Truck vs Car Accidents in San Diego
Car accidents happen every day in San Diego, ranging from minor fender-benders to serious collisions. While many drivers are familiar with filing a standard car accident claim, accidents involving commercial trucks are a different matter entirely. Think of a truck accident more like an airplane, train, or large ship accident. Learn more about truck vs car accidents in San Diego.
At Jassim Law, we have extensive experience handling both car and truck accident cases. Our team understands that truck accidents are far more complex and require specialized legal expertise to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.
Understanding the key differences between car and truck accident claims is essential for anyone injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different
Trucking companies operate under strict federal and state regulations that do not apply to personal vehicle owners. Because of this, truck accident claims involve more parties, stricter evidence requirements, and specialized rules that can make pursuing a claim significantly more complex.
While a typical passenger vehicle accident involves simple driver error, a truck accident usually involves many errors that ultimately lead to the collision – from the top of the truck company management, down to the truck equipment failing, to driver errors.
Some of the main factors that differentiate truck accident claims from car accidents include:
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Size and Weight of Commercial Trucks
Commercial trucks, including semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. Collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, or death. The severity of injuries often makes the financial stakes much higher, which also increases the legal complexity.
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Multiple Parties May Be Liable
Unlike car accidents where liability is often limited to the at-fault driver, truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or carrier
- Trucking brokers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Vehicle maintenance or repair companies
- Cargo loaders or distributors
- Parts manufacturers
Determining liability in these cases requires careful investigation and legal experience to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
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Federal and State Regulations
Trucking companies are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, as well as California-specific rules governing hours of service, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement.
Violations of these regulations often play a key role in truck accident claims. Identifying these violations requires expertise and access to specialized records such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), inspection reports, and driver logs.
Trucks usually contain specific telematics, data, software, and hardware that must be obtained immediately after a crash and analyzed by skilled experts. Often trucks and trucking companies use dashcam video which must be preserved and obtained immediately after a truck accident.
Truck companies and their insurance carriers deploy teams to obtain and often “lose” or delete such information if it is unfavorable to them. If you wait days, weeks or months to hire an attorney to get this critical information, it will be lost and difficult or impossible to obtain.
This scenario alone makes truck accidents different from a typical car accident. Our firm virtually never delays the commencement of a lawsuit in a truck accident so that we can obtain and preserve such evidence using subpoenas and other methods. We have found that in nearly every truck accident case, there is not a good reason to delay the filing of a lawsuit.
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Insurance and Settlement Complexity
Commercial truck carriers carry higher liability insurance than individual drivers, often ranging from $1 million to $5 million, or more, depending on the type of cargo and the company.
While this can lead to higher potential settlements, insurance companies facing such financial exposure deploy teams of attorneys, hired experts, and adjusters specifically trained and assigned to find reasons to minimize payouts, including quickly confiscating evidence so that the injured party and their attorney cannot gain access to the evidence – often later improperly claiming such evidence is “privileged” or “unavailable.”
Without experienced legal representation acting on your behalf immediately after a truck accident, injured victims risk their claims being compromised and starting out at an unfair disadvantage in their legal case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in San Diego
Understanding what causes truck accidents is essential to building a strong case. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver Fatigue – Trucks operate under strict hours-of-service rules, but companies may pressure drivers to exceed limits. Fatigue slows reaction times and increases the risk of collisions.
- Distracted Driving – Cell phones, GPS systems, or other distractions can lead to serious accidents, especially with large trucks.
- Improper Maintenance – Trucks require frequent inspections and maintenance. Brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering issues often result in catastrophic accidents.
- Overloaded or Improperly Secured Cargo – Shifting or unsecured cargo can cause trucks to jackknife, roll over, or spill onto highways.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving – Pressure to meet delivery deadlines can lead drivers to speed or take unsafe maneuvers.
- Unsafe and Improper Following Distance: Trucks are required to keep a further following distance than typical passenger vehicles due to their size, weight, and difficulty to control. We often see truck operators failing to adhere to the required following distances, leading to an otherwise avoidable collision.
Each of these factors requires careful investigation, documentation, and evidence collection—areas where Jassim Law excels.
Why You Need Specialized Legal Representation
Truck accident claims are not like standard car accident cases. Attempting to handle a truck accident claim without an attorney specifically experienced in handling truck accidents can result in:
- Settling for less than full compensation
- Missing critical evidence like driver logs or maintenance records
- Failing to identify all liable parties
- Overlooking complex regulatory violations
Experienced truck accident attorneys understand how to navigate these challenges. At Jassim Law, we combine knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations, investigative resources, and litigation experience to protect our clients’ rights.
How Jassim Law Can Help
At Jassim Law, we handle every aspect of truck accident claims with diligence and expertise:
- Comprehensive Investigation – We gather police reports, ELD records, telematics, maintenance logs, cargo documentation, and eyewitness statements.
- Liability Analysis – Our team identifies all potentially responsible parties to maximize compensation.
- Insurance Negotiation – We deal directly with aggressive insurance carriers to ensure fair settlements.
- Litigation When Necessary – If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court.
- Full Compensation Recovery – We fight for medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Conclusion | Truck vs Car Accidents
While car accidents are challenging enough, truck accident claims involve far more complexity, legal regulations, and potential parties at fault. Navigating these cases without specialized legal help can put victims at a serious disadvantage.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in San Diego, do not face the insurance companies alone. Jassim Law has the experience, knowledge, and resources to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Jassim Law today for a free, confidential consultation and let our San Diego personal injury attorneys guide you through the legal process with expertise and care.
Act Now! Contact Jassim Law an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Diego today at (858) 524‑6140 or visit their website for a free case evaluation. With no upfront fees, strong local expertise, and a proven record.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and learn more about truck vs car accidents.