San Mateo Truck Accident Attorneys

Trusted Advocates for Truck Accident Victims in San Mateo

Large commercial trucks, such as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers, regularly travel on California highways. These vehicles are essential for the economy but their sheer size and weight make accidents involving them especially dangerous. Crashes with commercial trucks can lead to severe injuries, emotional trauma, or even fatalities for those in smaller vehicles. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident in San Mateo, The Cartwright Law Firm is ready to help.

With decades of experience, our San Mateo truck accident lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and pursuing compensation for injured people. We recognize the complexity of truck accident cases and work tirelessly to achieve justice for every client.

Contact our San Mateo truck accident lawyers at (415) 851-6486 today for a free consultation. Justice and compensation are just a call away!

Why You Need a San Mateo Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident cases are much more complicated than standard car accidents. They often involve several parties, specific trucking laws, and extensive evidence. Without an experienced attorney involved, you may find it difficult to navigate the legal process or recover the compensation you are owed.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we investigate each case thoroughly and build strong claims. We gather evidence such as truck maintenance records and driver logbooks, and consult with industry professionals when needed. Our team aims to determine who is responsible for your injuries and seeks the maximum compensation available.

Because San Mateo sits at the crossroads of major routes like Highway 101 and 92, commercial truck accidents here often involve goods moving to and from port facilities, distribution centers, or business districts. Navigating the aftermath requires knowledge of both local and federal trucking regulations, as well as understanding the particular risks of high-traffic corridors. Our familiarity with San Mateo's highways and accident patterns helps us anticipate challenges and tailor our approach for clients in this area.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can take many forms, each presenting unique risks to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Some of the most frequent types include:

• Jackknife Accidents: These occur when a truck’s trailer and cab fold at an angle, often sweeping across lanes and increasing the risk of multi-vehicle collisions.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollovers happen when a truck tips onto its side, often because of speeding, improper cargo loading, or sharp turns.
• Underride Collisions: Smaller vehicles may slide under a truck’s trailer in these crashes, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
• Rear-End Crashes: Trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Distracted or tired drivers can cause rear-end collisions with catastrophic results.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots around their sides, rear, and front, making lane changes especially risky.

If you were injured in one of these types of accidents, an experienced tractor trailer accident attorney in San Mateo can help you determine the cause and seek justice for your losses.

Weather conditions like sudden fog or rainfall—common in San Mateo—can increase the likelihood of certain truck crashes, especially rollovers and rear-end collisions. Local drivers often deal with changing visibility or slick surfaces. Understanding how these conditions may impact an accident allows our legal team to consider every relevant detail and pursue practical solutions for your case.

Leading Causes of San Mateo Truck Accidents

While every truck accident situation is unique, driver negligence or company oversight often plays a role. Common causes include:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers frequently work long hours, sometimes skipping required breaks to meet strict schedules, which can reduce alertness and reaction times.
• Distracted Driving: Activities like texting, eating, or adjusting navigation systems can distract a driver and cause a crash.
• Improper Maintenance: Brakes, tires, lights, and other parts must be regularly checked and maintained. Failure to do so can increase the risk of mechanical failures on the road.
• Unsafe Speeding: Fast-moving trucks take much longer to stop and are harder to control, often making accidents more severe.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded or loose cargo can shift dangerously or fall onto roadways, leading to rollovers or crashes.

Our truck accident attorneys in San Mateo have the experience and resources to identify every contributing factor and hold negligent parties accountable for your losses.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules for how long drivers can operate commercial vehicles and how often trucks must be inspected. Trucking companies passing through San Mateo must follow these rules, which can impact liability if anyone ignores them. Knowing both state and federal laws helps our team identify violations that could make a claim stronger.

Your Next Steps After a Truck Accident in San Mateo

When a truck accident happens in San Mateo, quick action can make a critical difference. Call 911 for emergency assistance and report the crash to local law enforcement, such as the San Mateo Police Department or California Highway Patrol, as they often respond to incidents on local streets and highways. Cooperate with officers and seek medical care right away—even if you feel fine—because some injuries may not become apparent until hours or days later.

Collect names and insurance information from all involved drivers, and gather contact information from any witnesses. Use your phone or a camera to photograph the vehicles, roadway, traffic lights, debris, and visible injuries if it is safe. Save any documents you receive, such as the police report or medical discharge papers. These steps help protect your rights and create essential evidence when you speak with a truck accident attorney in San Mateo. Acting early supports your recovery and strengthens the foundation for any claims you may pursue.

