Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in San Diego, CA? If so, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today at (858) 551-2090 for a free consultation with a San Diego truck accident attorney.
For over 30 years, we have been helping people recover compensation for the losses they incurred because of negligent truck drivers’ negligence. We have obtained more than $100 million for our deserving clients. Let our legal team fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Pines Salomon After a Truck Accident in San Diego?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties and complex liability-related issues. Determining who is at fault for your accident and unpacking nuanced state and federal trucking regulations requires the skill of an experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer.
With over 80 years of combined experience, you can entrust your truck accident case to Pines Salomon. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys.
We have helped many people just like you win substantial compensation for their accidents. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers will provide you with comprehensive legal representation from your initial consultation to the resolution of your case.
What We’ve Won: Truck Accident Verdicts & Settlements
At Pines Salomon, we’ve secured over $100 million for our clients. Some of our most notable case results include:
- $10,000,000 for a brain injury victim
- $12,000,000 for a foot injury
- $6,000,000 for a wrongful death case
- $2,900,000 for a facial injury
These results reflect our firm’s unwavering commitment to securing maximum compensation for people injured in semi truck accidents, commercial vehicle collisions, and other serious crashes.
Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Navigating the complex regulations that govern the trucking industry requires in-depth knowledge of both federal and California state law. When you hire our truck accident lawyers in San Diego, we can help by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to prove who is responsible for it
- Hiring expert witnesses to provide additional support for your truck accident claim
- Handling all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
- Preparing a detailed demand letter that establishes your right to maximum compensation
- Answering any questions you have and keeping you updated about your case status
- Advocating for your legal interests at every stage of your case
If you’re ready to learn more about how our law firm can help, call our San Diego personal injury attorneys for your free case review.
What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Truck crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, leaving victims uncertain of how they will pay their medical expenses or continue life with a disability.
The potential value of a truck accident claim involves several fact-specific factors, such as:
- The nature and extent of your injuries
- The responsible parties and their insurance coverage
- The extent and duration of your medical treatment
- The impact that the accident and resulting injuries had on your life
- Whether you are found partially at fault for the accident
Trucking companies are generally required to carry higher amounts of insurance coverage, which may result in more compensation being available. However, you can expect the trucking company, insurance company, and their lawyers to fight aggressively to minimize liability. The best way to find out what your truck accident case might be worth is to contact an experienced lawyer.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
California’s personal injury laws allow accident victims to recover financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Accident victims can recover compensation for ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospital stays.
- Lost income: Truck accident victims may suffer permanent disabilities or impairments. They can seek compensation for their lost wages and any permanent reduction in their future earning capacity.
- Property damage: Trucks can crush cars and everything inside them. You can seek compensation to repair or replace your damaged property.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek damages for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Truck accident injuries can permanently alter your life. You may be unable to enjoy your favorite pastimes or your intimate relationships. You can seek compensation for these real-world impacts and losses.
An experienced attorney can review your case to determine the damages that apply.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers who handle truck accidents work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay your lawyer any upfront or hourly fees. Their fees are entirely based on the outcome of your case. If they win your case, they will receive a percentage of your settlement or court award. However, if they lose your case, you won’t owe them anything.
We Handle All Types of Truck Accident Cases
At Pines Salomon, we help victims after all kinds of trucking accidents, including the following:
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, folding toward the cab. These crashes can result from equipment failure, sudden braking, or slippery road conditions—and often lead to dangerous multi-vehicle collisions.
Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowouts
Truck tires are designed to withstand long hours and heavy loads, but when they fail, the results can be catastrophic. Overinflation, underinflation, excessive wear, or poor maintenance can all lead to a tire blowout and loss of control on the highway.
Oversized Load Accidents
Oversized loads often require special permits, escorts, and strict adherence to safety rules. When companies ignore these regulations—or fail to properly secure their cargo—oversized trucks can cause devastating crashes, property damage, and serious injuries to other motorists.
Wrongful Death
Tragically, collisions involving large trucks are often fatal due to their sheer size and weight. Many of these deaths could be prevented through better training, stricter maintenance standards, and compliance with safety regulations.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident in California?
To prove the negligence of other parties, your lawyer will need to show that the party had a legal duty of care, breached that duty, caused the accident that harmed you, and that you suffered losses.
