A truck accident can change your life in a second. One moment you’re just driving or walking through Modesto, and the next, you find yourself in the aftermath of a devastating collision with a big rig or 18-wheeler. Because of their sheer size, trucks can cause far more serious injuries than regular car accidents. Victims are forced to deal with complex injuries, miss days at work, and pay thousands in medical bills. The emotional toll the accident takes on them is just the cherry on top.
At Thompson Law, we understand that what you’re going through is far from easy, and we’re here to help. Truck accidents can be confusing and overwhelming since they often involve multiple liable parties. But you don’t let that scare you. We won’t let you face them alone.
Our Modesto truck accident lawyers have the experience and legal prowess to stand up to sly insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation for you. Learn what we can do to build you a solid legal strategy for your case when you book a FREE CONSULTATION with our team.
After a truck crash, you need more than just sympathy. You need results. Our team knows how to take on trucking companies and insurance companies and win your case so you can walk away with fair compensation. Here’s what sets us apart:
Want to learn what else we have to offer? Call our Modesto truck accident lawyers now for a FREE CONSULTATION. We’ll answer your questions and help you understand your options.
If you’ve been hit by a truck, you’re likely facing more than just medical bills. A serious crash can affect every part of your life, from having to miss work to your struggling with your mental health. Fortunately, California law allows you to recover money for both the financial and personal toll after a truck accident. You may be entitled to compensatory damages such as:
Our lawyers believe every truck accident victim deserves to be supported and fiercely represented, especially when their injuries are caused by a negligent party. We’re here to fight for what’s just, hold all negligent parties accountable, and help you move forward with the compensation that accurately reflects the extent of your injuries and pain.
Truck accident claims aren’t like typical car crash cases. There are more layers, from the number of parties involved to the traffic regulations at play.
Our skilled Modesto truck accident lawyers know how to investigate thoroughly and hold every responsible party accountable, whether that’s the driver, the trucking company, or a third-party contractor. We’ll work with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, the local authorities, and other experts to build a case that reflects what you’ve lost and what you’re owed.
Beyond paperwork, our attorneys know how to calculate the full impact of your injuries, not just now but for the future as well. Insurance companies will try to settle quickly and cheaply. But we make sure that doesn’t happen. Instead, we’ll fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We provide truck accident victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring you get fair value for your claim. Our Modesto truck injury lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence for injured victims so that you recover the money that you deserve.
One of the most complicated parts of a truck accident case is figuring out who’s negligent and legally responsible. Unlike a typical car crash, there may be several parties involved behind the scenes, with each one potentially sharing part of the blame. Identifying all liable parties is key to getting the full compensation you deserve, and that’s something our lawyers know how to do.
Here are just some of the parties that can potentially be found liable for your injuries and damages:
Truck drivers in Modesto, CA must follow strict laws designed to keep the roads safe. These rules cover everything from routes they can drive through to how long they can be behind the wheel. Understanding these laws can strengthen your case, especially if a violation clearly played a role in the crash. Let’s take a look at some of these laws.
Truck drivers in Modesto must follow federal hours-of-service rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Drivers can be be on duty for up to 14 hours a day. However, only 11 of those hours can be spent actually driving. They’re also required to take regular breaks and get at least 10 hours of rest between shifts. On top of that, they must take longer time off after working several days in a row. If a driver or trucking company violates these rules, and exhaustion contributes to an accident, it opens the door to legal liability.
Modesto also has local laws that restrict where large commercial trucks can drive or park. According to the Modesto Code of Ordinances § 3-2.1301, trucks weighing over 6,000 pounds must stick to the city’s official truck routes unless they’re making a delivery, getting repairs, or providing a service.
The Code of Ordinances § 3-2.1302 stricter even rules for larger trucks. These vehicles are only allowed to use designated interstate truck routes and are not permitted to travel on local streets unless specifically authorized. The City Council determines which roads qualify as interstate routes, and the restrictions take effect once signs are posted along the roads.
The Modesto Code of Ordinances § 10-3.220 makes it unlawful to park trucks or trailers in residential zones. Exceptions include trucks doing temporary stops for deliveries or doing work by a public agency or utility. Even in these cases, the vehicle must leave as soon as the job is done.
