Collisions with commercial trucks are among the most devastating accidents on our roads, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death. Attorney Anand Desai has the resources, experience, and tenacity to take on the trucking companies, their corporate insurers, and their teams of defense lawyers. With 20+ years of trial experience and deep knowledge of federal trucking regulations, our firm fights to hold every responsible party accountable — from the driver to the carrier to the cargo loader.
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Truck accident cases are categorically different from standard car accident claims. They involve higher insurance limits, multiple potentially liable parties, federal regulations, corporate defendants with aggressive legal teams, and injuries of a severity that demands expert medical and economic testimony. You need an attorney who has the skill and resources to match the trucking company's defense dollar for dollar. Attorney Anand Desai, a Loyola Law School graduate and former LA County Public Defender with 50+ jury trials, brings exactly that firepower to every truck accident case.
• Deep Local Knowledge — The I-5, I-210, and SR-134 corridors running through and around Glendale are major commercial trucking routes connecting the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to distribution centers throughout the Inland Empire and beyond. Attorney Desai understands the specific trucking patterns, weigh station locations, and high-risk interchanges — like the I-5/134 merge and the I-5/I-210 junction near Sun Valley — where truck accidents frequently occur in our region.
• Multilingual Support — We serve clients in 11 languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Thai, Tagalog, Russian, Armenian, Farsi, and Korean. Many truck accident victims in the LA area are members of immigrant communities who deserve an attorney who can explain complex legal concepts and federal regulations in their native language.
• 24/7 Availability — Truck accident evidence can disappear quickly. Electronic logging device (ELD) data may be overwritten, dashcam footage deleted, and vehicles repaired or scrapped. Our team is available around the clock to begin evidence preservation immediately — including sending spoliation letters to the trucking company demanding they retain all records, data, and physical evidence related to the collision.
• No Win, No Fee — Despite the significant resources required to litigate truck accident cases, we handle them on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. We invest our own resources into building your case because we believe in its merit.
Call us or fill out the form. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer all your questions — at no cost.
We gather evidence, work with experts, handle the insurance companies, and build your claim for maximum compensation.
We don’t get paid unless you win. 100% contingency fee — no upfront costs, no hidden charges, no risk to you.
Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which imposes extensive safety requirements that go far beyond standard traffic laws. These regulations govern hours of service (49 CFR Part 395), requiring drivers to log their driving time and take mandatory rest breaks — no more than 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and no driving beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are now mandatory under 49 CFR Part 395.8, replacing paper logbooks that were easily falsified.
FMCSA regulations also mandate regular vehicle inspections (49 CFR Part 396), drug and alcohol testing programs (49 CFR Part 382), driver qualification standards including medical certifications (49 CFR Part 391), and cargo securement requirements (49 CFR Part 393). When a trucking company or driver violates any of these federal regulations and that violation contributes to an accident, the violation can be used as powerful evidence of negligence. Attorney Desai's understanding of these complex federal rules allows our firm to identify regulatory violations that less experienced attorneys might miss — violations that can dramatically strengthen your claim.
One of the key differences between truck and car accident cases is the number of potentially liable parties. In a standard car accident, there is typically one at-fault driver and one insurance policy. In a truck accident, there may be five or more entities bearing legal responsibility. The truck driver may be liable for negligent driving, distraction, fatigue, or intoxication. The motor carrier (trucking company) may be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior for the driver's negligence, or independently liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules, or failing to maintain vehicles.
The cargo shipper or loader may be liable if improperly loaded or secured cargo contributed to the accident — overloaded trucks are harder to stop and more prone to rollovers, while unsecured cargo can shift and cause loss of control. The truck or parts manufacturer may be liable if a mechanical defect such as a brake failure, tire blowout, or steering malfunction caused the crash. Maintenance contractors may be liable for negligent repair work. Freight brokers may even bear responsibility under certain circumstances. Identifying and pursuing all liable parties is essential because it expands the pool of available insurance coverage and maximizes the total recovery. Our firm conducts thorough investigations to uncover every responsible entity.
Modern commercial trucks are equipped with Event Data Recorders (EDRs) — commonly called "black boxes" — that capture critical information in the seconds before, during, and after a collision. This data typically includes vehicle speed, brake application timing, throttle position, steering input, airbag deployment, and engine RPM. Combined with ELD records showing the driver's hours of service, GPS tracking data showing the truck's route and speed history, dashcam footage, and the driver's cell phone records, electronic evidence can reconstruct exactly what happened and why.
