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San Diego Truck Accident Lawyers

The Advocates are San Diego truck accident lawyers. Our law firm has years of experience helping victims file truck accident claims.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case 

The roads around San Diego are a complex tapestry of highways and urban streets frequented by semi-trucks. While the trucking industry is essential to keep this metropolis going, that does not change the fact that big rigs pose a serious threat to passenger vehicles.

Perhaps you are a victim of a trucking accident. If that is the case, The Advocates extend their sincere condolences and assure you that our legal team is ready to be your advocate and help you obtain maximum compensation for your accident-related injuries.

We understand it can be frightening to take on insurance companies. Rest assured, you do not have to weather the storm alone. Your Advocate Attorney will shoulder every aspect of your truck accident case while you focus on healing and improving your quality of life. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed, suffering from personal injuries, and trying to keep your medical bills under control, then give The Advocates a call. We are San Diego truck accident attorneys with the experience needed to help you obtain justice for your injuries.  

The Next Steps in Your San Diego Truck Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Property Damage

Get the damage on your vehicle assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.  

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.  

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.  

For more information on how settlements and payments work, please see our contingency fee information page.

If the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.  

Your attorney will gather evidence, monitor your medical treatment progress, keep an accurate record of all relevant documents and facts to support your claim, negotiate and correspond with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will zealously pursue your claim through resolution. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process depends on many factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and much more.  

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which, if you do not resolve or file a lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right of action.  

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you focus on healing. Generally, once all evidence has been gathered and your medical treatment has been completed or you are back to feeling yourself again, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement on your behalf.  

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a lawsuit in the litigation phase. Your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Truck Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Understanding California Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Statistics

Higher fatality rates are the tragic truth of semi-truck accidents, especially in southern California, one of the most populated regions in the country. Personal injuries of this severity often require extensive medical treatment.

So long as there are commercial trucks on the road, there will be accidents. It may be unavoidable, but in your own life, you can mitigate the risk by knowing some data about large truck accidents in California between 2013 and 2022:

  • 81% of truck accidents involved other vehicles.
  • 72% of fatalities were occupants of other vehicles.
  • 61% occurred during the day.
  • 62% of passenger vehicles were hit with the front of a semi-truck.
  • 21% of large truck drivers had previous recorded crashes.

The most common causes of truck accidents 

  • Driver fatigue: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) showed that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued before their crashes. Commercial drivers can be on the road for unfathomable hours and exceed their hours of service. Naturally, they get tired, leading to poor judgment and delayed reactions to sudden changes in driving or weather conditions.
  • Mechanical failures: Over time, the wear and tear on a big rig can lead to critical issues such as tire blowouts.
  • Speeding: Speeding trucks have longer stopping distances, less time to react to sudden changes in the road, and a greater inability to see what is in their blind spots.
  • Distracted driving: Truckers are just as susceptible to modern distractions as any other driver. Four seconds of looking at a text is all that is needed for the truck owner to cause an accident.
Tired truck driver feeling sleepy and sick
Fifth wheel RV overturned on highway with wench truck trying to get it off the road and two semis parked nearby and traffic cones keeping traffic away

Jackknifing: A danger to passenger vehicles

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out to form an acute angle with the cab. It is a dangerous situation caused by various factors.

The truck wheels may lock up, causing the trailer to swing out. The driver might take a turn a little too sharply. The trailer might be overloaded. Whatever the reason that the jackknife occurs, it can be fatal for traffic around the truck.

A jackknifed large truck can block multiple lanes, causing a vehicle to crash into it, which sets off a chain reaction of other crashes. That is how pileups occur. It can also cause rollovers. While they are not very common, a jackknife is one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents, so motorists must stay vigilant when driving around semi-trucks or normal trucks pulling tractor-trailers.

Most common truck accident injuries 

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal injuries
  • Lacerations and contusions
  • Burns
  • Psychological injuries
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Understanding Trucking Accidents and Personal Injury Law in San Diego County

Man and woman arguing, standing together on the road with their cars on the background after the car accident

How fault is determined in a San Diego trucking accident 

California operates under a pure comparative negligence system. This means each party involved in the accident is assigned a percentage of fault, and their compensation is reduced proportionally.

Even if a party is more than 50% at fault, they may still be able to recover damages.

For example, if a semi-truck is 90% at fault and a passenger vehicle is 10% at fault, both parties can still seek compensation. However, the party driving the truck can only recover 10% of the total damage they incurred.

Statute of limitations for trucking accidents 

In California, claimants generally have two years from the date of the trucking accident to file a personal injury claim for negligence. Begin the process before this expiration date. The more time that passes, the more difficult it may be for your legal team to gather the necessary evidence.  

Policeman writing up report on incident where their was a person injured

What to do after an accident 

Experiencing a truck accident can be chaotic and stressful. However, it is crucial to stay as composed as possible and follow these steps:

  • Prioritize safety: Safety is paramount. First, check yourself and others for injuries. If the immediate danger is gone, move to a secure location away from traffic.
  • Notify the authorities: Call the police immediately to report the incident and request an official police report.
  • Get medical attention: Seek medical care immediately, even if injuries appear minor.
  • Exchange details: Get the truck driver’s information, including their insurance details, driver’s license number, license plate, and the trucking company’s contact information for the truck and any attached trailer.
  • Collect evidence: Document by taking photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Also, gather the names, phone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses.
  • Consult a personal injury lawyer: Consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and next steps.
  • Keep detailed records: Maintain thorough documentation of the accident, medical expenses, and all related communications.
  • Do not admit fault: Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, as this could affect your potential claim.

When Should I Hire a San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer?

Nobody is immune to the severity of a truck crash, which is why we cannot overstate the importance of beginning the claims process right away if you are involved in a trucking accident. As with anything, this first step is usually the most difficult, but once it is underway, The Advocates will take action to represent your rights against the trucking and insurance companies. 
 
If you are still deciding whether you want an attorney, we can begin with a free case evaluation. During this time, one of our experienced truck accident lawyers will review the details of your case with you.

Being in a trucking accident is one of the most frightening occurrences a person can experience. Just know that you do not have to navigate it alone. An Advocate attorney is here to help. 
  
The Advocates will represent you throughout the claims process. We aim to obtain justice for you while making your recovery as smooth as possible. You deserve a team of San Diego truck accident attorneys to handle your case so you can focus on your recovery. You deserve an Advocate.  

 

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