According to the National Injury Safety Council, truck accidents are more likely to cause permanent injuries and death compared to traffic accidents involving regular passenger vehicles. Given how California State Routes 99 and 32 go through Chico, it’s no surprise that residents of one of the most populous cities in Butte County sometimes find themselves in a truck accident.
If you or a loved one got hurt in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for missed work, emotional distress, medical bills, and other financial disruptions to your life. But given the complexity of truck crashes, it usually takes the skills and experience of a truck accident lawyer to get full compensation. To learn more about your legal rights and what you may be entitled to under the law, contact Maison Law today. Our personal injury attorneys represent clients from Chico and other parts of California and are ready to help.
Chico’s History of Truck Accidents
California is home to Highway 99, one of the more dangerous roads for truckers in Chico. As a result, Chico has experienced its fair share of truck accidents. Some of them include:
- Three People Hospitalized: Back in August 2024, a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle were involved in an accident around a stop sign on Keefer Road. Three people from the passenger vehicle reportedly suffered serious injuries, including broken bones, and had to be taken to Enloe Medical Center.
- Three-Vehicle Crash: On September 5, 2025, two sedans and an 18-wheeler crashed into each other on the northbound side of Highway 99. According Action News Now, the two sedans crashed into each other, which then caused both vehicles to crash into the big rig, forcing it off the road.
- Overturned Aggregate Truck: On December 10, 2025, a truck transporting aggregate on a two-axle trailer overturned after the truck swerved and fishtailed. The truck driver claimed another vehicle cut them off.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Chico, CA?
Most truck accidents are the result of driver error, but sometimes they’re due to mechanical failures. Below is a list of some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe weather conditions
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Sleepy driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poor truck maintenance
- Mechanical defects or failures
- Traffic violations
- Improper lane changes
- Inadequate driver training or screening during the hiring process
This is a long and varied list, but one common trait you’ll notice among the majority of them is the fact that they’re usually preventable. More specifically, the accident could have been avoided if one or more individuals acted in a more reasonable and prudent manner. These individuals are often the defendants in truck accident litigation.
Who Can You Sue in a Commercial Truck Accident Court Case?
Every truck accident lawsuit will have a unique set of facts and liable parties. That said, many truck accident court cases will include one or more of the following parties as defendants:
- The truck company
- The truck driver
- The truck manufacturer
- The trailer manufacturer
- The company that hired the truck driver/company to transport the cargo
- The company/person responsible for properly loading the truck
- Any other driver that caused the accident
- Government entities and road repair companies responsible for maintaining safe road conditions
Damages You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
If you’re hurt in a Chico truck accident, there are three categories if damages you can potentially recover. Which category applies to your specific case depends on your injuries and the defendant’s conduct that led to those injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
These are damages that can be difficult to calculate due to their subjective nature. Common types of non-economic damages include:
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Economic Damages
These are financial costs you incurred because of the accident. They include things like:
- Lost income
- Property repairs or replacement
- Past and future medical expenses
Punitive Damages
A court may grant punitive damages when a defendant acts especially egregiously. The purpose of these damages is to punish the defendant and deter future parties from similar misconduct. Courts don’t usually award punitive damages unless the defendant acts intentionally to harm others, recklessly, or is grossly negligent.
For example, imagine a truck company’s maintenance records show that the truck company knew their fleet of trucks had worn out brakes. On top of that, there’s an email from the truck company’s owner that states no brake maintenance should occur because it’ll save money and “who cares if someone gets hurt.” If a brake failure led to a truck accident, you can expect a court to award the plaintiff(s) punitive damages because of the owner’s approach to the brake problem.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer To Handle Your Truck Accident Case
A lawyer can be invaluable to recovering full compensation for the harm you suffer in a truck accident. By hiring an attorney, you can expect them to help you:
- Craft legal arguments to support your damage claims.
- Identify who’s responsible for your injuries and what evidence you need to prove their liability.
- Collect key pieces of evidence to prove your case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies.
- Complete an in-depth investigation into what happened and who’s responsible.
What Maison Law Can Do for You
The most important thing an attorney offers you is making sure you’re not missing anything. Whether it’s compensation you can claim, evidence you need to win your case, or potential defendants you can recover from, a good truck accident attorney ensures you know what you need to obtain a complete and fair recovery.
You can find such attorneys at Maison Law. We have years of experience handling truck accident insurance claims and lawsuits, from basic property damage all the way to wrongful death. Don’t wait to contact us and schedule a no-cost consultation. The last thing you want is to miss a deadline or legal claim because you weren’t aware of it; don’t let this happen to you.
Chico Truck Accident FAQs
Is there a time limit to filing a truck accident lawsuit?
If you want to sue for your truck accident injuries in California, you’ll typically have two years from the date of the accident to file your complaint in court.
How long will it take for my Chico truck accident case to settle?
A lawsuit can settle at any point from when you file a complaint to start the case to after the trial. Therefore, it’s impossible to say for certain when settlement will happen, assuming it happens at all.
Even if the jury makes a decision, a winning defendant might settle to avoid an appeal, and a winning plaintiff might settle for an amount that’s smaller than the jury award to get paid faster. Given all that, most cases settle a few months to a few years after the plaintiff files a complaint.
Why do I need a lawyer to handle my truck accident case?
You aren’t legally required to hire an attorney, but it’s strongly recommended you do so, and there are several reasons for this. First, a lawyer can help you negotiate with potential defendants and/or insurance companies. Second, a lawyer can make sure you’re not giving up any legal rights when settling a case. Third, a lawyer can help you identify the strongest legal arguments and find the evidence necessary to support those positions.
