By Ben Marmont | February 27, 2026
You are likely here because your life changed in an instant. One second you were cruising down the 110 or merging onto the 405, and the next, your rearview mirror was filled with the grille of a 80,000-pound semi-truck.
At Fairmont Law Firm, we see the aftermath of these collisions every day. We know the confusion, the pain, and the overwhelming weight of medical bills. You need answers, not legal jargon. This guide answers the most pressing questions we hear from survivors and their families.
The Physics of the Crash: Why Truck Accidents Are Different
Before we get into the legalities, we have to talk about what actually happened to your vehicle. A truck accident isn't just a "big car crash." It is a massive kinetic event.
What happens to a car during a high-speed "Jackknife" accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock up, causing the trailer to swing out to the side. Imagine a 53-foot trailer loaded with cargo swinging across three lanes of traffic like a giant steel pendulum.
If you were caught in this, you didn't just get hit; you were likely pinned. The side of the trailer acts like a wall. When it strikes a passenger car, the force often exceeds the structural integrity of the car’s safety cage. We see doors crushed inward, roofs peeled back, and vehicles forced into the concrete dividers of the I-710. The momentum of the trailer is so great that even after the initial impact, the truck continues to push your car, leading to secondary collisions with other vehicles.
Why are "Underride" collisions so much more dangerous than other crashes?
An underride accident is perhaps the most terrifying scenario on Los Angeles roads. This happens when a smaller car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer. Because the bed of a commercial trailer sits much higher than the hood of your car, your vehicle’s "crumple zones", the parts designed to absorb impact, are completely bypassed.
Instead, the edge of the trailer strikes the windshield and the roof pillars. This leads to "top-clearing" accidents where the entire upper portion of the car is sheared off. When we investigate these cases, we look at the "Mansfield bars" (the metal guards on the back of trucks). If those bars were rusted, poorly maintained, or missing, the trucking company is on the hook for the catastrophic injuries that follow.
What occurs during a "Squeeze Play" turn accident in DTLA?
You might have been in the right lane when a truck in the lane to your left began a wide right turn. This is the "Squeeze Play." The truck driver swings left to clear the curb, creating a temporary gap. If you moved into that gap, the truck’s trailer swung back in, trapping your car between the massive tires and the sidewalk or a parked vehicle.
The torque of a truck engine is immense. The driver may not even feel your car being crushed. We have seen cases where cars were dragged for half a block because the driver was sitting ten feet above the impact zone and couldn't hear the metal grinding. These accidents often result from the driver failing to check their "No-Zone" (blind spots) before initiating the turn.
How does "Brake Fade" lead to runaway truck collisions?
If you were hit by a truck coming down a grade, like the Grapevine or the hills leading into the Valley, brake fade might be the culprit. When a driver rides the brakes too hard, the friction creates intense heat. Eventually, the brake pads lose their ability to grip the drums.
The truck becomes a runaway projectile. The driver may pump the brakes, but the pedal goes to the floor. By the time they hit the back of your car, they might be traveling 70 or 80 miles per hour with the weight of a small building behind them. The impact doesn't just dent your bumper; it obliterates the rear half of your vehicle, often launching your car into the air or into the path of oncoming traffic.
Navigating Your Recovery: The Legal FAQ
Now that we've looked at the "how," let's look at the "what now." You need a truck accident lawyer California residents trust to handle the heavy lifting.
How much is my truck accident case actually worth?
We get this question more than any other. The truth is, there is no "average" settlement because every injury is different. However, because commercial trucks carry high-limit insurance policies, often in the millions, the recovery potential is much higher than a standard car accident.
We look at three main areas:
- Economic Damages: This includes your hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and every cent of lost wages. If you can’t return to work, we calculate your lifetime lost earning capacity.
- Non-Economic Damages: This covers your pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: If the trucking company was "grossly negligent" (like letting a driver work 20 hours straight), we fight to punish them financially to ensure it never happens again.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident.
However, you should not wait. Evidence in truck accidents disappears fast. The "Black Box" (Event Data Recorder) in the truck can be overwritten. The driver’s logs can be "lost." We need to get a "Spoliation Letter" out immediately to ensure the trucking company doesn't destroy the evidence we need to win your case.
What if the driver wasn't an employee of the trucking company?
Trucking companies love to use "independent contractors" to try and dodge liability. They will tell you, "He doesn't work for us; he just leases the truck."
Don't believe them. Under California law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, the company whose name is on the side of the truck or who is operating under a specific DOT permit is usually responsible. We know how to pierce that corporate veil and hold the big guys accountable, regardless of the driver's contract status.
What should I do in the first 48 hours after the crash?
If you were just involved in a crash, follow this checklist immediately:
☑ Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel "fine," the adrenaline is masking your injuries. Get a scan.
☑ Do Not Speak to Adjusters: The trucking company’s insurance will call you within hours. They will act friendly. They are not your friends. They want you to say something they can use to lower your payout.
☑ Save All Evidence: Don't fix your car yet. Don't throw away your torn clothes.
☑ Call Fairmont Law Firm: You need a truck accident attorney near me who can send investigators to the scene while the skid marks are still fresh.
Why You Need Fairmont Law Firm on Your Side
The trucking companies have teams of lawyers and investigators who arrive at the scene before the tow truck. You deserve the same level of protection. We are the shield between you and the multi-billion dollar insurance companies.
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay us zero out of pocket. We only get paid if we win your case. We take the risk because we believe in our ability to secure the justice you deserve.
Our Step-by-Step Process for Your Case
Step 1: The Deep-Dive Investigation
We pull the truck’s maintenance records, the driver’s drug test results, and the electronic logging device data. We find out exactly where that driver was and what they were doing in the hours before the crash.
Step 2: Building Your Medical Narrative
We work with top-tier medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries. We don't just show a broken bone; we show how that injury will affect your ability to hold your kids or walk your dog five years from now.
Step 3: Aggressive Negotiation
We present our mountain of evidence to the insurance company. If they don't offer a settlement that covers every single one of your needs, we move to the next step.
Step 4: Trial Preparation
We are trial lawyers. We prepare every case as if it is going before a jury. When the insurance companies see that we are ready for a fight, they usually find the money they claimed they didn't have.
LA Truck Crash FAQ: Quick Hits
Q: Can I still recover money if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California is a "pure comparative negligence" state. Even if you were 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your damages.
Q: Should I accept the first settlement offer?
Almost never. The first offer is a "lowball" designed to see if you are desperate. We will tell you exactly what your case is worth so you don't leave money on the table.
Q: Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before a trial. However, having a firm that is willing to go to court gives you the leverage needed to get a high settlement.
Take Action Today
Your life has been turned upside down. You are facing a mountain of debt and a long road to recovery. You don't have to walk it alone. We have recovered millions for victims of truck accidents across California, from San Diego to Redding.
Contact Fairmont Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and start the fight for your future.
Call us now or visit https://www.fairmontlawfirm.com to get started. Your recovery starts here.