Getting hit by an 18-wheeler changes everything. Suddenly, your life is split into before and after. You’re trying to heal, deal with insurance calls, and make sense of what happened all at once.
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti helps people in your shoes every day. As a Los Angeles 18-wheeler accident lawyer, Adrianos doesn’t just know the law he knows how this kind of crash affects your body, your income, and your peace of mind.
A skilled Los Angeles truck accident lawyer helps you take back control. They dig into the crash, find out who’s truly at fault, and make sure the insurance company doesn’t cut corners on your recovery. You get time to heal while they handle the pressure.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Los Angeles
Right after a crash with a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, things can get confusing fast. You might be in pain, in shock, or unsure of what just happened. But the steps you take next can make a big difference in how your truck accident claim turns out.
First, always call 911 even if you think you’re fine. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or spinal cord damage, aren’t obvious right away.
If you’re able, take photos of the scene. Skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions all of it helps your case later. Get names and contact details from any witnesses nearby. And never agree to speak with the trucking company or their insurer until you’ve talked to a truck accident lawyer.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can protect you early before paperwork gets lost, facts get blurred, or you're pushed into a low settlement.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle
Not all truck crashes look the same. The type of accident matters it affects who’s at fault, how severe the injuries are, and what kind of evidence is needed. Here’s what we often see in Los Angeles:
- Jackknife accidents: When the trailer swings out and forms an L-shape with the cab. These often block lanes and hit multiple cars.
- Rollover crashes: A truck tips onto its side, often due to speed or a sharp turn. Dangerous for anyone nearby.
- Rear-end collisions: A fully loaded truck takes much longer to stop. Even low-speed impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries.
- Underride/override accidents: Smaller cars can slide under a truck or get crushed beneath. These are some of the most severe.
- Tire blowouts: A sudden burst can cause the driver to lose control. This happens more often with worn or poorly maintained tires.
- Lost cargo/load accidents: Cargo that isn’t secured properly can spill into traffic or hit other vehicles.
These accidents often lead to severe injuries and property damage. We work with accident reconstruction experts to show exactly how it happened and who should be held accountable.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial truck accidents often trace back to something preventable. Truck drivers and trucking companies have strict safety rules for a reason. When they cut corners, others pay the price.
- Driver fatigue or distraction: Some drivers push past federal rest limits. Others glance at their phones. Either can lead to missed exits, sudden lane shifts, or failing to stop in time.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: The faster a truck goes, the harder it is to stop. Tailgating or weaving through lanes puts everyone at risk.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Faulty brakes. Bald tires. Broken lights. These issues can turn a truck into a danger on the road.
- Overloaded or unsecured cargo: Trucks carrying more than they should or with unbalanced loads are harder to control.
- Violations of FMCSA safety rules: When trucking companies ignore federal rules, like skipping safety checks or hiring unqualified drivers, they put profits before people.
If you’re dealing with serious injuries after a semi-truck accident, we’ll dig into the cause and make sure the responsible parties face the consequences.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, it’s not always just the driver who’s responsible. There’s often more than one party involved, and finding out who should pay for your injuries takes more than a guess.
- The truck driver may have been speeding, texting, or driving too many hours without rest.
- The trucking company might have pushed unrealistic deadlines, failed to train the driver properly, or ignored federal regulations.
- A third-party maintenance contractor could’ve skipped an important safety check that led to brake failure.
- Cargo loaders or shippers might have packed the load wrong, making the truck unbalanced.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers may be at fault if a defective part caused the crash.
A strong legal team will look at all of this not just the police report to make sure each responsible party is held accountable. That’s how you get a fair settlement, not a fast one.
Common Injuries in 18-Wheeler Accidents
Truck wrecks don’t usually lead to minor scrapes. When a passenger car is hit by a semi-truck, the damage can be serious, even life-changing.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can affect speech, memory, and personality.
- Spinal cord damage may lead to permanent mobility issues. Some people lose the ability to walk.
- Internal bleeding isn’t visible, but can be life-threatening if not treated right away.
- Fractures or crush injuries can require surgery, pins, or long-term physical therapy.
