A Pasadena truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Pius Joseph can help when a collision on the 210, 134, or a local San Gabriel Valley road leaves you dealing with serious injuries and questions about who is responsible. Commercial truck claims often move quickly: the trucking company may control driver logs, electronic data, maintenance records, and other evidence that can help explain what caused the crash.
We represent people injured in big-rig, semi-truck, and commercial vehicle collisions throughout Pasadena and nearby communities. Our team can investigate the truck driver, motor carrier, cargo company, maintenance provider, and other parties that may share liability. We also deal directly with insurance companies while you focus on medical care and recovery. Consultations are free, and bilingual assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
Truck accident cases are different from ordinary passenger-vehicle claims because the vehicles are larger, the injuries can be more severe, and the evidence may be controlled by a trucking company. A fully loaded commercial truck can cause catastrophic injuries when it hits a passenger car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian.
The safety rules are also different. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules for many interstate motor carriers and commercial truck drivers. These rules address hours of service, electronic logging devices, vehicle inspection and maintenance, and cargo securement. For example, federal hours-of-service rules limit how long many property-carrying drivers may drive and require rest periods. The exact rules and exceptions depend on the driver and the operation.
A truck accident claim may require fast access to driver logs, dispatch messages, maintenance records, inspection reports, cargo documents, dash-camera video, and electronic control module or “black box” data. NHTSA reported that 70% of the people killed in large-truck crashes nationwide in 2023 were occupants of other vehicles. That difference in size and force is one reason commercial truck accidents can result in serious or fatal injuries.
These claims may also involve several insurance policies and defendants. Truck accident attorneys must examine the conduct of the truck driver, motor carrier, cargo loading company, maintenance provider, and any manufacturer connected to a failed part.
Who Is Liable for a Pasadena Truck Accident
Liability depends on who failed to use reasonable care and how that failure caused the crash. Under California Civil Code section 1714, a person is generally responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. In a Pasadena truck accident, one or more of the following parties may be responsible:
- The truck driver. A commercial truck driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to check blind spots, or violating applicable hours-of-service rules.
- The trucking company or motor carrier. A company may be responsible for its own conduct, such as unsafe hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, inspection, or maintenance practices. It may also be responsible for an employee’s conduct when California agency rules apply.
- A cargo loader or cargo loading company. Improperly balanced or unsecured cargo can shift, spill, or affect a truck’s stability. Federal cargo-securement rules require covered loads to be contained, immobilized, or secured.
- A maintenance provider. A repair shop or contractor may share responsibility if poor inspection or repair work contributed to a mechanical failure.
- A truck or parts manufacturer or seller. A manufacturer or seller may be responsible when a defective truck component, tire, brake part, steering system, or other product contributed to the collision.
A careful investigation may identify parties that are not named in the police report. Contracts, ownership records, employment files, and maintenance records can help show who controlled the truck and who had a duty to keep it safe.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Most truck accidents do not have a single cause. A Pasadena truck crash may result from a driver’s conduct, company pressure, poor maintenance, unsafe cargo, a defective part, or a combination of factors.
- Driver fatigue. Long shifts and missed rest can slow reaction time and affect judgment. Driver logs, ELD records, fuel receipts, toll data, and dispatch messages may show whether a driver followed applicable hours-of-service rules.
- Defective brakes or poor maintenance. Heavy commercial trucks need regular inspection, repair, and maintenance. Worn brakes, damaged tires, steering problems, and other unsafe parts may contribute to a truck accident. Federal rules require covered motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles under their control.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol, illegal drugs, misused prescription medicine, or other impairing substances can make a commercial vehicle driver unsafe.
- Unsafe cargo. Cargo that is overloaded, unbalanced, or poorly secured may shift, fall, or make a truck harder to control. The trucking company, driver, shipper, or cargo loader may have relevant records.
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions. A large truck needs more room to slow or stop. Excessive speed can make a rear-end crash, rollover, or loss-of-control event more likely.
Other causes include distracted driving, unsafe turns, blind-spot errors, poor route planning, and violations at intersections or freeway merges. Each cause should be investigated through physical evidence and company records rather than assumed from the accident report alone.
We represent truck accident victims in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley and nearby Los Angeles County communities. Truck traffic moves through the area on the 210 and 134 freeways, as well as local streets serving businesses, construction sites, warehouses, and delivery routes.
