SANTA CRUZ TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Attorney Michael Rehm - (800) 978-0754

Truck Accidents in Santa Cruz County

Attorney Michael Rehm represents people seriously injured in commercial truck accidents throughout Santa Cruz County. The same highways that move freight through the region — Highway 1, Highway 17, and Highway 9 — create recurring conditions for catastrophic collisions. Highway 17 in particular is a known hazard for large vehicles: a steep, winding mountain corridor with grades that challenge commercial braking systems and limited space to recover from driver error.

Truck accident cases are legally and factually more complex than passenger vehicle cases. The vehicles are larger, the injuries more severe, the regulatory framework more extensive, and the number of potentially liable parties greater. Evidence that exists the day after a collision can disappear within weeks. These cases require prompt action.

Federal Regulations Governing Commercial Trucks

Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce are subject to federal regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Hours of Service rules under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 limit how long a commercial driver may operate without rest. Property-carrying drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, with a maximum 14-hour on-duty window and a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. Weekly limits cap total on-duty time within a 7- or 8-consecutive-day period.

These rules exist because driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of serious commercial truck accidents. A driver who exceeds HOS limits — or a carrier that pressures drivers to do so — has violated federal law. That violation is evidence of negligence.

Since December 2017, most commercial trucks subject to HOS rules are required to use Electronic Logging Devices under 49 C.F.R. Part 395, Subpart B. ELDs automatically record driving time, engine hours, vehicle movement, and location data. This data is critical evidence in a truck accident case — and federal regulations require carriers to preserve it. A litigation hold letter demanding preservation of ELD data, driver logs, trip records, inspection reports, and maintenance records should go out immediately after a serious truck collision. Failure to preserve this evidence after notice can support a spoliation argument.

The Legal Basis for a Truck Accident Claim

California Civil Code §1714 imposes a duty of ordinary care on every person operating a vehicle. For commercial carriers, that duty is informed by the federal regulatory framework — a driver who violates FMCSA hours of service rules or a carrier that fails to maintain its vehicles has breached the standard of care. The California Supreme Court confirmed in Rowland v. Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108 that ordinary care is the default rule and no exception applies to commercial vehicle operation on a public road.

Beyond the driver, other parties may be liable: the motor carrier that employed or contracted the driver; the entity responsible for vehicle maintenance; the shipper or loader if improper loading contributed to the accident; and, where applicable, the vehicle or component manufacturer. Identifying all liable parties and their insurers at the outset of a truck case is essential — the damages in a serious truck accident regularly exceed a single policy's limits.

What Damages Are Recoverable

Civil Code §3333 provides that damages in a tort case cover all detriment proximately caused, whether anticipated or not. In truck accident cases this typically includes emergency medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Civil Code §3283 expressly permits recovery of future damages — in catastrophic truck injury cases, this includes the cost of lifetime care.

Commercial trucking companies are required to carry substantially higher minimum liability coverage than passenger vehicles. Under federal regulations, the minimum for property-carrying trucks in interstate commerce is $750,000; for hazardous materials carriers, minimums reach $1 million to $5 million depending on the cargo. These higher limits exist because the legislature and Congress recognized the scale of harm these vehicles can cause.

How Truck Cases Proceed in Santa Cruz Superior Court

Truck accident lawsuits are filed at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz. Under Local Rule 2.1.01, the first case management conference is set approximately 120 days after filing, at which trial is assigned. Truck accident cases involving multiple defendants, extensive discovery, and expert witnesses are often designated long cause and handled under Local Rule 2.2.02, which requires all jury instructions, witness lists, exhibit lists, and motions in limine to be filed by the Thursday master calendar call two weeks before trial.

The Statute of Limitations

Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Missing this deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit. Tolling doctrines may apply depending on the facts. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the timeline in your case.

Retain Attorney Michael Rehm

Attorney Michael Rehm handles truck accident cases throughout Santa Cruz County on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 for a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. California law changes — statutes are amended, courts issue new decisions, and regulations are revised. Nothing on this page should be treated as a current statement of law without independent verification. Whether any deadline, legal doctrine, or rule applies to your specific case requires individual analysis based on the facts of your situation. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss your case directly.