Van Nuys Truck Accident Lawyer — Prestige Law Firm P.C.

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Injured in a Truck Crash? Trust a Van Nuys Truck Accident Lawyer Who Knows How to Win

Are you worried about how you’ll cover the medical bills, replace lost income, or deal with pushy insurance adjusters after being involved in a truck accident in Van Nuys?Do you feel like the system is stacked against you while you’re just trying to recover?You’re not alone and you don’t have to handle this by yourself.

At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we’ve spent more than two decades standing up for injury victims across Los Angeles County. Truck accidents are not like ordinary car crashes, they often involve severe injuries, multiple responsible parties, and complicated federal and California trucking regulations. That’s where our strength and strategy come in.

We dig deep into the evidence, hold negligent companies accountable, and fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Most importantly, we treat you like family, offering clear communication, personal attention, and trial-ready representation every step of the way.

And here’s our promise: you pay nothing unless we win your case.

5 min read

Truck accidents in Van Nuys are more complex than car crashes due to the massive size of commercial trucks, strict regulations, and multiple potentially liable parties. Common crashes include jackknifes, rollovers, blind-spot collisions, wide turns, tire blowouts, and underride accidents. Liability may fall on the driver, trucking company, manufacturers, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, other motorists, or even government entities. After a crash, get medical care, preserve evidence, avoid insurers, and contact a lawyer quickly before vital data is lost. At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we move fast to secure evidence, build strong cases with experts, and fight for maximum compensation, with no fee unless we win.

Prestige Law – Trusted Injury Attorneys | No Fee Unless We Win

With decades of experience and a proven track record, Prestige Law stands by your side every step of the way. Talk to an attorney today—pay nothing unless we win your case.

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Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex?

Truck accident claims are never as straightforward as a fender-bender between two cars. They involve more severe injuries, higher financial stakes, and complicated legal rules that demand a seasoned advocate on your side. Here’s why:

Size, Weight & Catastrophic Harm

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the average passenger car’s 3,000–4,000 pounds. That disparity creates devastating impacts in a collision.

Trucks also need up to 40% more stopping distance, have massive blind spots (“No-Zones”), and are prone to rollovers and jackknifes. The result? Life-altering injuries, higher medical costs, and a greater likelihood of wrongful death claims.

Multiple Parties & Complex Liability

In a car accident, liability usually comes down to one or two drivers. In a truck crash, responsibility may be shared by:

The truck driver (fatigue, distraction, impairment)
The trucking company (unsafe schedules, negligent hiring, inadequate training)
The vehicle or parts manufacturer (brake or tire defects)
Cargo loaders (improperly secured or overloaded freight)
Maintenance providers (missed inspections or faulty repairs)

Each has their own lawyers and insurers, which means more finger-pointing, more paperwork, and a harder fight for victims to recover fair compensation.

Federal & California-Specific Regulations

Truck drivers and carriers don’t just follow the rules of the road. They’re governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, Electronic Logging Device (ELD) requirements, and strict cargo and maintenance standards.

In California, the CHP’s Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program adds an extra layer of oversight. These regulations are a double-edged sword: they complicate cases, but they also create opportunities to prove negligence when safety rules are broken.

Evidence That Fades Fast

Commercial trucks carry critical electronic data: black boxes, GPS tracking, and ELD logs that reveal hours driven, speeds, braking, and more. Federal law only requires trucking companies to retain driver logs for six months, and black box data may be overwritten much sooner.
Without swift legal action, vital records can disappear, making early involvement of a lawyer essential.

Insurance & Financial Stakes

Because of the potential for catastrophic harm, trucking companies carry much higher insurance limits. While that means more money may be available, it also means insurers invest heavily in aggressive defense strategies to limit payouts. Negotiating these high-stakes claims requires skill, patience, and a trial-ready approach.

Top Personal Injury Lawyers | Prestige Law – Get Justice Today

Injured in a car accident or due to someone else’s negligence? Prestige Law’s experienced injury attorneys are ready to fight for you.

Book your free consultation today and let us help you win the compensation you deserve.

