Newport Beach Truck Accident Lawyer

Large commercial trucks often cause serious damage when involved in collisions, especially in busy areas like Newport Beach. From the Pacific Coast Highway to MacArthur Boulevard, truck accidents bring major risks for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

These crashes frequently lead to long recoveries, medical bills, and life disruptions that can last well beyond the day of the accident. Having the right legal support matters when going through this process. A Newport Beach truck accident lawyer can offer guidance and protect your rights throughout the process.

At Bentley & More LLP, we focus on helping those hurt in truck accidents hold trucking companies, drivers, and insurers responsible. Our attorneys understand how state and federal laws impact these cases. We take the lead on building strong claims so you don’t have to deal with the legal process alone.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation and learn how we can help.

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Understanding Truck Accidents in Newport Beach

Truck accidents often happen without warning and can quickly change lives. Understanding what causes these crashes and how Newport Beach traffic adds to the danger helps explain why these cases are different from standard car wrecks.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Most truck accidents come from human error or mechanical problems. Some of the most common causes include:

• Driver fatigue due to long hours on the road
• Distracted driving from phone use or other in-cab distractions
• Speeding or aggressive lane changes
• Poor vehicle maintenance, especially faulty brakes or worn tires
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Driving under the influence

Each of these factors can lead to serious crashes that affect multiple vehicles.

Unique Challenges of Newport Beach Traffic Patterns and Highway Systems

Newport Beach has a mix of city streets, beach traffic, and high-speed roads that create tricky driving conditions. Truck accidents often happen near Fashion Island or along Jamboree Road, where delivery trucks and local vehicles mix.

Heavy traffic in summer and near tourist areas adds to the risk. Tight turns, sudden stops, and limited space make it hard for large trucks to operate safely in these areas.

Statistics on Truck Accident Injuries and Fatalities

According to crash data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 3,400 truck crashes occurred in California in a recent year. These truck accidents injured 1,777 people and killed 52.

In Orange County alone, truck-related collisions result in dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries annually. When a truck driver has a fatal accident, it underscores the danger of sharing the road with large commercial vehicles.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different from Car Accidents?

Truck accident cases involve many layers that go beyond what most car crash claims include. From legal standards to determining who is liable for a truck accident, these cases require close attention to detail.

Multiple Liable Parties

Unlike car accidents, where one or two drivers are usually involved, truck accidents often include several responsible parties. These may include:

• Truck Driver: Drivers may be held responsible if they were speeding, using a phone, under the influence, or breaking hours-of-service rules. Logbooks and electronic data often show these violations.
• Trucking Company: Trucking companies can face liability for poor hiring practices, lack of training, or pushing drivers to break rules. They are also often responsible if the driver is an employee and acted within their duties.
• Cargo Loading Companies: If the cargo shifts or falls due to bad loading practices, the company that loaded the hauler can face liability. This includes failure to balance weight or secure items properly.
• Truck Manufacturers and Maintenance Providers: Brake failure, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues can come from defective parts or skipped maintenance. In these cases, the part maker or the service provider may share responsibility.

Each of these parties may play a role in the crash and must be investigated.

Federal Regulations and Compliance Issues

Trucking companies and drivers must follow federal laws set by the FMCSA. These rules include limits on driving hours, maintenance checks, and drug testing. If any rule is broken, it may prove liability. Investigating compliance records can uncover key evidence.

Complex Insurance Coverage

Truck companies often carry layered insurance policies with higher coverage limits than personal vehicles. However, this also means more legal teams and adjusters working to reduce their payout. Knowing how to handle these policies requires experience and persistence.

Severe Injury Potential

Truck accidents tend to result in more serious injuries than other vehicle collisions. A fully loaded tractor-trailer weighs up to 80,000 pounds. When it hits a car, the damage is often extreme. These injuries often require long-term care, making the financial impact greater.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Newport Beach

Knowing what to do after a truck accident can protect your health and legal rights.

Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene

• Ensure Safety and Call Emergency Services: Get to a safe area and call 911.
• Document the Scene Thoroughly: Take photos of all vehicles, damage, road signs, and conditions.
• Gather Driver and Company Information: Get names, license numbers, insurance details, and the name of the trucking company.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t say anything that could be used against you later.
• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if injuries don’t feel serious, get checked by a doctor.

If You’ve Already Received Medical Treatment

• Preserve All Medical Records and Bills: These documents help prove the cost of your treatment.
• Avoid Speaking With Insurance Adjusters Alone: Let your attorney deal with the insurance company to avoid statements that could be used against you.
• Document Ongoing Symptoms and Treatment: Keep a journal and take photos to show how the injuries affect your life.
• Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Promptly: The sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving key evidence.

