San Diego Truck Accident Attorney

Semi-truck accidents happen every day in San Diego and around Southern California. They are some of the most serious accidents that any motorist can be involved in, and they must be taken seriously. Because of the height and weight difference between a passenger car and a semi truck, someone in a smaller vehicle has drastically higher odds of suffering serious injuries in a crash.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, a San Diego truck accident attorney at Golshani Lee LLP can help you understand your rights and pursue the full compensation you’re owed. We offer the aggressive, effective legal representation you need after a life-changing injury, backed by a track record that includes seven-figure settlements. We know how insurance companies operate, how trucking companies try to limit their liability, and what it takes to build a winning case.

Why You Need a San Diego Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accident cases are rarely as simple as a typical car crash claim. Commercial trucking is a heavily regulated industry, and a crash investigation often has to account for federal safety rules, driver logs, maintenance records, and multiple potentially liable parties, not just the driver. Trucking companies also tend to send accident response teams and insurance adjusters to the scene almost immediately, working to limit the company’s financial exposure before you’ve even had a chance to speak with a lawyer.

Having an experienced truck accident attorney in your corner from the start levels the playing field. We know how to preserve critical evidence before it disappears, how to interpret hours-of-service and maintenance records, and how to negotiate with, or litigate against, well-funded insurance companies and corporate legal teams.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in San Diego

Semi-truck accidents have many different causes. For instance, drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices, as distracted drivers may not be aware of traffic conditions around them. Fatigued driving is also a major issue with commercial drivers, which is why they have regulations they must follow about how many hours they can work without a break. Speeding and impaired are also involved in some of these accidents.

Identifying the specific cause of your crash is often key to determining who’s liable. Here’s a closer look at the most common factors:

Driver Fatigue

Federal regulations limit how many hours a commercial driver can work without a break, but fatigued driving remains a major issue in the trucking industry. Drowsy drivers react slower and are more likely to drift out of their lane or fail to notice slowing traffic ahead.

Distracted Driving

Commercial drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices while driving, but distraction, whether from phones, dispatch systems, or simple inattention, remains a leading cause of large truck crashes.

Speeding and Impaired Driving

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to stop a vehicle that can weigh 20 times more than a passenger car. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol compounds that risk significantly.

Poor Truck Maintenance

Worn brakes, bald tires, and mechanical failures are often the result of a trucking company cutting corners on maintenance schedules required by law.

Improper Loading

Overloaded trailers or improperly secured cargo can cause a truck to roll over, jackknife, or lose control, especially on curves or during sudden stops.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

One important thing to understand when building your case is that the truck driver may not be the only liable party, which means you may have more than one potential source of financial recovery. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:

• The trucking company, if it pressured the driver into unsafe hours or failed to maintain its fleet
• A third-party maintenance contractor, if faulty repairs contributed to the crash
• The company responsible for loading the cargo, if improper loading caused the accident
• The truck or parts manufacturer, if a defective component was a factor

For example, if a trucking company failed to properly maintain its vehicles and the brakes gave out, leaving the driver unable to avoid a crash, you may be able to pursue compensation directly from that company, in addition to any claim against the driver.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Semi-Truck Accidents

The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks means that crashes involving them tend to produce more severe injuries than typical passenger vehicle accidents, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Wrongful death

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and time away from work, all of which factor into the value of your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Our attorneys, Shervin Golshani and Christopher Lee, will help you look into the full scope of costs you’re facing and explore every option for recovering compensation, including:

• Medical bills, both current and future
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death damages, in fatal accident cases

Every truck accident case is different, and the right settlement or verdict depends on the specifics of your crash and injuries. That’s why we take the time to fully investigate each case rather than accepting the first number an insurance company offers.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in San Diego

The steps you take in the hours and days after a truck accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation later:

1. Get medical attention, even if injuries seem minor at first
2. Report the accident to law enforcement and get a copy of the police report
3. Document the scene with photos and video if you’re able
4. Get contact and insurance information from all parties involved
5. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer
6. Contact a San Diego truck accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer

How Our San Diego Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Golshani Lee LLP, we understand insurance policies, crash reconstruction, and the tactics trucking companies use to minimize payouts. We pride ourselves on excellent communication throughout your case, so you always know where things stand. Our track record includes seven-figure settlements for clients who trusted us with some of the most serious cases in San Diego.

Truck Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California?

In most cases, California’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

What if the trucking company is based out of state?

Many trucking companies operate across state lines, which can complicate a claim. An experienced attorney can determine the right jurisdiction and pursue the company regardless of where it’s headquartered.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if we win your case.

Contact a San Diego Truck Accident Attorney Today

Our lawyers, Shervin Golshani and Christopher Lee will help you look into the full costs you are facing and explore all of your options to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity and much more. If you’d like to ask any questions or set up your initial consultation, just send us an email or give us a call today at 858-360-6454.