$11.3M
Pomona truck accident settlement: a big rig hit a stopped vehicle on the freeway as a driver checked on it, causing serious head and leg injuries.
Personal Injury
Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer
Wilshire Law Firm’s Irvine office, at 15707 Rockfield Blvd., Suite 320, handles big rig and delivery truck injury cases across Orange County; case reviews are free around the clock, and there are no fees unless you get paid. In 2025 we resolved an Anaheim case for $2.8 million after a big rig rear-ended our client on the 5 Freeway; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Hablamos español.
- $3B+RECOVERED
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Key Takeaways
- Who investigates: The CHP handles crashes on the 5, the 405 and other freeways through Irvine (Veh. Code § 2400(d)); the Irvine Police Department handles city streets.
- Where it is filed: Orange County Superior Court hears truck injury suits from Irvine and every other city in the county at its Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
- Truck speed limit: A truck with three or more axles, or one pulling a trailer, may not exceed 55 mph on any California highway (Veh. Code § 22406), and breaking a safety law can create a presumption of negligence (Evid. Code § 669).
- Insurance: An interstate for-hire carrier hauling general freight in a truck of 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 CFR § 387.9).
- Deadlines: Two years to sue the driver or carrier (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1); six months to file a claim against a public agency such as Caltrans, OCTA or the City of Irvine (Gov. Code § 911.2).
Understanding Your Irvine Truck Accident Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Visit us by appointment at 15707 Rockfield Blvd., Suite 320, Irvine, CA 92618. Calls and online messages are answered 24/7, in English or Spanish. Directions, and the other Orange County practice areas we cover, are on our Irvine office page.
Truck cases our team resolved in Orange County:
- $2.8 million (2025, Anaheim): a big rig rear-ended a driver who was braking hard for a crash ahead on the 5 Freeway, causing neck and back injuries and missed work.
- $2.6 million (2023, Anaheim): a package-delivery truck struck a driver pulling out of a parking lot, adding back and neck injuries to an existing work injury.
- $2 million (2023, a freeway near Mission Viejo): a big rig driver suffered a brain injury after crashing while avoiding people from an earlier wreck.
See more on our settlements and verdicts page. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Who writes the report. The CHP investigates freeway crashes. Its Santa Ana Area office lists the 5 and the 405 among the freeways it patrols, and its Capistrano Area office lists the 133, 73 and 241. Off the freeway, inside city limits, Irvine police take the report, and the department's Major Accident Investigation Team handles the worst collisions. Irvine police reports can be requested online or at the department's Business Desk, 1 Civic Center Plaza; a copy costs $10, and victims named in the report pay nothing.
The freeways. Caltrans' truck traffic counts put about 246,800 vehicles a day on the 5 at its junction with the 133 in Irvine, with an estimated 7% of them trucks: roughly 17,300 a day, about 7,400 of them rigs with five or more axles. The 405 at the 133 carries about 187,400 vehicles and 9,700 trucks a day. Caltrans' truck shares at both points are estimates from 2018 and 2019.
The court. Truck injury lawsuits from Irvine and the rest of Orange County are heard at the county's Central Justice Center (700 Civic Center Dr. W., Santa Ana), which takes the county's unlimited civil cases.
Public agency claims. When a city vehicle, a county road or a defective freeway ramp played a part, a written claim must be presented within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2):
- Caltrans (the 5, 405 and 133): claims up to $12,500 go to the District 12 office in Santa Ana; larger ones go to the state Government Claims Program.
- City of Irvine: Form 10-04, mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 19575, Irvine, CA 92623-9575.
- County of Orange: filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 400 W. Civic Center Dr., 6th Floor, Santa Ana.
- OCTA: the transit agency's Claim for Damage form, sent to its Risk Management office at P.O. Box 14184, Orange, CA 92863-9831.
More than one company can be responsible. Besides the driver, a case can reach the motor carrier, which is responsible for its driver's negligence on the job (Civ. Code § 2338), the company that loaded the cargo, a broker and a maintenance shop. Every commercial truck subject to federal rules must show the operating carrier's name and its USDOT number on both sides (49 CFR § 390.21), so a photo of that marking helps us identify the right company.
Driving-time rules. A federally regulated property-carrying driver may drive no more than 11 hours within a 14-hour window after 10 hours off duty, and needs a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving (49 CFR § 395.3). Trucks that run only within California follow the state's own hours-of-service rules, and since January 1, 2024, intrastate carriers have also had to use electronic logging devices.
Insurance. Federal minimums run from $750,000 for general freight to $5 million for some hazardous loads (49 CFR § 387.9). Carriers that operate within California generally need a DMV Motor Carrier Permit, which requires liability coverage of $300,000 to $5 million, depending on the vehicle and cargo.
