Truck accidents can cause big damage and serious injuries. In San Francisco, heavy trucks, delivery vehicles, port traffic, and freeway driving all increase the chance of a crash. A truck crash can change your life in an instant. It can leave you with medical bills, lost income, long hospital stays, and worry about what comes next.
At Siegal & Richardson, LLP, we represent people injured in truck accidents throughout San Francisco. We help you focus on healing while we handle the legal side of your case.
Why San Francisco Truck Crashes Happen?
Truck accidents in San Francisco usually tie back to the city’s twisty roads, heavy traffic, and nonstop delivery hustle. Common triggers include:
- Big rigs are squeezing through narrow streets
- Freeway gridlock on I-80, 101, or I-280
- Delivery trucks and rideshares are stopping every block
- Bad visibility around hills, curves, or fog
- Tired drivers logging long hours
- Blind spots hiding cars from truckers
A San Francisco truck accident attorney understands how these conditions lead to real crashes and how to review records, reports, and other evidence.
How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents?
Truck accidents tend to be more complex and severe than car crashes, thanks to a commercial truck’s sheer size and weight.
Key differences:
- Far more serious injuries
Trucks outweigh cars by a lot, so impacts hit with huge force, often leading to severe or permanent damage. - Multiple parties responsible
Car claims usually focus on one driver. Truck cases can rope in the driver, company, mechanics, or cargo team. - Unique safety regulations
Truckers and firms follow strict state and federal rules on driving hours, maintenance, and loads. Violations often decide fault. - Higher-stakes insurance
Commercial policies have bigger limits, prompting insurers to push back aggressively on payouts. - Deeper evidence review
Cases pull in driver logs, inspection reports, and vehicle data. Analyzing it all requires time and expertise.
These factors mean truck claims demand a more thorough probe than standard car accidents.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in San Francisco
Truck crashes come in various forms. Among the most common:
- Rear-end hits, where a rig slams into the vehicle ahead
- Jackknifes, with the trailer swinging wide
- T-bone or side impacts at intersections
- Rollovers on steep hills or sharp turns
- Underrides, where a car slides under the trailer
- Blind-spot collisions, missing cars or bikes
These often lead to major injuries, especially for people in smaller vehicles or on foot.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in San Francisco?
Truck crashes can get chaotic fast. Your immediate steps count. Aim to:
- Call 911 for injuries and get medical help
- Snap photos of vehicles, damage, road, and scene
- Collect names and contacts from drivers and witnesses
- See a doctor, even if you feel fine
- Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts
- Hold off on insurance talks until you speak with a lawyer
How Fault Is Determined in San Francisco Truck Accident Cases
In California, fault in a crash isn’t always all on one driver. It can get split between them. Figuring out who’s responsible usually means digging into things like:
- Police reports
- Truck driver logs and records
- Cargo loading and weight documentation
- Surveillance or traffic camera video
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction analysis
Truck wrecks often involve multiple insurance policies, including the truck driver’s carrier and the trucking company’s policy. A lawyer can help you understand how fault works and how it affects compensation.
Injuries Common in Truck Crashes
Truck crashes often cause serious injuries because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Some injuries we see include:
- Head injuries and concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Spine and vertebra injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Limb loss or permanent disability
These injuries often require long-term treatment and may affect your ability to work or enjoy daily life. Medical records are critical for showing the full impact of your injuries.
How Siegal & Richardson, LLP Helps Victims After a Truck Accident
When you team up with us, we handle:
- Investigating how the crash happened
- Reviewing police reports, photos, videos, and witness accounts
- Collecting your medical records and treatment notes
- Dealing with insurance companies for you
- Assessing the full scope of your injuries
- Building a claim for fair compensation
We walk you through every step, so you stay informed and in control.
Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Receive
No two truck crashes are alike, but victims often pursue pay for:
- Medical bills and ongoing care
- Lost wages and work capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Long-term rehab or care
- Loss of daily life enjoyment
A San Francisco truck accident lawyer can clarify what applies to your situation.
When to Contact a San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer
You should consider legal help if:
- You were injured in a truck crash
- Fault is unclear or disputed
- A large commercial truck or big rig hit you
- The trucking company or insurer is making you a low offer
- Your injuries affect your work or daily life
- Multiple vehicles were involved
- A rideshare or delivery truck was part of the collision
Getting help early can make it easier to gather evidence and preserve your rights.
Get Help After a San Francisco Truck Accident
Truck accidents can cause long-lasting effects. You should not face the legal process, insurance companies, and mounting bills on your own.
Siegal & Richardson, LLP is here to help. Contact our team to talk about your San Francisco truck accident, understand your options, and plan your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Truck Accidents
1. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in San Francisco?
California typically gives you two years from the crash date to file a personal injury claim. Exceptions like government trucks can mean shorter deadlines.
2. What if the truck driver was from another state?
That does not prevent you from filing a claim. Many trucking companies operate across state lines, and claims are usually handled where the accident happened. California law often still applies.
3. Can more than one company be responsible for a truck accident?
Yes. Truck accidents may involve several parties, such as the trucking company, a maintenance provider, a loading company, or another business connected to the truck. Each may share responsibility depending on the facts.
4. What if the truck belonged to a big corporation?
Corporate-owned trucks often mean dealing with company insurance and policies. These cases need a thorough look over their driver management and vehicle records.
5. What if the truck was on a delivery run?
If the truck is on-route delivering, the hiring company or truck owner may share responsibility, which can change the type of insurance involved.
6. Do I still have a case if the truck driver says I caused the accident?
Possibly. California uses a shared fault system, which means responsibility can be divided. Even if you share some fault, you may still be able to recover compensation.
7. Why should I avoid quick settlement offers after a truck accident?
Those early settlement offers from insurance companies sound tempting, but they rarely cover the full picture like ongoing medical treatments. Jumping on a quick settlement before you fully understand your long-term injuries could mean getting far less than you deserve. Instead, take time to assess all your damages properly, then decide from a stronger position.