Common Injuries in Newport Beach Truck Accidents

Truck crashes often lead to some of the most serious injuries seen on the road. These include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: These injuries can affect memory, behavior, and physical coordination.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine may result in loss of movement or feeling in parts of the body.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: High impact forces can crush bones or cause complex fractures.
• Internal Organ Damage: Blunt trauma can harm organs like the liver, lungs, or kidneys.
• Burn Injuries: Fires or chemical spills from these vehicles can cause severe burns.
• Wrongful Death Cases: In the worst cases, families lose a loved one due to someone else’s actions.

Each injury presents different medical and legal needs. At Bentley & More LLP, we work closely with doctors, specialists, and care providers to understand the full extent of harm and fight for full financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?

Acting quickly after an accident helps preserve evidence and meet legal deadlines.

California Statute of Limitations

You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline may result in losing the right to seek financial recovery.

Exceptions to the Standard Timeline

When a government vehicle or agency is involved, you may only have six months to file a claim. Different rules apply to minors and people mentally or physically unable to file.

Importance of Acting Quickly

Video footage may be erased, and witnesses can become hard to find. Fast action improves your chances of building a strong claim.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?

Truck accident claims often involve more financial impact than car crashes due to the size of the vehicles and severity of the injuries.

Economic Damages

These cover costs like:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Property damage
• Future medical care and lost earning potential

Non-Economic Damages

These cover losses that don’t come with a price tag but still matter, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement

Punitive Damages in Severe Cases

When a trucking company or driver acts with extreme recklessness, the court may award extra damages to punish them and stop future harm.

How Our Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help

Greg Bentley & Keith More, Truck Accident Lawyers

Bentley & More LLP works hard to protect clients’ rights and recover what they’ve lost. . If you’re wondering if it’s worth hiring a personal injury attorney, our comprehensive approach to handling pedestrian accident claims shows the value experienced legal representation can bring. Our legal team offers:

• In-depth crash investigations and collection of video, witness statements, and police reports
• Identification of all liable parties including the driver, company, and others
• Management of insurance negotiations and paperwork
• Detailed accounting of damages including long-term care costs
• Strong settlement strategies based on real evidence
• Trial preparation and courtroom advocacy when needed
• Access to medical experts and accident reconstruction professionals

Why Choose Our Firm for Your Truck Accident Case?

Bentley & More LLP brings local knowledge, legal skill, and resources to every truck accident case. Clients work with a team of personal injury lawyers that:

• Has a strong history of results in truck crash settlements and verdicts
• Knows how to handle trucking companies and their legal defense teams
• Takes on cases with no upfront fees and collects payment only when the case reaches a financial recovery
• Understands the court systems in Newport Beach and Orange County

Frequently Asked Questions About Newport Beach Truck Crashes

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

Bentley & More LLP offers free consultations. You won’t pay anything upfront. We only collect a fee after the case results in financial recovery.

What if the driver doesn’t have insurance?

We can look into other coverage options, including the trucking company’s policies or your own underinsured motorist coverage.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. California follows a rule called comparative fault. You may still receive damages based on your percentage of responsibility.

How long does a truck accident case typically take?

The time depends on injury severity, evidence collection, and how the insurance company responds. Some cases settle in a few months, while others take over a year if they go to court.

What evidence is most important in a truck accident case?

Police reports, witness statements, dashcam or surveillance video, logbooks, medical records, and black box data all help prove your case.

What is a truck’s “black box” and why is it important for my case?

Most commercial trucks contain an Event Data Recorder (EDR), or black box, that records critical information like speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments before a crash. This data provides objective evidence of a driver’s actions.

We act immediately to send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, legally demanding they preserve this device and its data before they erase or destroy it.

Does it matter if the trucking company is based in another state?

No. A trucking company that operates in California must follow all federal and state laws, regardless of where it stations its headquarters. Our firm has experience holding out-of-state companies accountable for accidents that occur here in Newport Beach and throughout California.

Contact Our Skilled Truck Accident Lawyers in Newport Beach for Help

Truck accident claims move quickly. Evidence can disappear, and insurance companies may act fast to lower their costs. Bentley & More LLP is ready to step in and protect your claim from day one. 
We offer a free consultation and don’t get paid unless we recover financial compensation for you. Call (949) 870-3800 today to get answers, protect your rights, and take the first step toward holding the right parties accountable.

Call Now for a Free Consultation

Client Testimonial

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bentley & More for the past 5-6 years. Their drive and compassion to earn great results for their clients is obvious to everyone who works with them.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with the firm to help serve their clients.”

– Nicole S. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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