Fresno is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the Central Valley where commercial trucks, agricultural haulers, and freight carriers regularly travel along major routes like Highway 99, Interstate 5, State Route 41, and State Route 180. While these roadways are critical for moving goods through the region, they’re also hotspots for devastating truck collisions.
In fact, according to data from UC Berkeley, the average number of fatal truck accidents in Fresno has been increasing steadily from 2020 to 2024. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, it is recommended to hire a truck accident attorney to protect your rights.
At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, our Fresno truck accident lawyers understand the unique dynamics of traffic in this region. We’ve seen firsthand how a single careless decision by a truck driver or a failure by a trucking company to follow safety regulations can change someone’s life in an instant. We’re here to help victims in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger, Selma, and surrounding Central Valley communities hold negligent parties accountable and recover the compensation they need to heal and move forward.
Backed by over 35 years of experience, deep knowledge of California trucking laws, and a local team that genuinely cares about this community, our firm is ready to fight for you. We have recovered over $750,000,000 of financial compensation to our clients and we have the resources to go up against large trucking companies and the commitment to treat every client with the personal attention they deserve.
Call (559) 241-0411 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation today.
How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
Truck accident litigation is far more complicated than a standard car crash claim. At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, we bring a thorough, aggressive, and compassionate approach to every truck accident case we handle. Here’s how we can help:
- Conduct an in-depth investigation to uncover the cause of the accident.
- Secure crucial evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, GPS tracking, and surveillance footage.
- Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate the full impact of your injuries.
- Handle all communications with insurance companies to protect your rights.
- Negotiate for fair compensation or take your case to court if needed.
Our team of Fresno truck accident attorneys understand that every truck accident case is different and they will craft a personalized legal approach to ensure your voice is heard and justice is served.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fresno Truck Accident?
One of the most challenging aspects of a truck accident claim is determining who is legally responsible. Unlike a typical car accident, most truck accident cases often involve multiple parties who may share liability. These can include:
- Truck drivers– If they were fatigued, impaired, distracted, or speeding.
- Trucking companies– For negligent hiring, inadequate training, or failing to maintain their vehicles.
- Freight or cargo loaders– If improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash.
- Truck manufacturers– In cases involving defective brakes, tires, or other components.
- Government agencies– If poor road conditions or missing signage played a role.
By identifying all liable parties, personal injury lawyers are able to determine the degree of liability of everyone involved and this is a vital key to ensuring you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in Fresno?
Truck accidents can result in life-altering injuries that require long-term care and impact your ability to work or enjoy life as you once did. Depending on the nature and severity of the accident, the amount of recoverable damages will vary on a case-by-case basis, but an experienced truck accident attorney should be able to recover a mix of economic and non-economic damages for their clients. Some of the most common forms of compensation include the following:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium (for spouses or partners)
- Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was killed)
If you are unaware or wish to get a better understanding of what kind of compensation you can recover, it is recommended to consult with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
A lot of factors determine the value of your case, including:
- The severity and extent of your injuries
- The pain and suffering experienced due to your injuries
- The imposition and impact your injuries have upon your life
- Your recovery’s long-term outlook
- Any emotional consequences you suffer because of your truck accident and injuries
- Any work you miss because of your injuries
- If you have permanent injuries
- If your earning capacity was reduced by your injuries
- If conduct by a defendant was sufficiently egregious to deserve punitive damages
Common Truck Accident Cases in Fresno
While a Fresno truck accident case can happen for a variety of reasons, identifying all of the factors behind the accident can help accident victims and their attorneys understand who is liable for damages and understand the size of your recovery. However, from what is commonly seen in Fresno and its surrounding areas, the following are the most common types of truck accident cases.
Maintenance Issues
Trucking companies and truck drivers have to make sure their trucks work properly and any failure to do this can cause serious mechanical failure. In fact, to many people’s surprise, brake failure and faulty tires are some of the most common causes of semi truck accidents.
According to a 2010 Large Truck Crash Causation study, nearly 55% of all truck accidents had at least one mechanical violation that went against federal trucking regulations and almost 30% had at least one condition serious enough to have taken the vehicle immediately out of service. In such an event, the trucking company and/or the maintenance provider would be held liable for damages such as fatal injuries and property damage.
Drowsy Driving
One of the most common causes of truck accidents, drowsy driving accidents frequently occur due to the long hours truck drivers have to work and they are extremely dangerous and can yield devastating results in motor vehicle crashes. According to the FMCSA, about 13% of all commercial truck drivers were considered to be fatigued at the time of their respective crash. Should truck accidents occur due to a truck driver’s negligence to get adequate sleep, the driver and to an extent, the trucking company can be held liable for all damages.
Distracted Driving
By far one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents in the country, distracted driving accidents occur when the driver takes their eyes off the road to handle something within their vehicle such as looking at their phone, texting, eating, drinking, or even playing around with the radio. No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, it is dangerous to operate a smartphone while driving, however, since truck drivers have a duty of care to perform their tasks, drivers can especially be held liable for distracted driving.
How Long Do You Have to File a Fresno Truck Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident injury claim in California is typically two years from the date of the truck accident as outlined in California Civil Code 335.1. However, if the accident scene was caused by a government entity then according to California Government Code 911.2, all accident claims must be filed within six months from the date of the accident. Considering how complex commercial vehicle accidents can be it is recommended to start on your personal injury claim as soon as possible, because any delays can put you at risk of going past the statute of limitations.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Fresno
Taking the right steps after a truck accident can sometimes be a difficult thing to do and while it is completely normal to feel shaken up about it, it is important to at least do the following steps to ensure your health and rights are protected.
- Call 911 and get medical attention immediately.
- Document the scene by taking photos, gather witness contact info, and get the truck driver’s license and insurance details.
- Avoid discussing fault or giving a recorded statement to insurers without legal advice.
- Request a copy of the police report once available.
- Consult a Fresno truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
The most important thing after an accident is to take care of your safety. After that, you can think about contacting a Fresno trucking accident lawyer to pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.
Contact a Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Fresno or lost a loved one due to a trucking company’s negligence, don’t wait. The sooner you speak with an experienced truck accident attorney, the better your chances of securing full and fair compensation. At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, we’re committed to holding trucking companies accountable and helping you rebuild your life.
Proudly serving clients across Fresno and the greater Central Valley, our team of attorneys have an established track record of securing compensation for their clients and holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their recklessness. In fact, we have recovered over $750,000,000 of financial compensation for truck accident victims and we’ll continue to do our duty to fight for our rights.
Call (559) 241-0411 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation today.