Riverside Truck Accident Lawyers

Hit by a Truck? Call Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Riverside

Riverside’s residents share their city’s roads with big rigs, 18-wheelers, and large commercial trucks every day. As the city grows to become a transportation hub in Southern California, more trucks might traverse Riverside’s streets. But when these heavy vehicles crash into smaller cars, bicycles, or even pedestrians, the results can be devastating.

The injuries sustained after a road crash with a truck are typically serious and even fatal due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles innocent victims are up against. And if nursing major injuries isn’t difficult enough, you also have to pay for medical bills and talk to insurance adjusters who will do anything to downplay your injuries and give you a minimal payout. When you try to juggle all of that alone, it can be undoubtedly overwhelming.

Let Thompson Law’s Riverside truck accident lawyers stand by your side as you navigate the complexities of your case. We’ll guide you through the legal procedures, liaise with adjusters and other authorities on your behalf, and advocate for you to receive full, fair compensation for your injuries.

Legal support from our dedicated and experienced team is just a call away. Contact us and book a FREE CONSULTATION today.

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Why Hire Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Riverside?

Choosing the right legal team is crucial after getting involved in a truck accident. Our lawyers are experienced and are knowledgeable about the local trucking laws in Riverside, making us experts in how legal procedures take place in the area. We understand the complexities of truck accidents and can hold your hand every step of the way, whether it’s talking to insurance companies or litigating for you in court.

truck - Riverside Truck Accident Lawyers

As your legal representation, we’ll work tirelessly to bring those at fault to justice. To do that, we’ll gather all the evidence we can to establish fault with another party and aggressively fight to hold them accountable for their negligence. We can tap our network of accident reconstructionists and medical professionals to provide expert witness statements to strengthen your claim, too.

Our end goal is to ensure you get full, fair compensation that reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses. We’ve won over $1.9 billion for our victims, and we can obtain maximum compensation for you, too. That way, you can recover not just physically, but also financially.

How Truck Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents

Any vehicle accident can cause major injuries. However, trucks are some of the largest and heaviest vehicles that traverse Riverside’s streets. Some of them can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If you get involved in a collision with one of them, you’re much more likely to sustain severe injuries and drastic property damage to your car.

Truck accidents are also more complex than most car accidents because of the potential for multiple liable parties. Fault may fall on the driver, but it could also implicate the private company they work for, their maintenance crews, and cargo loaders who didn’t secure the truck’s contents properly.

Because of trucks’ size and weight, road accidents involving them are more likely to turn into multi-vehicle pile-ups. They’re prone to triggering a chain reaction of crashes, injuring more people than in a regular car accident.

Our Riverside truck accident lawyers know how to handle the complexities of collisions involving these massive vehicles. Learn what we can do to strengthen your case, no matter how complicated it might get, by booking a FREE CASE REVIEW today.

Types of Truck Collisions We Handle in Riverside

There are many kinds of truck accidents, each with its own legal complexities and challenges when it comes to proving liability. Our attorneys at Thompson Law have experience handling a wide array of truck collisions, including but not limited to:

  • Jackknife accidents where a truck’s trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle
  • Rollover accidents as a result of sharp turns and speeding
  • Override and underride collisions, where a smaller vehicle gets stuck above or underneath parts of a truck
  • Blind spot accidents due to a truck’s size
  • Rear-end and head-on collisions
  • Crashes caused by improperly secured cargo that spills over onto the road
  • Tire blowout accidents

If you or someone you love has been injured in any of these accidents involving a truck, our team can help. Our attorneys will investigate your case, gather all the evidence possible, and create a strong legal strategy to defend your rights in court.

Key Trucking Laws in Riverside That Help Prevent Accidents

Riverside has plenty of laws in place designed to promote road safety, especially where trucks are involved. It also follows many of California’s state laws about trucking. Understanding these laws is vital not just for drivers who share the road with trucks, but victims trying to seek justice. Here are three of the most important local laws related to trucking in Riverside.

Weight Limit on Specific Streets

Riverside County prohibits trucks over a certain weight limit from entering residential zones to protect families in neighborhoods from truck accidents.

For example, according to Ordinance No. 844 of Riverside County, trucks that weigh over 14,000 pounds are not allowed along Michigan Avenue, Connor’s Lane, Tanner Circle, and other nearby residential streets. Trucks can only use these streets if they’re delivering packages or construction materials, or if they’re owned by contractors doing work like fixing utility lines in the area.

