Bay Area Truck Accident Lawyer

Sharing the road with tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks is a daily reality in the Bay Area, and one that can turn deadly in an instant. Highway 101, I-280, 580, and 880 are vital transportation arteries for the Bay Area’s shipping and delivery network. But when trucking companies cut corners or drivers make careless mistakes, innocent motorists pay the price.

At Danko Meredith, we’ve built our reputation on holding powerful corporations accountable, whether it’s a national trucking carrier, a negligent freight operator, or a reckless delivery contractor. With more than 120 years of combined experience and a record of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims, our Redwood City-based truck accident lawyers are ready to help you pursue justice after a devastating big rig crash. For a free consultation with highly skilled semi-truck accident attorneys, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600.

You Have a Limited Time to File a Trucking Accident Claim

Under California law, most personal injury claims, including those involving truck accidents, must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. This is known as the statute of limitations, and it applies to lawsuits seeking compensation for injuries such as spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, or broken bones caused by a semi-truck. If you are filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who died in a trucking collision, the same two-year deadline generally applies, beginning on the date of their death.

Failing to file within this two-year window can permanently bar you from recovering any damages, no matter how strong your case might be. As such, it’s essential to speak with a truck accident lawyer from our firm as soon as possible to meet the legal deadline and preserve critical evidence and protect your claim from the start.

Why Choose Danko Meredith After a Semi-Truck Crash

The attorneys of Danko Meredith understand what’s at stake for families who’ve lost loved ones in fatal collisions and accident survivors whose lives will never be the same. Our team has worked tirelessly to secure compensation for clients, even when taking on major corporations and other powerful interests.

• Confidential Auto Accident Settlement with Firestone – In 2002, a fatal SUV rollover took the life of one of the vehicle’s passengers. The official report claimed that an underinflated tire detreaded. Our investigation found that the tire was properly inflated, and while it seemed new, it was actually 14 years old and weakened from oxidation. Firestone knew about the dangers of selling old tires since the 1970s, but they continued to sell their unsafe inventory, putting profits over safety. Days before the wrongful death trial started, we secured a confidential settlement. Since the story made national headlines, tire manufacturers now issue warnings to check the age of any tires sold.
• Confidential Fuel-Fed Fire Settlement for $11 Million – Our client suffered severe burn injuries in a fuel-fed fire that required substantial debridement and skin grafting. The experience was so traumatic that she could not remember the accident or her own medical care. While the odds seemed stacked against us, we proved just how traumatic the injuries were, and had specialists who could attest to additional limitations our client faced that were not apparent. We secured $11 million from the defendant corporation in a confidential settlement.

Skilled Bay Area Lawyers Who Know How to Get Results

Trucking companies have vast resources. So do we.

Danko Meredith has decades of experience fighting automakers, national trucking carriers, and other major corporations. We meticulously investigate cases down to the most minute mechanical detail, and we consult some of the country’s leading experts to help construct strong and compelling cases for our clients. As such, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for families across California and are nationally recognized for our trial work.

If you’ve been seriously hurt or lost a loved one in a truck crash, we’re the team you want in your corner. To request a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, contact our Redwood City law firm today.

Why Accidents with Large Trucks Are So Dangerous

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger car. The size and weight difference alone make any crash with a big rig potentially catastrophic. Semi-trucks also require longer braking distances, have large blind spots, and are prone to jackknifing and rollover crashes under the wrong conditions.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict safety regulations on trucking companies, but violations are common. When a fatigued or poorly trained truck driver causes a crash, the resulting injuries are often life-changing. Victims may face multiple surgeries, permanent disability, and years of lost income and independence.

Truck Crashes vs. Car Accidents: What’s the Difference?

Some lawyers treat truck accidents like they would a car accident case. We don’t. Here’s why trucking cases require a different approach:

• More Severe Injuries: Truck accidents often involve life-altering or fatal injuries.
• Higher Stakes: Commercial carriers have multi-million-dollar policies, and insurers will fight to limit payouts.
• Special Regulations: Trucking companies must follow FMCSA rules, which add challenges.
• Corporate Defendants: You’re often facing a business, not just a driver.

With so much at stake, you need a Bay Area lawyer who understands how to build a trucking accident case from the ground up. You’ll find that caliber of attorney at Danko Meredith.

Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents

Most truck accidents are not “accidents” in the true sense of the word; they are the foreseeable result of negligence, regulatory violations, or corporate cost-cutting. At Danko Meredith, our Redwood City-based truck accident lawyers have investigated countless large truck crashes, and we’ve seen firsthand how corners are often cut in the name of profits. Some of the most common, and preventable, causes of truck accidents include:

Truck Driver Fatigue

Long hours on the road and demanding delivery schedules can push truck drivers beyond their physical limits. FederalHours of Service (HOS) regulations restrict how many hours a driver can operate without rest. Still, some companies encourage drivers to falsify logbooks or use illegal “off the record” shifts to meet unrealistic deadlines.

Fatigue slows reaction time, impairs decision-making, and can be just as deadly as drunk driving. On routes like Highway 101 and I-280, where traffic congestion adds stress to already tight schedules, drowsy driving is especially dangerous.

Mechanical Failures

A single worn-out tire or faulty brake pad can turn a massive 18-wheeler into a deadly projectile. Trucking companies are required by law to inspect and maintain their vehicles, but too often, routine maintenance is skipped or outsourced to cut-rate contractors. Faulty coupling systems, worn air brakes, or under-inflated tires can all lead to preventable crashes.

When mechanical failure is suspected, our team of truck accident lawyers brings in forensic engineers to pinpoint the defect and identify who failed to do their job. In past cases involving aviation accidents, we’ve shown juries how a pea-sized amount of misapplied sealant or a loose retaining nut can cause catastrophic failures. We bring that same attention to detail to tractor-trailer accidents and other automotive cases.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Tractor-trailers require significantly more distance to stop than smaller vehicles, especially when fully loaded. When a truck is speeding or weaving through traffic, the risk of a high-speed collision increases dramatically. Speeding on downhill stretches of 280 or in stop-and-go traffic on Veterans Boulevard can easily result in rear-end collisions, rollover accidents, or multi-vehicle pileups.

Distracted or Impaired Driving

Just like any motorist, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS units, or onboard communication systems. Unfortunately, the consequences are far more severe when a distracted driver is operating a 40-ton vehicle. We’ve also handled cases involving drivers under the influence of alcohol, stimulants, or even prescription medications meant to keep them awake on long hauls.

Overloaded or Improperly Secured Cargo

Improperly loaded cargo can throw a truck’s center of gravity off balance, causing it to tip over in a turn or jackknife in an emergency stop. Freight not adequately tied down can shift during transit, leading to rollover crashes or dangerous debris spilling onto the roadway. When loading companies or shippers ignore federal load limits or fail to follow safety procedures, they can be held responsible for resulting injuries.

Inadequate Training and Supervision

Operating a commercial truck requires special training and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). But many carriers cut corners by hiring inexperienced drivers or failing to provide adequate safety oversight. In some cases, drivers are pushed onto California roads with minimal preparation to face steep grades, urban traffic, and unpredictable weather.

When a trucking company fails to train, supervise, or discipline dangerous drivers, they expose everyone on the road to risk, and we make sure they’re held accountable.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Truck accident litigation is rarely straightforward. These cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility, with defendants ranging from individual drivers to billion-dollar corporations. At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area truck accident lawyers leave no stone unturned when determining who is liable for your injuries. Through aggressive investigation and litigation, we identify every party whose negligence played a role in the crash.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers are the most visible party in any collision, and they are often the first to be blamed. If the driver was distracted, speeding, impaired, or otherwise reckless behind the wheel, they can be held personally liable. However, they are rarely the only party at fault, and sometimes not the primary one.

The Trucking Company

Under California and federal law, trucking companies are responsible for the conduct of their employees. They may also be independently liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices. For example, if a company failed to check a driver’s safety record or knowingly scheduled routes that violated federal hours-of-service rules, it can be directly sued for negligence.

Trucking companies are notorious for employing “independent contractor” loopholes or complex corporate structures to shield themselves from liability. Our attorneys have the litigation experience to break through those tactics and prove the company’s involvement.

The Cargo Loading Company

Shippers and third-party freight handlers are often responsible for securing loads properly. If cargo shifts or falls due to negligent loading, the loading company can be sued alongside the driver and carrier. In past cases, we’ve held warehouse operators and subcontractors accountable for violating federal cargo securement standards.

Maintenance and Repair Contractors

If a trucking company contracts with an outside mechanic or service provider, that company may be liable for any mechanical issues that cause or contribute to the crash. For example, a repair shop that failed to detect worn brake pads or improperly installed a steering component may be on the hook for injuries.

In one past case involving a Cessna pilot, we showed how sloppy and poorly logged repairs can contribute to dangerous conditions and fatal accidents. Whether it’s an aircraft or an 18-wheeler, we know how important good maintenance is for safe operation. At Danko Meredith, we’ll meticulously examine wreckage and records to identify what caused a collision.

