Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer

truck

Living in Stockton inevitably involves spending considerable time on I-5, making local residents witness many tractor-trailer crashes and traffic jams resulting from collisions involving large trucks.

Whether these trucks carry produce for processing or pallets of goods bound for Stockton's Walmart or Weberstown Mall, their sheer size poses unprecedented dangers to other motorists navigating the roads and highways of San Joaquin County.

If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident, don't hesitate to contact our skilled personal injury attorneys at (209) 227-1931 for a complimentary case assessment.

Working with an Attorney After a Trucking Accident

As experienced personal injury attorneys, we have been representing Stockton residents seriously hurt by negligent truck drivers and commercial carriers since 1982. This experience is invaluable when taking on large trucking companies and their national insurance carriers.

The best truck accident attorney in Stockton must have extensive knowledge of the unique issues involved in trucking litigation. Trucking accidents often constitute the most deadly motor vehicle collisions because of the size and weight disparity between a massive commercial truck and a passenger car. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 26 times more than a passenger vehicle.

Other factors make trucking accident lawsuits unique, including the need to possess comprehensive knowledge of the extensive matrix of state and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the primary regulatory agency for commercial carriers and truck drivers engaged in interstate trucking (i.e., trucking across state lines).

For trucking companies that operate exclusively within California (intrastate), the California Department of Transportation is the primary regulatory agency. Trucking accident lawsuits also are complicated by the widespread trucking industry practice of distorting or hiding critical evidence.

Truck Crash Litigation Poses Special Challenges for Injury Victims

When searching for the best trucking accident attorney in Stockton to handle your case, you want to work with a law firm with extensive experience handling commercial truck litigation.  

Our personal injury law firm routinely works with experts in the trucking industry. We've had extensive experience dealing with commercial carriers that attempt to avoid liability by hastily repairing commercial trucks, doctoring driver logbooks, and "losing" data stored in the truck's "black box" data recorder.  

This evidence can be essential to proving issues, such as safety violations by the driver or trucking company and the role of driver or trucking company negligence in causing your injuries.

Types of Evidence to Collect at a Trucking Accident Scene 

Our injury lawyers recognize the importance of acting quickly. This ensures that the commercial truck involved in the accident is not put back into service and critical evidence does not disappear.

If damage to the truck is repaired, these changes to the vehicle's condition can impair the efforts of accident reconstruction experts. Further, the onboard data recorder that functions as the "black box" in a commercial flight might record over previously-stored data when the truck is placed back in service.

Common Types of Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Negligence

While most truck drivers are conscientious, unrealistic shipping schedules that result from economic pressure or carriers trying to increase profits can result in drivers making critical driving errors. An experienced attorney knows that most truck accidents in Stockton are caused by avoidable mistakes that include:

  • Speeding to deliver a load more rapidly
  • Exceeding maximum time behind the wheel without adequate rest
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Lack of screening of driving records when hiring
  • Lack of vehicle maintenance 
  • Poor route selection, including those with steep grades
  • Failure to conduct vehicle inspections
  • Use of alcohol or drugs 
  • Inadequate supervision and training of truck drivers
Importance of Preserving Evidence After a Commercial Truck Crash

We have extensive experience representing injured parties and families of decedents as personal injury attorneys. We recognize the importance of proactive steps to preserve and gather evidence in trucking litigation. While truck drivers must keep logbooks that track hours of service (HOS) to reduce the risk of fatigue-related tractor-trailer crashes, drivers often manipulate the entries or keep two sets of books. We analyze fuel receipts, "black box" data, lodging records, GPS data, and other information to expose falsified logbooks.

Our lawyers also routinely send a spoliation notice to the trucking company advising that the big-rig and black box data are the subjects of litigation.   Also known as a letter of preservation of evidence, this notice warns the commercial carrier that alteration or destruction of the indicated evidence will expose the carrier to the risk of sanctions.

These sanctions can amount to an attorney fee award or the court entering rulings that impair the defense's position on specific issues or about certain evidence. In some cases, our attorneys will even seek temporary restraining orders from a judge to prevent the loss or alteration of valuable evidence.