Limited Service Hours for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are considered employees of the private companies they work for, whether it’s a trucking company or a corporation. Because of that, the hours of work they render must follow California Labor Code § 512 and adhere to the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. That means truck drivers must follow strict rules about limited service hours on the road, such as:

  • Having a 30-minute break for every five hours of work in one day
  • Driving only a maximum of 11 hours a day after being off-duty for 10 hours
  • Driving no more than 60 or 70 hours for 7 or 8 consecutive workdays

Parking Restrictions in Residential Zones

According to Riverside County’s Ordinance 413.31 § 1.17, no commercial trucks and vehicles over 10,000 pounds can park in residential districts. However, there are exceptions for truck drivers who are making deliveries or pickups or performing a service nearby. The ordinance also doesn’t apply to school and passenger buses, public utility vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

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Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Riverside

Even with all the laws and ordinances in place to protect Riverside’s residents from truck accidents, they still happen on the city’s roads. Many of these crashes occur because of one party’s negligence that puts another motorist in harm’s way. Here are some of the most common reasons truck accidents happen in Riverside:

  • Truck drivers going beyond the speed limit
  • Driver fatigue if they’re forced to work long hours
  • Distracted driving
  • Traffic violations, like not following traffic lights
  • Driving under the influence
  • Poorly maintained trucks with defective vehicle parts
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Lack of proper training of truck drivers
  • Poor road conditions, such as potholes and poorly painted lanes

Who Can Be Found Liable in a Truck Crash?

Depending on what truly occurred at the scene of the truck accident, one or more parties can be found liable for the incident.

Most of the time, truck drivers are found to be at fault due to reckless driving. It can also be because of the trucking company they work for, if they’re found to have poor business practices, like hiring inexperienced drivers and forcing long hours on their workers. In rare cases, maintenance companies, cargo loaders, and even the City of Riverside itself could also be implicated in a truck accident case.

Our Riverside truck accident lawyers will tirelessly pursue those who might be at fault. We’ll bring these parties to justice and hold them accountable for your losses so that you can walk away with the financial compensation you deserve.

How We Prove Fault in Truck Accident Cases

The first thing we do to prove that one party is liable for your injuries is gather as much evidence as possible to back up your claim. We’ll acquire the police report, witness statements, surveillance videos, and even black box data to uncover the truth about the accident and who is at fault. Then, with all this information, we prove liability in court in four steps:

  1. Establish that the at-fault party had a duty of care to the victim.
  2. Show through evidence that the negligent party breached that duty and did not exercise the utmost care for the victim on the road.
  3. Prove that the negligent actions of the at-fault party directly caused the victim’s injuries.
  4. Show all the damages the victim incurred and demand fair compensation.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Crash in Riverside?

Victims suffer many losses after getting injured in a truck accident, and prior to making a claim, they have to shoulder all the costs. But if your lawyer can prove liability on the part of someone else, you can be entitled to receive compensation through damages. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to receive economic and non-economic damages such as:

  • Medical bills, including hospital expenses, medicine, emergency care services, and more
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost wages if your injuries have prevented you from working
  • Expenses for home modifications to accommodate your injuries
  • Diminished capacity to work
  • Permanent disability
  • Property damage, especially if your vehicle was damaged in the crash
  • Pain and suffering, which accounts for physical pain and emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Funeral expenses in cases that result in a wrongful death

At Thompson Law

Truck accidents can leave a devastating impact on victims and their families. Our goal is to make sure no one who gets hurt from these life-altering road crashes feels alone. With years of experience under our belts, we can advocate for your rights following a truck collision and make sure you get the compensation you are owed for your losses. We’ll exert every effort to get you the justice you deserve.

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Real Truck Accidents That Impacted the Riverside Community

Many of the truck accidents that happen in Riverside involve massive trucks and smaller vehicles that stand no chance against the sheer size and weight of the truck. For example, in February 2025, a 61-year-old woman on a motorcycle was killed in a fatal crash with a big rig in the southbound lanes of Riverside’s 215 Freeway. The woman’s motorcycle was caught by the truck’s wheels, which flipped it over and tossed the victim out onto the road.

Some truck accidents don’t incur any injuries but create lots of congestion on the road, making it inconvenient for residents trying to drive along. In the same month as the motorcyclist’s fatal crash, a tractor-trailer overturned right by the 60/91/215 interchange, completely blocking off the connector bridge to get onto the interchange and closing several lanes for hours. Reports say the truck driver lost control, presumably because he was turning while going too fast.

These accidents highlight the many possible consequences of truck crashes, whether it’s extra congestion on a major road or, in the most tragic cases, a wrongful death.

