Truck Accident Lawyers Serving All of California
Hit by a Truck?
Talk to a Lawyer for Free.
An 80,000-pound truck doesn’t cause fender-benders — it causes catastrophes. The trucking company lawyers up within hours. You need a team that moves just as fast. That’s the Valero difference.
No Fee Unless We Win
Serving All of CA
“I got hit by a semi-truck on the streets and I was severely injured. Eric Sapir was very helpful and caring. He made sure I got the right doctor to take care of all my medical needs and help me get my health back on track. Thanks Valero Law Group.”
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A Truck Crash Is Not Just a Bigger Car Crash
Salinas sits at the crossroads of California’s freight network — Highway 156, Highway 101, and Highway 68 carry tens of thousands of big rigs through Monterey County every day. When one of them hits a passenger car, the physics are brutal: a loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, more than 20 times a typical car. And the carrier’s rapid-response team is often on scene before the tow truck, building a defense while you’re still in the ambulance.
Valero Law Group levels the playing field — from a real office right here on San Joaquin Street in Salinas, where you can sit down with your legal team face to face. We send the legal hold letter, lock down the driver logs and black-box data, take on the carrier’s insurer, and fight for every dollar. Before you say a word to an adjuster, find out what your case is really worth. Your consultation is free, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
Get your free case review
A real Salinas office — not a call center.
Results That Take On the Big Insurers
Catastrophic injuries demand serious results. Over 20 years, our attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for injured Californians.
$6.25M
Confidential Settlement
One of the largest personal-injury settlements our firm has secured.
$5M
Motor-Vehicle Accident
Brachial plexus injury in a motor-vehicle collision.
$4.4M
Crash — Neck Injury
The insurer’s best offer was $410,000. We didn’t settle.
$3M
Motor-Vehicle Accident
Back and neck injury settlement.
These results reflect the firm’s overall personal-injury track record. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
$410,000 Offer. $4.4 Million Recovery.
A client came to us after the insurance company offered $410,000 for a neck injury in a motor-vehicle crash. Most people would have taken it. We didn’t. We took the case all the way — and recovered more than ten times the insurer’s offer. Trucking carriers make the same kind of opening offer. We treat it the same way.
The insurer’s best offer
$410,000
What Valero recovered
$4.4M
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
What Causes Serious Truck Accidents
Most big-rig crashes trace back to negligence — by the driver, the company, or the people who loaded and maintained the truck. On high-speed corridors like Highway 156 and Highway 101, these mistakes turn deadly fast.
Driver Fatigue
Long-haul drivers pushed past federal hours-of-service limits get behind the wheel exhausted. Drowsy driving slows reaction time as badly as drunk driving.
Speeding & Tailgating
A loaded big rig needs the length of a football field to stop. Speeding on Highway 101 or following too close leaves no room to brake in time.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Overloaded or unbalanced freight can cause a rollover or jackknife — and shift the blame onto the company that loaded the trailer.
Poor Maintenance
Worn brakes, bald tires, and skipped inspections turn a routine haul into a deadly failure on the interstate.
Distracted Driving
Texting, dispatch systems, GPS, and eating behind the wheel pull a driver’s eyes off 80,000 pounds of moving steel.
Blind Spots & Wide Turns
Trucks have huge "no-zones" on every side. A driver who fails to check them can crush a passenger car that disappears from view.
Because trucks weigh so much, even a “minor” collision can cause catastrophic injuries — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, internal bleeding, or wrongful death. See a doctor immediately — and let us handle the company.
Real Clients. Real Results.
Recent Valero Law Group clients — in their own words.
$415,000 “Can't say enough good things about Kyle and his team. They were professional and always kept me informed about my case. They are the best car accident lawyers — they helped me get a great result and I always had 24-hour access to them.”
Samir G.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
$460,000 “Valero Law Group was very supportive in dealing with my car accident. Kyle Valero had open communication every time I had questions. I would highly recommend them. Thank you, Kyle, for guiding me through this!”
Elizabeth M.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
$625,000 “Excellent service!! They over communicate, thorough, and great with follow ups. Did all the heavy lifting and contacted all parties and scheduled appointments while I was recovering. Kyle Valero did an amazing job. Highly recommended!”
Karina C.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
$881,000 “Valero Law Group was the perfect fit for me. They were on top of everything from day one. My case manager provided detailed updates throughout the process. When I spoke with the attorneys, they assured me they would work to get the top settlement — and they did not disappoint.”
Samuel M.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
$625,000 “Choosing to go with Valero Law Group was a great decision. After my car accident I was nervous and hurt pretty badly. The team handled all the problems and helped me get all the treatment I needed to get my life back on track. I feel great again — they’re very good at what they do, and I’ll definitely be recommending them.”
Victoria M.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
$375,000 “These guys really made it easy for me. Thank you Valero Law Group for making one of the most stressful times in my life seem like a breeze. You guys helped me get my life back!”
Javier P.
Auto Accident · Verified Valero Law Group client
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. Settlement figures reflect amounts recovered by Valero Law Group for injury clients. Testimonials reflect individual client experiences.
Trucks Answer to Federal Law
Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These federal rules cap how many hours a driver can be on the road (hours-of-service limits), require detailed driver logs and electronic logging devices, and set strict standards for inspections, maintenance, and cargo securement.