Common Types of Injuries from Big Rig Crashes

A crash involving a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle often results in catastrophic injury or wrongful death. Because of the substantial difference in mass between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, it is almost always the case that the passenger vehicle occupants are the ones who suffer devastating injuries.

A trucking accident can result in the inability to provide for one's family or enjoy simple life experiences free of pain. From our experience with commercial truck accidents in San Joaquin County and throughout California, we know how these collisions often result in serious injuries that include:

Stockton Commercial Truck Accident FAQ

How common are accidents involving big rigs?

Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks account for about 8% of all deadly accidents and 3% of all injury crashes. While this may not seem like a huge percentage, it's essential to know that 3,921 people were killed in truck crashes in 2012, while 104,000 people were injured. To put it in perspective, that's about 29 truck accidents for every 100,000 vehicles on the road


Are accidents involving large trucks more likely to cause serious injuries?

Yes. That's because a large truck carrying a full load can weigh over 70,000 pounds, while the average passenger car only weighs about 3,000 pounds. The size and weight difference mean that an accident with a big rig will more likely cause severe or fatal injuries.


Are there rules and regulations that truck drivers need to follow?

Truck drivers must abide by many federal and state regulations. These include civil and traffic laws such as speed limits and weight and height requirements. Truck drivers must also abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) rules. FMCSA and DOT state how many hours a trucker should be driving on the road, licensing, and training. Following an accident with a large truck, an experienced truck accident lawyer may determine what regulations the truck driver has violated.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

We understand the life-altering impact of debilitating injuries suffered in a tractor-trailer collision. Our personal injury law firm is committed to representing Stockton residents with the zealousness, empathy, and dedication they need and deserve. We might be able to seek compensation for lost income, medical and hospital expenses, pain and suffering, loss of services and companionship of your spouse, and other out-of-pocket expenses, depending on the specifics of your case.

If the life of someone you love is tragically taken from you in a collision involving an 18-wheeler, you may also seek burial and funeral expenses in a wrongful death lawsuit. When a truck driver or trucking company engages in particularly reprehensible conduct, such as driving while under the influence of drugs, you might also have a right to seek punitive damages.

Watch the video below for more information on when to get in touch with a top-rated trucking accident attorney in Stockton, CA.

Call a Stockton Commercial Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a big rig crash, our California personal injury lawyers are here to help you hold negligent truckers and truck companies financially accountable for your damages. Contact our Stockton truck accident attorneys today for free, friendly advice on your case at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Learn more about us. See our past verdicts and settlements and client reviews on AvvoYelp, Google.

Editor's Note: updated [cha 5.19.23] Photo by Pixabay [cs 1425]

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Me and my wife; had a car accident. We were amazed how easy, professional, friendly attorney Ed Smith is along with his staff. Everybody is amazing. Thank you so much, we are very impressed!" Alex & Dinah M.
★★★★★
"Ed Smith and his office team took on a difficult personal injury case on my behalf and for the passenger in my car. Ed is a top- notch attorney. His staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind. No need to look elsewhere. I give Ed Smith my highest recommendation." Beverly
★★★★★
"Ed and Robert have been taking great care of my husband and I for the past 5+ years. They are always there when you have a problem and a quick resolution! Even when the issues have nothing to do with them. They are willing to help ease the pain off your shoulders. They are as good as it gets! Thank you again for everything." Annie T.
★★★★★
"Very professional. Great team, staff and service all around. Mr Smith was very honest, straight forward with his advice. He gives the word "attorney" an honest reputation. I will seek his council anytime, and would recommend him at the drop of a dime." Jeremy M.
★★★★★
"I would highly recommend Ed Smith to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney. Ed, and his staff, are very caring on top of being very experienced in this field. The staff always keeps you informed of the status of your case and they are always easy to reach by phone." Shannon D.
★★★★★
"Edward Smith law offices provide competent, thorough, and personable help for victims of personal injury. When you first meet the staff you know you contacted the right office. This law office treats clients like people. I recommend this office to anyone seeking representation regarding personal injury." David M.