Truck Accident Claims in Newport Beach
The Ledger Law Firm represents people hurt in truck crashes in and around Newport Beach, and the case evaluation is free.
Call (949) 377-1111
The firm works on a contingency fee: the fee is a percentage of what is recovered. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee, but you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.
What to do after a truck crash in Newport Beach
- Move to a safe place and call 911. Ask for medical help if anyone is hurt.
- See a doctor soon, even if you feel fine. Keep every record and bill.
- Write down what is on the truck: the company name and USDOT number on its side, its license plate, and the name, plate and any numbers on the trailer. Federal rule 49 CFR 390.21 requires a truck it covers to show the name and USDOT number of its carrier on both sides.
- Get the name of the driver, the employer and the insurance details. Take photos of the vehicles, the cargo, the road and your injuries. Get names and phone numbers from witnesses.
- Ask the officer which agency is taking the report, and write down the report or case number.
- If the Newport Beach Police Department took the report, the people involved, or someone they authorize, can ask for a copy by phone or by mail. The steps, the fee and the hours are on our Newport Beach page under Police crash reports. If the California Highway Patrol took the report, use form CHP 190 at a CHP Area office, in person or by mail.
- Tell your own insurance company about the crash. Talk to an attorney before you give a recorded statement to the insurer of the trucking company or sign a release.
California and federal rules for truck claims
Deadlines
California gives you two years to file a lawsuit for an injury caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another person (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). A written claim for death, for injury to a person or for damage to personal property such as a vehicle must be presented to a city, a county or another public body within six months after the claim arises (Government Code section 911.2). Exceptions exist, so ask an attorney about the dates in your own case, and see Deadlines on our Newport Beach page for where a claim against the City of Newport Beach goes.
The truck speed limit
California Vehicle Code section 22406 sets a limit of 55 miles per hour for a truck or truck tractor with three or more axles, and for any truck or truck tractor that pulls another vehicle.
Federal limits on driving hours
Under 49 CFR 395.3, the driver of a property carrying truck may not drive without first taking 10 hours off duty in a row. The driver may then drive a total of 11 hours, and may not drive once 14 hours in a row have passed since coming on duty. The rule points to exceptions in section 395.1. Under 49 CFR 390.3, these federal rules apply to commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Ask an attorney which rules apply to the truck in your crash.
Carrier duties and records
Under 49 CFR 390.11, when a federal safety rule sets a duty for a driver, the carrier must require the driver to follow it. Under 49 CFR 396.3, a carrier must inspect, repair and maintain the vehicles it controls. Under 49 CFR 395.8, a carrier must keep driver hours records and supporting documents for at least 6 months from the date it receives them. That is a short time, so talk to an attorney soon.
Newport Beach roads and truck crash figures
The main roads through the city include Pacific Coast Highway, which is State Route 1, along with Newport Boulevard, Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard. State Route 55 and State Route 73 bring regional traffic into the city. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration counted 5,340 people killed in crashes involving large trucks in the United States in 2024, and 70 percent of them were occupants of other vehicles. The figures come from its report Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Large Trucks, dated June 2026.
How The Ledger Law Firm handles a truck accident claim
Here is what happens when you bring a Newport Beach truck crash claim to the firm.
- Free case evaluation. You tell us what happened and we tell you whether we can help. It costs nothing.
- Evidence. We collect the crash report, photos, witness statements, and your medical records and bills.
- Insurance. We deal with the insurance companies so you do not have to.
- Demand. We add up your medical costs, lost pay and other losses, and we send a written demand to the insurer.
- Your decision. We bring every offer to you, and you decide whether to accept it. If no offer is acceptable to you, a lawsuit can be filed in a California court before the deadline.
Depending on the facts, a truck claim can involve more than one responsible party, such as the driver and the carrier.
The firm works on a contingency fee: the fee is a percentage of what is recovered. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee, but you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses. The firm does not promise any result.
Who is licensed in California
The attorneys of the firm licensed in California are Emery Brett Ledger and Sabrina Sabbagh. The Ledger Law Firm was founded in 1998 by Emery Brett Ledger. Its head office is at 5160 Birch Street, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Call The Ledger Law Firm at (949) 377-1111 for a free case evaluation.
