Truck Accidents in California & Nevada: Your Rights, the Law and How to Protect Yourself

Driving in California or Nevada means sharing the road with thousands of commercial trucks—delivery vans, construction pickups, and the 18-wheelers dominating I-5, I-15, and major metro corridors. When one of these vehicles is involved in a crash, the consequences are often severe, and the law treats these work-truck cases very differently than ordinary car accidents. With commercial trucking activity growing and strict state and federal regulations at play, every driver should understand the risks, the rules, and what to do if they’re ever involved in a truck accident. Here’s a breakdown of what matters most:

What Counts as a Truck? (and Why It Matters)

A truck can be a daily work pickup, a UPS or Amazon delivery van, or the massive 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers powering through highways like California’s I-5 and Nevada’s I-15. Both Nevada and California recognize trucks, including pickups regularly hauling equipment or vans delivering retail goods, as commercial vehicles when they cross weight and-or business-use thresholds. When that happens, the vehicle becomes subject to stricter rules and the stakes in an accident rise fast.

Truck Classifications

Understanding how your vehicle (or the one that hit you) is classified matters because each category triggers different regulations, insurance minimums, and safety requirements.

• Light-duty: Standard pickups, small utility vehicles
• Medium-duty: Box trucks, larger delivery vehicles
• Heavy-duty: Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks
• Commercial vehicles: Any truck used for business, above a certain weight or configuration, must meet federal and state standards

The higher the classification, the more regulations the vehicle must follow, which often means more evidence to uncover, more insurance coverage in play, and more severe outcomes in a crash.

Why Trucks Are So Dangerous

Sharing the road with a commercial truck comes with risks most drivers never think about. Trucks have large blind spots—“no-zones”—along the sides, behind the trailer, and even in front of the cab. They also take far longer to stop, meaning a truck that looks comfortably behind you can quickly become a threat if the driver misjudges distance.

Cargo problems make crashes even more dangerous. A single unsecured pallet, a shifting load, or hazardous materials in the trailer can turn a simple fender-bender into a pile-up or a fire.

Fatigue and distraction are also major contributors. Commercial drivers often face long hours, pressure to meet delivery windows, and the same temptations all drivers have: phones, GPS, and multitasking. One moment of inattention behind the wheel of a 40-ton vehicle can be devastating.

Injuries from truck crashes are often severe, and the cost of recovery is high. In both California and Nevada, settlements for catastrophic truck-related injuries commonly exceed $500,000. California ranks among the top three U.S. states for fatal large-truck crashes, with more than 10% of its traffic deaths involving big rigs and over 12,000 crashes and 5,000 nonfatal injuries recorded in 2024, while Nevada reports that about 7% of its fatal crashes involve large trucks and most of the people killed or injured in both states are occupants of smaller vehicles traveling around them on major routes like I-5, I-10, and I-405 in California, and I-15 plus Las Vegas metro corridors and US-95 in Nevada.

Tips for Staying Safe Near Trucks

• Stay out of blind spots (“no-zones”). When driving, avoid lingering along the sides of a truck, directly behind the trailer, or close to the front of the cab. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, they likely can’t see you.
• Give trucks extra space. Trucks need much more room to brake, accelerate, merge, and make wide turns. Leave extra distance when following or passing, and be patient when a truck is backing up or turning into a driveway.
• Pass efficiently and safely. When passing a truck, do so steadily without lingering beside the trailer. Return to your lane only when you can clearly see the front of the truck in your rearview mirror.
• Expect wind and debris. Large trucks create air turbulence that can pull smaller cars or motorcycles sideways. Keep a firm grip on the wheel when passing or being passed.
• Be extra alert as a pedestrian or cyclist. Large trucks have limited visibility at crosswalks, intersections, and driveways. Make eye contact with the driver when possible, avoid stopping in blind spots, and assume the truck cannot see you until proven otherwise.
• Avoid sudden maneuvers. Sudden braking, swerving, or lane changes make it harder for truck drivers to react. Use signals early, maintain a steady speed, and keep your intentions clear.

What To Do After a Truck Accident

1. Call 911 and request emergency assistance. Quick reporting ensures first responders can secure the scene and provide immediate care.
2. Collect names, company details, insurance and license info from all parties. Accurate contact information is essential for claims and investigations.
3. Save all evidence. Photos, debris, and damaged items can later support your insurance or legal claim. Thorough documentation helps reconstruct what happened and strengthens your case.
4. Seek medical attention no matter how you feel. Some injuries appear hours or days later, so early evaluation protects your health and record. Attend all follow-up appointments, complete recommended treatments, and participate in any necessary therapies.
5. Report the accident. Notify nearby people, business owners, or file an incident report.
6. Contact a lawyer. An experienced commercial truck accident lawyer can protect your rights and handle communications with insurers or trucking companies.
7. Avoid giving detailed statements to any insurance company (including your own) until you speak with a trucking accident attorney. Both California and Nevada companies often move quickly to limit their liability.
8. Journal and limit social media. Record detailed notes about how the accident occurred and track symptoms, treatments, and recollections related to your recovery process. Refrain from posting about your incident because anything posted online could impact your claim.

The moments after a truck accident are overwhelming, but every action you take matters. By gathering information, seeking medical care, and protecting your claim early, you safeguard your rights under California and Nevada law. These steps help preserve critical evidence and put you in the best position to recover the full compensation you’re entitled to.

What the Law Says: California vs. Nevada

In Nevada, commercial drivers must hold a CDL for heavy vehicles, and trucks must meet both state and federal safety specifications for lighting, brakes, and reflectors. Liability insurance minimums are set much higher than for personal vehicles. The state also enforces special traffic rules in metropolitan areas, such as Las Vegas and along key highways like US-95. These include ordinances that limit truck traffic during peak hours, prohibit overnight parking for heavy trucks on certain streets, and require detours for oversized vehicles.

California requires commercial drivers to complete specialized training and obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The state also imposes higher liability insurance requirements for commercial trucks. In both California and Nevada, trucks carrying non-hazardous cargo over 10,001 pounds must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, while insurance requirements can reach up to $5 million for hazardous material haulers. California also mandates routine inspections and requires commercial trucks to have functioning anti-lock brakes, DOT-approved lighting, and properly installed side and rear reflectors. Many cities further restrict truck parking and limit when and where heavy trucks may travel.

In both states, drivers and companies face severe penalties for failing to meet these requirements.

Why Choose Sam & Ash Injury Law?

At Sam & Ash, we know that every accident is personal, and so is your recovery. Our team has a proven track record of helping clients in Nevada and California secure life-changing results. Whether you need a California truck accident lawyer, a Nevada truck accident lawyer, or guidance after last-mile delivery truck accidents, we’ll help you understand your rights and protect your claim.

We offer deep expertise in Nevada and California law, and aggressive representation paired with compassionate, client-focused service. And there are no fees unless we win your case!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact Sam & Ash Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We fight, you win.