San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer

When one of these massive machines collides with a passenger car, the results are devastating. The physics are brutally simple: a fully loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, compared to the 4,000 pounds of an average car. The impact difference is staggering, and usually, it’s the people in the smaller vehicle who suffer the most harm.

If a truck accident in San Francisco injured you or a loved one, you’re likely facing a tough road. Physical pain, mounting medical bills, lost income, and the sheer stress of it all can feel like too much. You need support, straightforward answers, and someone ready to fight for what’s right. 

At Adamson Ahdoot, we help people like you get back on their feet after serious truck accidents. Call us at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation to talk about your situation.

Why Choose Adamson Ahdoot?

You need a team that gets it, knows the ropes, and is dedicated to getting you the best possible outcome. That’s where we come in. Our team at Adamson Ahdoot brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to the table, focusing specifically on personal injury cases throughout California, including San Francisco and the Bay Area. We’ve handled countless complex cases, securing significant compensation for clients injured in situations ranging from catastrophic vehicle accidents to other serious incidents.

We take the time to understand the challenges you’re facing—the physical recovery, the emotional toll, and the financial strain on you and your family. Our track record shows our commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients, fighting tirelessly to ensure you get the justice and resources you need.

Our San Francisco office is conveniently located at 75 Broadway, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, making it accessible for folks throughout the Bay Area. We believe in clear communication and dedicated support, ensuring you know your options every step of the way.

Figuring Out Compensation in Truck Accident Cases

After a serious truck accident, one of the biggest questions is about compensation: How much is your case actually worth? 

There’s no simple calculator for this, as every situation is unique. Settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending heavily on the details. Our job is to thoroughly evaluate your losses and build a strong case for the maximum compensation possible.

California law allows victims to seek compensation for several types of damages:

• Economic Damages: These are the tangible, verifiable financial losses you’ve suffered. Think medical bills (current and future treatments, therapy, medication), lost wages (if you couldn’t work), lost earning capacity (if your ability to earn income is permanently affected), and property damage (like repairs or replacement of your vehicle). Keep every receipt and document related to these costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: These cover the less tangible, subjective losses. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse), and mental suffering. While harder to put a number on, these damages acknowledge the significant personal impact of the accident beyond just the financial costs. California doesn’t cap non-economic damages in most truck accident cases, though how they’re calculated can depend on the specifics of the case.
• Punitive Damages: These aren’t about compensating you for loss, but rather punishing the defendant for particularly bad behavior and deterring similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are rare and awarded only when there’s clear evidence the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud—basically, intentionally harmful conduct or a conscious disregard for others’ safety.

How We Calculate Your Damages:

Our team meticulously gathers evidence to calculate the full extent of your damages. This involves:

• Reviewing all medical records and consulting medical professionals to understand the long-term impact of your injuries.
• Collecting proof of lost income and assessing future earning potential losses.
• Documenting property damage and other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Working with experts, if needed, to quantify non-economic damages based on the severity and permanence of your injuries and their effect on your life.

San Francisco’s Truck Accident Trouble Spots

Over a period of ten years, the intersection of Market Street and Octavia Boulevard saw the highest number of injury or fatal collisions overall, likely due to its connection to Highway 101 and heavy traffic flow. 

Other historically dangerous intersections, based on general collision data, include those along Market Street (like at 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Streets), Mission Street (at Van Ness, 16th, Duboce, 7th, and 9th), 16th Street and Potrero Avenue, and areas around freeway access points like Bryant Street and 2nd Street or Fell and Masonic. Many incidents happen in congested areas like SoMa, the Mission District, and downtown, where narrow streets, complex intersections, and high volumes of pedestrians and cyclists mix with commercial traffic.

While citywide injury crashes have remained under 3,000 annually for the past few years, there’s been a concerning rise in fatal crashes, with one recent year seeing 39 fatalities, the highest since 2007. Speeding is a major factor in many San Francisco crashes, and the sheer size and stopping distance required for large trucks exacerbate this danger.

The increased presence of delivery trucks also contributes to incidents on narrower residential streets and during complex maneuvers like wide turns or backing up. Streets near the Port of Oakland or major distribution centers also see higher truck traffic and associated risks.

Understanding Truck Accidents and California Law

Truck accidents aren’t just bigger car accidents; they involve unique factors and often more complex legal considerations. Federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry play a significant role.

Common Types of Truck Accidents:

The immense size and weight of commercial trucks contribute to specific, devastating types of crashes:

• Rollovers: High centers of gravity make trucks prone to tipping over, especially during sharp turns, high speeds, or due to shifting cargo. These can crush adjacent vehicles.
• Jackknife Accidents: When the trailer swings out at a sharp angle to the cab (like a closing pocketknife), often due to sudden braking or slippery roads, causing the driver to lose control.
• Underride Accidents: A smaller vehicle slides underneath the truck’s trailer, frequently occurring when a truck stops abruptly. These are often fatal.
• Rear-End Collisions: Trucks require significantly more distance to stop than cars. Tailgating or driver inattention can lead to severe rear-end impacts.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks need extra space to turn (“swinging wide”). Cars caught in the truck’s path during a turn can be hit or “squeezed”.
• Sideswipes: Occur when trucks change lanes without checking blind spots (which are much larger on trucks) or drift out of their lane.
• Lost Cargo: Improperly secured loads can fall off, creating road hazards or directly striking other vehicles.
• Tire Blowouts: Loss of control from a blown tire on a heavy truck can be catastrophic.