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Common Trucking Accident Scenarios in Van Nuys

Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles means facing risks unique to their size and purpose. Crashes can involve 18-wheelers, big rigs, delivery vans, tanker trucks, tow trucks, construction and dump trucks, or even garbage trucks on local routes. Each vehicle type presents its own dangers — from wide turns to hazardous cargo — and requires careful legal analysis.Here are some of the most common crash scenarios we see in Van Nuys and throughout Los Angeles County:

Jackknife Accidents

Rollover Crashes

T-Bone Collisions

Head-On Collisions

Blind-Spot (“No-Zone”) Collisions

Rear-End and Override Crashes

Wide-Turn Conflicts

Tire Blowouts

Underride Accidents

Hazardous Cargo Spills

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife happens when the truck’s cab and trailer swing into a sharp “L” or “V” shape, often due to hard braking on wet or downhill roads. These accidents can wipe out multiple lanes of traffic in an instant and frequently cause chain-reaction collisions.

Rollover Crashes

Because of their high center of gravity, big rigs are prone to tipping or rolling over, especially when cargo shifts, tires fail, or drivers take curves too quickly. Rollover accidents often block entire roadways and put surrounding vehicles at extreme risk.

T-Bone Collisions

If a truck driver runs a red light or stop sign, the truck can slam into the side of another vehicle at an intersection. Because of the truck’s size and speed, T-Bone accidents often cause catastrophic injuries.

Head-On Collisions

On two-lane highways or rural roads near Van Nuys, a distracted or drowsy truck driver can drift into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on crash at full force. Head-on collisions are often fatal.

Blind-Spot (“No-Zone”) Collisions

Trucks have large blind spots along their sides, directly in front, and behind the trailer. When a car lingers in those areas, a sudden lane change or merge by the truck can cause a devastating side-swipe or squeeze-out crash.

Rear-End and Override Crashes

A fully loaded tractor-trailer needs nearly twice the stopping distance of a passenger car. When a truck driver is speeding, distracted, or tailgating, the result can be a violent rear-end collision.

In an override accident, the truck rides over the back of the car in front, often with fatal consequences.

Wide-Turn Conflicts

To complete a 90-degree turn, a truck may need to swing across multiple lanes. If the driver misjudges, nearby vehicles can be caught between the truck and the curb, or forced into oncoming traffic.

Tire Blowouts

The tires on a semi endure tremendous stress. When they aren’t replaced or maintained properly, sudden blowouts can send tire shrapnel across the road and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Underride Accidents

One of the most catastrophic scenarios, an underride occurs when a car slides underneath the trailer of a truck that brakes suddenly. These crashes often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

Hazardous Cargo Spills

When trucks carry fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials, even a minor collision can lead to dangerous spills, fires, or toxic exposure. These cases require specialized handling and immediate response.

At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we know how to investigate these scenarios, hold negligent drivers and companies accountable, and build the strongest case possible for our clients.
The sooner you act, the sooner critical evidence, like driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records can be preserved.

What to Do After a Truck Crash?

A truck crash can be overwhelming, but what you do in the moments and days that follow can make a huge difference in your recovery and your case. Here are the key steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

Call 911 and Create an Official Record

Always call the police and report the crash. Their accident report documents the scene, witnesses, and initial findings, crucial evidence for your claim.

Watch What You Say

Stay calm, but don’t apologize or admit fault. Keep your conversation at the scene limited to exchanging information and speaking with law enforcement.

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

The sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be. A lawyer can send preservation letters, investigate the trucking company, handle insurers, and guide you step by step toward compensation.

Avoid Insurance Traps

Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly for a recorded statement. Do not provide one without legal advice. Their goal is to minimize payouts, not to help you.

Preserve Evidence at the Scene

If it’s safe, take photos and videos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries. Collect witness contact information and note any traffic cameras or businesses nearby that may have footage. Dashcam recordings can also be vital.

Get Medical Care Immediately

Even if you feel “okay,” see a doctor right away. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and delays in treatment give insurance companies an excuse to question your claim. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all appointments.

Protect Digital Evidence

Commercial trucks generate valuable data through electronic logging devices (ELDs), black boxes, and maintenance records — all of which can prove fatigue, speed, or mechanical failures. The challenge is that companies don’t hold onto this information for long, and it’s often overwritten. Acting quickly with a lawyer ensures preservation requests are sent before critical evidence disappears.

Stay Off Social Media

Don’t post photos, videos, or updates about the crash. Insurance companies and defense lawyers scour social media for posts they can use to downplay your injuries.