A violation of these rules is powerful evidence of negligence. The catch: that proof lives in the carrier’s own records and the truck’s black box — and it can be lawfully overwritten on a schedule. The moment we’re hired, we move to preserve it.
If a truck crash took the life of someone you love, you may also have a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of their love and companionship.
More Than One Party May Owe You
Unlike a typical car crash, a truck case often has several at-fault parties — and several insurance policies. We trace every link in the chain:
- The truck driver — for fatigue, speeding, distraction, or impaired driving
- The trucking or carrier company — for pushing unrealistic schedules or hiring unsafe drivers
- The cargo loader — for overloaded, unbalanced, or unsecured freight
- The truck or parts manufacturer — for defective brakes, tires, or components
- The maintenance contractor — for skipped inspections or shoddy repairs
- The truck or trailer owner — for putting an unfit rig on the road
The Evidence Race Starts Immediately
Major carriers often dispatch a rapid-response team and corporate defense lawyers to the crash scene within hours — not to help you, but to build their defense and limit what they pay. If you wait, the evidence that proves your case can quietly disappear.
When you hire us, we send a legal hold (spoliation) letter right away, demanding the company preserve everything. Then we investigate — and, when needed, bring in accident reconstruction experts to show exactly what happened.
Evidence We Fight to Lock Down
- Black-box / event data recorder readings (speed, braking, throttle)
- Driver hours-of-service logs and electronic logging device data
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- The driver’s personnel file, training, and drug-test history
- Dispatch records, delivery schedules, and cell-phone data
- Cargo loading manifests and weigh-station records
The faster we’re involved, the stronger your case. If you or a loved one was hit by a truck on Highway 156, Highway 101, or Highway 68, call us before the trail goes cold.
Compensation After a Truck Accident
Catastrophic injuries bring bills that last a lifetime. California law lets injured victims — and the families of those killed — recover two kinds of damages.
Economic Damages
Calculable, out-of-pocket losses you can prove with bills and records.
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital bills
- Long-term rehabilitation and future medical care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
The human cost of your injuries — subjective, but very real.
- Pain and physical suffering
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Lost future enjoyment of life
Why Choose Valero Law Group?
Personal Attention. Big Results.
We Speak Spanish
Native Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays. Just a team that understands you.
No Fee Unless We Win
Zero upfront cost. We only get paid when you get paid.
Available 24/7
Day or night, we're always here when you need us.
Not a Volume Firm
We don't assign your case to an inexperienced lawyer. You get our full attention and our best attorneys.
We Come to You
Can't travel? We'll meet you at your home or hospital — wherever is easiest for you.
Free & Confidential Case Review
Get an honest evaluation of your case at no cost and with complete privacy.
Settlement Amount
$1,000,000
“Valero Law Group, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You helped achieve a VERY HIGH settlement for me and my husband. Choosing you to represent us has been the best decision for our lives! 100% recommending them to all my family and friends! Valero Law Group will fight for you!”
JOEL & MARIA
Auto Accident — $1,000,000 Settlement
Our Easy 3-Step Case Review Process
We Make Getting Legal Help Simple
Free Consultation
Call us 24/7 or fill out our form. We'll review your case at no cost.
Review Your Case
Our experienced attorneys investigate and evaluate your case to build the strongest claim possible.
Injury Litigation
We fight for maximum compensation — in negotiation or in court.
Call now for a free consultation. Don't wait — there are legal deadlines.
See What Our Clients Are Saying...
“The first time I came into the office they welcomed me like I was family, and made sure to go over the whole process slowly and with great detail. My experience with this law firm was truly incredible and I can guarantee any client who decides to hire them will see exactly what I experienced.”
Jacob D.
Auto Accident
“Valero injury law firm made me feel comfortable like family and answered my questions no matter how small. They are completely committed to making sure you are taken care of. They are honest, they communicate with you, and they treat you like family.”
Elizabeth M.
Auto Accident
“After searching for an attorney, they truly were the only ones that looked at me as a person not just an easy case. Any question, no matter how small was answered. Any missed call was quickly returned. Even though they have many clients I never felt like I was not a priority.”
Nathan J.
Personal Injury
Our Office Is Right Here in Salinas
We live and work here. From the Highway 156 freight corridor to Highway 101 and Highway 68, we know the routes where Salinas’s heaviest truck traffic — and its worst crashes — happen. Walk into our office on San Joaquin Street and talk to a real legal team — and if your injuries keep you home or in the hospital, we’ll come to you, anywhere in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties — and anywhere in California.
Local Office
(831) 203-116024/7 Line
(877) 639-8888Truck Accident FAQ
How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Who can I sue after a truck accident in California?
Why do I need to act fast after a truck crash?
How much is my Salinas truck accident case worth?
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California?
What if the trucking company’s insurance isn’t enough?
What does a truck accident lawyer cost?
Sources: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §335.1 (2-year personal-injury deadline) · Cal. Veh. Code §16056 (minimum insurance) · FMCSA federal regulations (commercial trucking).
Hit by a Truck? Don’t Wait — Call Today.
The trucking company is already protecting itself. California generally gives you just two years to file a claim — but driver logs and black-box data can be gone in a fraction of that time. Valero Law Group will preserve the evidence, take on the carrier’s insurer, and go to court if that’s what it takes. Your first consultation is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 639-8888Get a Free Case Evaluation
This page provides general information about California and federal truck accident law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed attorney.