Injured in a Tractor-Trailer Accident? Call for a FREE Consultation.

Commercial trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, take longer to stop than passenger cars, and have large blind spots – all factors that can make for devastating crashes. Because trucks pose many risks to public safety, trucking operators are obligated to abide by safety regulations and uphold a duty of care to motorists. They must also carry size-able commercial insurance policies to cover victims harmed by their fleet. 

If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our truck accident attorneys at Drake Law Firm represent victims across Stockton and the San Joaquin Valley. We can help protect your right to compensation during the personal injury claim process. 

Why Clients Across California Trust Drake Law Firm

Drake Law Firm is led by Attorney Benjamin Drake, an award-winning advocate who leverages his insight in defense work to help victims of negligence fight back against powerful insurance companies that value profits more than people.

Backed by over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law, our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff have recovered more than $150 million in compensation for accident victims. We are trusted by clients and colleagues across the state and make personal service a top priority.

We produce winning results. Examples of our recent recoveries:

• $1.5 million: motorist injured in truck accident
• $2.65 million: pedestrian hit by a negligent driver
• $2.5 million: victim injured in a T-bone collision
• $1.23 million: motorcyclist struck by vehicle
• $1 million: passenger injured in a ride-share accident

Discuss your potential case and compensation with a Stockton truck accident attorney. We offer FREE and confidential case reviews.

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents We Handle

By focusing on personal injury, Drake Law Firm can handle a range of claims involving all types of truck accidents, insurance issues, and disputes. This includes:

• Tractor-trailer / 18-wheeler accidents
• Jackknife and rollover crashes
• Delivery truck, box truck, and garbage truck accidents
• Violations of federal trucking regulations
• Fallen cargo and road debris crashes
• Multi-vehicle crashes
• Worksite vehicle accidents / construction accidents
• Vehicle defects, tire blowouts, and mechanical failure
• Catastrophic accidents and wrongful death

Common Truck Accident Questions

How Does Compensation Work in a Truck Accident Case?

Victims harmed by negligence are entitled to a financial recovery of their damages. Through a personal injury claim, victims can hold at-fault parties accountable for misconduct and liable for resulting losses.

In a personal injury lawsuit, truck accident victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish / loss of quality of life
• Property damage

There are no guarantees victims will be compensated – especially when truckers and their insurance carriers fight to deny and dispute valid claims. The value of your potential case depends not only on the damages you incurred, but also your legal team’s ability to win.

Who is the defendant in my trucking case?

It will depend on the facts. In injury cases, a defendant is the party you allege is at-fault for your losses. 

To identify the at-fault party, it is crucial you work with a firm that has resources to conduct detailed investigations and the experience to best pursue your claim. There may be factors at play that imposes liability on a not-so-obvious party – such as a distribution company or a product manufacturer. 

Examples of named defendants in truck accident cases:

• A trucker driver who operated their rig under the influence, and the trucking company that negligently hired and retained him.
• A trucking company responsible for regulatory violations (i.e. failures to secure cargo, test drivers, or address hazards).
• An automaker or parts manufacturer that made defective tires, brakes, or other auto parts. 
• A third-party subcontractor (not an employer) responsible for a worksite auto accident. 
• A third-party company responsible for negligent truck maintenance or cargo loading. 
• A negligent motorist who caused or contributed to your crash with a commercial truck. 

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance carrier?

When you file a personal injury case, the defendant you claim to be at fault will be represented by their insurance carrier. Insurance carriers owe their insured a duty to defend and act in good faith, but they owe no such duty to victims harmed by their policyholders. 

Insurance companies are corporations that care more about their bottom line than injured victims, and they will go to great lengths to pay as little as they possibly can – especially in trucking cases that have the potential for high-value payouts. They may attempt to contact you to:

• See if you will make incriminating statements, even if they are not true.
• Misinterpret what you say and use your own words against you.
• Make a settlement offer to close the case as quickly and cheaply as possible.

If the defendant or their insurance carrier contact you after a truck accident, you are not required to speak with them. Simply tell them you have legal representation, and your attorney will handle the rest.

Having started his career with a firm that handled defense work, Attorney Benjamin Drake leverages insight into the “other side” to help clients level the playing field with powerful opponents. He and our team handle all communication with insurance companies, and always keep clients apprised.   

Call for a FREE Consultation: 844-513-7253

Drake Law Firm is backed by a team of top-rated attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and support staff who care about making a difference in our clients’ lives. 

To discuss your truck accident with a Stockton attorney, contact us to request a FREE consultation.