
If you’ve been hurt in a serious crash with a commercial truck, a truck accident lawyer in San Francisco can help you understand what to do next. Truck accidents are different from regular car crashes. The injuries are often severe, and the insurance companies involved are larger, faster, and focused on protecting their bottom line.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our San Francisco personal injury lawyers focus on people first. We take time to listen and explain your options in plain English, so you’re not left guessing. Founded in 2016, our firm brings extensive experience to representing clients in personal injury cases.
We work on contingency, which means you don’t pay attorneys’ fees unless we win. We also travel for consultations when needed and offer rapid signing to make things easier. Let our family provide the professional representation your family needs during this time.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Take Advantage of You
After a serious truck accident, most people are shaken up and just trying to get through the day. Insurance companies know this. They often call early, sounding kind and supportive, as if they’re there to help. In reality, they may be looking for information they can use to limit what they pay.
Insurance adjusters are trained to prioritize the company’s profits, not your recovery. A simple comment or offhand answer can later be used to question your injuries or shift blame.
That’s why it’s usually best not to speak with them right away. A San Francisco truck accident attorney can take over those conversations and deal with the insurer directly.
That gives you space to focus on your health instead of defending yourself. And if an insurance company crosses the line or plays unfairly, an attorney can assist you in pursuing legal remedies if an insurance company acts in bad faith.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After an Accident With a Commercial Truck?
Crashes involving large commercial trucks are very different from a typical motor vehicle accident. A collision with a big rig often causes serious injuries, major property damage, and complex legal issues.
Because so much is at stake, trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves. A trucking accident lawyer in San Francisco can represent your interests from the start.
Commercial Truck Cases Are More Complex
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal regulations. These rules cover things like driver fatigue, required rest breaks, and detailed driver logs. A lawyer knows how to review these records and spot violations that may show driver negligence.
Critical Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Many large commercial trucks have a black box that records speed, braking, and other data. This information can be lost if it’s not preserved early. Lawyers work with accident reconstruction experts and review police reports to understand how the crash happened and who may be responsible.
The Legal Process Can Be Difficult to Handle on Your Own
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties and insurance policies. A lawyer handles communication, gathers evidence, and pushes back when insurers try to minimize injuries or property damage, helping you pursue compensation.
An Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in San Francisco Can Help You Demonstrate Fault
When attempting to prove liability after a truck accident, it is important to keep in mind that there are a variety of potentially liable parties. In many cases, you can sue the trucking company for the accident in addition to the driver.
Some other commonly at-fault parties in these cases include:
- The company that performs maintenance on the trucks
- A third-party driver whose actions led to the collision
- The truck manufacturer
- The government body responsible for maintaining the road where the accident occurred
This list is far from exhaustive. Figuring out who is to blame on your own can be challenging. Your attorney can identify who is liable for your damages and complete and file all the necessary documents for a truck accident lawsuit.
Pure Comparative Negligence in California
When assessing fault following a truck accident, the courts in California use a pure comparative negligence model. With this system, anyone who suffered losses in an accident can pursue compensation as long as they were not 100% to blame.
However, if you did share in the fault for the crash, the amount of money you can collect will be reduced in direct proportion to your level of liability. For example, if you were determined to be 20% at fault for the crash in which you were injured, you would only be eligible to collect 80% of the full value of your claim.
Using this example, for a claim valued at $100,000, the maximum compensation available would be $80,000. How fault is assigned makes a big difference in the outcome of your claim. A San Francisco truck accident lawyer can defend you against allegations of liability.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often happen for very different reasons than a typical car crash. Commercial motor vehicles are larger, heavier, and harder to control, which means small mistakes can lead to serious harm.
Many semi‑truck accidents trace back to safety violations, poor decisions, or mechanical problems that could have been prevented.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is a leading cause of serious crashes. Federal Hours of Service regulations, enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, limit how long drivers can stay on the road.
When drivers ignore these rules or falsify records, fatigue slows reaction time and increases the risk of head‑on collisions and truck rollovers. Electronic logging devices are meant to track hours, but violations still occur.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts everyone at risk. Impaired drivers operating large commercial trucks can cause devastating crashes.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Speeding, unsafe lane changes, and ignoring traffic laws are common factors in delivery truck and semi‑truck accidents.
Vehicle and Mechanical Failures
Brake failures are especially dangerous in large trucks. Poor maintenance or worn‑out brakes can prevent a driver from stopping in time. Jackknife accidents happen when a trailer swings out of control. Rollover accidents and truck rollovers often follow, especially at high speeds or on curves.
Improper Cargo Loading
Cargo loaders must follow federal trucking regulations. Overloaded and overweight trucks are harder to stop and steer. When hazardous cargo or dangerous goods are involved, accidents can be even more severe. Improper handling raises the risk of accidents and serious injuries.
Contact a San Francisco Truck Accident Law Firm Today
After a truck accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next step. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Having the right legal support can make the process clearer.
At Omega Law Group, we put people first—always. We take the time to listen, explain your options in plain language, and handle the hard parts so you can focus on healing.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. (Client may be responsible for costs and expenses regardless of the outcome.)
If you are still wondering if you have grounds for a personal injury case, we’re here. Reach out today to schedule a no-initial-cost consultation to discuss your case. (Please note: Consultation is free, but clients may be responsible for certain costs depending on the case outcome.)