Big rig collisions cause some of the most severe injuries on California roads. When a commercial truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds hits a passenger vehicle, the results are often devastating. Victims face severe injuries, high medical bills, and uncertain futures, while trucking companies use legal teams to protect their interests.

Truck accident cases involve complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and insurance carriers aiming to minimize payouts. Securing fair compensation requires thorough investigation and extensive knowledge of trucking industry standards.

For over 40 years, the commercial truck accident lawyers at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP have fought for San Mateo accident victims, winning multimillion-dollar recoveries so they have the compensation they need to recover. Our compassionate team provides the representation needed to pursue justice and hold negligent parties accountable after these life-changing collisions.

How a San Mateo Big Rig Accident Lawyer Can Help

Big rig accident cases differ from standard motor vehicle accidents, adding levels of complexity and challenges that make having legal representation crucial. An experienced truck accident attorney in San Mateo can help with:

  • Providing trucking regulation knowledge – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern commercial trucking. Violations of hours-of-service rules, poor vehicle maintenance, and improper cargo loading often contribute to crashes.
  • Conducting thorough investigations – A San Mateo trucking accident lawyer investigates driver logbooks, maintenance records, black box data, and company safety histories to uncover violations. Immediate legal action preserves critical evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
  • Pursuing claims against multiple liable parties – Big rig truck accident liability can involve commercial truck drivers, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, and manufacturers. Identifying all responsible parties helps maximize compensation.
  • Navigating insurance policies – Insurance coverage often includes multiple policies with varying limits. Attorneys familiar with truck accident claims navigate these policies to ensure victims pursue full recovery.
  • Calculating fair compensation – Big rig accidents often result in catastrophic injuries with a lifetime of losses to account for. A personal injury attorney enlists experts to ensure you seek compensation for the full extent of your suffering, both now and in the years to come.

What Is Considered a “Big Rig”?

Big rigs include various types of commercial vehicles that transport goods across California and nationwide. Tractor-trailers, also called semi-trucks or 18-wheelers, are the most common, consisting of a tractor unit pulling one or more trailers. Their length, weight, and limited maneuverability create hazards on San Mateo roads.

Other big rigs include:

  • Dump trucks
  • Tanker trucks
  • Flatbeds
  • Delivery trucks over 10,000 pounds
  • Refrigerated trucks
  • Logging trucks
  • Cement mixers

California Vehicle Code regulations apply differently to these vehicles than to passenger cars, adding legal complexity. Plus, the weight difference is striking: a car weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, while a fully loaded big rig can reach 80,000 pounds. This disparity means even low-speed collisions are potentially catastrophic.

What to Do After a Big Rig Accident

Immediate medical attention is critical after any big rig collision, and call 911. Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away, so emergency responders should evaluate everyone involved. Delaying care can worsen injuries and complicate claims, as insurance companies may dispute your injuries’ severity or cause.

Gathering evidence also strengthens your case. If safe, take pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and visible injuries. Record the truck’s company name, unit number, and license plate, and collect witness contact information.

Throughout your recovery, keep detailed records of medical treatments, prescriptions, bills, and how your injuries affect your daily life. Preserve all evidence, including damaged belongings, clothing, and vehicle repair estimates. Coordinate with your lawyer before disposing of the vehicle to ensure critical evidence is retained.

Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters or trucking company representatives without legal counsel. Contacting a San Mateo personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the collision protects your rights.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Big Rig Accident?

Multiple parties can share responsibility for big rig accidents, including:

  • Truck drivers are liable when negligence, recklessness, or traffic violations cause crashes. Driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey laws all qualify.
  • Trucking companies face liability for their drivers’ actions. However, they can also be directly liable for negligent hiring, ignoring poor driving records, inadequate training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules, or poor vehicle maintenance.
  • Maintenance providers may be responsible when improper repairs or neglected upkeep cause collisions.
  • Vehicle and parts manufacturers can be held accountable when brake failures, tire blowouts, and other defects result in semi-truck accidents.
  • Cargo loading companies and warehouse operations can be liable when improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributes to accidents.

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Big Rig Accident?

Ensuring full compensation after a trucking accident requires accounting for both economic and non-economic losses to protect victims’ present and future well-being, including:

  • Medical expenses, including emergency transport, surgery, hospitalization, and initial rehabilitation
  • Ongoing needs, such as future surgeries, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and long-term care
  • Lost income for wages missed during recovery
  • Lost earning capacity for permanent disabilities that reduce lifetime earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement
  • Punitive damages (in cases involving particularly egregious misconduct)

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?

California law typically gives victims two years from the crash date to file truck accident lawsuits. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to compensation. Waiting to act can also weaken cases, as evidence deteriorates, witnesses forget details, and electronic truck data is overwritten.

Early legal action preserves crucial evidence, allows accident reconstruction, and ensures timely witness interviews to strengthen your case for fair compensation. Big rig accident lawyers can issue preservation notices to trucking companies, protecting maintenance records, black box data, and other key evidence.

Contact a San Mateo Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Big rig accidents create overwhelming challenges for victims and their families. Medical treatment, financial pressures, and emotional trauma demand attention while evidence must be preserved and legal deadlines loom. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can make all the difference as you recover and heal.

Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP brings over 40 years of experience fighting for San Mateo big rig accident victims. In that time, we have secured millions in meaningful compensation for our deserving clients, achieving many high-value results, such as $6,000,000 for a wrongful death claim after a trucking accident (although each case is unique and past results cannot guarantee future outcomes).

Clients praise our firm for clear communication, thorough regulatory knowledge, and efficient use of resources. As Jonas Nikoloff shares,

“All staff member of Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP were extremely supportive and helpful. I had minimal effort for a 1.5 y long process which ended successfully. Everything was handled transparently, conventiently, and professional. Communication was very fast, efficient and supportive. I would definitely recommend that office and am grateful for everything.”

Call (650) 367-6811 or contact us online for a free consultation with a trusted big rig accident attorney in San Mateo to learn more.