Evidence goes first. The truck's engine data and the carrier's logs and maintenance records are in the trucking company's hands, so we send a preservation demand right away. Our big rig accident page explains which records matter and how long carriers keep them.
Our Irvine office handles truck cases from across Orange County. Two of the three results above came from Anaheim crashes, one of them on the 5 Freeway.
Anaheim. Anaheim police investigate crashes on city streets. A claim against the City goes to the Office of the City Clerk, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 217, on the original form, in person or by mail.
Santa Ana. Crashes in the city are investigated by the police department's Collision Investigative Unit, part of its Traffic Division. City claims go to the City Clerk at 20 Civic Center Plaza (mail to P.O. Box 1988), and the City requires the original signed form.
Lawsuits from both cities are heard at the same Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
When several companies share fault, each pays its own share of non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, but each can be held liable for the full economic damages such as medical bills and lost earnings (Civ. Code § 1431.2). That is one reason we name every responsible company. If a crash is fatal, the family can pursue a wrongful death claim.
The clock:
- Two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit against the driver, the carrier or other companies (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).
- Three years to sue over damage to your car (Code Civ. Proc. § 338(c)(1)).
- Six months to present a written claim to Caltrans, OCTA, the County or the City of Irvine (Gov. Code § 911.2).
- If the agency rejects the claim in writing, six months from that notice to sue (Gov. Code § 945.6).
Meet Our Irvine Truck Accident Attorneys
Nationally Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Learn more about the team
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Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Mike Wellen, Esq.Partner
Philip Andonian, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. Guest, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.PartnerRecent wins
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$11.0M
California truck accident settlement: a tow truck lost control, crossed three highway lanes and rear-ended a driver, causing a traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries.
$10.5M
Sonoma County truck accident settlement: a big rig rear-ended a driver, pushing the car into a second big rig and causing serious injuries.
$5.0M
San Diego County truck accident settlement: a car-carrier truck rear-ended a driver on Interstate 5 and pushed the car about half a mile, causing neck and back pain.
$3.5M
Riverside County truck accident settlement: a big rig carrying a sleeping occupant hit a semi whose trailer allegedly lacked working lights, causing serious neck and back injuries.
$3.0M
Hesperia truck accident settlement: a big rig and a car collided during a left turn, leaving an occupant of the car with head and arm injuries.
$3.0M
Los Angeles County truck accident settlement: a big rig rear-ended a stopped driver on the 405 and pushed the car into the vehicle ahead, causing head and leg injuries.
$3.0M
California truck accident settlement: a crane truck working on a highway pulled out and struck the rear of a work pickup, injuring a passenger's neck, back and arm.
$2.9M
Chula Vista truck accident settlement: a hydroplaning big rig sideswiped a vehicle and pushed it into a rail, leaving an occupant with neck, back, arm and hip pain.
$2.8M
Anaheim truck accident settlement: a big rig rear-ended a driver braking hard for a crash ahead on the 5 Freeway, causing neck and back pain and missed work.
$2.8M
Los Angeles truck accident settlement: a sleeping truck driver rear-ended a motorist at high speed on the 60 Freeway, worsening neck and back injuries from an earlier crash.
$2.8M
Poway truck accident settlement: a commercial delivery van turning left across traffic struck a family car, leaving an occupant with neck, upper back and lower back injuries.
$2.8M
California truck accident settlement: a box truck driver fell asleep and hit a lamp post and a building, leaving a passenger with burn injuries and a serious leg injury.
$2.6M
King City truck accident settlement: a big rig swerved on a two-lane road to miss a piece of metal and hit a driver head-on, causing serious injuries.
$2.6M
Hawthorne truck accident settlement: a speeding package-delivery truck rear-ended a driver waiting to turn right, causing neck, back and arm pain and aggravating an earlier arm condition.
$2.6M
Anaheim truck accident settlement: a package-delivery truck struck a driver pulling out of a parking lot, adding back and neck pain to an existing work injury.
$2.5M
Sacramento truck accident settlement: a hazardous-waste big rig merged into a rideshare driver's car on Highway 99, spinning it around and causing serious neck and back injuries.
$2.5M
Gardena truck accident settlement: a rear-end crash with a box truck sent a car occupant to the hospital with neck, leg and other injuries.
$2.4M
Hayward truck accident settlement: a big rig rear-ended a driver stopped at a red light and totaled the car, causing a serious neck injury and severe back pain.
$2.3M
Stockton truck accident settlement: a big rig set off a three-vehicle rear-end crash that struck a pickup, leaving its driver with neck and leg pain.
