San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer
San Diego big-rig and commercial truck accident representation — FMCSA violations, Hours of Service, and motor-carrier liability, no fee unless we win.
California Car Accident Legal Representation
Experienced car accident attorneys handling all types of motor vehicle collisions in California. We handle rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, hit-and-run cases, drunk driving accidents, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) accidents, and uninsured motorist claims.
California auto insurance minimum: $30,000/$60,000/$15,000 (effective January 2025). We fight to recover full compensation beyond policy limits when possible.
Free consultation: (818) 514-7680.
Fees, Costs and Case Results
Where representation is offered on a contingency basis there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and the firm advances case costs — filing fees, expert witnesses and medical records — which are then repaid out of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The specific terms that apply to a matter are set out in the written fee agreement for that matter.
Where this site refers to a verdict, settlement or court order, that result was dependent on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other matter, and no particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are truck accident cases different from car accident cases?
- Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so crashes cause far more serious injuries, and the cases are governed by an extra layer of law: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). There are often multiple responsible parties — the driver, the trucking company, the truck or trailer owner, the cargo loader, and the maintenance provider — and far more evidence, including the truck's electronic control module (the "black box"), electronic logging device (ELD) records, and the driver-qualification file. Trucking companies and their insurers typically dispatch investigators to the scene within hours, so you need a lawyer who acts just as fast.
- Who can be held liable for a San Diego truck accident?
- Liability often extends beyond the driver. Under respondeat superior, a motor carrier is generally responsible for the negligence of its employee driver, and the company itself can be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention, for pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service limits, or for poor maintenance. Other potentially responsible parties include the trailer or truck owner, a separate cargo-loading company, a parts manufacturer, and a maintenance contractor. We identify every liable party and every applicable insurance policy.
- What evidence is critical in a truck accident claim?
- Key evidence includes the electronic control module (ECM) or "black box" data, the electronic logging device (ELD) and Hours of Service records, the driver-qualification file, drug- and alcohol-testing records, the bill of lading and cargo records, maintenance and inspection logs, the truck's GPS and telematics, and dashcam footage. Much of this can be lawfully destroyed on routine retention schedules, so we send spoliation (evidence-preservation) letters immediately and, when necessary, seek a court order to preserve and inspect the truck.
- How much insurance do commercial trucks carry?
- Federal law requires far higher limits than passenger cars. Under FMCSA regulations (49 C.F.R. § 387.9), for-hire interstate carriers of general (non-hazardous) freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and carriers of certain hazardous materials must carry $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. These higher limits matter because catastrophic truck-crash injuries frequently exceed what an ordinary auto policy would cover. We pursue the carrier's policy and any additional or excess coverage.
- What are common causes of truck accidents?
- Frequent causes include driver fatigue and Hours of Service violations, distracted or impaired driving, speeding and following too closely, improperly loaded or overweight cargo, inadequate maintenance and brake failure, blind-spot and wide-turn collisions, and jackknife and underride crashes. Many of these trace back to a trucking company that cut corners on safety, hiring, or maintenance — which is exactly what a thorough investigation is designed to uncover.
- How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in San Diego?
- California's statute of limitations for truck accident injury claims is two years from the date of the crash under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, with a three-year limit for property damage under Code of Civil Procedure § 338. If a government vehicle or dangerous road condition contributed, you must first file a government claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Because crucial trucking evidence can be lost quickly, you should contact a San Diego truck accident lawyer well before these deadlines.
- What compensation can I recover after a truck accident?
- California allows recovery of economic and non-economic damages: past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, property damage, and — under CACI No. 3905A — pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Truck crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, or wrongful death, which can involve lifelong care documented through a life-care plan. Punitive damages may be available where a carrier acted with reckless disregard for safety.
- How much does a San Diego truck accident lawyer cost?
- We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney's fee unless we win. We advance the substantial costs these cases require — accident reconstruction, trucking-safety experts, ECM/ELD data analysis, and medical and economic experts — and recover our fee only from the settlement or verdict. The initial consultation is free and confidential.
Contact Trembach Law Firm
Trembach Law Firm, APC
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 514-7680
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