Truck and Part Manufacturers

Sometimes, the fault lies not with the people operating or maintaining the truck, but with the companies that designed and manufactured its parts. Defective brake systems, faulty tires, malfunctioning coupling mechanisms, or electronic stability controls can all create deadly hazards on the road. In such cases, we pursue product liability claims against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the defective component.

In many truck accident cases, large corporations employ aggressive legal teams and insurance adjusters whose job is to deny, delay, or devalue your claim. They may try to blame the victim, hide valuable documents, or offer quick, lowball settlements in hopes you’ll go away. At Danko Meredith, we don’t let that happen. You can count on our Bay Area truck accident attorneys to uncover the truth, follow the paper trail, and force negligent parties to face the full weight of their responsibilities.

The Dangers of Truck Accidents on Highway 101

Highway 101 serves as a major trucking artery along the Peninsula, making it a particularly dangerous route for both truck drivers and everyday motorists.

The sheer volume of commercial traffic increases the odds of a serious crash, especially in areas where curved sections and rolling hills demand careful braking and longer stopping distances. These topographical challenges often prove difficult for large vehicles like tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers, particularly when drivers are speeding, fatigued, or carrying overloaded cargo.

During busy holiday periods, when delivery deadlines are tight and traffic congestion spikes, the risk of distracted or drowsy driving rises sharply.

At Danko Meredith, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly negligence on Highway 101 can lead to devastating big rig crashes. Our truck accident attorneys work tirelessly to hold trucking companies and careless truckers accountable.

Truck Accident Injuries Are Often Catastrophic

When a passenger car is struck by a commercial truck, the outcome is rarely minor. Victims may suffer:

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Severe orthopedic fractures
• Amputations or crush injuries
• Burn injuries from fuel-fed fires
• Wrongful death

In the most severe cases, victims may require lifelong care, mobility devices, home modifications, and assistance with daily tasks. The emotional and financial toll is immense.

How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Danko Meredith, we don’t take shortcuts. From the moment we take your case, our Bay Area truck accident lawyers begin preparing it for trial. This gives us the leverage needed to negotiate top-value settlements or to win in court when insurance companies refuse to do what’s right.

We will:

• Conduct an independent investigation using forensic experts
• Preserve and download truck EDR (“black box”) data
• Review driver logs, maintenance records, and trucking company safety violations
• Interview witnesses and subpoena employment records
• Work with medical and economic experts to assess the full impact of your injuries

We’re not afraid to take on national trucking companies, their insurers, or their teams of lawyers. We’ve done it before, and we’ve won.

Compensation in a Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit

Our goal is to recover the full scope of damages available under California law. Depending on your case, this may include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent your financial losses after a large truck accident. They have an inherent value that can include:

• Emergency care, surgeries, and hospital stays
• Long-term rehab, home health care, and assistive devices
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are your losses that don’t have a pre-determined value. However, they are still critical to include in a truck accident claim. They can consist of the following:

• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Disfigurement or permanent disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship (in wrongful death cases)

In cases involving gross negligence, such as knowingly putting a fatigued or unlicensed driver on the road, punitive damages may also apply.

Large Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a truck accident lawyer?

Yes. Trucking companies have legal teams protecting their interests. Without experienced representation, it’s easy to be outmaneuvered. The truck accident lawyers at Danko Meredith will level the playing field. We’re used to taking on big companies, and we won’t back down or be intimidated.

What if I was partially at fault in an 18-wheeler crash?

California follows a comparative fault system. Even if you were partly responsible, you can still recover damages; your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation.

Can I sue the trucking company?

Potentially, yes. In many cases, the trucking company is liable for its employees’ negligence or its own failures (such as poor maintenance or negligent hiring). At Danko Meredith, we’ll investigate the semi-truck accident thoroughly to identify all causes and contributing factors in a crash.

How long will my trucking accident case take?

Most cases settle within 12–24 months, but trucking litigation can take longer. But rest assured, the truck accident lawyers here at Danko Meredith will keep you informed every step of the way.

Contact our Truck Accident Lawyers in Redwood Shores, CA

The sooner you involve a truck accident attorney, the stronger your case will be. At Danko Meredith, we offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover money for you. Let us take the legal burden off your shoulders while you focus on healing.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident in the Bay Area, call our Redwood Shores office at (650) 453-3600, or contact us online today to schedule your consultation.