Hurt in a car or truck crash?
Leave your name and phone. We call back today, in English or Spanish. The consultation is free and confidential.
Free consultation · English y Español · No fees or costs unless we win
Why construction zones are risky for trucks
Work zones narrow lanes, shift traffic onto temporary pavement and create sudden slowdowns. A loaded truck needs much more room to stop than a car, so rear-end crashes are common when traffic backs up at the start of a zone. Concrete barriers leave little room on the side, and trucks can drift into the next lane.
California drivers must not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent for the speed, traffic and road (Vehicle Code 21703). In a work zone, that means more room, not less. If a truck rear-ended you in a backup, our page on being rear-ended by a semi truck explains the next steps.
Who can be responsible
The trucking company is generally responsible when its employee causes a crash on the job (respondeat superior). Work trucks inside the zone, such as dump trucks and mixers, may belong to the contractor or a subcontractor. Our pages on dump truck accidents and cement mixer accidents cover those trucks. The company name is often painted on the door or the equipment.
The road setup can matter too. Confusing signs, missing warnings, a sudden drop-off or poor lane markings may point to the contractor or the public agency. A public entity can be liable for a dangerous condition of its property if it created the condition or had notice in time to fix it (Government Code 835). Contracts decide much of how responsibility is shared.
Free accident case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Evidence that disappears fast
Work zones change from day to day. Cones move, signs come down and lanes shift back. Photos and video taken right after the crash can be the only record of how the zone looked. Write down the location, the direction of travel and any company names on signs or equipment, since contractors often post them.
Truck data, logs and dashcam video can show the truck’s speed coming into the zone. See black box and dashcam evidence. Your share of fault, if any, reduces your recovery under California’s pure comparative fault rule but does not bar it. Shared blame among several companies is common in these cases.
What to do now
Get medical care right away. If it is safe, photograph the cones, signs, barriers, lane lines, any drop-offs and the truck, including its USDOT number and company name. Record a short video of the approach to the zone. Get witness names and phone numbers, including workers who saw the crash. Write down the report number and claim numbers, and keep every receipt.
If a public agency ran the project or owned the road, the six-month claim deadline comes first. Read the six-month claim to understand it. In California, a personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). In Washington, the general deadline is three years (RCW 4.16.080).
- See a doctor and keep your appointments
- Photograph the signs, cones, lanes and contractor names
- Get names of witnesses, including workers
- Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement before you talk to a lawyer
- Keep bills, receipts and proof of lost work
How we can help
Construction zone cases can involve a trucking company, a contractor, subcontractors and a public agency, each with different deadlines and insurers. We identify who controlled the zone, file any required government claim on time and request the truck data. Call (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
You can learn more on our California truck accident lawyer page or our Washington truck accident lawyer page. You can also browse all accident questions for answers about medical bills, settlement value and how long a case takes. The sooner you call, the more of the work zone evidence we can still capture.
Common questions
Who is liable for a truck crash in a construction zone?
Often the truck driver and the trucking company, and sometimes the contractor or a public agency if the zone was set up in a confusing or unsafe way. More than one party can share responsibility. A lawyer can look at the contracts and the zone layout.
Can I make a claim against Caltrans or a city for a construction zone?
A public entity can be liable for a dangerous condition of its property if it created the condition or knew about it in time to fix it. Before suing, a written claim generally must be presented within six months. Talk to a lawyer soon so the claim goes to the right agency.
What if a construction company’s truck hit me?
In California, an employer is generally liable when its employee causes a crash on the job, so the contractor’s insurance may pay. Write down the company name on the truck and any signs in the zone, and get the truck number.
Does a construction zone change who is at fault?
The basic rules still apply, but drivers are expected to slow down and leave more room. If the zone setup played a part, more parties may share fault. In California, your own share of fault reduces your recovery but does not bar it.
Ask a question
Not ready to call? Write your question and someone on our team will answer. No cost, no commitment.
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
Sources
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.