Truck Accident Filing Deadline in Torrance

By Payam Soliemanzadeh, Founder and President

Key takeaways

• You have two years under CCP §335.1 to file a truck accident lawsuit in Torrance.
• Government claims require filing within six months under Gov. Code §911.2 before any lawsuit.
• Harbor-UCLA Medical Center treats severe injuries from I-405 and I-110 truck collisions.
• Torrance Courthouse at 825 Maple Avenue hears cases filed in the Southwest District.

Torrance sits at the intersection of Interstate 405, Interstate 110, and State Route 1, making it a critical corridor for freight moving between the Port of Los Angeles and inland distribution centers. Large trucks traverse Hawthorne Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, and Torrance Boulevard daily, increasing collision risk. When a commercial vehicle strikes your car, understanding California's filing deadlines is essential to preserving your claim.

The clock starts ticking the moment the crash occurs, and exceptions are rare. Whether the collision involved a semi-trailer jackknifing on the San Diego Freeway or a box truck running a red light on Pacific Coast Highway, the same statutes govern your deadline. Acting promptly protects evidence, witness memory, and your legal rights under California law.

The two-year statute of limitations under CCP §335.1

California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 gives injured plaintiffs two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This window applies to claims against trucking companies, drivers, brokers, and maintenance contractors. If you miss the two-year mark, the defendant can move to dismiss, and courts routinely grant that motion, ending your case before you present any evidence.

The deadline is strict and applies to most truck collisions on Torrance streets and freeways. The two-year clock governs claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other personal injuries. Property damage carries a separate three-year limit under CCP §338, but personal injury is the shorter and more consequential deadline in serious truck cases.

The six-month government claim requirement under Gov. Code §911.2

If a government entity bears any responsibility—a city sanitation truck, county vehicle, Caltrans roadway defect, or defective traffic signal maintained by Torrance—you must file an administrative claim with that agency within six months under Government Code §911.2. This claim is not a lawsuit; it is a written notice that precedes any court action. Only after the agency denies or ignores your claim may you file in court.

Missing the six-month window typically bars your claim entirely, even if the two-year statute has not yet expired. Courts treat this deadline seriously, and exceptions are narrow. Because freight moves through Torrance on routes maintained by multiple agencies, identifying the responsible government entity early is critical to protecting your claim and meeting the Gov. Code §911.2 deadline.

Exceptions and tolling provisions that may extend deadlines

California recognizes limited tolling rules that pause the statute of limitations. If the injured plaintiff is a minor, the two-year clock does not start until the child turns eighteen. If the defendant trucking company leaves California to evade service, the time outside the state may not count. Mental incapacity can toll the deadline, but the burden of proof is high, and documentation is required.

The discovery rule—delaying the start date until injury is discovered—rarely applies to truck collisions, where harm is usually immediate and obvious. Relying on an exception is risky; courts construe tolling provisions narrowly. The safest course is to treat the accident date as day one and consult a Torrance truck accident attorney promptly to preserve your claim under both CCP §335.1 and Gov. Code §911.2.

Local details

Truck accident claims arising in Torrance are filed at the Torrance Courthouse, located at 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503. This facility serves the Southwest District of Los Angeles County Superior Court and hears personal injury cases against commercial carriers. Understanding where to file ensures your lawsuit lands in the correct venue and avoids procedural delays.

Collisions on Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway), Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway), and State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) often result in serious injuries that require immediate transport to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a Level I trauma center at 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509. Medical records from Harbor-UCLA document injury severity and causation, forming the foundation of your damages claim. High-traffic corridors like Hawthorne Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, and Torrance Boulevard also see frequent truck traffic, and accidents on these routes fall under the same two-year and six-month deadlines discussed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the two-year deadline?

If you file after the CCP §335.1 deadline expires, the defendant will move to dismiss, and the court will grant it unless a tolling exception applies. You lose the right to recover damages, even if the trucking company was entirely at fault. Courts have no discretion to extend the deadline once it passes.

Does the deadline change if the truck driver was never identified?

No. The two-year clock starts on the accident date, regardless of whether you immediately identify the carrier. If the driver fled, you must still file within two years or risk forfeiture. Uninsured motorist claims and investigative tools can help locate the defendant before the deadline expires.

Can I settle my claim after the two-year deadline has passed?

Yes, if the defendant agrees. The statute of limitations is a defense, not a bar to settlement. Many carriers settle after the deadline to avoid litigation costs, but you lose all leverage once the deadline passes. Negotiating before expiration protects your ability to file suit if talks fail.

How does the government claim process work in practice?

You complete a standard claim form, describe the accident and injuries, state the damages you seek, and serve it on the agency within six months under Gov. Code §911.2. The agency has 45 days to respond. If denied or ignored, you receive a rejection letter and may then file suit within six months of the denial.

Related reading

• Truck Accident Practice Area
• Torrance Truck Accident Attorney
• Common Truck Accident Injuries in Los Angeles: Symptoms, Care, and Claims
• Who Is Liable for a Woodland Hills Truck Accident Besides the Driver?
• Why Truck 'Black Box' Data Disappears in Long Beach Cases

Attorney advertising. This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.