San Diego Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial trucks, also known as “semi trucks,” “semi trailers,” or “tractor trailers,” are one of the most common sights on California highways, and across the United States, over 761,000 commercial trucks drive 93.5 billion miles every year (contributing up to 5% of total US GDP). Like any vehicle, commercial trucks are also prone to accidents, whether by fault of the truck driver, another driver, or a myriad of other factors. If involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you need to contact a San Diego truck accident attorney immediately.

Weighing between 10,000 and 80,000 pounds, commercial trucks present significant dangers if involved in an accident. In fact, with the third most commercial truck registrations in the country, California unfortunately provides the second-most fatal truck crashes in the United States. Furthermore, although it is not always true, some trucking companies put their profits over public safety, and far too often do insurers for these companies under-pay when there is an injury—or even death—involved in an accident.

At the Law Offices of Jason A. Rodenbo, we begin working immediately for our clients, investigating every detail of the accident and determining the exact amount of company liability as well as the awards our clients deserve for their injuries. We represent clients throughout San Diego, San Diego County, and throughout southern California.

How Truck Accidents are Different

In a standard auto accident between two parties, the investigation into the accident generally comes from insurers, witnesses on the scene, police, and others. This is not always the case with truck accidents, as immediately after the accident, private investigators hired by the company arrive on the scene with the goal of proving that you, and not the truck, were somehow at fault. Likewise, some trucking companies will try and cover up evidence, such as by removing records from the mandated, FMCSA data recorder.

Furthermore, if you or a loved one sustained injuries from the accident, trucking corporations tend to approach victims with offers of quick settlements; these quick settlements may seem attractive, but they are rarely enough to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of future earnings, and other awards you may be entitled to if injured. Because the driver’s CDL might be on the line, and therefore his/her livelihood, getting truck drivers to admit fault or negligence in a truck accident can be difficult, which therefore means that objective investigation is required in most cases.

Truck Accident Causes and Liability

In order to obtain and maintain a CDL, drivers endure rigorous standards and are given even tighter safety responsibilities. According to an accident study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, cars were responsible for 91 percent of head-on collisions with trucks, 91 percent of opposite direction side-swipes, and 71 percent of rear-end crashes. Because of the size of most commercial trucks, these accidents can be devastating, and when the trucker was at fault, it was mostly due to:

  • Speeding
  • Distraction or inattention, such as using a cell phone, eating, or daydreaming
  • Impairment from fatigue, alcohol, or drugs
  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Obscured vision

Additionally, vehicle-related problems have contributed to several truck accidents, and in these cases, the manufacturer of a truck part or the company—not the driver—may be liable. Vehicle-related problems can include problems with the tires, the brake systems, power train, lights, or other parts of the truck.

The Importance of Contacting a Truck Attorney Immediately

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident, the first thing that you must do is contact medical personnel immediately. Even if you feel okay, you should have a doctor examine your neck, head, spine, back, and other places for injury. Delays in speaking with an attorney could result in the loss or compromise of important pieces of information, thereby hindering an optimal and fair investigation from being conducted. When investigating your case, San Diego attorney Jason A. Rodenbo will thoroughly investigate every detail, and along with the help of accident re-constructionists, medical experts, and accident investigators, we will leave no stones unturned.

We will also look into whether the truck driver or company has violated any federal or California statutes, including:

  • Undertrained drivers
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Under-maintained trucks
  • Driving too many hours or skipping mandatory breaks

In addition to the driver being liable to the accident, Attorney Jason A. Rodenbo will see whether there are any other potentially liable parties, such as the truck driver’s employer, a leasing employer, the manufacturer of a faulty part, or the party that improperly loaded cargo.

Contact the Law Offices of Jason A. Rodenbo

Truck accidents are much different than auto accidents, and it takes an experienced truck accident attorney to ensure a strong, effective case that fully covers damages and injuries in the accident. With widespread resources across San Diego County as well as a reputation as one of the city’s premier personal injury attorneys, the Law Offices of Jason A. Rodenbo will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve. Feel free to stop by our conveniently located office on 3rd Avenue, or contact us at (619) 265-0081 for a free consultation today!