Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California

Commercial trucks travel California freeways and highways every day, transporting goods between ports, warehouses, distribution centers, businesses, and communities throughout the state.

Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, box trucks, delivery vehicles, and other commercial vehicles can be substantially larger and heavier than passenger cars.

When something goes wrong, the resulting collision can cause devastating injuries.

Truck accidents may involve driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, inadequate maintenance, cargo problems, or several contributing factors.

DAG Law Firm, APC represents people injured in serious California truck accidents. You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. There are no upfront attorney fees for qualifying truck accident matters handled on a contingency-fee basis. Call (323) 930-2020 or contact DAG Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Why Truck Accidents Can Be So Dangerous

Large commercial trucks differ significantly from ordinary passenger vehicles.

Their size and weight can affect:

• Braking distance
• Maneuverability
• Acceleration
• Visibility
• Turning
• Lane changes

A truck driver may also have limited visibility in certain areas surrounding the vehicle.

When a passenger vehicle and commercial truck collide, occupants of the smaller vehicle may suffer severe injuries.

Driver Fatigue

Commercial truck drivers may spend significant amounts of time behind the wheel.

Long trips, demanding schedules, nighttime driving, irregular sleep, and extended periods on the road can contribute to fatigue.

A fatigued driver may experience:

• Slower reaction time
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor decision-making
• Reduced awareness
• Trouble maintaining lane position

Commercial trucking is subject to safety requirements addressing driving and rest periods, but whether fatigue contributed to a particular accident depends on the evidence and circumstances.

Distracted Truck Driving

Commercial drivers need to continuously monitor traffic, surrounding vehicles, road conditions, mirrors, and the movement of a large vehicle.

Distractions can interfere with that attention.

Potential distractions may include:

• Mobile devices
• Navigation systems
• Dispatch communications
• Food or drinks
• Equipment inside the cab
• Other activities that divert attention from driving

Even a brief distraction can become significant when a large truck is traveling at highway speeds.

Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Speed can become particularly dangerous when a commercial truck needs to slow or stop unexpectedly.

Potential hazards may involve:

• Congested traffic
• Construction zones
• Sharp curves
• Weather conditions
• Sudden traffic backups
• Vehicles merging
• Accidents ahead

A truck traveling too quickly for surrounding conditions may have insufficient time or distance to safely respond.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Large trucks may have areas around the vehicle that are difficult for the driver to see.

Before changing lanes, commercial drivers must account for surrounding traffic and vehicles traveling alongside the truck.

An unsafe lane change can result in:

• Sideswipe collisions
• Vehicles being forced from the roadway
• Multi-vehicle crashes
• Motorcycles or passenger vehicles being struck

Passenger vehicle drivers should also recognize that remaining alongside a large truck for extended periods can create visibility concerns.

Truck Blind Spots

Commercial trucks can have substantial blind spots around portions of the vehicle.

These areas may create particular risks when trucks:

• Change lanes
• Merge
• Turn
• Enter traffic
• Back up

Motorcycles and smaller passenger vehicles may be especially difficult to notice in certain positions around a large truck.

Blind-spot accidents can become particularly serious when a smaller vehicle is pushed into another lane, barrier, or surrounding traffic.

Wide-Turn Accidents

Large commercial vehicles may require additional space when making turns.

A turning truck can create danger for:

• Passenger vehicles
• Motorcyclists
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians

Drivers may misjudge the amount of space required or fail to notice someone traveling near the truck.

Intersections and urban streets can make these situations particularly challenging.

Following Too Closely

Large trucks generally require more distance to stop than smaller passenger vehicles.

Following another vehicle too closely can become dangerous when traffic suddenly slows.

Rear-end truck collisions may occur because of:

• Congestion
• Construction
• Traffic signals
• Accidents ahead
• Sudden stops
• Driver distraction

Maintaining appropriate distance provides additional time to recognize changing traffic conditions.

Brake Problems

Commercial trucks depend on properly functioning braking systems.

Problems involving brakes can potentially contribute to serious accidents, particularly on highways, steep grades, or in congested traffic.

Potential issues may involve:

• Worn components
• Mechanical failures
• Maintenance problems
• Inspection issues
• Other equipment defects

Determining why a brake-related accident occurred may require examining maintenance and inspection records in addition to the physical vehicle.

Tire Failures

Truck tires endure substantial mileage and heavy loads.

A tire failure can cause a driver to lose control or leave dangerous debris on the roadway.

Potential contributing issues may involve:

• Excessive wear
• Improper inflation
• Damage
• Maintenance problems
• Other tire defects

Evidence involving inspection and maintenance history may become important when a mechanical problem is suspected.

