Legally Reviewed by Daniel Setareh on August 3, 2026
Truck accidents tend to cause catastrophic injuries because of the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, large-truck crashes cause thousands of deaths and serious injuries nationwide every year, and victims are often left facing serious medical bills, lost income, and a complicated claims process involving a trucking company and its insurer.
A Stockton truck accident lawyer at Setareh Law can investigate the crash, identify every liable party, and pursue full compensation on your behalf. Our personal injury attorneys have recovered more than $400 million for California accident victims and bring over 60 years of combined experience to serious truck collision claims.
Time-Sensitive: California Law Limits Your Window to File
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a truck accident lawsuit in California.
Setareh Law handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront cost, and our attorneys are available around the clock to talk through your options.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Stockton
Truck accidents often result from negligence rather than an unavoidable mishap. Common causes include driver fatigue, distracted driving, intoxication, improperly loaded cargo, poor vehicle maintenance, and violations of federal hours of service rules that limit how long a driver may stay on the road. Because the trucking industry is heavily regulated, proving negligence often requires reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and company hiring practices in addition to the crash itself.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Stockton Truck Accident Case?
Identifying every liable party is one of the most important steps in a truck accident claim, since more than one party is often responsible.
The Truck Driver
Fatigue, distraction, or intoxication behind the wheel can make the driver directly liable.
The Trucking Company
Companies can be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours of service rules.
The Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer
A defective brake, tire, or steering component can make a manufacturer responsible under product liability law.
The Cargo Loading Company
Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can cause a truck to become unstable or shift during transit.
The Maintenance Provider
Skipped inspections or botched repairs can leave a truck unsafe to operate.
A Government Entity
Poor road design or maintenance can make a public agency partly responsible for the crash.
To prove liability, your Stockton truck accident lawyer must show that a liable party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries and losses as a direct result.
Compensation Available After a Stockton Truck Accident
California law allows truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Current and future medical expenses | Pain and suffering |
| Lost income and reduced earning capacity | Emotional distress |
| Property damage to your vehicle | Loss of enjoyment of life |
| Rehabilitation and long-term care costs | Permanent disability or disfigurement |
Statute of Limitations for Stockton Truck Accident Claims
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible for a truck accident. Waiting too long to act can permanently bar your ability to recover compensation.
Claims against a government entity, such as a public agency responsible for road maintenance, require a separate administrative claim within six months. You can review the state’s general filing deadlines through the California courts self-help statute of limitations guide.
Steps to Take After a Stockton Truck Accident
What you do in the days after a truck accident can affect the strength of your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Get evaluated even if you feel fine, since medical records document your injuries and support your claim.
Gather Evidence
Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries before conditions change.
Contact Law Enforcement
A police report is often a key piece of evidence in a truck accident claim.
Avoid Social Media
Insurance adjusters look for posts to use against your claim, so avoid discussing the accident online.
How Setareh Law Approaches Your Truck Accident Case
Our attorneys launch a full investigation into your crash, reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and company hiring practices to identify every liable party. We handle negotiations with trucking company insurers directly, so you are not left navigating the process alone.
Setareh Law has recovered a $3,600,000 settlement in a past auto versus truck matter, part of a firmwide track record of more than $400 million recovered for injured clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Claims in Stockton
Setareh Law has recovered more than $400 million for California accident victims and brings over 60 years of combined experience to serious truck collision claims, backed by over 900 five-star reviews. See reviews from clients we’ve helped before you decide who to trust with your case.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Stockton, contact Setareh Law for a free, no-obligation case review by calling (310) 659-1826 or filling out our contact form. We serve clients in English and Spanish and are available around the clock.
