A truck or SUV collision in California can shatter lives in seconds, leaving victims with severe injuries, mounting bills, and battles against powerful trucking insurers. This blog matters to California drivers, commuters, and families our primary audience in the personal injury law industry, because one wrong move post-crash could forfeit your claim under strict state and federal rules.

Reading this equips you with proven steps to safeguard health, evidence, and compensation, covering immediate actions, key laws like California Vehicle Code §20001-20003 and FMCSA regulations, a real case study, and tips from Ladva Law's San Francisco-based team, who handle these cases statewide.

The 7 Critical Steps

Follow these verified steps, rooted in California Vehicle Code (CVC) and FMCSA standards, to build a rock-solid case.

  1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911: Exit to safety if possible, then dial emergency services. CVC §20001 mandates stopping for injuries/deaths; police reports prove fault. Adrenaline masks issues like concussions get checked immediately.
  2. Seek Medical Attention: Even minor pain warrants an ER visit. Documented care links injuries to the crash, countering insurer denials. Delayed symptoms appear in 30% of cases.
  3. Document the Scene Thoroughly: Photograph vehicles, skid marks, licenses, and hazards. Note truck details (DOT number, company) for FMCSA violation checks like hours-of-service breaches. Gather witness contacts vital under pure comparative negligence (CVC §1714), where fault shares reduce awards proportionally.
  4. Exchange Information Legally: Provide/share name, address, registration, and insurance per CVC §20003. Report to DMV via SR-1 within 10 days if damage exceeds $1,000 or injuries occur.
  5. Notify Insurers Promptly: File claims within 24 hours, but avoid statements without counsel trucking policies dwarf auto ones. FMCSA rules hold companies liable for driver logs or maintenance failures.
  6. Preserve Evidence Against Spoliation: Request black box data and logs immediately. Trucking firms must retain records; violations prove negligence.
  7. Consult a Specialized Attorney: Time-sensitive statutes (2 years for injury) demand experts. Bay Area firms like ours investigate federal breaches for max compensation.

California's Alarming Crash Reality

California roads see thousands of truck crashes yearly, with 13,069 collisions in recent data causing 350 fatalities and over 12,000 injuries. Large trucks involved 12,243 crashes in 2024 alone, yielding 321 deaths and 5,097 nonfatal injuries far deadlier than car wrecks due to mass and stopping distances up to 40% longer. In busy hubs like Los Angeles, 322 fatal truck crashes occurred alongside 10,880 nonfatal ones.

Explore why crashes devastate via our linked blog: Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous and How a California Truck Accident Lawyer Protects You.

Step Key Law Why It Protects You
1. Call 911 CVC §20001 Official report establishes timeline/fault
2. Medical Care N/A Proves causation for claims
3. Photos/Witnesses FMCSA Records Uncovers violations like fatigue
4. Info Exchange CVC §20003 Avoids hit-and-run charges
5. Insurer Notice Policy Terms Triggers coverage
6. Evidence Lock Spoliation Rules Prevents tampering
7. Lawyer Call 2-Year Statute Maximizes recovery

Real Case Study – Ontario Freeway Pileup

On October 21, 2025, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh drove a Freightliner semi-truck on I-10 in Ontario, failing to stop amid slowing traffic, sparking an eight-vehicle fiery chain-reaction. Victims included Pomona High School coach Francisco Javier Garcia and wife Jacqueline, plus another adult. Three dead, four critically injured with daily surgeries. Singh faced vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and reckless driving after DUI charges dropped (negative tox). Dashcam showed the truck slamming an SUV, shoving a sedan into flames. This underscores FMCSA licensing scrutiny, Singh's CDL bypassed checks amid federal probes. Though not handled by Ladva Law, we tackle similar statewide cases, securing millions like $2.5M in a car-truck crash.

From a Ladva Law Attorney's View: As San Francisco personal injury specialists, we've seen FMCSA violations (e.g., HOS breaches) double liability in truck or SUV collision claims. Companies cut corners; we expose them via ELDs and experts, unlike this case's driver focus. Dive deeper into our expertise at Ladva Law's Truck and SUV Collisions page your core resource for claims strategy.

Your Next Move

Don't let insurers lowball you lives hang in the balance, as in Ontario where families lost everything. Our San Francisco team, serving all California, fights relentlessly so you heal, not litigate. Call now one call reclaims your future. Contact Ladva Law today for a free consultation.

FAQs

1. What should I do immediately after a truck accident in California?

Call 911, seek medical help, and document per CVC §20001.

2. How long to report a truck or SUV collision to DMV?

File SR-1 within 10 days for injuries/damage over $1,000.

3. Does California use comparative negligence in truck crashes?

Yes, pure system reduces awards by your fault percentage.

4. Who pays in truck vs. SUV accidents?

Trucking firms via FMCSA compliance; multiple parties possible.