When a truck takes a life,
it’s never “just an accident.”
Losing a loved one is devastating. Losing them to a negligent truck driver or a careless trucking company is something no family should ever have to endure. The Steinfeld Law Firm exclusively represents families in wrongful death accidents including tractor-trailer, delivery, government and commercial trucking cases.
We Know Trucks — And We Know What’s at Stake
National Trial Lawyers named Patrick Steinfeld as one of the Top-10 Trucking Trial Lawyers
Before I became a lawyer, I was a truck driver. My father was a long-haul trucker. By the time I was 18, I was a seasoned trucker, driving tractor-trailers between Oregon and California. I know what’s expected from truck drivers... and the shortcuts that lead to tragedy.
That personal background, combined with 35 years of representing families in fatal truck crashes, gives our firm a unique perspective most lawyers simply don’t have.
Fatal truck accidents demand more than knowledge of the law. They require firsthand trucking experience, deep knowledge of the industry, a command of motor carrier safety regulations, and the ability to expose what went wrong.
What Makes Fatal Trucking Cases So Complex
Trucking companies move fast to protect themselves... not you. A trucker’s first call after a fatal accident is often to their accident hotline... not 911. Within hours of a crash, the company’s Rapid Response Teams, made up of insurance adjusters, accident reconstructionists, and lawyers, are on the scene working to limit their liability. That’s why we act immediately to preserve the truth.
We send letters of preservation demanding that the trucking company’s vehicles, data, and records be maintained without alteration so we can inspect their equipment and documents before anything accidentally disappears.
We conduct thorough investigations to determine what caused the crash, often uncovering multiple layers of negligence, including:
- Fatigued or overworked drivers
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Poor training or supervision
- Maintenance failures or falsified inspection records
- Defective equipment or unsecured cargo
- Black box data showing speed or braking failures
- GPS logs revealing driving violations
"Wrongful death cases aren’t about injuries that heal over time, they’re about loss of love that can never be repaired. Nothing can replace a mother’s embrace, a father’s guidance, or a child’s laughter."
Patrick Steinfeld
How We Build a Wrongful Death Case
Defense attorneys look at truck accidents in relation to statutes, codes and rules. We view trucking accidents through the lens of a “safety advocate.” We focus on holding every responsible party accountable... not just the driver. That includes motor carriers, trucking companies, shippers, third-party logistics providers, and in some cases, government entities.
We preserve and analyze critical evidence, including:
- Police reports and crash scene documentation
- Witness interviews and driver logs
- Onboard telematics and black box downloads
- Dash cam or traffic footage
- Maintenance records and prior violations
- 911 call audio and EMS reports
We work closely with families to honor their loved one’s life through the people who knew them best... their family. We bring that loss to life... with clarity, dignity, and purpose.
Free Case Evaluation
Do You Have a Case?
We’ll review everything and give you an honest opinion, clear answers and a path moving forward. We evaluate several key factors when reviewing fatal truck crashes:
- Was the truck driver negligent, reckless, fatigued, distracted, or impaired?
- Did the company violate safety regulations or push drivers to meet illegal schedules?
- Can we prove liability through evidence and expert analysis?
- Who are the legal heirs, and what losses can they claim under California law?
- Does the at-fault party have the ability to pay (insurance, corporate assets, etc.)?
Why Choose Us
We know trucking • We know the industry • We know the law, and we know how to fight
The Steinfeld Law Firm exclusively represents families in wrongful death cases. That’s all we do. We’ve represented families in fatal trucking crashes for 35 years. We’ll treat “your” loss as if it were “our” own loss. Because we believe every life deserves to be honored. And every death deserves accountability
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’ve lost a family member in a fatal trucking accident, contact us before speaking to any insurance company.
Call (424) LAW-PROS, or complete our free case evaluation form to get started.