$2.3M
California truck accident settlement: a lawn-service truck broadsided a pickup, leaving the pickup's driver with arm and back injuries, dizziness and trouble speaking.
$2.3M
California truck accident settlement: a rear-end crash between two semis left a truck occupant with a traumatic head injury and a neck strain.
$2.3M
Merced County truck accident settlement: a big rig's trailer rear-ended a driver stopped in traffic near Interstate 5. The driver reported head pain right after the crash.
$2.0M
Kern County truck accident settlement: a weaving big rig sideswiped a driver on Interstate 5, overturning the car and causing serious back and other injuries.
$2.0M
Orange County truck accident settlement: a big rig driver crashed while avoiding people from an earlier wreck, suffering a brain injury. Defendants included an individual and a restaurant franchise.
$2.0M
California truck accident settlement: an out-of-control tow truck rear-ended a big rig, causing major damage and leaving the rig's driver with back and neck pain.
$2.0M
California truck accident settlement: a truck rear-ended a car traveling straight ahead, and its driver had neck and back pain with nausea and dizziness.
$1.8M
East Los Angeles truck accident settlement: a flatbed truck avoiding traffic on the 60 Freeway swerved into a car, leaving an occupant with neck, back and hip pain.
$1.5M
Hesperia truck accident settlement: a big rig ran a red light and struck a turning driver head-on, causing neck and back injuries.
$1.0M
Kern County truck accident settlement: a big rig coming off the 5 Freeway failed to stop and collided with a driver, causing serious leg injuries.
$990K
Bakersfield truck accident settlement: a big rig rear-ended and side-struck a driver's vehicle at a red light, causing a brain injury and serious neck and other injuries.
$840K
Los Angeles truck accident settlement: a big rig rushing a turn hit and dragged a stopped car, leaving its driver with leg pain, shock and anxiety.
$625K
Visalia truck accident settlement: a big rig unable to complete a turn at a four-way stop reversed into a car, leaving its driver with a soft-tissue neck strain.
$530K
Imperial County truck accident settlement: a commercial work truck speeding against traffic on a residential street struck a car, leaving its driver with neck and upper back pain.
$365K
Los Angeles County truck accident settlement: a big rig sideswiped a driver on the 10 Freeway, forcing the car into the wall and causing neck and upper back soreness.
$263K
Los Angeles County truck accident settlement: a freight carrier's vehicle reversed into a driver leaving a parking spot, causing a serious injury as well as neck and back pain.
*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
What Should I Do After a Truck Crash in Orange County?
Call 911 and get medical care, even if you feel fine. Photograph the truck, especially the company name and USDOT number on its side, plus the trailer and the scene. Get the driver's and witnesses' names. Don't give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer. Then talk to us, so the carrier's records are preserved before they can be overwritten.
Send it to someone who could use it, or copy it into ChatGPT, Gemini or your notes.
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#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
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#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
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#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
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#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
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#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
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#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
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#1 Negligent Security Settlement
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#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
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#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
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#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
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#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
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#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
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#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Irvine Truck Accident FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Look for a firm with truck results of its own, a plan to lock down the carrier's records in the first days, and an office you can reach. Ours is at 15707 Rockfield Blvd. in Irvine, and our Orange County truck settlements include $2.8 million and $2.6 million from Anaheim crashes; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Ask, too, which lawyer will run your case.
Usually the trucking company's insurer. A carrier is responsible for its driver's negligence on the job (Civ. Code § 2338), and an interstate for-hire carrier hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 CFR § 387.9). Other companies, such as a broker or cargo loader, may add their own coverage. If the truck was uninsured or left the scene, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply.
Two years from the crash for an injury lawsuit (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1), and three years for vehicle damage (§ 338(c)(1)). If a public agency is involved, such as Caltrans or OCTA, a written claim is due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2).
Economic damages such as medical bills, lost earnings and future care, and non-economic damages such as pain, suffering and emotional distress (Civ. Code § 1431.2(b)). Truck crashes often cause serious injuries, so the cost of future treatment and lost earning capacity can be a large part of a claim.
Usually in Santa Ana, at the Central Justice Center (700 Civic Center Dr. W.). Orange County Superior Court assigns its unlimited civil cases there, whichever city in the county the crash happened in.
Our results are one way to judge: in Orange County alone, truck settlements of $2.8 million, $2.6 million and $2 million, and dozens more truck results across California on our settlements and verdicts page. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Read what clients say on our testimonials page.
Nothing up front. Wilshire Law Firm handles truck accident cases on contingency, so there are no fees unless you get paid. Case reviews are free and available 24/7.