California’s New Trucking Laws in 2025—What Injury Victims Should Know

By Eugene Bruno on May 11, 2025

The trucking industry is facing major changes in 2025, including increased oversight for autonomous trucks and higher minimum liability requirements. These new laws aim to increase safety on California highways and strengthen protections for those hurt in trucking accidents.

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we stay on the cutting edge of San Diego personal injury law changes because our clients deserve every advantage possible when pursuing justice.

AB 316: Human Oversight for Autonomous Trucks

One of the most significant pieces of trucking legislation in 2025 is Assembly Bill 316 (AB 316). As technology pushes the trucking industry toward automation, California lawmakers are acting to ensure public safety.

As of January 1, 2025, AB 316 is officially in effect, overriding earlier plans to allow driverless testing and operations of autonomous trucks.

What AB 316 Requires

• Mandatory human operators: AB 316 requires a human safety driver to be physically present in autonomous heavy-duty trucks operating on California roads.
• Applies to large vehicles: The law applies to vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds, covering most commercial trucks.
• Training and licensing standards: Operators must have a valid commercial driver’s license and appropriate safety training.

How AB 316 Benefits Injury Victims

If an autonomous truck is involved in an accident, having a human operator onboard creates a clear line of responsibility. It also avoids the difficult legal battles about machine malfunction and places accountability on trained drivers and their employers.

In short, AB 316 helps preserve traditional negligence frameworks even as trucking technology evolves. For truck accident victims, this means:

• Easier identification of liable parties
• Reduced defenses based on technology failure
• Greater access to insurance claims

Higher Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements

Another important change in the 2025 California trucking laws involves insurance coverage. Commercial trucking companies are now required to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage per accident, up from previous minimums that had remained stagnant for decades.

Previously, many victims struggled to fully recover their damages because the available insurance was too limited. The new insurance minimums ensure that greater resources are available to fully compensate injured victims.

This change is part of a broader national push to update outdated insurance rules that no longer reflect the catastrophic costs associated with serious trucking accidents.

How Increased Insurance Helps Victims

More insurance coverage translates directly into better financial outcomes for those injured in trucking accidents. Severe injuries often come with:

• High medical bills
• Ongoing rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

Tougher Commercial Driver Rules

California has recently tightened commercial driver rules to promote safety. These changes make it easier to establish liability in lawsuits where truck driver misconduct is a factor.

Stronger regulation of driver conduct strengthens injury claims by providing more pathways to prove negligence. Key updates include:

• Stricter background checks for drivers employed in California
• Mandatory drug and alcohol testing expansion
• New fatigue management programs require trucking companies to monitor driver hours more closely

Additional Semi-Truck Safety and Environmental Laws

Other notable truck regulation updates for 2025 include:

• Emissions regulations: New clean-air standards for commercial trucks are now mandatory, increasing maintenance requirements.
• Maintenance reporting: Carriers must now maintain detailed maintenance records and make them available during accident investigations.
• Increased penalties for logbook violations: If a driver falsifies hours-of-service records, it can now result in higher fines and stronger civil penalties.

Each of these updates aims to create safer conditions on California roads while providing injury victims with additional legal tools to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

What to Do If You’re Injured Under the New Laws

If you are injured in a truck accident after January 1, 2025, these new laws can significantly impact your case. However, to take full advantage of the changes, you must move quickly and strategically:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment. Document all injuries early.
2. Report the accident. Ensure there is a police report and obtain a copy.
3. Preserve evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries if possible.
4. Contact an experienced San Diego truck accident attorney. Trucking companies and their insurers will try to limit their exposure under the new laws. You need a knowledgeable advocate on your side.

How Eugene Bruno & Associates Helps Injury Victims

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we understand how to leverage the latest trucking legislation to build the strongest case possible for our clients. Our truck accident law firm offers:

• Early preservation of black box data and driver logs
• Thorough analysis of the company’s compliance with commercial driver rules
• Aggressive investigation into insurance coverage to maximize compensation
• Litigation strategies that highlight violations of the new trucking regulations

We are committed to delivering personalized service, relentless advocacy and results that reflect the true value of your case.

Talk to an Experienced San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, we want to hear about it. These new laws are designed to help protect you, but it’s essential to have an experienced law firm by your side.

Eugene Bruno & Associates has a 99.7% success rate in personal injury cases! We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for injury victims across San Diego and Southern California and can fight for the full compensation you deserve under California’s new trucking laws.

Call our San Diego truck accident lawyers today at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) to schedule your free consultation.