Focus on your health, protect evidence, and call a lawyer who knows how to handle truck accident claims. At Prestige Law Firm P.C., our experienced personal injury lawyers move quickly to safeguard your rights and fight for maximum recovery.

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How Liability Is Determined in Truck Crashes?

Unlike a typical car accident where fault usually comes down to one or two drivers, truck accidents often involve multiple layers of responsibility. That’s why determining liability requires a thorough investigation into everyone connected to the truck, its operation, and its cargo.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers are held to stricter rules than everyday motorists, and for good reason. A single mistake behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle can cause catastrophic harm. Drivers may be liable if they were:

Speeding or driving recklessly.
Making unsafe lane changes or tailgating.
Driving while distracted (cell phone use, eating, or other in-cab distractions).
Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is strictly prohibited under federal regulations.
Failing to inspect their vehicle or cargo before departure, leading to preventable malfunctions or unsecured loads.

Any of these violations can establish negligence by the driver, but the analysis doesn’t stop there.

The Trucking Company

Even when a driver is directly at fault, the trucking company often shares responsibility. Employers can be held liable if the crash occurred while the driver was on the job. Beyond vicarious liability, companies may also be negligent themselves by:

Hiring unqualified drivers or failing to conduct drug/alcohol testing.

Not properly training or supervising employees.
Skipping scheduled maintenance or repairs.
Pushing drivers to violate hours-of-service rules, leading to fatigue.
Misclassifying employees as “independent contractors” to dodge responsibility.

Trucking companies frequently have teams of investigators and insurers working to limit payouts, making it critical to have an experienced attorney to level the playing field.

Manufacturers & Maintenance Providers

Sometimes, the truck itself is to blame. Defective brakes, tires, or other faulty components can cause catastrophic mechanical failures. In these cases, liability may fall on the manufacturer of the truck or parts.

Likewise, if a mechanic or service center neglected essential repairs or failed to keep the vehicle in safe working order, they too may be responsible. Maintenance logs and expert inspections are key pieces of evidence in uncovering these issues.

Cargo Loaders & Shippers

Improperly loaded or overweight trailers create serious dangers, from rollovers to brake failures. Cargo companies and shippers must secure freight within legal weight limits and safety standards. If they don’t, they can be held liable, especially if hazardous materials are involved.

Other Drivers on the Road

Truck crashes aren’t always caused by the truck itself. A careless car cutting off a semi, drifting into its blind spot, or weaving through traffic can force the trucker into sudden braking or swerving, often leading to jackknifes, rollovers, or multi-vehicle collisions. In these cases, the negligent driver of another vehicle may share liability.

Government Entities Responsible for Road Safety

Poorly designed or maintained roads can also play a role in truck accidents. Hazards like potholes, missing signage, faulty signals, or unsafe curves increase the risk of a crash.
When this happens, the government agency responsible for the roadway may be held accountable, though these claims require special procedures and strict deadlines.

What to Expect When Working With Us?

At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we know that after a serious truck accident, you need more than legal jargon, you need a clear path forward. Here’s how we guide you every step of the way:

Case Evaluation & Protecting Your Rights

It starts with a free consultation. We listen to your story, map your medical needs, and outline next steps.
From day one, our team takes over all communication with the insurance companies to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and document the facts while they’re fresh.

Building a Strong Case with Experts

We partner with leading experts, accident reconstructionists, human-factors specialists, biomedical and vocational experts, life-care planners, and economists to prove how the crash happened and the full impact on your life, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity.

Investigation & Evidence Preservation

Truck cases hinge on fast, detailed investigations. We immediately send spoliation notices to secure black-box/telematics data, electronic logging device (ELD) records, driver qualification files, GPS, and maintenance logs.

We also gather CHP BIT inspection results, repair histories, pre-/post-trip inspection reports, scene photos, 911/CAD records, and witness statements. This thorough evidence collection ensures every detail is preserved and nothing slips through the cracks.

Litigation & Trial Preparation

If the insurance company refuses to be fair, we file a lawsuit on your behalf. This triggers discovery and depositions, where both sides exchange evidence and testimony under oath.

We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, hiring expert witnesses and questioning the at-fault parties under oath to strengthen your position.

