks, and the accident scene.
- Find witnesses: Ask for names and phone numbers of people who saw what happened.
- Request police report number: You’ll need this to obtain the official accident report later.
Steps After You Leave The Scene
Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms immediately.
- Get medical evaluation: See a doctor within 24 hours to document any injuries
- Contact an attorney: Call before speaking to any insurance adjusters
- Save all records: Keep medical bills, repair estimates, and accident-related receipts
- Avoid social media: Don’t post photos or comments about the accident online
- Follow medical advice: Attend all appointments and therapy sessions as prescribed
Gaps in medical treatment can hurt your case because insurance companies claim you weren’t injured.
How Long Do You Have To File
The statute of limitations is your legal deadline to file a lawsuit. In California, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim.
If a government entity owns the truck, you only have six months to file a formal claim. This shorter deadline applies to city, county, or state vehicle accidents.
While you may have two years to sue, you don’t have two years to gather evidence. Trucking companies may dispose of driver logs and maintenance records after required retention periods unless they are legally directed to preserve them.
Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.
How Much Does A Rancho Cucamonga Truck Accident Lawyer Cost
Contingency fee means you pay nothing up front and only pay if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your final settlement or court award.
You don’t have to pay attorney fees if we don’t get you money. That’s what “no recovery, no fee” means. We pay for all the case costs, such as expert witnesses, court filing fees, and investigation costs.
This arrangement allows you to hire experienced attorneys without worrying about hourly bills that could reach tens of thousands of dollars. Our interests align with yours because we only get paid when you do.
Contingency fees typically range from 33% to 40%, depending on whether your case settles or goes to trial.
Why Choose Krasney Law Accident Attorneys
Large law firms often treat clients like case numbers, passing you between different attorneys and paralegals. At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, you work directly with your attorney from start to finish.
Our personalized approach means you have your lawyer’s direct phone number and can reach them with questions. We serve the Inland Empire and maintain offices across San Bernardino County.
What sets us apart:
Direct attorney contact:
You work with your lawyer, not just staff members
Local expertise:
Deep knowledge of Rancho Cucamonga courts and insurance practices
Proven results:
Decades of experience winning against major trucking companies
Medical bill negotiation:
We work to reduce your medical liens to increase your net recovery
No upfront costs:
We handle everything on contingency, with no money required from you
We understand that large trucking companies have unlimited resources to fight your claim. We’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Act Fast: Deadlines Apply To Injury Claims
Every day you wait makes your case harder to win. Trucking companies must keep driver logs for six months before they may legally destroy them.
Witnesses move away or forget important details about what they saw. Physical evidence at the accident scene gets cleared away within days.
The trucking company’s insurance adjuster is already investigating and building their defense against your claim. You need an attorney working just as hard to protect your interests.
Call Krasney Law Accident Attorneys today at (909) 380-7200 for your free consultation. We’ll start investigating immediately and ensure no critical evidence is lost. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
FAQs about 18-Wheeler Accident
How Long Will My 18-Wheeler Accident Case Take To Resolve?
Truck accident cases frequently resolve through settlement, though the timeline can vary depending on the case’s complexity and the parties involved. Cases involving severe injuries or multiple defendants may take longer because more investigation and negotiation are required.
Can I Sue An Out-of-State Trucking Company In California?
Yes, interstate trucking companies must carry insurance that covers them in every state where they operate. We regularly handle cases against out-of-state companies and know how to serve them with legal papers properly.
Should I Give A Statement To The Truck Company’s Insurance?
Never give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster without your attorney present. They’re trained to ask questions that can hurt your case, so let your lawyer handle all communications.
What If I Was A Passenger In The Vehicle That Got Hit?
Passengers typically have extreme cases because they bear no responsibility for causing the accident. You can seek compensation from both the truck driver and the driver of the vehicle you were riding in.
Will The Trucking Company’s Insurance Pay My Medical Bills Right Away?
No, trucking insurance companies rarely pay medical bills upfront because they want to see how much your total treatment will cost. You’ll need to use your health insurance or work with medical providers accepting liens against your future settlement.
