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Why the exact location matters
Each state sets its own deadlines and many of its own rules. In California, an injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). In Washington, the general limit for a car or truck crash is three years (RCW 4.16.080). A crash just across a state line can change which rules apply, so the exact spot of the crash is one of the first things a lawyer asks about.
The county matters too. A crash on I-5 could happen in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles or Kern County, or farther north. A crash on I-10 could be in Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Riverside County. Where the case is filed affects which courthouse hears it and where you may need to go. Where the companies are based can also affect the choice.
Federal trucking rules apply on both highways
Some rules stay the same wherever the crash happened. A property-carrying driver may drive at most 11 hours after 10 hours off duty and may not drive past the 14th hour on duty (49 C.F.R. 395.3). For-hire interstate carriers hauling ordinary freight in trucks rated at 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 C.F.R. 387.9).
These long routes see a lot of interstate freight, and long hauls are where hours-of-service rules come into play. Carriers must keep duty status records, including electronic logs, for six months (49 C.F.R. 395.8). In some cases, a trucking company may try to move a case to federal court. Whether that can happen depends on the facts and the parties, and a lawyer can check.
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When the truck or company is from another state
A truck on I-10 or I-5 may belong to a company based far away. That does not stop you from bringing a claim, but it adds steps, such as finding the right company, its insurer and where it can be served. Our page on out-of-state truck crashes in California explains more about those cases.
Start with the name and USDOT number on the truck. The federal SAFER Company Snapshot shows a carrier’s USDOT number, safety rating, inspection and out-of-service data and crash counts (FMCSA SAFER and SMS). Our page on looking up a carrier’s safety record walks through the search. That information helps identify who operated the truck and who may be responsible.
Construction zones and road conditions
Both highways have long stretches of construction, sharp grades and heavy traffic. If an unsafe condition of the road helped cause the crash, a public entity may share responsibility when the condition created a foreseeable risk and the entity created it or had notice in time to fix it (Government Code 835). See truck crashes in construction zones.
Claims against a California public entity have a much shorter first step. A written claim generally must be presented within six months of the injury (Government Code 911.2). If you think the road, the signs or a work zone played a part, tell a lawyer early so the claim can be filed in time and photos of the scene can be taken before it changes.
What to do now
Write down exactly where the crash happened while you still remember. Note the highway, direction, nearest exit or mile marker, and the city or county. Get medical care and keep your records. Photograph the truck, its company name and USDOT number. The agency that wrote the police report must release it to an injured person or their lawyer (Vehicle Code 20012).
Do not sign releases or give recorded statements to the trucking company’s insurer before you talk to a lawyer. Keep receipts and claim numbers. If the crash was on I-5 in Washington, see our Washington truck accident lawyer page; for California, see our California truck accident lawyer page. Call (310) 552-6959 or use the form, and we can check where your case belongs.
- Note the highway, direction, exit or mile marker, and county.
- Photograph the truck, trailer, company name and USDOT number.
- Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Write down the police report number and agency.
- Keep medical records, bills and receipts.
- Do not sign releases or give recorded statements before getting legal advice.
Common questions
Can I file my truck accident case where I live instead of where the crash happened?
Sometimes, depending on the facts and where the companies are based. The court that can hear the case depends on more than your address. A lawyer can look at where the crash happened, where the driver and carrier are located and where the evidence is, and then explain the options.
Which state’s law applies if a Washington truck hit me in California?
Usually the location of the crash matters most, but the answer depends on the facts. Federal trucking rules apply in both states. The deadlines differ: generally two years for an injury lawsuit in California and three years in Washington. A lawyer can check which state’s rules apply to your claim.
Who writes the police report for a truck crash on the freeway?
On a California freeway, it is often the CHP, though a local agency may respond in some places. Whatever agency wrote the report must release it to a driver involved, an injured person or their lawyer, and it may charge only its actual cost. Our page on freeway truck crashes has more.
Does it matter that the truck was just passing through California?
It can add steps, but it does not stop a claim. An out-of-state carrier still follows federal hours-of-service and insurance rules. The case may involve finding the company’s insurer, preserving its records and deciding where to file. Starting early helps, since driver logs only have to be kept for six months.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
Can I sue a truck driver for hitting me? · Who is liable in a truck accident: the driver, the trucking company or the broker? · Rear-ended by a semi truck: what to do · Hit by a semi truck on the freeway: your rights · Jackknife truck accident: who is at fault? · All car and truck accident questions
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Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.