San Mateo Truck Accident Attorney Near You

When a massive commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. The sheer size and weight disparity between a standard car and an 18-wheeler creates a perfect storm for devastating injuries, lifelong disability, or even death.

At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, our dedicated attorneys have spent over four decades fighting for victims of serious truck collisions throughout San Mateo County. With a proven track record of multimillion-dollar recoveries, our San Mateo truck accident lawyers understand both the physical and emotional trauma these accidents cause and the complex legal challenges they present.

Contact CHM Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Learn how a truck accident lawyer in San Mateo can fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.

Why You Should Hire a San Mateo Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

In the aftermath of a big rig accident, trucking companies and their insurers deploy teams of attorneys and investigators within hours. They work aggressively to minimize their liability and reduce your potential compensation. Without strong legal representation, you risk being outmaneuvered by these corporate interests during the most vulnerable time in your life.

The trucking industry is governed by complex federal and state regulations that don’t apply to standard passenger vehicle accidents. A San Mateo attorney with specific experience in truck accident litigation provides several advantages:

• We understand trucking regulations, driver requirements, and industry standards, allowing us to identify violations that contributed to the accident.
• We know how to accurately calculate the full extent of your losses, including future medical needs and diminished earning capacity.
• Our experience allows us to anticipate and counter the defense tactics routinely employed by trucking companies and their insurers.

At CHM Law Firm, we strategically accept only a select number of cases, making it possible to dedicate our full resources and attention to each client. This focused approach has helped us recover hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of serious accidents throughout California, including numerous substantial settlements and verdicts in complex truck accident cases.

How We Investigate San Mateo Truck Accident Cases

A thorough investigation forms the foundation of any successful truck accident claim. At CHM Law Firm, our investigative process is comprehensive and immediate, often beginning within hours of being retained. Our approach typically includes the following:

• Dispatching investigators to document the accident scene before critical evidence disappears
• Securing and analyzing the truck’s “black box” data recorder
• Obtaining and reviewing the driver’s logbooks, qualification file, and history
• Analyzing drug and alcohol testing results
• Examining maintenance and inspection records
• Reviewing trucking company policies and procedures
• Interviewing witnesses and first responders
• Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
• Obtaining and analyzing police reports and traffic camera footage

Among the most important aspects of our process is the time we spend getting to know you and your family personally. This allows us to understand how the accident has affected your daily life, relationships, and future prospects.

What Compensation Could I Recover in a San Mateo Truck Accident Claim?

Victims of truck accident injury cases often suffer catastrophic injuries that result in substantial financial and personal losses. Through a truck accident lawsuit, you may recover compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, including all current and future costs
• Lost income while recovering
• Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous occupation
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement
• Punitive damages (in cases involving particularly egregious misconduct)

For families who have lost loved ones in a fatal truck accident, we can pursue wrongful death claims to recover additional damages, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship and guidance.

CHM Law Firm works closely with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to calculate the full value of your losses and fight for comprehensive truck accident compensation that truly addresses your needs.

Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes?

Truck accidents present certain complexities that don’t exist in standard car accident cases. For example:

• Federal Regulations – Commercial truck operations are governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations covering everything from driver qualification to vehicle maintenance.
• Multiple Liable Parties – Responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, maintenance provider, cargo loader, and others.
• Corporate Defense Teams – Trucking companies deploy rapid response teams immediately after accidents and have corporate attorneys defending their interests.
• Catastrophic Injuries – The severity of injuries from truck accidents often leads to high-stakes litigation with the potential for substantial awards.
• Specialized Evidence – “Black box” data recorders, logbooks, and other trucking-specific evidence require specialized knowledge to obtain and interpret.

Our truck accident law firm has the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle these issues while building the strongest possible case for our clients.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in San Mateo?

Determining liability in a semi-truck accident often involves identifying multiple responsible parties. In many cases, the trucker may be liable for negligent behavior such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment. The trucking company may also bear responsibility for negligent hiring, inadequate training, encouraging safety violations, or improper maintenance.

Other responsible parties may include the following:

• The vehicle manufacturer, if defective truck parts contribute to crashes
• The maintenance provider, if improper repairs or neglected maintenance caused the accident
• The cargo shipper or loader, if improperly secured or overloaded cargo played a role in the accidents
• Government entities, when poor road design or maintenance results in accidents

Could I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for a Truck Accident?

California follows comparative negligence rules, which means you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you’re found 10 percent at fault and your losses total $1 million, you could still recover $900,000.

Insurance companies often try to assign unwarranted blame to motorists involved in truck accidents to reduce the amount they have to pay out. The professional legal team at CHM Law Firm knows how to fight aggressively against unfair fault allegations, and we can work to minimize your assigned responsibility and maximize your recovery.

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

California’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims requires injured individuals to initiate legal action within two years of the accident. However, if your claim involves a government entity, you must file an administrative claim within six months.

These deadlines are strict; missing them can permanently bar you from recovering compensation. Additionally, crucial evidence in truck accident cases, such as electronic logging device data and surveillance footage, may be lost or destroyed if not preserved quickly. Contact CHM Law Firm immediately after an accident to avoid missing any filing deadlines or losing access to essential evidence.

What Are Common Types and Causes of Truck Accidents in San Mateo?

Understanding how different types of truck accidents typically happen helps establish liability and build strong cases. These accidents include the following:

• Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer swings out at an angle from the cab.
• Rollover accidents result when a truck tips onto its side, often blocking multiple lanes.
• Underride accidents, which have a significant potential for fatal consequences, occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer.
• Wide turn accidents are common because trucks must swing wide to complete turns, and they may crush vehicles in their blind spots.
• Rear-end collisions are often catastrophic due to the truck’s mass and increased stopping distance.

These accidents commonly result from:

• Driver fatigue, which can result from exceeding hours-of-service limits
• Distracted driving, such as using phones, navigation systems, or other distractions
• Improper training for handling these massive vehicles
• Mechanical failures, such as brake problems, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions
• Speeding or aggressive driving, which can be especially dangerous given a truck’s limited maneuverability
• Drug or alcohol use, which remains a problem despite strict regulations

Our knowledgeable San Mateo truck accident attorneys understand these patterns and know how to prove negligence in each scenario.

What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision?

Truck collision injuries tend to be severe and life-altering, often including:

CHM Law Firm works with premier medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life. We strive to help you receive compensation that addresses all aspects of your recovery.