Demand Package & Negotiation

Once the evidence and medical picture are clear, we prepare a comprehensive settlement package telling the full story of your case. Insurers know we negotiate with trial in mind. That leverage pushes them to take your claim seriously and offer maximum compensation.

Jury Trial

If settlement isn’t possible, we’re ready for trial. Our experienced trial lawyers present your case to a jury of your peers, who ultimately decide the amount of financial compensation you deserve based on the evidence.

Mediation or Arbitration

Before trial, many cases go to mediation, where a neutral mediator works to help both sides reach a fair settlement. In some cases, especially when dealing with your own insurance company, arbitration may be required. Both are opportunities to resolve your case without a jury.

Why Our Van Nuys Truck Accident Attorneys Stand Out

At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we combine big-firm results with boutique-level service. Whether through settlement or trial, our mission is simple: to fight until you win. Contact us for a free case review.
Choosing the right lawyer after a truck accident can mean the difference between walking away with a minimal settlement and securing the full compensation you deserve. Here’s what sets Prestige Law Firm P.C. apart:

Free Consultation & No Fee Unless We Win

You never pay out of pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes only if we recover money for you.

Boutique, Hands-On Advocacy

Unlike large firms where clients often get lost in the shuffle, at Prestige Law Firm P.C. you’ll have direct access to your attorney, not just case managers or assistants. Every client receives personal attention.

Serious-Injury Focus & Proven Results

With more than two decades of personal injury experience, our firm has secured multiple seven-figure recoveries and even an eight-figure settlement. We, Van Nuys personal injury lawyers, don’t shy away from complex or high-stakes cases, often the ones other firms refuse.

Civil + Workers’ Comp Coordination

Founding attorney Paul Aghabala is uniquely skilled in handling both civil injury and workers’ compensation claims. For injured employees, such as delivery drivers or truck operators, that means maximizing total recovery across both systems.

Insider Knowledge of Insurance Companies

Paul Aghabala has firsthand experience as former defense counsel for insurance companies, and our staff includes prior insurance adjusters. We know the strategies insurers use to minimize claims and how to counter them effectively.

Aggressive Litigators, Not Just Settlers

Many firms rush to settle cases. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and insurance companies know it. That reputation allows us to negotiate from a position of strength and fight for the maximum value of your claim.

Community Commitment

We don’t just represent clients, we give back. Attorney Paul Aghabala co-founded a non-profit organization supporting homeless veterans in Los Angeles and each year our firm organizes a holiday toy drive for children in foster care.

Local Knowledge & Courtroom Experience

We regularly file and litigate cases in Van Nuys Courthouse East/West and across Los Angeles County. That local familiarity gives us practical insight into court procedures, judges, and defense tactics, an advantage that benefits our clients.

Recognized Legal Excellence

Our personal injury attorneys have been honored with industry recognition, including listings in Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. We’re proud of the respect we’ve earned among peers and the results we’ve achieved for clients.

Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?

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Take the First Step Toward Justice Today

Recovering from a truck accident is never easy. Between medical bills, missed work, and dealing with insurance companies, it can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to face this battle alone.

At Prestige Law Firm P.C., we’ve helped clients across Van Nuys and Los Angeles recover the resources they need to rebuild their lives. With decades of experience, a proven record that includes multi-million-dollar outcomes in catastrophic cases (results vary by case), and trial-ready advocacy, we know how to stand up to trucking companies and insurers who put profits over people.

Don’t wait — vital evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.

818-788-0808
14541 Sylvan St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
paul@prestigelaw.com

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FAQ

How do you prove liability in a truck case?

By combining HOS/ELD data, ECM/EDR downloads, maintenance/BIT files, and expert reconstruction with photos, scene mapping, and witness testimony. Patterns like log falsification, skipped maintenance, or speed/brake data before impact are powerful.

What damages can I recover?

Medical expenses (past/future), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in tragic cases, wrongful-death damages. (Each case is unique; we’ll explain what applies to you.)

How long do I have to file in California?

Generally 2 years from the date of injury for personal injury claims (shorter deadlines may apply against government entities; other exceptions may toll/shorten deadlines, ask us now).

Will my immigration status affect my case?

No. In California your immigration status is not admissible in personal injury or wrongful death cases, and you retain the right to pursue compensation.