A new investigation just dropped some troubling news about California’s DMV. Turns out, the department often doesn’t suspend a trucker’s commercial license even after they’re charged with killing someone in a crash. Sounds backwards, right? If you or someone you love was hurt or lost a family member in a truck accident in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, or Riverside County, this matters for your case. We’ll walk you through what investigators found, what it means for victims and families, and what you can do right now.
CalMatters — a nonprofit newsroom — published this investigation on October 19-20, 2026. Their reporters dug through cases of California commercial truck drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter between 2019 and early 2024. That’s the criminal charge prosecutors file when careless or reckless driving ends a life. Here’s the part that should concern you: nearly half of those drivers still held a valid Class A or Class B commercial license as of late May 2026. We’ll break down exactly what that means below, and what it could mean for your case.
According to the reporting, the DMV’s enforcement process is often slow or incomplete. Some drivers kept working and driving commercial trucks for months or years after being charged, and in some cases after conviction, because the suspension process did not move forward as intended. This gap in enforcement means some high-risk drivers stayed on the road in Southern California and across the state.
How This Affects Truck Accident Victims in Southern California
This investigation matters for people in West Covina, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, and Pomona, where heavy truck traffic runs through warehouse corridors, freight yards, and major freeways such as the 10, 60, 91, and 15. A few ways this DMV enforcement gap can affect a case include:
- Trucking company liability. If a company kept a driver on the road despite knowing about a pending manslaughter charge, this fact may support a claim for negligent hiring or negligent retention against the employer.
- Insurance disputes. Insurance companies may try to limit payouts. A driver’s license history and prior charges can become important evidence when negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial.
- Repeat danger on the road. A driver who should have lost a commercial license but did not may still be driving large trucks through Inland Empire warehouse routes or Orange County freeways, placing other families at risk.
- Wrongful death claims. Families who lost a loved one in a truck crash may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, separate from any criminal case against the driver.
What You Should Do Now
If you or a family member was involved in a truck accident, consider these steps:
- Get medical care and keep records. See a doctor even if injuries seem minor, and keep copies of all medical bills and records.
- Request the police or CHP report. This report often names the driver, the trucking company, and any citations issued.
- Check the driver’s license status. You, or your attorney, can request certain DMV records to see whether the driver’s commercial license was suspended, restricted, or still valid at the time of the crash.
- Preserve evidence quickly. Truck black box data, dashcam footage, and driver logs can be overwritten or destroyed within days or weeks. Early legal action can help preserve this evidence.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before you speak with a lawyer, since these statements can later be used against your claim.
- Talk with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer, since early offers often do not reflect the full cost of long-term injuries.
You can learn more about the general process for pursuing a claim after a crash on TEZ Law Firm’s personal injury and car accidents page.
How TEZ Law Firm Can Help
TEZ Law Firm represents clients in Southern California who were hurt, or whose family members died, in truck and other vehicle crashes. The firm can help review police reports, DMV driving records, and company hiring files to identify who may be responsible for a crash, and can help pursue a claim against a driver, a trucking company, or an insurer. The firm, led by managing attorney JJ Zhang (California Bar #326666), also handles business disputes that can arise when a trucking company faces liability questions, through its business litigation practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the CalMatters investigation actually find?
The October 2026 investigation found that nearly half of commercial truck drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter in California between 2019 and early 2024 still held a valid Class A or Class B license as of late May 2026. This suggests the DMV does not always suspend licenses as quickly as state rules intend.
Does this affect my pending truck accident claim?
It may. If the driver who hit you had a prior charge, citation, or conviction that should have led to a suspended license, this history can support a claim against the driver’s employer for negligent hiring or retention. An attorney can review the driver’s record as part of your case.
Can I sue a trucking company, not just the driver?
In many cases, yes. If the trucking company knew, or should have known, about a driver’s dangerous history and kept that driver on the road, the company may share responsibility for a crash under California negligence law. Each case depends on its own facts.
How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident in California?
California generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and different deadlines can apply to wrongful death or claims against government entities. Because deadlines vary, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
How do I find out if a truck driver’s license was suspended?
Certain DMV driving records can show license status, restrictions, and suspensions, though some records require a formal request or subpoena. An attorney can help request and review these records as part of an investigation into your crash.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in West Covina, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, or Pomona, you do not have to sort through DMV records and insurance paperwork alone. Contact TEZ Law Firm through its contact page to schedule a consultation and discuss your situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and agency practices change; contact TEZ Law Firm (West Covina, California) at 626-888-6856 or [email protected] about your situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.