Risky Intersections to Watch Out for in Riverside

Riverside has many crowded and busy roads, but there are some areas that are riskier and more accident-prone than others, especially when trucks are involved. Here are three of the most dangerous intersections in the city where you should keep an eye out for reckless truck drivers:

  • Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street:  These two streets are home to many gas stations, restaurants, and establishments, making them hotspots for locals. There are also no designated bike paths near this intersection, which makes cyclists even more vulnerable to truck accidents here.
  • Arlington Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard:  These streets have plenty of lanes between them, making the traffic quite heavy. They’re also close to popular shopping centers.
  • Interstate 215 and California State Route 91:  Huge trucks traverse these state and interstate highways every day, making this intersection a particularly dangerous one.

What to Do Right After a Truck Accident in Riverside

It’s normal to feel shaken up after getting hurt in a truck accident. But once you collect yourself, spring into action right away to make the necessary calls to protect yourself and those around you. When you can, do the following after a collision with a truck:

  • If you’re still physically in the middle of the crash, move to a safe place, like the sidewalk
  • Call 911 and report the collision to get the police and paramedics on the way
  • Get medical attention even if you don’t see any obvious signs of injury on your body
  • Ask the police to file an accident report on your behalf so you can obtain it later on as evidence should you choose to pursue legal action
  • Exchange information with the truck driver or any other motorist involved in the crash
  • Talk to witnesses at the scene and ask them for their contact details, in case they’re willing to provide a statement
  • Take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, injuries you sustained, and the road conditions when the crash took place
  • Call your insurance company to report the accident
  • Don’t admit fault to anyone, especially the truck driver
  • Most importantly, call a trusted truck accident lawyer in Riverside to support you through all legal procedures

Being involved in a truck accident is an extremely stressful event. But if you’re forward-thinking and stay alert, you’ll be able to keep yourself safe physically and set the stage for a smooth lawsuit later on.

Truck Accident Claim Deadlines in California

California has a strict deadline, or statute of limitations, for personal injury claims after a truck accident. If you’re involved in a truck collision in Riverside, you only have two years from the date of the incident to file the necessary lawsuits or claims. If you miss the deadline, you could be barred from receiving compensation to cover your losses related to the accident.

If you’re solely making a property damage claim for your vehicle or any other belongings that were damaged in the truck crash, the statute of limitations extends to three years.

If a government entity is at fault for the accident, like the City of Riverside for poor road conditions or a lack of traffic signs where the crash occurred, the deadline is even sooner. Victims only have six months to file a notice of claim against these government bodies.

These deadlines give you a lot of time to think about your legal options. However, it’s always best to act promptly and pursue legal action as soon as you’re able. Waiting too long to file a claim leaves you vulnerable to lost evidence or witnesses who can’t remember what happened during the crash. Our lawyers will ensure you submit all the necessary paperwork long before the deadline so that you can get justice and financial recovery as soon as possible.

Don’t Face the Aftermath of a Truck Accident Alone

You don’t need to go through these difficult times alone. Our compassionate lawyers can take much of the weight off your shoulders and handle all the legal proceedings for you, from talking to insurance companies to negotiating a fair compensation for your losses. We’re not afraid to hold every at-fault party accountable for your injuries, from truck drivers to private companies. Leave the legal work to us so that you can focus on healing.

Start your road to financial recovery with our Riverside truck accident lawyers today. Learn how we can help obtain the maximum compensation for you by booking a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team.

Why Choose Thompson Law

FAQs About Truck Accidents in Riverside

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Riverside?

The cost of hiring a truck accident lawyer depends on their contingency fee, which is the small percentage they take from the final settlement or compensation you receive if they win your case. Our lawyers don’t charge any retainer or hourly fees, so you don’t have to worry about the financial stress of the legal process unless we win your case for you.

Can I still be compensated if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, you can. Riverside, along with the rest of California, follows a comparative negligence principle. This rule states that if you’re partially to blame for the truck accident, the total compensation you receive in damages gets reduced by the percentage of your fault. So, if you were awarded $100,000 by the court but it also found you 25% at fault for the road crash, you only obtain $75,000.

How long does a truck accident case usually take to resolve?

The timeline of a truck accident case in Riverside heavily relies on the severity of the victim’s injuries and the complexities of the case. Accidents that result in minor injuries and are straightforward can be resolved in weeks or a few months. But those that lead to major injuries and have disputed liability might go on for longer, sometimes taking years to reach a settlement or verdict.

Thompson Law Guarantee

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.