Common Injuries:

Given the forces involved, truck accident injuries are frequently severe and life-altering:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal Cord Injuries or Paralysis.
• Broken Bones or Crush Injuries.
• Internal Bleeding or Organ Damage.
• Severe Lacerations or Disfigurement.
• Amputations.
• Wrongful Death.

Relevant California Laws and Regulations:

Trucking is heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels. Violations can establish negligence:

• Hours of Service: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules limit driving hours to prevent fatigue. Driver logs must be kept.
• Weight and Size Limits: California restricts truck weight (max 80,000 lbs overall, 20,000 lbs single axle, 34,000 lbs tandem axle) and dimensions (e.g., 14 ft height, 8.5 ft width, specific length limits).
• Speed Limits: Trucks with 3+ axles are limited to 55 mph on most California highways, regardless of the posted limit for cars (California Vehicle Code § 22406).
• Lane Restrictions: Slower vehicles, including most large trucks, must generally use the right-hand lane(s) on highways (California Vehicle Code § 21654), except when passing or turning left. Some areas have designated truck-only lanes. Local ordinances may further restrict truck routes.
• Maintenance Requirements: Trucks must be regularly inspected and maintained in safe operating condition.
• Hiring and Training: Trucking companies have a duty to hire qualified drivers and provide adequate training.
• Loading Procedures: Cargo must be properly loaded and secured to prevent shifts or spills.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Strict regulations apply to drug and alcohol use by commercial drivers.
• Emissions Standards: California has specific environmental regulations for trucks, like the Truck and Bus Regulation requiring newer engines.

Don’t Let the Trucking Company Steamroll You

After a truck accident, you’re not just dealing with a driver; you’re often up against a large trucking company and their insurance providers. Their main goal is simple: pay out as little as possible. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to protect their bottom line, not your well-being.

Common Tactics Insurers Use:

Be aware of these common strategies designed to reduce or deny your claim:

• Quick, Lowball Settlement Offers: They might offer a fast payout before you even know the full extent of your injuries or future medical needs. Accepting this means you waive your right to seek further compensation.
• Requesting Recorded Statements: Adjusters may sound friendly, but they are trained to ask questions that could get you to downplay injuries or inadvertently admit partial fault. Anything you say can be used against you. Avoid giving a recorded statement without speaking to us first.
• Delaying the Process: Dragging out claims can pressure injured victims, who are facing mounting bills and lost income, into accepting less than they deserve out of desperation.
• Disputing Liability: They will look for any way to shift blame onto you, even partially, to reduce their payout under California’s comparative negligence law.
• Requesting Excessive Information: Demanding overly broad access to your entire medical history to find pre-existing conditions they can blame your current injuries on.
• Questioning Your Medical Treatment: Arguing that your treatments were unnecessary or too expensive.

How Adamson Ahdoot Fights Back:

We know these tactics and how to counter them. Our team will:

• Handle all communications with the insurance companies, protecting you from manipulative questions and pressure.
• Conduct a thorough independent investigation to gather evidence, establishing the trucking company’s or driver’s negligence (reviewing police reports, driver logs, maintenance records, witness statements, truck’s “black box” data, etc.).
• Accurately calculate the full value of your claim, including current and future medical needs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
• Bring in accident reconstructionists or medical specialists when needed to build a strong case.
• Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement that covers all your losses.
• Prepare to take your case to court if the insurer refuses to offer a just settlement.

Protecting Your Claim: Steps You Can Still Take

While the immediate aftermath of an accident is chaotic, there are things you can still do now to strengthen your potential truck accident claim. Remember, the trucking company’s insurer started building their defense immediately.

• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Stick to your prescribed treatment plan diligently. Attend all follow-up appointments, physical therapy sessions, and specialist visits. Gaps in treatment or failure to follow medical advice can be used by insurers to argue your injuries weren’t serious or that you failed to mitigate your damages.
• Keep Detailed Records: Save everything related to the accident and your injuries. This includes medical bills, pharmacy receipts, co-pay records, costs for transportation to appointments, and records of any modifications needed for your home or vehicle. Keep copies of pay stubs to document lost wages.
• Maintain a Journal: Write down details about your daily life after the accident. Note your pain levels, physical limitations, emotional state, difficulties with daily tasks, missed events, and how the injuries impact your sleep and overall quality of life. This journal provides valuable evidence for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Obtain the Police Report: Get a copy of the official police report filed for the accident. While not always admissible in court, it contains important initial details, witness information, and the officer’s preliminary findings.
• Avoid Making Statements: Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster or representatives without consulting us first. Do not apologize or admit any fault, even partial. Stick strictly to facts if you must communicate.
• Stay Off Social Media (or Be Very Careful): Insurance companies actively monitor social media. Posting photos or comments that seem inconsistent with your injuries (even innocent ones) can be taken out of context and used to undermine your claim. It’s safest to avoid posting about the accident or your recovery altogether.
• Gather Witness Information: If you haven’t already, try to collect contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident. Their accounts can be crucial.

Secure the Compensation You Need with Adamson Ahdoot

We bring decades of experience, a proven record of success, and a commitment to personalized client care to every case. Let us handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery. 

For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your San Francisco truck accident case, call Adamson Ahdoot Injury Attorneys today at (800) 310-1606.