Car accidents involving heavy semi-trucks can be terrifying. If you were involved in a truck accident in El Segundo, California, call J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (323) 284-2834 for a free consultation today. An experienced El Segundo truck accident lawyer can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Truck accident claims tend to be more complex than standard car accident cases, often involving federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance companies. We understand how to investigate these crashes, preserve critical evidence, and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
Why Choose J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help After a Truck Accident in El Segundo, CA?
A truck accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. Insurance companies rarely make things easier. They often offer settlements that are far below what the victim deserves. Having an experienced El Segundo personal injury lawyer in your corner is critical to recovering the money you deserve.
Our team at J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is passionate about helping personal injury victims get back on their feet again. You can count on us to provide compassionate and skilled support at every turn. While you recover, we will handle the paperwork, deal with insurance, and protect you against unfair defense tactics designed to minimize your financial award.
We’re always available to discuss your case. Contact us today to learn more about your right to seek compensation after an accident.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in California?
Over 11,000 car accidents involving large trucks were reported across California by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2025. Over 4,000 injuries were reported in those accidents. Unfortunately, 238 truck accident victims lost their lives in those truck wrecks.
These numbers underscore the devastating impact truck accidents can have on victims and families across California.
How Much is My El Segundo Truck Accident Case Worth?
Every accident is unique, as is every victim. The injuries you suffered may be entirely different from those sustained by other victims in similar crashes. Our lawyers evaluate each personal injury case based on the facts.
As we calculate your damages, we’ll evaluate:
- Your current medical treatment costs and out-of-pocket expenses
- The overall severity of your injuries
- Your prospects for making a full medical recovery
- How the injuries impact your quality of life
- Your current lost wages
- Whether you can return to work in the same capacity
- The financial impact of a long-term disability
- Your age and earning capacity prior to the accident
- Whether you share any fault for the truck wreck
One thing is certain: insurance companies are more likely to offer fair settlements to victims who are represented by successful trial lawyers. They don’t want to go to trial. Your lawyer’s experience winning at trial can also significantly impact the amount of compensation you take home.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims in El Segundo?
Personal injury victims in California can pursue compensation for two key types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your economic damages award should cover all financial losses associated with the accident, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity and long-term disability
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- In-home assistance
- Counseling and mental health treatment
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
A non-economic damages award attempts to compensate victims for the more personal losses stemming from an accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
Damages in personal injury cases depend on the facts. When you hire us, you’ll have an entire legal team dedicated to assessing your damages and collecting the evidence you’ll need to prove how much your claim is worth.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Truck Accident Case in California?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. With this arrangement, you won’t pay any upfront costs. Your attorney’s fees are calculated as a percentage of your compensation award. Once your attorney recovers compensation, they deduct their fees from that award.
In other words, there are no fees unless your attorney wins compensation in your case.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in California?
Yes, although your damages will be reduced to the extent you share any blame. California has adopted a pure comparative negligence law. In cases involving shared fault, each party is assigned a percentage of fault, based on the evidence. The victim’s damages are reduced by their percentage of fault if they share some blame.
Our Attorneys in El Segundo Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Car accidents involving large semis have the potential to cause significant, devastating injuries.
We represent clients who have sustained any number of injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Your first step after a truck crash should be to seek medical attention. Prompt medical care will be critical to your recovery. It’ll also provide a medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
What Causes Most Commercial Truck Accidents in El Segundo?
Some of the most common causes of large truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted truck drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating, weaving between lanes, and other aggressive driving behaviors
- Failure to check blind spots
- Lane departures
- Dangerous or illegal turns
- Ignoring traffic laws
- Ignoring state and federal trucking regulations
- Hours-of-service violations and fatigued truck drivers
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Failing to conduct required inspections before and after trips
- Underqualified commercial truck drivers
- Road hazards
- Mechanical failures
- Improperly secured cargo
Commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier than traditional passenger vehicles. They’re capable of causing a great amount of damage. That’s why commercial truck drivers are required to meet certain standards and obtain a commercial driver’s license.
Still, trucking companies and their drivers cut corners all the time. You may not know exactly what happened. We will conduct a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of it.
Who is Responsible for Covering My Damages After a Truck Accident in El Segundo?
Different parties may share liability after a truck accident. It all depends on why the accident occurred.
Responsible parties in a truck accident case could include:
- The careless truck driver
- The trucking company
- A truck leasing or rental company
- Mechanics and maintenance crews
- Third-party drivers
- Companies responsible for the vehicle’s cargo
- Manufacturers of faulty or defective truck parts
Vicarious liability theories are often involved in trucking accident cases. Vicarious liability is a theory that holds employers responsible for the acts of their employees. If the truck driver caused the accident, it’s very likely that their employer will actually be responsible for paying your damages.
How Do I Establish My Right to Compensation After a Truck Accident in California?
Most truck accident cases come down to negligence.
To win a case based on negligence, you must prove:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty
- The breach of duty caused your injuries
- You sustained identifiable damages as a result
It’s important to begin collecting evidence quickly after a crash.
Evidence that may be needed to prove your case may include:
- The truck’s electronic recording device
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Eyewitness testimony
- Video footage
- The trucking company’s inspection records
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service logs and CDL qualifications
It’s natural to be overwhelmed if you were injured in a truck accident. Our firm has the resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation. You can rely on us to handle the legal issues while you take care of yourself.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in California?
A two-year statute of limitations applies in nearly every California personal injury case. If you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the truck crash, you lose your right to compensation.
Contact an Experienced El Segundo Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The compensation you recover after an accident can make a huge difference in your future. To learn how an experienced El Segundo truck accident attorney can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve, call J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.