Feb 24, 2026 - Blogs by Sky Law Group
Orange County’s vast freeway network makes it one of the busiest transportation corridors in the nation — and one of the most dangerous for truck accidents. Thousands of commercial trucks travel the I-5, I-405, SR-91, and SR-57 every day, hauling goods between the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and San Diego. When a fully loaded tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Orange County, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the unique complexities of commercial trucking cases. At Sky Law Group, we have represented thousands of accident victims across Orange County and recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Truck Accident Statistics in Orange County and California
Commercial truck accidents are a serious and growing public safety concern in Orange County. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), California leads the nation in fatal large truck crashes.
Large trucks — including 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and delivery vehicles — are involved in thousands of collisions across California each year. Orange County’s position as a major freight corridor between the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California means the county sees a disproportionately high volume of commercial truck traffic. The I-5 through Irvine, Tustin, and Santa Ana, the I-405 through Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley, and the SR-91 through Anaheim and Fullerton are among the most dangerous corridors for truck-involved collisions.
According to the NHTSA, occupants of passenger vehicles account for 72% of fatalities in crashes involving large trucks. The sheer size and weight differential — a fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds compared to a passenger car’s average of 4,000 pounds — makes these collisions disproportionately deadly for car occupants.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Orange County
Truck accident cases are more complex than standard car accident claims because multiple parties may share liability and federal trucking regulations come into play. The most common causes of truck accidents in Orange County include:
Driver Fatigue
Despite federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations that limit how long a truck driver can operate without rest, fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Drivers and trucking companies routinely push the limits — or falsify electronic logging device (ELD) records — to meet tight delivery deadlines. Fatigued driving is especially dangerous on long stretches of I-5 and the 91 Freeway, where monotonous driving conditions compound the risk.
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone calls, GPS use, eating, and other distractions are dangerous for any driver but especially deadly when a 40-ton truck is involved. Even a few seconds of inattention at highway speed can cause a catastrophic rear-end or lane-departure collision.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Commercial trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. When truck drivers exceed speed limits or follow too closely — common on congested OC freeways like the 405 and 5 — they dramatically increase the risk of rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle pileups.
Improper Loading and Cargo Securement
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable, jackknife, or roll over. Cargo that falls from a truck creates deadly road hazards for following vehicles. Loading companies and freight handlers can be held liable for accidents caused by improper securement.
Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Federal regulations require trucking companies to conduct regular inspections and maintain their vehicles. When brakes fail, tires blow out, or steering systems malfunction due to deferred maintenance or defective parts, the trucking company — and potentially the manufacturer — can be held liable for resulting accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
While commercial drivers are held to a stricter BAC limit of 0.04% (compared to 0.08% for regular drivers), DUI-related truck accidents still occur. Stimulant use to combat fatigue is another concern in the trucking industry.
Inadequate Training
Operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle requires specialized skills and training. When trucking companies cut corners on driver training or hire unqualified drivers to fill vacancies, the risk of preventable accidents increases significantly.
Common Injuries in Orange County Truck Accidents
The massive force involved in truck collisions means injuries are often severe, life-altering, or fatal. Common injuries in truck accident cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — Ranging from concussions to severe brain damage, often requiring long-term rehabilitation
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis — High-impact collisions can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care
- Broken bones and crush injuries — The weight of a commercial truck can cause devastating crush injuries to limbs, ribs, pelvis, and skull
- Internal organ damage — Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, organ rupture, and other life-threatening internal injuries
- Burns — Truck accidents involving fuel tankers or hazardous materials can cause severe burn injuries
- Amputations — Severe crush injuries may require surgical amputation of limbs
- Wrongful death — Tragically, many truck accidents in Orange County are fatal, leaving families to cope with devastating loss
The medical costs for truck accident injuries frequently reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over a victim’s lifetime, factoring in emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and ongoing medical treatment.
Who Is Liable in an Orange County Truck Accident?
One of the key differences between truck accidents and standard car accidents is that multiple parties may be liable for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver — For negligent driving, fatigue, distraction, speeding, or DUI
- The trucking company — For negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations, or failing to maintain vehicles
- The cargo loading company — For improperly loading or securing freight
- The truck or parts manufacturer — For defective brakes, tires, steering systems, or other components
- Maintenance contractors — For negligent repairs or failure to identify safety issues during inspections
- Government entities — For dangerous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poorly designed roadways
An experienced truck accident attorney will investigate every potential source of liability to maximize your compensation. At Sky Law Group, we work with accident reconstructionists, trucking industry experts, and medical professionals to build the strongest possible case.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Orange County
The steps you take immediately after a truck accident can significantly impact your ability to recover full compensation. Here’s what to do:
1. Call 911 Immediately
Report the accident to law enforcement right away. In Orange County, the responding agency may be the California Highway Patrol (CHP), local police, or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department depending on where the accident occurred. The official police report is critical evidence for your claim.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Get evaluated by a doctor within 24 hours, even if you feel fine. Many serious injuries — including internal bleeding, TBIs, and spinal cord injuries — have delayed symptoms that may not appear for hours or days. UCI Medical Center in Orange and Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo are Level I and II trauma centers equipped to handle severe truck accident injuries.