The challenge is that this evidence can be destroyed quickly. ELD data may be overwritten within days, dashcam footage may be recorded over, and the truck itself may be repaired or scrapped, eliminating physical evidence of mechanical failures. This is why immediate action is critical after a truck accident. Our firm sends spoliation preservation letters to the trucking company, driver, and all potentially liable parties within hours of being retained, demanding they preserve all electronic data, records, and physical evidence. If evidence is destroyed after a preservation demand, we can seek sanctions and adverse inference instructions at trial — powerful tools that can effectively win a case.
Commercial trucking operations carry significantly higher insurance limits than passenger vehicles, which is directly relevant to the compensation available to accident victims. Under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 387), interstate motor carriers must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for general freight. Carriers transporting hazardous materials must carry between $1 million and $5 million depending on the type of cargo. Many large carriers voluntarily carry even higher limits — $2 million, $5 million, or more — because of the catastrophic nature of truck accidents.
These higher policy limits mean that seriously injured victims have access to substantially more compensation than in a typical car accident case. However, higher stakes also mean the insurance company's defense will be correspondingly more aggressive. Trucking company insurers deploy rapid response teams to accident scenes, retain their own accident reconstructionists, and hire experienced defense firms to minimize payouts. You need an attorney with the resources, knowledge, and courtroom credibility to match this opposition. At Anand Desai Law, we have successfully recovered substantial sums from major commercial insurers by building meticulous, evidence-driven cases that leave no room for the defense to manufacture doubt.
Los Angeles County's freeway system is one of the busiest commercial trucking corridors in the nation, with trucks hauling containers from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to warehouses and distribution centers throughout Southern California and beyond. The most common causes of truck accidents in the Glendale and greater LA area include driver fatigue (despite hours-of-service regulations, violations remain rampant in an industry built on tight delivery schedules), distracted driving (texting, GPS programming, eating while driving), excessive speed for conditions (particularly on downhill grades like the I-5 through the Glendale Narrows), inadequate following distance (a loaded semi traveling at 60 mph needs approximately 525 feet to stop), and improperly maintained brakes.
Specific locations in our area are particularly dangerous for truck accidents. The I-5/134 interchange sees frequent truck-related collisions due to the sharp curve and lane merges. The I-5 southbound through the Glendale Narrows is a steep grade where trucks gain speed rapidly, and brake failures have caused catastrophic accidents. The I-210/I-5 junction near Sun Valley involves complex merging patterns that challenge truck drivers unfamiliar with the route. When investigating truck accidents at these locations, our firm obtains Caltrans traffic data, CHP collision reports, and any available freeway camera footage to build the strongest possible case.
The sheer size and weight disparity between a commercial truck (up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded) and a passenger vehicle (approximately 3,500 pounds) means truck accidents produce injuries of extraordinary severity. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to permanent cognitive impairment, spinal cord injuries that may result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, crush injuries to the chest and abdomen causing internal organ damage, multiple fractures requiring surgical fixation, severe burns (particularly in tanker truck accidents), and amputations.
The long-term financial impact of these injuries can be staggering. A spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia can cost over $2.5 million in lifetime medical expenses, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. Traumatic brain injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation can exceed $3 million. Our firm works with life care planners, vocational rehabilitation experts, and forensic economists to calculate the full cost of future medical care, lost earning capacity, home modifications, assistive technology, and attendant care. We pursue structured settlements or lump-sum awards that ensure our clients have the financial resources to live with dignity for the rest of their lives. Call (833) 270-7800 for a free consultation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. The truck driver may be liable for negligent driving, fatigue, or distraction. The trucking company (motor carrier) may be liable under respondeat superior or for independent negligence such as negligent hiring, inadequate maintenance, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules under 49 CFR Part 395. The cargo loader or shipper may be liable for overloading or improper securement. Parts manufacturers may be liable for defective brakes, tires, or steering components. Maintenance contractors may be liable for negligent repairs. Our investigation identifies every responsible party to maximize available insurance coverage.
Several factors distinguish truck cases: multiple potentially liable parties (driver, carrier, loader, manufacturer), federal FMCSA regulations that create additional standards of care, significantly higher insurance limits ($750,000 to $5 million minimum), more severe injuries due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, electronic evidence like ELD data and black box recordings, and the involvement of sophisticated corporate defense teams. These complexities require an attorney experienced in trucking litigation who can navigate federal regulations, identify all liable parties, and preserve electronic evidence before it is destroyed.
