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Is the truck driver always at fault when there is a crash in Lancaster?
No, a truck driver is not always entirely at fault for every crash in Lancaster. California uses a pure comparative negligence system, which means multiple parties can share fault for an accident. If you were partially responsible for a truck accident, your recovery amount would be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you would still be able to collect damages from other at-fault parties.
How much time do you have to file a truck accident claim in Los Angeles County?
Most truck accident claims in California must be filed within two years from the date of the injury, according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, if your claim involves a public entity, such as a city, county, or a government-owned truck, you must present a written claim to that entity within six months of the injury (Government Code § 911.2). This six-month deadline is strict and missing it can prevent you from ever filing a lawsuit, even if the general two-year period has not passed. The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor under Code of Civil Procedure § 352, but § 352(b) removes that pause for claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act. What a claim is worth depends on the specific facts; California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings and non-economic harm.
Where do you file a truck accident lawsuit from Lancaster?
If you need to file a truck accident lawsuit originating from an incident in Lancaster, it will be handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County, personal injury cases are filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and are then assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department. For Lancaster residents, this generally means filing at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, located at 42011 4th St West, Lancaster, CA 93534.
What kinds of cases do Lancaster truck accident attorneys handle?
Lancaster truck accident attorneys handle a range of cases involving commercial vehicles, from minor collisions to catastrophic events. This includes crashes with tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and other large commercial vehicles that operate throughout the Antelope Valley. Because trucks are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, the injuries in these accidents are often severe, covering anything from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. You can learn more about how we help people with severe injuries on our page about traumatic brain injuries in Lancaster. These cases often involve complex regulations specific to the trucking industry, which differ significantly from standard car accident laws. Our firm's practice is concentrated in personal injury and employment law, including truck accidents, and we help people across Los Angeles, including El Segundo, Pasadena, and Long Beach.
What should you do after a truck accident in Lancaster?
Get medical attention: Your health is the first priority. Seek immediate medical care for any injuries, even if they seem minor. This creates a record of your injuries.
Report the crash: Call the police to report the truck accident. A police report documents the scene and details of the incident.
Gather information: If you are able, collect contact information from the truck driver and any witnesses. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
Do not make recorded statements: Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without speaking to a personal injury attorney first. Anything you say can be used against you.
Contact a Lancaster truck accident attorney: Speak with a lawyer who understands truck accident law soon after the crash. They can help protect your rights and investigate the incident.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means having an advocate on your side who understands the specific challenges of truck accident cases in Lancaster. We start by gathering all relevant evidence, including police reports, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness statements. We then work to establish liability, which can involve complex issues like federal trucking regulations, company negligence, or even truck defects. Our goal is to ensure you pursue the full compensation available under California law for your injuries and losses. We handle all communications with insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf. We also represent individuals and families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one due to a truck accident in Lancaster. You can learn more about how we help in these situations on our Lancaster wrongful death attorney page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes truck accident claims different from car accident claims?
Truck accident claims involve different laws and regulations than standard car accident claims, specifically federal trucking regulations (like those enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). These rules cover driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and driver qualifications. Proving negligence often requires understanding these complex rules, which differ from typical California Vehicle Code statutes. Trucking companies also often have substantial legal teams and insurance policies.
What if the truck driver works for a government agency in Lancaster?
If the truck driver works for a government agency, such as the City of Lancaster, Los Angeles County, or a state entity, your claim becomes subject to the Government Claims Act. This means you must present a formal written claim to the government agency within six months of the accident, as specified by Government Code § 911.2. Failing to meet this strict deadline can permanently bar your right to sue, even if the standard two-year personal injury deadline has not passed.
Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Yes, California's pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the truck accident. Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury determines you were 20% responsible for a truck crash in Lancaster, you could still recover 80% of your total damages from the other at-fault parties.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?
Casa Legal Los Angeles works on a contingency fee basis for truck accident cases. This means you pay no attorney's fees unless we win your case — and no case costs either. Our payment is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, aligning our interests with yours.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Lancaster, speak with a lawyer. Call us at 888-585-2529 for a confidential discussion about your case. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Lancaster
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Lancaster and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Lancaster claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Lancaster is filed in Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, North District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Lancaster
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Lancaster (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).