Maison Law works with people in Chico every day who are trying to recover after a big rig accident. These crashes aren’t like typical car accidents—they’re bigger, more complex, and often leave lasting injuries. With big rigs moving through Highway 99, Highway 32, and the roads near CSU Chico, accidents can happen in an instant. When they do, we’re here to guide you through the process and support you every step of the way. Set up a free consultation today to get started.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Big Rig Accident?

Technically, you’re not required to hire a lawyer after a big rig accident. But here’s the reality: big rig accidents are rarely straightforward. Unlike most car accidents, where you’re dealing with another driver and their insurance, a big rig accident usually involves:

A professional driver who may have been under pressure to meet delivery schedules.
A trucking company that could be cutting corners on maintenance or hours-of-service rules.
Cargo companies, maintenance providers, or even manufacturers that may have played a role.

Add in the fact that big rigs weigh 20–30 times more than most cars and the damage is almost always more severe. Medical bills are higher, recovery takes longer, and insurance companies put up a fight. That’s where a lawyer makes a difference. Our team can:

Figure out who’s responsible. Multiple companies might share blame, but they won’t volunteer that information.
Gather and preserve evidence. Black box data, maintenance logs, and big riging records are hard to get without legal pressure.
Handle insurance companies. big riging insurers are aggressive. We deal with them so you don’t have to.
Support you throughout the process. From answering your questions to explaining next steps, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

The bottom line is this: you can file a claim on your own, but with so much at stake in a Chico big rig accident, having a lawyer in your corner often means a stronger case and a smoother process.

What Do I Need to Build a Strong Big Rig Accident Claim?

After a big rig accident, it’s natural to think that the damage speaks for itself. But the claims process doesn’t work that way. You’ll need to show not only what happened but also how it’s impacting your life. The best way to do that is to get evidence and information. Here’s what you should focus on (and what we can help collect):

Police reports – In Chico, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the Chico Police Department usually respond to big rig accidents. Their reports document the scene, list witnesses, and provide a starting point for your case.
Medical records – Every doctor’s visit, ER trip, prescription, and follow-up appointment tells the story of your injuries. These records are some of the most important evidence in your claim.
Pictures and videos – Pictures of the scene on Highway 99, damage to your car, skid marks, or visible injuries can all make a difference.
Witness information – If someone saw the accident, their statement can help confirm what really happened.
Trucking records – Logbooks, black box data, GPS information, and maintenance logs often reveal driver fatigue, skipped safety checks, or violations of federal trucking rules.
Receipts and expenses – Keep everything—from towing bills and rental car receipts to pay stubs showing lost wages. These details show the financial impact of the accident.

Think of these items as the building blocks of your claim. The more complete the picture is of what happened, the stronger your claim should be. But even with the right evidence, the process after a big rig accident can feel like a maze. This is where our guidance can be crucial, but it’s equally important that you have this information to give your claim a strong foundation:

Who’s Responsible for the Damage After a Truck Accident?

As we’ve touched on, a big rig accident is rarely simple. Unlike a normal car accident, where it’s often just one driver against another, one with a big rig can involve several different people and groups, each with potential responsibility. That’s part of what makes these cases so complex—and why determining fault is so important.

Fault, or liability, is what decides who pays for the medical bills, lost income, and other major losses you’re facing. It’s still based on negligence, but generally, this responsibility could fall on any of the following:

The driver or company – If the driver was speeding down Highway 99, distracted on East Avenue, or exhausted from too many hours behind the wheel, they could be at fault. In most cases, the trucking company also shares responsibility, especially if the driver was working at the time or if the company encouraged unsafe schedules.
The truck or part manufacturer – A blown tire on the Skyway or brake failure coming down Highway 32 could point to a defective part. In those cases, the manufacturer or supplier may be accountable.
Maintenance contractors – Big rigs require constant upkeep. If a shop in Butte County skipped necessary repairs, ignored warning signs, or used poor-quality parts, their negligence could have contributed to the crash.
Cargo loaders – When a truck is loaded improperly, even the best driver can lose control. If shifting or spilling cargo caused your accident, the company that handled the loading may share the blame.
Government agencies – Not every crash is caused by the truck itself. Poorly maintained roads, deep potholes, or missing signage around Chico or Butte County could mean a government agency is responsible.
Other drivers – Sometimes, another car triggers the whole event. If a driver cut off a semi or braked suddenly, they may be partly at fault for what happened.

Sorting through these layers of responsibility takes experience and a close eye for detail. Our job is to investigate your accident thoroughly and hold the right parties accountable so you’re not left carrying the financial and emotional burden alone.