How California Trucking Laws Impact Claims in San Mateo

California trucking laws set clear standards for maintenance, rest breaks, and proper cargo handling. The state follows comparative fault rules, meaning multiple parties may share responsibility for a truck accident. Insurance negotiations can include the driver, their employer, and other companies, especially when an out-of-state trucking business operates in San Mateo’s busy corridors.

Timing matters as well—California law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to begin a personal injury claim, but deadlines might change if a public entity or government agency is involved. Working with a commercial truck accident attorney in San Mateo familiar with local courts and regional traffic can help clarify your rights and support evidence gathering. Staying informed about state and local regulations helps you make informed decisions throughout the legal process.

Determining Liability in Truck Accident Cases

One of the most challenging aspects of truck accident claims is identifying every liable party. Unlike a typical car crash, liability for truck accidents may extend beyond the driver. Responsible parties can include:

• Truck Drivers: Accountable for reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or violating federal hours-of-service rules.
• Trucking Companies: Responsible for unsafe scheduling demands, poor background checks, or improper maintenance of their commercial fleet.
• Cargo Loaders: Negligent loading or failure to secure cargo safely can contribute to accidents.
• Maintenance Providers: Faulty inspections or repairs may cause mechanical failures that lead to collisions.
• Manufacturers: Defective vehicle parts, including brakes or tires, can cause or worsen crashes.

Our skilled team of truck accident lawyers in San Mateo understands how to investigate all aspects of a collision to identify the responsible parties and maximize your potential recovery.

Determining liability can require reviewing contract details, employment records, and safety logs. In multi-vehicle crashes along San Mateo’s commuter routes or freight corridors, multiple insurers may debate responsibility. Our familiarity with how insurers approach these disputes allows us to seek fair outcomes. We also analyze available video footage or electronic driver data that may provide clarity about the chain of events before a crash.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Victims of truck crashes often live with life-changing injuries, including fractures, spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, and more. Medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress can strain your family’s resources. Successful claims can provide compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Covers hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, rehab, and future treatment.
• Lost Wages: Helps recover income lost due to missed work or reduced earning ability.
• Pain and Suffering: Addresses the physical pain and mental toll caused by the accident.
• Property Damage: Pays for repairs or replacement of your car and other property.
• Wrongful Death Damages: For families who have lost loved ones, compensation may include funeral costs, lost companionship, and related damages.

Our attorneys pursue every dollar you deserve, whether through careful negotiation or litigation. California law gives most victims two years from the accident date to file a claim. Early action helps protect your rights and ensures important evidence is saved. Our team will explain which losses may qualify for compensation and help you gather records of expenses, care needs, and any changes in your quality of life caused by the accident.

Why Choose The Cartwright Law Firm?

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we have advocated for accident victims throughout the Bay Area for over 60 years. Our results span millions of dollars recovered for clients in Northern California. When you choose us, you receive:

• Empathy and Compassion: We see the emotional and financial challenges after an accident and walk you through each step of the process.
• Negotiation Expertise: Our team regularly handles insurance companies and pursues fair settlements.
• Trial-Readiness: If negotiations stall, we are prepared to present your case in court as needed.

Our firm’s established history in San Mateo and the surrounding Bay Area means we understand the needs of this community. We prioritize clear and frequent communication, so you always know your choices from the initial consult to resolution. By combining regional knowledge with a track record for strong results, we offer practical legal support tailored to your situation.

Get the Representation You Deserve

If you or a loved one has suffered harm in a truck accident, do not wait to seek legal guidance. Trucking companies and insurers often act quickly to minimize payouts, which makes it important to have a committed advocate by your side.

Truck accidents in San Mateo can happen on busy stretches of Highway 101, at major intersections near business parks, or while shipments move through industrial areas. Taking quick action helps preserve key evidence, like traffic camera footage, which might not last. Getting started promptly also can make the investigation smoother and minimize delays in your claim.

Let us help you seek justice and financial recovery by holding those responsible accountable. You pay no fees unless we recover for you. Contact us today to get moving on your claim.

Call The Cartwright Law Firm today at (415) 851-6486 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a San Mateo truck accident attorney.

FAQs

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in San Mateo?

Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 for medical and police help. Collect contact and insurance information from all parties, take photos when it is safe, and seek medical care as soon as possible. Keep copies of all accident reports, medical records, and other relevant paperwork.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California?

California law allows up to two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim for a truck accident. Some claims against public agencies or unique situations may have shorter deadlines, so it's wise to begin the process soon to protect your rights.

Who can be held responsible for a truck accident case?

Several different parties may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, a third-party cargo loader, a maintenance provider, or a vehicle manufacturer. Specifics vary by case, so it often involves investigating the details and possible involvement of multiple companies or insurers.