Top Mistakes Injury Victims Make After a Truck Accident in San Diego
A truck accident is one of the most overwhelming experiences a person can face. Trucks are large, intimidating, and an accident involving a large truck is nearly always traumatic and even catastrophic. Learn more about mistakes injury victims make after a truck accident.
People who are involved in a collision with a truck often deal with severe injuries, rising medical bills, insurance pressure, lost income, and uncertainty about what to do next.
Because commercial trucking companies act quickly—and aggressively—to protect their own financial interests, even small decisions in the days following a crash can impact the outcome of your case.
At Jassim Law, our San Diego personal injury firm has successfully handled some of the region’s most complex truck accident cases. We have seen firsthand the mistakes victims commonly make, and we know how to help you avoid them so you can protect your rights, your health, and your future.
Below are the top mistakes truck accident victims make—and how to protect yourself every step of the way.
Mistake #1: Not Getting Immediate Medical Care
Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries that may not feel serious in the moment due to shock and adrenaline. Many victims delay seeking medical treatment, hoping their pain will go away.
Why this is a mistake:
- Delayed medical care allows injuries to worsen
- Insurance companies use gaps in treatment to argue you were not really hurt
- Documentation is crucial for proving damages
How to avoid it:
Always seek medical attention within hours of the crash, even if you think you are “fine” or more concerned about other people involved in the accident. Follow all treatment plans and keep records. Jassim Law can help you document your injury progression and ensure no detail is overlooked.
Mistake #2: Speaking to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster
Truck insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may seem friendly, but their goal is to gather information that weakens your claim, while protecting the insurance company’s money.
Why this is a mistake:
- Anything you say can and will be used against you
- Never provide a recorded statement – it is not required, and never helps your claim.
- Adjusters ask questions designed to mischaracterize the facts, and they are trained to protect the insurance companyThey may pressure you into a quick, low-ball settlement
How to avoid it:
Do not give recorded statements, sign anything, or negotiate before speaking to an attorney. At Jassim Law, we handle all communication for you—ensuring your rights are fully protected.
Mistake #3: Assuming the Crash Was Only the Driver’s Fault
Truck accidents are rarely simple. While the truck driver may be responsible, trucking companies, maintenance crews, cargo loaders, brokers, and even manufacturers may share liability.
Even you, or other drivers, may share in the responsibility for causing the accident. A shared responsibility case is still a viable and valid case often times.
Why this is a mistake:
- Multiple parties may owe compensation
- Evidence showing corporate negligence disappears fast
- You risk leaving significant money on the table
How to avoid it:
An experienced truck accident lawyer conducts a multi-party liability investigation. Jassim Law explores every angle—driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, safety violations, hiring practices, and more—to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Mistake #4: Failing to Preserve Crucial Evidence
Truck companies are required to keep certain records—but only for a short time. Some logs can be destroyed in as little as 6 months, and black box data may be overwritten.
Why this is a mistake:
- Losing evidence makes your case harder to prove
- Companies may “accidentally” lose documents without legal intervention
- Early preservation letters are essential
How to avoid it:
Your attorney must send a spoliation letter immediately to force the company to preserve evidence. Jassim Law knows exactly what to request and how to secure it before it is lost.
Beyond a letter, your attorney should visit the scene of the accident, and retain experts to investigate the accident, and inspect vehicles and other evidence.
Mistake #5: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies may offer quick settlements to limit their exposure, especially when serious injuries are involved.
Why this is a mistake:
- Early offers rarely cover long-term medical care
- You may not yet know the full extent of your injuries
- Once you accept, you cannot ask for more—ever
How to avoid it:
Have every offer reviewed by a truck accident lawyer who understands future damages, lost earnings, long-term disability, and pain and suffering.
Mistake #6: Not Hiring a Lawyer Who Specializes in Truck Accidents
Truck accident litigation is fundamentally different from ordinary car accident cases. Federal regulations, commercial insurance policies, and corporate negligence all require specialized knowledge.
The insurance companies unfairly and inappropriately attempt to mischaracterize truck accidents as nothing more than a typical car accident. The reality is, they are much more complex, and there can be multiple facts, and reasons why the truck driver or truck company is negligent and liable.
Why this is a mistake:
- Not all personal injury lawyers understand trucking laws, rules, regulations, or nuances that can hold a trucking defendant liable
- Trucking companies have powerful legal teams and insurance companies facing large exposure
- Specialized cases require deep expertise and aggressive investigation
How to avoid it:
Choose an attorney with a proven record in serious truck accident litigation. Jassim Law has extensive experience recovering substantial results for victims and families across San Diego.
How Jassim Law Can Help You After a Truck Accident
Jassim Law provides strategic, aggressive, and compassionate representation for victims of truck accidents. Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Comprehensive accident investigation
- Financial resources to retain the best experts and prosecute your case all the way through trial.
- Access to the best experts, medical experts, and teams required to give you a fair fight at full justice
- Track record of multi-million dollar results
- A deep understanding of medicine and your injuries, which is needed to fully convey the harms and losses you’ve suffered
For example, in truck accident matters we immediately obtain black box data, event data recorders, telematics, driver logs, safety records, maintenance histories, and hiring files. We typically do not delay the filing of a lawsuit to allow us to thoroughly investigate the accidents and obtain critical evidence right away.
- Proven experience handling catastrophic injury cases
We understand the medical, financial, and emotional toll truck accidents impose on victims.
- Negotiation with large trucking insurers
We fight to secure full and fair compensation.
- Trial-ready strategy from day one
Trucking companies take your claim seriously when they know your lawyer will go to court.
- Personalized support and guidance
We walk with you through every step of your recovery and claim.
Contact Jassim Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in San Diego, do not make mistakes that could cost you your health or your financial future. Contact Jassim Law for guidance, clarity, and strong representation.
Your recovery matters—and we are here to protect it.
Trusted Legal Guidance from Jassim Law, San Diego’s Truck Accident Litigation Firm