Truck Accidents

San Diego Truck Accident Attorney

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. When a vehicle that size collides with a passenger car, the result is almost always catastrophic — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs, internal organ injuries, and fatalities. The severity of truck accident injuries means higher medical costs, longer recovery times, and a greater likelihood of permanent disability.

The legal complexity matches the physical severity. Truck accident claims frequently involve multiple potentially liable parties — the driver, the trucking company, the vehicle owner, the cargo loader, and the maintenance provider. Each of these parties typically has separate insurance and separate legal representation, all working to shift blame. Unlike a standard car accident, truck accident cases also involve federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, and driver qualification standards that can establish negligence if violated.

California law generally gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. In truck accident cases, acting quickly is especially important because critical evidence — electronic logging device (ELD) data, dash cam footage, and inspection records — can be overwritten or destroyed if not preserved. Contact Angelo at (858) 255-1803 or request a free consultation online.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different

Truck accident claims require an attorney who understands FMCSA regulations, knows how to identify all liable parties, and can move fast enough to preserve evidence that trucking companies may not voluntarily retain.

Multiple Liable Parties

In a car accident, there’s typically one at-fault driver with one insurance policy. Truck accidents are different. The driver may be an employee or an independent contractor. The trucking company may own the truck or lease it. A third party may have loaded the cargo improperly. A maintenance company may have failed to address a known brake deficiency. Angelo investigates each potential source of liability and pursues claims against all responsible parties — which frequently means access to multiple insurance policies and a larger total recovery.

Federal Regulations and Driver Negligence

Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to extensive federal regulations that don’t apply to ordinary drivers. FMCSA rules limit driving hours (generally 11 hours within a 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off duty), mandate electronic logging devices to track compliance, require regular vehicle inspections, and set standards for driver training and fitness. Violations of these rules can serve as powerful evidence of negligence.

Angelo obtains and reviews ELD data, driver logs, inspection reports, and the trucking company’s safety record through the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System. When the evidence shows a pattern of hours-of-service violations, inadequate maintenance, or hiring of unqualified drivers, it strengthens the case significantly — and increases the trucking company’s exposure.

Keep reading: Wrongful Death Cases

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in the San Diego area — including on I-5, I-15, I-8, and SR-78 — frequently result from the following:

• Driver fatigue — Hours-of-service violations or pushing through exhaustion to meet delivery deadlines.
• Improper cargo loading — Overloaded or unsecured cargo that shifts during transit, causing loss of vehicle control.
• Inadequate maintenance — Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions caused by deferred or substandard maintenance.
• Blind spot collisions — Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides. Lane changes without proper mirror checks are a leading cause of truck-car collisions.