Crashes with semi-trucks, delivery vans, and company vehicles can involve several insurance policies, including the driver's, the employer's, and sometimes the vehicle owner's or a contractor's.
Under California law, an employer may be responsible for an employee's negligence while the employee is working. Write down any company name, logo, or USDOT number on the vehicle.
Commercial carriers may hold electronic logging, maintenance, and dashcam records, so it's important to act early before evidence is lost. If a public bus is involved, the 6-month government claim deadline may apply.
What to do after the accident
- Get to safety and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Police and paramedics create an official record.
- Get medical evaluation promptly, even if you feel okay. Some injuries show up hours or days later.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Exchange names, license, plate, and insurance information. Collect witness names and phone numbers.
- Report the crash to your insurer, and file an SR-1 with the California DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or property damage exceeded $1,000.
- Be careful with adjusters. You don't have to give a recorded statement to the other side's insurer or sign a release before getting advice.
Key California deadlines
- 2 years from the injury date to file most personal injury lawsuits (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1).
- 3 years for most property damage claims, such as vehicle damage (CCP § 338).
- 6 months to file a government claim if a city, county, state agency, or public bus (e.g., Metro) is involved (Government Code § 911.2).
- 10 days to file an SR-1 report with the DMV when there is injury, death, or over $1,000 in damage.
Exceptions exist (for example, minors and delayed discovery). Deadlines depend on the facts, so don't wait to get advice.
What a lawyer can help with
An attorney can look into who was at fault, find every insurance policy that might apply, collect evidence, and deal with adjusters for you. We work on a contingency fee: no fee unless we recover for you. Clients may be responsible for case costs depending on the fee agreement; fees and costs are set out in a written contingency agreement.
General information only, not legal advice. Every case is different.
