San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer

San Francisco is filled to the brim with thousands of vehicles and narrow streets, however, there are a number of large trucks going throughout the city to deliver thousands of commercial products from the ports to brick-and-mortar shops all over the city. While we don’t think about it much, the possibility of getting into a truck accident is more likely than you think and it can be catastrophic for everybody involved.

If you or a loved one have suffered any injuries in a truck accident, it is vital that you seek compensation for any damages that have drastically affected your quality of life. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our dedicated team of truck accident lawyers are well versed in California state law and they are ready to represent you and your claim. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases and our team of attorneys have over 20 years of legal experience and are confident that they can get you the financial compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and our team of attorneys are available 24/7 to readily assist you throughout the legal process. Whether you have been in a minor or catastrophic accident, our lawyers have seen them all and are able to handle whatever complications that may arise in truck accident cases.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to a truck and bus crash statistic report conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there have been at least over 165,000 large truck crashes occurring from 2020 to 2023, and 2021 has reported the highest number of crashes coming at 197,999 crashes. Meanwhile, an adjacent large truck accident report from the National Safety Council (NSC), has reported that California has one of the lowest truck accident rates, coming around at 7%. However, the state has also reported the highest number of truck accident fatalities, with 436 deaths in 2022. With these statistics in mind, if you have been involved in a truck accident in California, the chances of succumbing to fatal injuries is more likely when directly compared to other states. 

Most Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents

The FMCSA has reported in a large truck and bus accident statistic report that 13% of all fatal traffic crashes involved at least one large commercial truck or bus. From what is typically seen in San Francisco, collisions, truck rollovers, wide turn accidents, jackknifes accidents, and T-bone accidents are some of the most common types of trucking accidents. If you have a truck accident case, it is important to understand the differences between these types of accidents in order to know what kind of damages can be obtained.

Head-on/Rear-End Collisions

Undoubtedly the most straight-forward and common type of accident to occur on the road, head-on and rear-end collisions are a type of traffic accident that occurs when a driver is either not paying attention or miscalculated the speed and space between vehicles. Considering that this type of accident is dependent on the recklessness and negligence of the driver, the type of damages and injuries that can occur is going to be based on factors such as the speed, angle, and impact.

Typically these types of truck accidents are very simple to process and handle through the insurance companies. However, if there is a dispute or some kind of delay in the paperwork or investigation, it is recommended to hire a truck accident attorney to ensure that there are no complications of the matter.

Truck Rollover

One of the most catastrophic and terrifying truck accidents imaginable, a truck rollover is when a truck rolls over onto one side due to the uneven distribution of cargo weight and the truck’s high center of gravity. A rollover accident may occur due to the negligence of the driver, but this type of truck accident usually occurs when a driver is making too many tight turns and begins swerving to maintain control.

According to a cargo truck rollover report conducted by the FMCSA, over 1,300 cargo tank rollovers are reported each year, which comes out to an average of nearly 4 rollovers every day. In the same report, roughly 78% of rollovers involve some kind of driver error which indicates that the chances of a rollover occurring is more likely than one would imagine.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident is when a large truck with articulated joints makes an improper turn or braking maneuver and the force causes the truck’s trailer to swing inward creating a folding jackknife shape. This typically occurs due to driver error or unsafe road conditions and commercial trucks that cause a jackknife accident can potentially strike nearby vehicles. 

Moreover this can even push vehicles to more vehicles and create a multi-car pileup or even a rollover accident. As such, accident victims would need to hire a truck accident lawyer in order to receive compensation for all accrued damages to their vehicles and their injuries.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents are when a truck or a car runs a red light at an intersection and crashes with another car from a perpendicular angle creating a “T” shape collision. These types of truck accidents can become fatal depending on the speed and impact of the crash. As such, the liability of T-bone truck accident claims would have the one who runs the red light be responsible for all damages. However, these cases tend to be a quick process where the victim receives fair compensation for all of the sustained damages and any serious injuries.

Wide Turn Accidents

One of the simplest types of truck accidents, wide turn accidents are when a truck driver miscalculates the amount of space they have when making a left or right turn and, as a result, they inadvertently hit the neighboring vehicle in the process. The liability in this scenario would fall onto the driver and to an extent, the trucking companies who employed them, because the trucking company has a responsibility to properly train their drivers to ensure other drivers that this scenario won’t happen.

Most Common Type of Injuries In Truck Accidents

Getting hit by commercial trucks is unlike any other car accident because the sheer size of a semi-truck or a commercial vehicle in general will cause more significant property damage and injuries, especially in a serious accident. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and internal injuries are some of the most common types of injuries found in commercial vehicle accidents. If you have sustained any of the following injuries, it is important to understand the differences between them so you can have a better understanding on the type of damages you can recover.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is referred to as a brain dysfunction that is caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head. There are many different types of brain injuries ranging from penetrating and non-penetrating, however, the scope of the damage will vary on a case-by-case basis. With that in mind, brain injuries can result in a multitude of medical conditions from a physical disability and paralysis to long-term cognitive degradation.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is another common injury found in motor vehicle accidents because the spine has a limited ability to absorb impacts and force. So should any injury victims sustain spinal cord injuries, they could potentially suffer from long-term physical disabilities such as loss of motor functions and paralysis.

