Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Los Angeles
A truck accident in Los Angeles can happen in the blink of an eye. Truck drivers and other commercial vehicle operators have a duty of care to motorists and pedestrians on the road, but sending a quick text, checking their GPS, and even a yawn from driving fatigued can cause a devastating accident.
If you were involved in a truck accident in Los Angeles, you want to make sure to avoid certain mistakes many drivers have made in the past that reduced the amount of compensation they received. Keep reading to learn more about these mistakes, frequently asked questions, and why the Los Angeles commercial accident lawyers at BD&J are on your side.
Key Takeaways
- With daily traffic of more than 350,000 trucks along its highways, the city of Los Angeles sees plenty of truck accidents
- Common mistakes, including apologizing after an accident, failing to go to the hospital, and others can instantly hurt your chances of compensation after a truck accident
- Filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident can help recover damages
- A BD&J commercial vehicle accident attorney provides legal expertise against big trucking companies and their insurance providers
Los Angeles Truck Accident Stats
Truck accidents in Los Angeles are not uncommon. In fact:
- There were 432 truck crashes in the city of Los Angeles in 2025, leaving 594 people injured (TIMS)
- Of these crashes, more than 73% occurred on state highways (TIMS)
- The most common truck crash in Los Angeles in 2025 was a rear-end accident (TIMS)
- Los Angeles County is the county in the state with the highest number of people injured or killed in truck accidents (CHP)
What are Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Los Angeles?
Mistake 1: Apologizing or Admitting Fault in an Accident
It’s second nature to say something along the lines of “I’m sorry”, when talking with other drivers after an accident, but this can actually do your potential claim a lot more harm than good.
Instead:
Keep the conversation completely neutral. Avoid saying “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you there” or anything else that would point to you admitting fault for the accident. Remember, anything you say to other involved drivers or even their insurance company after an accident can be used against you.
Mistake 2: Not Gathering Evidence After Your Accident
Right after an accident, it’s normal for emotions to be running high, to feel a bit dazed or confused, and in the rush of trying to get to safety, to overlook things like taking photos of your vehicle, talking to other witnesses, and documenting the truck driver’s information.
Instead:
Take a moment to take photos of your vehicle, the truck, and the accident scene. Ask any other witnesses who saw the accident if they’d be willing to share their contact information, or dashcam footage if they have those devices in their vehicles.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Truck Accident Injuries and Neglecting Medical Care
Not feeling any pain or seeing any visible injuries immediately after a truck accident can stop people from seeking medical care, especially if they’re rushing to work or want to leave the accident scene as soon as possible.
Instead:
Injuries can take hours or even days to begin to show symptoms, and neglecting to document injuries right after an accident can minimize them in a claim. Seek medical care after an accident as soon as possible for your wellbeing and your legal claim.
Mistake 4: Waiting to File a Claim
Treating your injuries, getting back into routine after an accident, and focusing on daily life can make it easy to push back filing a personal injury claim after an accident.
Instead:
As with other legal processes, there is a deadline known as a statute of limitations. The longer you wait to file a claim, the more likely it is that your memories about the accident won’t be as fresh, and possible witnesses may no longer be reachable. Connect with a Los Angeles commercial accident lawyer as soon as possible to remain within your statute of limitations.
Mistake 5: Not Consulting a Los Angeles Commercial Accident Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement Offer
A settlement offer made by a trucking company’s insurance can seem like a big win, but that first settlement offer is usually lowballed to see if the company can save money.
Instead:
Sit down with a Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible to talk about the potential value of your case, as well as go over what to expect from insurance companies. If you are constantly getting lowballed by a trucking company’s insurance, an attorney can immediately help with the negotiation process.
What Can a Los Angeles Commercial Accident Lawyer Do for My Case?
While you are recovering from injuries and other damages after a truck accident, a Los Angeles commercial accident lawyer can help by:
- Presenting the initial claim
- Collecting evidence
- Interviewing expert witnesses for accident reconstruction and injury impact
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Appeal denied insurance claims
- Communicate with other legal teams on your behalf
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?
You have 2 years from the date of your truck accident to file a commercial vehicle accident claim.
Can I Still File a Claim if My Accident Was 3 Years Ago?
Unfortunately not. Once the statute of limitations comes to an end, you forfeit your right to recover compensation for accident damages.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, you can recover both economical and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, car repairs, and loss of income from being unable to work. Non-economic damages would include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Do You Have to Call the Police After a Truck Accident?
If someone was injured or passed away in a truck accident, or there was more than $1,000 in damages, you absolutely must report the accident.
If you aren’t sure about whether to report the accident, it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry and do it anyway.
What if a Police Report Doesn’t Establish Who Was at Fault for an Accident?
You can still file a report. A police report is used as evidence, not the final determination of fault.
What if the Commercial Driver Denies Liability?
If a commercial truck driver denies liability, and even gets aggressive after the initial accident, don’t engage. Call 911, stay in your vehicle, and after a police report has been made, speak to a commercial attorney as soon as possible.
Why Should I Call the Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers at BD&J After My Accident?
At BD&J, we’ve represented Californians involved in car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and more for more than 20 years.
With more than $2 billion recovered in damages, we are eager to help any client who walks through our doors in the fight for justice.
Do the BD&J Lawyers Speak Spanish?
Absolutely! Our attorneys speak Spanish, Farsi, Russian, Hebrew, and much more.
How To Practice Safe Driving Around Large Trucks on the Road
While some truck accidents can’t be preventable, being a safe driver on the road can lower the risk of accidents happening while you’re out and about.
Practice safe driving around large trucks while on the road by following these steps:
- Avoid blind spots. – This means staying out of the sides of large trucks, in the front, and behind them. If you can’t see the driver in their side mirrors, they can’t see you.
- Do not cut off large trucks. – Large trucks need wider stopping distances than cars — at least 500 feet. Cutting off a large truck can be seriously dangerous, as the sudden braking may still cause an impact.
- Keep a safe following distance. – Do not tailgate large trucks because of the longer braking distances they need, and also in case of a spilled cargo accident.
If your truck accident was caused by the negligent or reckless acts of another person or entity, speak to a commercial vehicle accident lawyer from BD&J today!
Commercial Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles Who Pursue Rightful Compensation
At BD&J, we’re not intimidated by large truck companies or their insurance providers. We are determined to help all injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians obtain the rightful compensation they deserve.
Are you unable to file a claim due to financial strain from the accident? We advance all case costs to clients, which means no stress for you, and no fees until we win your case*.
Call BD&J in Los Angeles to book your free initial consultation with an attorney.
Complete our form to get started on your claim now!