San Francisco Truck Accident Attorneys

Skilled Lawyers Fighting for Tractor-Trailer Accident Victims in Santa Rosa and Vacaville

Truck accidents involve large commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers. Due to their size and weight, these trucks can cause catastrophic outcomes when they collide with smaller cars or pedestrians.

If you were seriously injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, do not wait to get legal advice. We recognize that you are likely overwhelmed with medical bills and are concerned with how you will cover lost wages from missed work. Our team at The Cartwright Law Firm can investigate what happened so we can determine exactly who is responsible, help you hold them accountable, and recover compensation for your damages, including your medical expenses and lost income. 

We understand how to effectively navigate these complex cases and have specific experience achieving successful outcomes in truck accident claims. For example, we represented a passenger in a truck that was driven by a reckless driver. Our client suffered substantial injuries, and we were able to prove that the driver was impaired while driving. Our personal injury attorneys were then able to obtain compensation for our client’s injuries. We have recovered millions for our clients throughout our firm’s over 60-year history, and now we are prepared to put our experience, skills, and resources to work for you. 

Call (415) 851-6486 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with our San Francisco truck accident lawyers. You owe us no attorney’s fees unless we help you secure compensation!

Types and Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

The potential causes of truck accidents are virtually limitless, though certain scenarios tend to be more common than others. It may not be immediately obvious what caused the collision you were involved in, which is why it’s so important to reach out to our team at The Cartwright Law Firm as soon as possible. Our full-time, in-house investigator can work to gather and preserve evidence and get to the bottom of what happened and why.

Some of the most dangerous types of tractor-trailer accidents include:

• Jackknife accidents. Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s cab and trailer fold in on each other at a sharp angle, resembling the shape of a folding pocketknife. These accidents often happen during sudden braking, especially on wet or icy roads, or when a driver attempts to turn too quickly. The trailer’s momentum can overpower the cab, causing the truck to spin out of control. Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous because they can lead to multi-vehicle collisions as the truck sweeps across multiple lanes of traffic.
• Rollover accidents. Rollovers involve a tractor-trailer tipping onto its side. These accidents frequently result from high speeds during turns, uneven weight distribution in the trailer, or sudden maneuvers to avoid hazards. A fully loaded truck has a high center of gravity, making it prone to rolling over when the driver misjudges a curve or encounters strong crosswinds. 
• Underride collisions. Underride collisions happen when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck. These accidents frequently result in life-altering injuries or fatalities because the smaller vehicle’s roof can become crushed upon impact. Common causes of underride collisions include sudden braking by the truck, lack of reflective markings, and poor visibility at night. 
• Rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions involving trucks often lead to severe consequences due to the truck’s size and weight. A tractor-trailer requires a much longer distance to come to a complete stop than a passenger vehicle. Rear-end crashes typically result from distracted driving, tailgating, or a failure to maintain a safe following distance. Trucks striking smaller vehicles from behind can cause significant damage and major pileups, particularly on busy highways.
• Blind spot accidents. Tractor-trailers have expansive blind spots on all sides, especially behind and along the trailer’s sides. Blind spot accidents occur when a truck changes lanes or turns without noticing a smaller vehicle in these zones. These crashes are common in intersections or during traffic merges and often result in sideswiping or trapping smaller vehicles under the truck. 

These devastating truck accidents are frequently the result of negligence, which may involve:

• Insufficient driver training. Operating a large commercial vehicle requires specialized skills, including understanding braking distances, handling adverse weather conditions, and navigating tight spaces. Drivers who have not undergone proper training may lack the knowledge and experience needed to respond effectively to challenging situations, increasing the likelihood of collisions. 
• Driver fatigue. Long-haul trucking often involves extended hours on the road, pushing drivers to the limits of their physical and mental stamina. Many truck drivers feel pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines, leading them to bypass mandatory rest breaks. Fatigued drivers struggle with reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, and a higher likelihood of losing control of the vehicle. 
• Distracted driving. Distractions behind the wheel significantly contribute to truck accidents. Truck drivers sometimes focus on mobile devices, eating, adjusting controls, or other non-driving activities instead of watching the road. These distractions take attention away from traffic conditions and increase the risk of collisions.
• Improper maintenance. Worn brake systems, failing tires, or malfunctioning lights compromise vehicle safety. Trucking companies and drivers who neglect routine inspections or delay necessary repairs expose other road users to preventable dangers.
• Insufficient cargo loading. Overloading a truck or unevenly distributing weight can destabilize the vehicle and lead to rollovers or difficulties in controlling the truck. Additionally, improperly secured cargo may shift or fall onto the roadway and create hazards for other drivers.
• Speeding and reckless driving. Truck drivers who exceed speed limits or drive recklessly endanger others by reducing their ability to stop or maneuver safely. Speeding often worsens the severity of crashes due to the truck’s massive size and weight. Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or frequent lane changes heighten accident risks.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Truck accident claims can quickly become more complicated than straightforward car accident cases because multiple parties could be liable for a truck collision. Depending on the specific circumstances, the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loaders, the maintenance team, or even the automobile manufacturer might bear responsibility for the crash. Our San Francisco truck accident attorneys can identify all liable parties and help you understand your rights and legal options for recovering compensation.

The truck driver may be liable if their actions or inactions directly caused the accident. This includes reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers may also be liable if they violated federal regulations governing the number of hours they can drive without rest, leading to fatigue-related errors.

The trucking company can be liable if they pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules that may intentionally or inadvertently encourage unsafe practices, such as speeding or skipping critical rest breaks. They could also become liable if fail to conduct proper background checks on drivers or neglect to verify their qualifications. Additionally, trucking companies that disregard maintenance schedules or knowingly allow poorly trained drivers to operate their vehicles could be liable if an accident occurs.  

Cargo loaders have a duty to pack and secure loads correctly. Improperly loaded or unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transit, making the truck unstable. For example, overloading can hinder a driver’s ability to stop in time, while unsecured items might fall onto the roadway and endanger other motorists. Individuals or businesses responsible for loading must follow precise safety protocols to prevent these problems. Ignoring these standards can make them liable in cases where improper cargo handling contributes to an incident.

The maintenance team must take responsibility for identifying and addressing mechanical issues during routine truck inspections and repairs. Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering problems, can result from negligence during upkeep. If technicians overlook essential repairs or use substandard replacement parts, they can share liability for accidents stemming from these mechanical faults.

The automobile manufacturer may face liability in cases where defective parts cause an accident. This includes defective brakes, tires, steering systems, or other essential components. Even if all other parties involved performed their duties correctly, a mechanical failure from a manufacturing defect can still lead to an unavoidable collision. 

Recovering Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries in California

In California, you typically have two years from the date you were injured in a truck accident to take legal action against the liable party or parties, whether that involves filing a personal injury claim or product liability lawsuit (for cases involving defective truck components). A successful claim allows you to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages, though you will not be able to recover anything if you wait too long to start the legal process. 

After identifying the liable parties, we can work to negotiate a fair settlement that fully covers your losses. If the liable party or parties refuse to offer an acceptable settlement, we are ready to go to court to pursue a just outcome. We are seasoned litigators who prepare every case for trial.

Our San Francisco truck accident lawyers can fight to get you compensation for many types of damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Lost earning potential
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Don’t accept a settlement from the insurance company without first consulting a legal professional. We can provide compassionate, solutions-oriented advice, so call (415) 851-6486 or contact us online today.