Many truck accidents trace back to mistakes that should’ve never happened in the first place, typically made by drivers, while others are done by the companies that put them on the road. Understanding what typically causes these crashes can help determine who’s at fault. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Modesto, CA:
Tragic truck accidents in Modesto are not just statistics. They’re real events that leave families devastated. Several crashes in recent years have shown just how quickly things can go wrong when large trucks are involved.
For example, in March 2025, a father of four lost his life when his Mustang collided with a semi-truck on Morgan Road. The crash shut down several blocks andleft the victim’s family reeling.
In another case in March 2022, a man suffered critical injuries when his car collided with a big rig on Highway 99 before crashing into a tree. Firefighters had to use hydraulic tools to get him out.
Just a month prior, a horrific crash involving a sedan and a semi-truck at Carver Road and Briggsmore Avenue killed three teenagers. Surveillance footage showed the sedan running red lights before it was struck.
After the immediate crisis has passed, your next step should be reaching out to a truck accident attorney. When you contact us at Thompson Law, our first priority is reviewing the details of your accident. We’ll talk about what happened, who was involved, and what kind of damages you’ve suffered. From there, we’ll begin gathering the evidence, from police reports to driver logs to black box data.
We’ll liaise with insurance providers on your behalf and begin building your case for compensation. Depending on the circumstances, this might involve negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial. Our team will make sure to keep you informed about every legal step, properly document your losses, and fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Filing a truck accident claim can be very delicate and sensitive. One wrong move early on is all it takes to hurt your case.
One of the biggest mistakes is speaking to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster without legal representation to back you up. They may sound helpful, but their goal is to limit what they pay you. Instead of speaking with them about the accident, direct them our way and tell them you have a lawyer. We’ll handle everything to make sure they don’t lowball you with their offers.
Another common mistake is accepting the first settlement they offer. These offers are often far less than what your case is truly worth. Our lawyers will be here to negotiate the amount on your behalf.
You’ll also want to avoid missing deadlines or posting about the accident on social media. Having an experienced legal team to back you helps with avoiding these pitfalls so you can give your claim the best shot at success.
After a truck accident, getting the right medical care quickly is essential, not just for your recovery, but also for documenting injuries that will later become a part of your legal claim. Modesto has several hospitals and specialty centers equipped to treat these injuries, including:
Our Modesto truck accident lawyers understand how overwhelming and stressful the process can be after getting hurt in a truck accident. We’re here to fight for every dollar you’re owed while you focus on full physical and emotional recovery.
When you’re represented by our attorneys at Thompson Law, you don’t pay unless we win. We’ll dig deep to uncover the truth, build a strong claim for you, and bring all negligent parties to justice, all without you having to stress about added expenses. Let us take care of the hard part. Schedule your FREE CONSULTATION with the team today.
Yes. Trucking companies have aggressive legal teams, and having a lawyer on your side helps protect your rights and maximize your compensation, most especially when the accident wasn’t your fault.
Settlements can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the severity of your injuries and the overall complexity of the case. Settlements might take long as well if the insurance company doesn’t seem open to negotiating fairly.
The value of settlements varies widely. Some are worth a few tens of thousands of dollars, while others, especially those that involve very serious injuries, can go up to the millions. The value of a claim depends on the victim’s injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The more major the injuries and emotional toll on the victim and their family, the higher the settlement is.
Yes, you definitely can. California follows a comparative fault rule. This means you’re still allowed to get compensated for damages even if part of the blame for the accident falls on you. The rule reduces your total compensation by your share of the fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you can still walk away with $80,000. Our lawyers can help minimize the blame placed on you and fight for maximum compensation.
Truck accidents are usually a lot more complicated than standard car accidents. Trucks are subject to federal and state regulations, and multiple parties may be liable. These cases also tend to involve more severe injuries and higher damages, which means insurance companies often fight harder to reduce claims. To navigate this legal web well, it’s crucial to have a legal team experienced in truck-related litigation.
Yes, in many cases, you can hold the truck driver’s employer responsible, especially if they were acting within the scope of their job when the crash occurred. If the employer was negligent in hiring, training, or failing to maintain the vehicle, they could be directly at fault, too. Suing the employer often increases the chances of securing fair compensation, since companies carry higher insurance policies than their drivers.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.