Semi-Truck Collisions in California — Legal Information | Hit by a Truck Law

Semi-Truck Collision in California: Overview

A semi-truck collision in California activates the FMCSA regulatory framework — $750,000 minimum insurance under 49 CFR Section 387.9, hours-of-service limits under Part 395, and ELD data that must be preserved immediately. The motor carrier, the truck driver, the cargo shipper, and the vehicle manufacturer can each be named as defendants in a multi-party civil action.

California commercial truck accident cases operate under a dual legal framework: FMCSA federal regulations that create specific duties and negligence per se theories; and California tort law governing damages, comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), multi-defendant liability (Proposition 51), and the two-year statute of limitations (CCP Section 335.1). The combination of uncapped California damages and FMCSA-mandated commercial insurance makes truck accident cases substantially different from ordinary vehicle accident claims.

Who Is Liable After a Semi-Truck Collision

Liability in semi-truck collision cases typically runs against multiple defendants simultaneously. The motor carrier bears vicarious liability under respondeat superior and direct negligence for FMCSA compliance failures. The truck driver bears personal liability. The truck owner, cargo shipper, maintenance company, and equipment manufacturers may each be named as additional defendants depending on the specific facts. California's pure comparative fault system allocates fault proportionally among all contributing parties.

Applicable FMCSA Regulations

The following FMCSA regulations are most commonly implicated in semi-truck collision cases. A violation of any applicable standard causally connected to the accident establishes negligence per se — satisfying the negligence element without further proof of unreasonable conduct.

• 49 CFR Part 395 — Hours of Service: 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour window, 30-minute break, 60/70-hour weekly limit
• 49 CFR Part 396 — Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: pre-trip inspection, recordkeeping, out-of-service criteria
• 49 CFR Part 393 — Parts and Accessories: brake standards, tire requirements, cargo securement, lighting
• 49 CFR Part 391 — Driver Qualifications: CDL, medical certificate, drug testing, employment history
• 49 CFR Part 387 — Insurance: $750,000 minimum (general freight), $5,000,000 (hazmat)
• 49 CFR Part 382 — Drug and Alcohol Testing: pre-employment, random, post-accident testing

Insurance Coverage in Semi-Truck Collision Cases

FMCSA-regulated carriers must maintain minimum insurance of $750,000 for general freight or $5,000,000 for hazmat. In a serious semi-truck collision case, the full coverage stack includes the carrier's primary commercial auto policy, umbrella or excess coverage, the truck owner's policy if separate, and potentially the shipper's liability policy. All applicable policies must be identified and disclosed through the civil discovery process.

Damages Available After a Semi-Truck Collision

California semi-truck collision victims can recover: all past and future medical expenses (no cap); lost wages and earning capacity; property damage; non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life) — uncapped in California; and punitive damages under Civil Code Section 3294 for malice or conscious disregard. Commercial carrier insurance substantially exceeds personal auto policy limits, making full recovery more accessible in serious injury cases.

Statute of Limitations

Two years from the date of the accident under CCP Section 335.1. Government entity claims (Caltrans, public agency trucks): six months under Government Code Section 945.4. Minor victims: tolled until age 18 under CCP Section 352. ELD and EDR data must be preserved through immediate written demand to the carrier — long before the statute expires.

Critical Evidence in Semi-Truck Collision Cases

• ELD records — Hours-of-service compliance at the time of the accident; preserve through immediate written demand to the carrier
• Event data recorder (EDR) — Vehicle speed, braking, and throttle data in the seconds before impact; download before truck is repaired
• Driver qualification file — CDL, medical certificate, employment history, drug tests; establishes negligent hiring claims
• Vehicle maintenance records — Pre-trip inspection logs, repair orders; establishes carrier knowledge of pre-existing defects
• Dispatch records — Load assignment, delivery schedule, communications with driver; establishes HOS pressure and dispatching conduct
• FMCSA inspection history — Prior roadside citations from the FMCSA SAFER database; establishes carrier safety culture
• Post-accident drug/alcohol test results — Required by 49 CFR Part 382 for serious accidents; establish impairment
• Dashcam and surveillance footage — From the truck if equipped, and from nearby businesses or traffic cameras