As such, it is imperative for truck accident victims to pursue legal representation, because anyone who has suffered catastrophic injuries will not only have to live with physical difficulties for the rest of their life, but they would also have to pay extensive medical bills that will definitely affect one’s well being.

Burn Injury

Burn injuries are a type of injury that is usually sustained in semi truck accidents where a fire is ignited in the wreckage and burns either the truck drivers or anyone else involved in the accident. While burn injuries can range from various degrees from first-degree to fourth-degree, they can potentially cause long-term injuries depending on the placement and severity. In fact, those who are in accidents with commercial vehicles that are carrying flammable substances can potentially suffer fatal injuries from the material getting ignited.

Internal Injury

Internal injuries are defined as damage to the internal organs and these types of injuries are usually caused by sudden high speed trauma and impact. While internal injuries may not seem like a serious injury at first, if left alone, they can potentially cause severe damages that can become fatal.

With that in mind, it is important that even in fatal motor vehicle accidents, the catastrophic injury that has caused the fatality may not always be clearly visible. So if you have been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you seek medical attention to ensure yourself that there are no internal damages that could cost you your life.

Who Can Be At-Fault for a Truck Accident?

California is a comparative negligence state, meaning that an at-fault driver may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages, even if they were partially at-fault for causing a truck accident. While multiple parties can be held liable for a truck accident victims’ injuries and losses, proving liability will typically involve one or both of two legal theories: negligence and strict liability.

According to California negligence law, a truck driver who is found guilty of negligence will be held accountable for causing injuries or damages. The aggrieved party is required to show proof that the truck driver breached their duty of care, which ultimately caused the accident. California’s strict liability law states that designers, manufacturers, and even any companies involved in a product’s chain of distribution can all be held responsible if their defective product was the cause of a truck accident.

So if you are unsure who is liable in a complex San Francisco truck accident case, then it is recommended to consult with a truck accident attorney. If you choose to file a claim without legal representation, then you risk becoming liable for all sustained damages.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Getting into a truck accident is much like getting into a car accident, which means that the process of obtaining information and reporting it to the insurance company should be generally the same. However, considering how truck accidents can cause much more severe injuries and property damage, it is important to call 911 and have first responders address any significant damage and injuries before things escalate.

If nobody is critically injured, then it is vital that you document and record as many details of the accident as possible for the insurance company to investigate. If you have any troubles or wish to pursue further legal action against those responsible then it is recommended to consult with a truck accident attorney who can address all of your legal concerns and help with your legal claim.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident in San Francisco and would like to pursue a lawsuit against the party at-fault, you may be able to sue for economic and non-economic damages. As filing a truck accident claim can be a difficult and stressful experience for those who are unfamiliar with the law, it is important that you hire an experienced truck accident lawyer who can guide you throughout the legal process.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of truck accident lawyers are ready to fight for you and serve as your trusted legal counsel throughout this endeavor. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our team of truck accident lawyers are well versed in the California court system and are confident that they can get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to represent our clients and look out for their best interests at heart. Whether you were involved in a severe trucking accident or unsure about the total value of your personal injury claim, our lawyers will be there 24/7 to address any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE case evaluation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Truck Accidents

What Should I Do if I Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident?

If you have been involved in a San Francisco truck accident, it is imperative that you call 911 so first responders can take control of the accident and prevent any more harm or damages from spreading. If you have sustained severe injuries and would like to pursue legal action then it is recommended to hire a truck accident attorney and discuss the case with your attorney for further details.

How Is Liability Determined in a San Francisco Truck Accident?

According to California Civil Code 1431.2, California follows a pure comparative negligence system which states that the liability and awarded compensation of an accident is determined by the percentage of responsibility to each party. So if an accident victim is partially responsible for the truck accident, then it will affect how much compensation they can ultimately receive.

For example, if a truck accident victim is 25% responsible for the accident in question, then 25% would be subtracted from their total awarded compensation to take account of their portion of causing the accident.

How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge in California?

Most accident attorneys tend to run a contingency fee for all of their cases, which means they won’t get paid unless they win or receive a settlement. Should they achieve either then they can charge a fee of anywhere between 25%-40%. However, most truck accident attorneys would charge around a competitive rate of 33%. So it is important to discuss their rates before you choose to move forward with their services.

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

Truck accident settlements will vary on a case-by-case basis, because the total amount is going to be heavily dependent on the severity of the sustained injuries, the scale of the property damage, and any other non-economic costs that might be associated with the accident in question.

For example, if a truck accident victim has sustained a serious brain injury that left them with long-term complications and accumulated extensive medical bills, then they can receive compensation anywhere within the six to seven figure range. This is to take account and cover all medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and to make any quality of life adjustments until they fully recover.