What to Do After a Truck Accident in Pasadena

By Payam Soliemanzadeh, Founder and President

Key takeaways

• Huntington Hospital at 100 West California Boulevard provides Level II trauma care for serious injuries.
• You have two years to file under CCP §335.1, six months if a government vehicle is involved.
• Commercial truck collisions on Interstate 210 and State Route 134 often involve multiple liable parties.
• Evidence preservation begins immediately; black box data and driver logs can be overwritten or lost.

Commercial trucks traveling the Interstate 210 Foothill Freeway and State Route 134 Ventura Freeway through Pasadena carry cargo weighing tens of thousands of pounds. When a collision occurs, the size and weight disparity between a fully loaded semi-truck and a passenger vehicle often results in catastrophic injuries, complex liability, and evidence that disappears quickly.

Understanding the steps to take immediately after a Pasadena truck accident protects both your health and your legal rights. Every hour counts when it comes to medical documentation, scene preservation, and evidence collection in truck accident cases.

Call 911 and secure the scene

Your first action after a commercial truck collision is to call 911. California Highway Patrol typically responds to freeway accidents on the 210, 134, and 110, while Pasadena Police Department handles surface-street collisions on corridors such as Colorado Boulevard, Lake Avenue, and Fair Oaks Avenue. Request both law enforcement and medical response, even if injuries appear minor at first.

If you can safely do so, move your vehicle out of active traffic lanes to prevent secondary collisions. Turn on hazard lights and set up flares or warning triangles if available. Do not leave the scene until law enforcement arrives and completes the collision report. Leaving prematurely can jeopardize your claim and may violate California law.

Seek immediate medical evaluation

Internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage often manifest hours or days after impact. Huntington Hospital, located at 100 West California Boulevard in Pasadena, operates a Level II trauma center equipped to diagnose and treat serious truck accident injuries. Emergency responders will transport you there if your injuries warrant immediate care.

Even if you decline ambulance transport at the scene, visit an emergency department or urgent care facility the same day. Delayed treatment creates gaps in your medical record that insurance carriers exploit to argue your injuries are unrelated to the collision. Document every symptom, follow all treatment recommendations, and keep copies of medical records and bills.

Document the scene and preserve evidence

Photograph vehicle damage from multiple angles, skid marks, debris fields, traffic signals, and road conditions. Capture the truck's DOT number displayed on the cab, the license plate, and any visible cargo or equipment defects. Obtain contact information from witnesses; their statements often prove critical when the truck driver's account conflicts with yours.

Commercial trucks carry electronic control modules—often called black boxes—that record speed, braking, and hours of service. Trucking companies routinely overwrite this data unless a preservation letter is served promptly. Driver logs, maintenance records, and cargo-weight documentation are equally perishable. An attorney can issue spoliation notices to the carrier, the driver's employer, and third-party logistics companies to lock down evidence before it vanishes, as explained in our article on black box data preservation.

Local details

If you file a lawsuit, your case will be heard at the Pasadena Courthouse, located at 300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101, which serves the Northeast District of Los Angeles County Superior Court. Under CCP §335.1, you have two years from the collision date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved—such as a municipal truck or a contractor working for Caltrans—you must file an administrative claim within six months under Gov. Code §911.2, then wait for a response before filing suit.

Pasadena's position at the intersection of the 210, 134, and 110 means commercial traffic bound for the Port of Los Angeles, inland warehouses, and distribution hubs regularly passes through the city. Truck collisions on these corridors frequently involve out-of-state carriers, leased equipment, and layered insurance policies. Identifying every liable party—driver, carrier, broker, shipper, and maintenance provider—requires investigation into federal motor carrier records and commercial contracts, as discussed in our article on truck accident liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Pasadena?

You have two years from the collision date to file a personal injury lawsuit under CCP §335.1. If a government vehicle is involved, you must submit an administrative claim within six months under Gov. Code §911.2 before filing suit. Missing either deadline typically bars your claim entirely, so consult an attorney promptly.

What information should I collect from the truck driver at the scene?

Obtain the driver's commercial driver's license, the motor carrier's name and DOT number from the truck cab, insurance information, and the truck's license plate. Ask whether the driver is an employee or independent contractor. Photograph the truck's DOT placard and any cargo or equipment. Do not argue with or accuse the driver; remain factual.

Should I give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer?

No. Trucking-company insurers often contact claimants within hours to lock in recorded statements before injuries fully manifest or legal advice is obtained. Statements made without counsel can be edited, taken out of context, or used to deny your claim. Politely decline and refer the adjuster to your attorney once you retain one.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you may recover damages even if you are mostly at fault, reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are found 30 percent at fault, your award is reduced by 30 percent. This rule applies regardless of fault distribution, unlike modified-negligence states.

Related reading

• Truck Accident Practice Area
• Pasadena Truck Accident Page
• 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.