To prove that the truck driver or the trucking company was responsible for the accident, an experienced attorney can gather and prepare strong evidence to establish fault, such as:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Onboard camera footage
- Black box data
- Traffic camera or video surveillance footage
- Photos of the accident scene
- Reports and visual demonstrations that accident reconstruction experts prepare
- Hours-of-service logs
- Toxicology reports and medical records
For example, suppose negligent vehicle maintenance contributed to an accident. In that case, a lawyer may be able to obtain inspection records, maintenance records, and personnel records that may show the vehicle was not properly maintained.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
A common tactic insurance companies use is to blame you or other parties for the accident.
Multiple at-fault parties may be involved in a truck accident, including:
- Truck companies like FedEx and UPS
- Truck drivers
- Owners of trucks
- Mechanics
- Cargo-loading companies
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help show that one or more of these parties was responsible for the accident, not you.
What Is the Statute of Limitations to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in California?
In California, most personal injury cases must be brought within two years. If this time period passes and you have not taken legal action, you could forfeit your right to recover compensation.
Safeguard your rights by engaging the legal services of a qualified lawyer today. We can ensure that all applicable deadlines are met in your case.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Determining the cause of the accident is critical so that you know whom you can sue.
Potential causes of these accidents include:
- Fatigued driving: Fatigued driving is a serious public safety risk, which is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has established hours-of-service rules to limit the number of hours truck drivers can work. However, some truck drivers violate these laws, and some trucking companies encourage them to do so.
- Distracted driving: Cell phones, dispatch radios, GPS directions, and other factors can distract truck drivers while performing their jobs.
- Inexperienced drivers: Truck driving is a difficult job, and it’s difficult for truck companies to keep adequate numbers of drivers. Sometimes, they hire new drivers who do not have experience driving these large vehicles.
- Aggressive driving: Truck drivers are aware that their vehicles are significantly larger and more powerful than those of others, so they sometimes drive in an intimidating manner by speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way, tailgating, running red lights, or executing unsafe passes.
- Mechanical failures: Commercial trucks contain thousands of parts. Negligent maintenance, failure to complete mandatory inspections, and defective auto parts can cause mechanical failures that result in truck crashes.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and gather evidence to prove negligence.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in San Diego, CA?
In 2023, California had the second-highest number of deaths resulting from truck accidents, with a total of 392 deaths. 371 trucks were involved in those crashes.
Truck Accident FAQ’s
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
Taking the right steps after an 18-wheeler collision can protect your health and strengthen your personal injury claim.
Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911. Report the accident and request police and emergency medical services. A police report will be key evidence in your case.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, injuries like internal bleeding or concussions may not show symptoms right away.
- Document the scene. Take photos or videos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Exchange information. Get the name of the truck driver, employer, license number, insurance details, and contact information from any witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault. Stick to the facts when speaking with police or others at the scene.
- Contact an attorney right away. A lawyer can handle communications with insurers, gather evidence, and protect your rights from day one.
Taking these steps can help you stay safe and build a strong foundation for your recovery and legal case.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Am Found to Be Partially at Fault for My Truck Accident in California?
If you are partially at fault for the accident, California’s pure comparative negligence law still allows you to pursue compensation from the other at-fault parties. However, your damages will be reduced by your degree of fault. Because so much money is at stake, it’s critical that your role in causing the accident is minimized. An experienced lawyer can prepare a compelling case to demonstrate the liability of other parties.
Where in San Diego Are Most Truck Accidents Likely to Happen?
Truck accidents can occur anywhere in San Diego, but crash data and news reports show that certain areas are more dangerous:
- Interstate 5 (I-5)
- Interstate 805 (I-805)
- State Route 52 (SR-52)
- Interstate 8 (I-8)
- Interstate 15 (I-15) / SR-15 ramps and connectors
- University Avenue & other major arterials
While no stretch of road is completely safe, most truck crashes in San Diego are concentrated on major freeways and around interchanges and ramps, where merging, speed limit changes, and heavy traffic amplify risks.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Common injuries that truck accident victims sustain include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Our compassionate lawyers understand that the psychological harm and physical injuries from your accident can have a profound and lasting impact on your life. We will fight relentlessly to secure fair compensation for you.
Contact an Experienced San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial truck accident, we can help. Our compassionate truck accident attorneys in San Diego will get to know you, investigate the situation, and relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact Pines Salomon for a free and confidential consultation.
San Diego Truck Accident Blog Posts
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- How Trucking Accidents Differ from Car Accidents
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