3. Document Everything
If you are physically able, photograph the accident scene: the vehicles involved, road conditions, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, the truck’s DOT number and license plates, and your injuries. Get the names, phone numbers, and insurance information of all parties involved, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
4. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
Trucking companies and their insurers will often send investigators and adjusters to the scene within hours of a serious accident. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company — theirs or yours — until you have spoken with an attorney. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
5. Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Immediately
Time is critical in truck accident cases. Trucking companies are required to preserve certain records — including ELD data, driver logs, inspection reports, and dashcam footage — but this evidence can be lost or destroyed if not promptly requested through a legal preservation letter. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more evidence can be preserved.
Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims in Orange County
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses — Emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, physical therapy, assistive devices, and estimated future medical costs
- Lost wages and earning capacity — Income lost during recovery and diminished future earning potential if you cannot return to your previous occupation
- Pain and suffering — Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Property damage — Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings
- Loss of consortium — Compensation for the impact on your relationship with your spouse or partner
- Wrongful death damages — If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship
California has no cap on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases, meaning the full extent of your losses can be pursued. Given the severity of truck accident injuries, these cases often result in significantly higher settlements and verdicts than standard car accident claims.
Federal Trucking Regulations That Affect Your Case
Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the FMCSA. These federal regulations establish minimum safety standards that trucking companies and drivers must follow. When violations of these regulations contribute to an accident, they can serve as powerful evidence of negligence. Key regulations include:
Hours of Service (HOS) Rules — Limit driving to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, with a 14-hour maximum on-duty window. Drivers must take a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate — Requires most commercial drivers to use ELDs to accurately track driving hours, replacing easily falsified paper logs.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements — Trucking companies must conduct regular inspections and maintain detailed maintenance records for every vehicle in their fleet.
Drug and Alcohol Testing — Commercial drivers are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.
Cargo Securement Standards — Federal regulations specify how different types of cargo must be loaded, secured, and distributed to prevent shifting during transit.
Violations of any of these regulations can establish negligence per se — meaning the violation itself is sufficient to prove the trucking company or driver acted negligently.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in California
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, the deadline is three years. If the accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on a government-maintained road, you may have as little as six months to file an administrative claim.
Because truck accident cases require extensive investigation — including preservation of ELD data, driver records, maintenance logs, and black box data — it is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Evidence in trucking cases degrades quickly, and trucking companies have legal teams working to protect their interests from day one.
Why Choose Sky Law Group for Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accident cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. They involve multiple potentially liable parties, federal regulations, large insurance policies, and aggressive corporate defense teams. You need an attorney who has the experience and resources to take on the trucking industry and fight for the full value of your claim.
Here’s what sets Sky Law Group apart:
- Over a decade of experience representing personal injury victims across Orange County
- A 98% settlement rate — we know how to negotiate maximum compensation without putting clients through unnecessary trial stress
- Millions recovered for truck accident victims and other personal injury clients
- Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win your case
- Free consultations — we evaluate your case at no cost and no obligation
- Aggressive investigation — we immediately send preservation letters, retain experts, and build your case from day one
Orange County Truck Accident FAQ
How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Truck accident cases are significantly more complex. They often involve multiple liable parties (the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and manufacturers), federal FMCSA regulations, larger insurance policies, and corporate defense teams. The injuries are typically more severe, and the compensation amounts are correspondingly higher.
Can I sue the trucking company, not just the driver?
Yes. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies are generally liable for the negligent acts of their employees performed within the scope of employment. Additionally, trucking companies can be held directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and maintenance practices.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Even when a driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable depending on the level of control it exercises over the driver. An experienced attorney can analyze the employment relationship and identify all liable parties.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the degree of negligence involved. Truck accident cases generally result in higher settlements than car accident cases due to the severity of injuries and the involvement of commercial insurance policies with higher limits. Our attorneys will evaluate your case during a free consultation.
How long does a truck accident case take to resolve?
Most truck accident cases settle within 9 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of liability issues and the extent of injuries. Cases involving catastrophic injuries or disputed liability may take longer. Our goal is always to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while maximizing your compensation.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
Sky Law Group works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free. Call 1-844-4-SKYLAW for details.
Injured in a Truck Accident in Orange County? Call Sky Law Group Today.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Orange County, don’t try to fight the trucking company’s insurance team alone. The attorneys at Sky Law Group have the experience, resources, and determination to hold negligent trucking companies accountable and get you the compensation you deserve.
Call us now at 1-844-4-SKYLAW (1-844-475-9529) or visit our website to schedule your free, no-obligation case review. We’re here to help — and we don’t charge a dime unless we win.