Under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 387), interstate motor carriers must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for general freight operations. Carriers transporting hazardous materials must carry between $1 million and $5 million depending on the cargo type. Many large carriers carry voluntary coverage well above these minimums — $2 million, $5 million, or even $10 million. These higher policy limits mean substantially more compensation is available to seriously injured victims, but they also mean the insurer will mount a more aggressive defense. You need an attorney who can match that intensity.
The statute of limitations for a truck accident personal injury claim in California is two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline under CCP §338(c). If a government vehicle or government-maintained road contributed to the accident, you must file an administrative claim within six months under Government Code §911.2. However, the practical deadline is much sooner — critical electronic evidence like ELD data and black box recordings can be overwritten within days. Contact an attorney immediately to ensure evidence is preserved.
Call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay — the adrenaline from a truck collision can mask serious injuries. If able, photograph the truck (including its DOT number, carrier name on the door, license plates, and any visible damage or cargo), the accident scene, and your injuries. Get witness contact information. Do not speak with the trucking company's insurance adjuster or rapid response team — they are trained to minimize the company's liability. Call (833) 270-7800 immediately so we can send a spoliation letter to preserve critical evidence including the truck's black box data and the driver's electronic logs.
Hours-of-service (HOS) regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate before taking mandatory rest breaks. Key rules include: no more than 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, no driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving, and weekly limits of 60 or 70 hours depending on the carrier's schedule. These rules exist because driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are now required to track compliance. When a driver violates HOS regulations and causes an accident, it is strong evidence of negligence.
Yes. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is vicariously liable for the negligent acts of its employees performed within the scope of employment. The trucking company may also be independently liable for negligent hiring (failing to check the driver's record), negligent supervision, failing to maintain vehicles per FMCSA requirements (49 CFR Part 396), pressuring drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, or inadequate driver training. Additionally, under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 387), the motor carrier — not the driver — must carry the required liability insurance. This makes the carrier the primary target in most truck accident claims.
A spoliation letter is a formal legal demand sent to the trucking company and all potentially liable parties requiring them to preserve all evidence related to the accident. This includes the truck's Event Data Recorder (black box) data, Electronic Logging Device records, dashcam footage, GPS tracking data, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol test results, vehicle maintenance records, and dispatch communications. Without a spoliation letter, the trucking company may destroy this evidence — intentionally or through routine data overwriting. If evidence is destroyed after a preservation demand, courts can impose sanctions and adverse inference instructions against the spoliating party.
Truck accident cases typically take longer to resolve than standard car accident cases due to their complexity. Most truck accident cases settle or go to verdict within 12 to 30 months. Factors affecting timeline include the severity of injuries and time to reach maximum medical improvement, the number of liable parties, the complexity of the federal regulatory analysis, the volume of electronic evidence to review, and whether the case can be resolved through negotiation or requires trial. Despite the longer timeline, the higher insurance limits and the severity of injuries typically result in significantly larger recoveries.
Distracted driving by commercial truck drivers is specifically prohibited under FMCSA regulations. Under 49 CFR §392.82, commercial motor vehicle drivers are banned from texting while driving — violators face fines up to $2,750 and disqualification. Carriers that allow or require texting face fines up to $11,000. If a truck driver was texting or using a handheld device at the time of the accident, this regulatory violation is strong evidence of negligence. We obtain cell phone records through subpoena and retain digital forensics experts to establish exactly what the driver was doing on their phone in the moments before the collision. Call (833) 270-7800.
Anand Desai is a dedicated personal injury attorney serving Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Loyola Law School with an undergraduate degree from USC, Anand has been a member of the California State Bar (#249768) since 2007, bringing 20+ years of legal experience to every case he handles.
Anand specializes in personal injury law, with particular expertise in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases. His deep understanding of California personal injury law, combined with his tenacious negotiation skills, has helped him secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
What truly sets Anand apart is his commitment to his community. His firm is one of the only law offices in Glendale that offers services in 11 languages, including Spanish, Armenian, Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Tagalog, Farsi, Punjabi, Thai, Russian, and English — reflecting the rich diversity of the communities he serves.
“I fight for every client like they’re family. When you hire me, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and your future.”
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