Trucking Company Negligence in San Diego
Every day, thousands of commercial trucks move through San Diego’s major highways—Interstates 5, 8, 15, 805, and State Routes 52, 56, and 94. With heavy traffic, steep grades, and busy merging zones, these roadways are already challenging for passenger vehicles. When a negligent trucking company releases an unsafe 80,000-pound truck onto these roads, the results can be catastrophic. Learn more about trucking company negligence in San Diego.
Historically, trucking companies are in business to make a profit, that means sometimes they will overlook unsafe or dangerous equipment, trucks, and untrained or undertrained drivers – putting profits and delivering loads as quick as possible ahead of public safety. The results are often catastrophic.
When a truck accident happens, a thorough investigation often reveals a series of errors starting at a root cause within the trucking company itself that ultimately leads to a foreseeable, and sometimes inevitable horrific collision. In other words, the accident is seldomly as simple as a driving error by the driver.
At Jassim Law, we have extensive experience handling severe truck accident cases throughout San Diego and California. Time and again, we uncover the same pattern: these devastating collisions are often caused not just by driver mistakes, but by systemic failures at the trucking company level. Companies that cut corners endanger everyone on the road.
There are several federal and state regulations that govern exclusively the conduct an operation of commercial trucks. Unlike typical passenger cars, trucks are governed by well-thought-out rules and regulations that are set forth by Congress to protect the public. The reason for this is the truck accidents are catastrophic and left to their own devices many truck companies and drivers would prioritize making money by delivering loads as quickly as possible over delivering loads in the safest manner possible.
Below, we break down the most common ways trucking company negligence leads to catastrophic crashes—and why these accidents are so preventable.
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Poor or Neglected Truck Maintenance
A fully loaded semi-truck traveling down I-15 or I-5 requires precise mechanical functioning to maintain control. When trucking companies fail to perform proper maintenance, ignore inspection requirements, or falsify maintenance records, they place all nearby drivers at risk.
Common Maintenance Failures That Lead to Crashes
- Brake System Failures
Worn brake pads, faulty air-brake systems, or improperly adjusted brakes greatly increase stopping time. On San Diego’s steep highway grades—such as the I-8 east toward Alpine—this can cause runaway truck incidents and deadly rear-end collisions. - Tire Blowouts
Overloaded or under-inflated tires can explode at highway speeds, causing jackknifes, rollovers, or multi-vehicle pileups. - Steering, Axle & Suspension Problems
Failing components can cause drivers to lose control, especially in crowded lanes or construction zones. - Faulty Lights & Reflectors
On stretches like SR-52 or SR-94 with low visibility, missing lighting drastically increases nighttime collision risk.
Routine inspections and repairs are required by federal law. In fact, truck drivers are required to inspect their trucks and trailers before transporting each load. When companies skip them to keep trucks on the road, catastrophic accidents follow.
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Hours-of-Service Violations and Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents nationwide. In San Diego, long-haul drivers traveling from the border, hauling port freight, or making multi-state runs are especially vulnerable to exhaustion.
Why Fatigue Is So Dangerous
A fatigued truck driver suffers:
- Slowed reaction times
- Impaired judgment
- Difficulty paying attention to road and traffic conditions
- Inability to quickly and safely avoid hazards
- Difficulty staying in the proper lane
- Microsleep episodes that last seconds
A few seconds of lost attention on I-805 or Pacific Highway can lead to a multi-car chain-reaction crash.
How Trucking Companies Contribute to Fatigue | Trucking Company Negligence
Many companies violate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules by:
- Forcing drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
- Encouraging falsified logbooks
- Ignoring electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Rewarding faster deliveries with bonuses
- Incentivizing conduct that puts profit over public safety
When companies directly or indirectly pressure their drivers, they create unsafe conditions that often end in devastating collisions.
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Improper Loading and Cargo Securement Failures
Proper loading is critical to vehicle stability. When a truck’s cargo is uneven, unsecured, or overloaded, the risk of a catastrophic crash increases dramatically.
Examples of Dangerous Loading Practices
- Uneven Weight Distribution
This increases the chance of rollovers on curves or freeway ramps—common along I-5 and I-8 interchanges. - Overweight Loads
This puts stress on tires and brakes, making mechanical failure more likely. - Unsecured Cargo
Loose cargo can shift suddenly, causing the trailer to fishtail or jackknife. - Hazardous Material Mishandling
Improperly secured hazardous loads pose major risks during a crash or sudden stop.
Many of these failures occur at warehouses or loading docks, making both trucking companies and third-party loaders liable when negligence leads to a collision.
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Inadequate Driver Training and Negligent Hiring
Trucking companies are legally required to hire qualified drivers and provide ongoing training. However, to meet demand and cut costs, some companies hire inexperienced, unqualified, or even dangerous drivers.
Common Hiring & Training Failures
- Not checking driving histories
- Hiring new drivers for complex routes
- Failing to periodically test and re-train drivers
- Ignoring past DUI or reckless driving violations
- Ignoring unsafe conduct, such as telephone use, texting, internet or video use while driving
- Overlooking and ignoring moving violations, such as speed violations, or other violations.
- Failing to train new drivers on safety procedures
- Failing to enforce safe driving rules and policies
- Not providing instruction for transporting specialized cargo
- Allowing drivers to operate without proper certifications
These failures directly contribute to catastrophic accidents throughout San Diego County and elsewhere.
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A Company Culture That Ignores Safety
Safety starts at the top. Trucking companies that fail to enforce safety rules, ignore internal complaints, or overlook mechanical problems create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road. Further, it sends a message to drivers that safety is not a priority, and will not be enforced.
Examples include:
- Rewarding unsafe driving speeds
- Overlooking or ignoring known safety violations
- Discouraging reporting of vehicle problems
- Pressuring mechanics or drivers to skip inspections
- Ignoring FMCSA safety scores and violation histories
When a company chooses profit over safety, crashes become inevitable.
How Jassim Law Holds Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable
Truck accident cases demand a thorough and aggressive investigation. At Jassim Law, we know where to look and how to uncover hidden negligence.
We immediately investigate:
- The collision scene and truck involved
- Interview witnesses
- Commence litigation without delay to subpoena records
- Obtain and review Maintenance Logs
- Obtain and review Black box (EDR) data and telematics
- Electronic driver logs
- Company safety policies
- Dispatch records
- Prior violations
- Cargo loading documentation
- Personnel files and training records
Our firm works with leading engineers, trucking experts, accident reconstruction experts, and industry specialists to expose unsafe practices and build strong, compelling cases for our clients.
We fight to recover full compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities
- Property damage
- Wrongful death damages
Injured in a Truck Crash in San Diego? Jassim Law Can Help | Trucking Company Negligence
If you were involved in a truck accident on a San Diego freeway, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands the complexities of trucking cases.
Jassim Law has a proven record of holding negligent trucking companies accountable and securing justice for injured victims and their families.
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.