This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, about 20 times more than a passenger car, so when a truck causes a crash the people in the smaller vehicle suffer the worst injuries. If you were hurt in a truck accident in Fullerton, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Truck cases are also more complex than car cases: they are governed by federal safety regulations and often involve multiple liable parties. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation with a Fullerton truck accident attorney, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
At Cefali & Cefali, we have the experience and resources to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We represent injured people in Fullerton and throughout Orange County, and we know how to hold every responsible party accountable.
Federal Trucking Laws That Affect Your Fullerton Truck Accident Claim
Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and violations of these rules are powerful evidence of negligence. Key regulations include:
Hours of Service: a driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty window and must then take 10 consecutive hours off. Fatigued-driving crashes often trace back to violations of these limits.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): most trucks must record driving hours electronically, creating a data trail that can prove a driver exceeded the limits.
Minimum insurance: interstate carriers must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and $1 million to $5 million for trucks hauling hazardous materials.
Inspection and maintenance: carriers must regularly inspect and maintain their trucks. Brake failures and tire blowouts often reflect skipped maintenance.
A truck's engine control module (the "black box") and the driver's logs are critical evidence, but they can be overwritten or lost. We send a spoliation letter early to preserve this data before it disappears.
Who is liable for a truck accident?
Truck accident liability often extends beyond the driver. Depending on the cause, responsible parties can include the trucking company (which is generally liable for its driver's negligence), the cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer. Identifying every liable party is what maximizes your recovery.
Under California law, an employer is vicariously liable for the negligence of an employee acting within the scope of employment, so the motor carrier, not just the driver, is usually on the hook. A carrier may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision, or for pressuring drivers to exceed Hours of Service limits. Because trucking companies carry far larger insurance policies than individual drivers, identifying the carrier's liability is often what makes full compensation possible.
What causes truck accidents?
Most truck crashes stem from driver fatigue, distracted or impaired driving, speeding, improperly loaded or overweight cargo, and inadequate truck maintenance. Because commercial trucks are held to federal safety standards, a violation of those standards is often the clearest proof of fault.
Driver fatigue, frequently tied to Hours of Service violations
Distracted, impaired, or speeding driving
Improperly loaded or overweight cargo, which can cause rollovers and jackknifes
Poor maintenance, leading to brake failure or tire blowouts
Defective truck parts and equipment failure
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Because of a truck's size and weight, the injuries in these crashes are often catastrophic and permanent. The most common serious injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries, from mild concussions to severe, life-altering damage
Spinal cord injuries, which can cause partial or complete paralysis
Broken bones and crush injuries from the force of the impact
Burns, particularly in crashes involving fuel or fire
Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries, which can still cause lasting pain
Seek medical attention immediately after a truck accident, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and prompt records also connect your injuries to the crash.
Compensation in a Truck Accident Case
An injured truck-accident victim can recover economic damages (current and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and vehicle damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). California places no cap on general damages such as pain and suffering in an ordinary injury case. If a truck crash is fatal, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60.
California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can recover even if you were partly at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers often try to shift blame to the injured driver, and we counter that with the physical evidence, the truck's data, and the driver's logs.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California?
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, or two years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim. Because critical trucking evidence can disappear quickly, it is best to contact a lawyer well before these deadlines.
How a Fullerton Truck Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
Truck accident cases turn on evidence that is technical and time-sensitive. Our attorneys move quickly to preserve the truck's black-box data and the driver's logs, obtain the FMCSA inspection and maintenance records, gather witness statements and any available footage, and work with accident-reconstruction and medical experts. We then identify every liable party, the driver, the motor carrier, and any others, and pursue each available insurance policy.
Insurance companies for trucking firms are aggressive and often send investigators to the scene within hours. We handle all communication with them, counter their lowball offers with documented evidence, and are fully prepared to take your case to trial if they refuse a fair settlement. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no fees unless we win.
Contact Us for Your Free Truck Accident Case Review
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact Cefali & Cefali as soon as possible. We represent truck accident victims throughout Fullerton, Orange County, and Southern California, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we win your case. Call (949) 325-7790 or contact us for a free case review.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