Poor Truck Maintenance

Commercial trucks contain numerous systems that require inspection and maintenance.

Potential problems may involve:

• Brakes
• Tires
• Steering
• Lights
• Mirrors
• Suspension
• Coupling equipment
• Other mechanical components

When maintenance is an issue, determining who was responsible for inspecting or servicing the vehicle may become part of the accident investigation.

Improperly Loaded or Unsecured Cargo

Cargo can affect how a commercial truck handles.

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo may potentially:

• Shift during travel
• Affect vehicle balance
• Make the truck harder to control
• Fall onto the roadway
• Contribute to a rollover
• Create hazards for surrounding vehicles

Some truck accident investigations may therefore extend beyond the driver and trucking company to businesses involved in loading or securing cargo.

Overloaded Trucks

The amount and distribution of weight carried by a truck can affect braking, handling, and stability.

Excessive or improperly distributed weight may create additional risks during:

• Turns
• Emergency braking
• Lane changes
• Steep grades
• Poor road conditions

Determining whether loading contributed to an accident may require specialized evidence.

Truck Rollover Accidents

Commercial trucks have different handling characteristics than passenger vehicles.

A rollover may involve factors such as:

• Speed
• Sharp turns
• Cargo movement
• Road conditions
• Driver actions
• Vehicle stability
• Mechanical problems

A rolling truck or trailer can affect several lanes and cause a multi-vehicle collision.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer and tractor move at an angle resembling a folding pocketknife.

These crashes may block multiple traffic lanes and involve several vehicles.

Potential contributing circumstances can include:

• Sudden braking
• Loss of traction
• Speed
• Driver error
• Road conditions
• Equipment problems

Determining the cause requires evaluating the particular sequence of events.

Weather and Road Conditions

Rain, fog, high winds, and other conditions may make controlling a large commercial vehicle more difficult.

Truck drivers may need to account for:

• Reduced visibility
• Wet pavement
• Longer stopping distances
• Traffic congestion
• Wind
• Road construction

Weather alone does not necessarily explain why an accident occurred. Driver decisions and other circumstances may still need to be examined.

California Freeways Can Create Challenging Truck Traffic

California has extensive commercial trucking traffic connecting ports, warehouses, agricultural regions, distribution centers, and major metropolitan areas.

Truck accidents may occur on:

• Interstate freeways
• State highways
• Urban freeways
• Local commercial routes
• Roads near warehouses and distribution centers

Heavy traffic can create additional challenges when large trucks and passenger vehicles share congested roadways.

Who May Be Responsible for a California Truck Accident?

One reason truck accident cases can differ from ordinary car crashes is that multiple individuals or businesses may potentially be involved.

Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may examine:

• The truck driver
• A trucking company
• A vehicle owner
• Maintenance providers
• Cargo-loading businesses
• Other contractors
• Manufacturers
• Other motorists

The existence of a commercial relationship does not automatically establish responsibility.

The evidence must be evaluated to determine what happened and which parties may be involved.

Evidence in a Truck Accident Investigation

Truck accident claims can involve evidence that may not exist in an ordinary passenger-vehicle collision.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially relevant evidence may include:

• Police reports
• Photographs
• Video footage
• Witness statements
• Truck inspection information
• Maintenance records
• Driver records
• Electronic vehicle information
• Cargo information
• Company records
• Other accident-related evidence

Some evidence may become unavailable or more difficult to obtain as time passes.

Common Injuries in California Truck Accidents

Because of the forces involved, commercial truck crashes may cause significant injuries.

Potential injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee and leg injuries
• Severe soft tissue injuries
• Other serious trauma

Some injuries may require hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, or extended medical treatment.

What to Do After a California Truck Accident

Immediate health and safety needs generally come first after a serious collision.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially useful information may include:

• Photographs of the vehicles
• Accident-scene photographs
• Truck and company information
• Driver information
• Witness contact information
• Police reports
• Medical documentation
• Available video
• Insurance information

Truck accident cases can involve substantial evidence and multiple potentially involved parties, making early investigation important.

Learning More May Help

Truck accidents can result from driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, cargo problems, road conditions, or several factors occurring together.

Determining why a commercial truck crash happened may require looking beyond the accident scene and examining the driver, truck, trucking operation, maintenance history, and other available evidence.

Every accident is different.

Learn more about our California truck accident lawyers.

You Do Not Pay Unless We Win

DAG Law Firm, APC handles personal injury matters on a contingency fee basis.

You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront, and we only receive attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Injured in a California Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a collision involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, box truck, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle, DAG Law Firm, APC can review the circumstances.

Contact DAG Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Call (323) 930-2020.