- Emotional and psychological trauma often follows. It’s common for people to fear driving again or suffer from anxiety.
Truck accident injuries don’t just heal with time. They affect your job, your relationships, and your daily life. That’s why a claim should cover more than just hospital bills it should reflect everything you’ve lost.
How Long Does an 18-Wheeler Lawsuit Take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some truck accident claims settle in a few months. Others can take a year or more, especially if multiple parties are involved or the injuries are severe.
- Investigation and evidence gathering come first. This includes accident reconstruction, medical records, black box data from the truck, and more.
- Settlement negotiations happen once we have a full picture of what happened and how much it’s cost you.
- If the insurance company won’t offer a fair deal, a formal lawsuit is filed.
- From there, the court process can add time sometimes months, depending on how complex the case is.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help speed things up by being thorough from day one. You don’t want to rush, but you also don’t want to wait forever for the help you need.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
After a serious truck accident, you’re left with more than physical pain. The bills pile up. Work gets missed. Your whole routine shifts, and suddenly, you're making decisions with money you haven’t earned yet.
Here’s what you can potentially recover through a truck accident injury claim:
- Medical expenses – This includes the ER visit, surgeries, therapy, medications, and any follow-up care. One client needed surgery after a rear-end crash with a fuel truck and continued treatment for spinal injuries. Their claim covered current bills and expected future costs.
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity – If you miss work or can’t return to your job at all, this becomes a huge part of your case.
- Pain and suffering – Not just physical pain, but the emotional toll too fear, anxiety, loss of independence.
- Property damage – Trucks destroy smaller vehicles. Replacing or repairing your car is part of the recovery.
- Wrongful death benefits – In the hardest cases, families may be entitled to compensation for lost support, emotional pain, and funeral expenses.
Compensation depends on the details: the injuries, who was at fault, and how the crash changed your life. A good Los Angeles truck accident lawyer will calculate not just the costs you see today, but also your future losses and noneconomic damages that insurance often tries to downplay.
Why Hire a Los Angeles 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents are different. The rules, the evidence, the insurance policies it’s more complex than a typical car crash. And big trucking companies have legal teams ready to push back hard.
Hiring a skilled 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Los Angeles means you’re not handling this alone. You’re working with someone who knows how these cases really work.
- They deal directly with insurance adjusters, so you don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or accepting a lowball settlement.
- They make sure evidence like dashcam footage or electronic logs from the truck is preserved before it disappears.
- They file paperwork, manage deadlines, and keep the process moving.
- Most importantly, they fight for maximum compensation that reflects the full impact of the crash.
And because we work on a contingency basis, you don’t pay unless we win. That’s legal counsel without financial pressure.
FAQs About Truck Accident Claims in California
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
You typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. But don’t wait critical evidence can disappear quickly.
What if I’m partially at fault for the accident?
California follows a comparative negligence rule. If you’re partly at fault, you can still recover damages just reduced by your percentage of fault.
How much is my truck accident claim worth?
That depends on your injuries, expenses, and how the crash affects your future. A qualified attorney can help estimate a fair amount, considering both economic and noneconomic damages.
Will the trucking company fight my claim?
Yes, often. Their defense attorneys will look for ways to shift blame, challenge your injuries, or offer a quick, low settlement. Having strong legal representation levels the field.
Do I really need a lawyer for this type of accident?
If you were hit by a commercial truck, yes. These cases involve bigger insurance policies, more evidence, and often, more than one party accountable. An experienced truck accident lawyer gives you a better shot at full compensation.
Talk to a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer for Free
You don’t have to figure this out by yourself. If you’ve been in a crash with a semi truck, a utility truck, or any heavy vehicle, reach out to the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti.
We’ve helped clients across West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and beyond recover after serious truck wrecks. Whether it’s dealing with commercial vehicle accidents, manufacturing defects, or truck driver negligence, we know what to do and how to do it well.
- No fees unless we win your case
- Speak with a lawyer directly not a call center
- Available 24/7 for your questions or concerns
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. Call now or send a message to schedule your free consultation with an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