What’s the Claims Process Like After a Big Rig Accident?

The claims process after a big rig accident in Chico is usually overwhelming. It’s not just the injuries and damage—although that’s certainly a big part of it. It’s also the amount of information you’ll need to gather and the number of parties involved that complicates things.

Even so, the actual legal process for filing a claim is similar to any other accident: you have the right to file against the responsible parties and recover damages. Usually, this can happen in one of two ways:

Filing an insurance claim – This is the most common first step. If things go smoothly, it may lead to a fair settlement without the need for a lawsuit.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit – If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover the full amount you’re owed.

Either way, our Chico truck accident lawyers will guide you through each step and help you recover costs related to your:

Medical expenses (both now and in the future)
Lost income and reduced earning ability
Car repair or replacement costs
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring or permanent disability
Reduced quality of life
Funeral and burial expenses in fatal accidents

Keep in mind: in California, you typically have two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury claim. That may sound like plenty of time, but the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Evidence fades quickly, and trucking companies often move fast to protect themselves.

Where Do Most Big Rig Accidents Happen in Chico?

When you share the road with a big rig in Chico, you’re always vulnerable to an accident. That’s simply the nature of things, but given the traffic and layout of the city, there’s certain areas where these accidents are more common:

Highway 99 – Chico’s busiest corridor carries constant big rig traffic moving north and south through the city. With high speeds and heavy congestion, it’s one of the most common areas for serious truck accidents.
Highway 32 near the Sacramento River – This stretch is narrower and includes sharp curves, which can be especially difficult for large trucks to navigate. Even a small mistake by a truck driver here can lead to a dangerous crash.
East 20th Street and nearby business corridors – Chico’s commercial hubs see a steady flow of delivery trucks and semis moving in and out of shopping centers. The mix of large trucks, passenger vehicles, and pedestrians in parking lots makes these areas risky.
The Skyway toward Paradise – With its steep grades and winding curves, the Skyway poses challenges for fully loaded big rigs. Brake issues, shifting cargo, or driver error on this road can quickly escalate into a major accident.

While these routes are known trouble spots, the reality is that a truck accident can happen anywhere in Chico. Staying alert helps, but when big rigs are involved, even careful drivers can end up facing serious consequences–in the form of specific kinds of accidents.

What Are the Kinds of Big Rig Accidents that Happen in Chico?

With so many big rigs moving through Chico on Highway 99, Highway 32, and the roads around CSU and the Skyway, it’s not surprising that truck accidents here come in many different forms. While some wrecks look similar to car accidents, large trucks bring their own unique dangers:

Rear-end collisions – Because semis can’t stop quickly, it’s common to see rear-end accidents when traffic slows down on Highway 99 or near the busy intersections along East 20th Street. For drivers in smaller cars, these crashes can cause serious injuries.
Jackknifes – A jackknife happens when a trailer swings out at an angle, usually after a hard brake or loss of traction. These wrecks are especially dangerous on Highway 32’s narrow, curving stretches or along the steep grades of the Skyway.
Underrides – Among the most devastating types of truck crashes, underrides occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the side or back of a trailer. With fast-moving traffic on 99 and 32, the impact of these accidents is often catastrophic.
Rollovers – When a truck tips over—whether from overloaded cargo, speeding, or equipment failure—it can block multiple lanes and endanger everyone nearby. Rollovers are more likely on the tight turns near the Sacramento River or when trucks navigate busy business corridors.

Every truck accident in Chico is different, but the outcome is often the same: a sudden, life-changing event. Whether it’s a semi clipping a car on East Avenue or a big rig losing control on the Skyway, we’re here to help you sort through what happened and what you can do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the big rig driver was from out of state?

It doesn’t matter where the driver or company is based. If the crash happened in Chico, California law applies, and they can still be held responsible.

What if I was partly at fault?

California uses “comparative negligence.” That means even if you share some responsibility, you may still recover damages—just reduced by your percentage of fault.

What if my big rig accident was fatal?

Families can file a wrongful death claim. This type of case may cover funeral costs, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

Talk to Our Chico Big Rig Accident Lawyers

A big rig accident doesn’t just leave behind wreckage—it can turn your whole life upside down. Whether it happened on Highway 99, downtown Chico, or a rural road in Butte County, you shouldn’t have to take on the trucking company and their insurance by yourself.

At Maison Law, we know how these cases work, and we’re here to guide you through every step. We’ll investigate the crash, gather the evidence, and make sure your claim is as strong as possible—while keeping the process straightforward for you. Set up a free consultation today and let us talk you through your options.

Chico Big Rig Accident Lawyer