Truck accidents in San Diego can leave people facing serious injuries, medical bills, missed work, and difficult questions about what happened. These cases are often more complex than ordinary car accident claims because they may involve trucking companies, commercial insurance policies, vehicle data, driver logs, maintenance records, and federal safety rules.
Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families after serious truck and commercial vehicle crashes in San Diego County. We investigate the cause of the crash, identify all potentially responsible parties, preserve key evidence, and help clients understand their options under California law.
Injured in a San Diego truck or commercial vehicle accident? Get help today.

Commercial trucks are larger, heavier, and harder to stop than passenger vehicles. When a truck crash causes serious injuries, the type of collision often affects what evidence needs to be preserved, which companies may be involved, and how the case should be investigated.
Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families after serious truck and commercial vehicle crashes throughout San Diego County, including the types of cases listed here.
Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, big rigs, and 18-wheelers can cause devastating injuries when they collide with smaller vehicles. These crashes often happen on freeways, freight routes, and commercial corridors where large trucks operate close to passenger traffic. Semi-trucks are held to a different set of rules than regular cars. For example, California limits them to 55 mph.
Semi-truck cases may involve driver logs, electronic logging device data, inspection reports, maintenance records, dash-cam video, and company safety policies. Because some records can be lost or overwritten, early evidence preservation is especially important after a serious crash.
San Diego County’s freeways carry heavy commercial truck traffic, including I-5, I-8, I-15, I-805, SR-52, SR-78, SR-94, and SR-905. Truck crashes on these roads can involve high speeds, multiple vehicles, lane changes, construction zones, or sudden traffic slowdowns.
Freeway truck accident investigations may require quick action to preserve physical evidence, identify witnesses, obtain traffic camera footage, and review nearby business or dash-cam video. The location of the crash can also help determine whether Caltrans, a local agency, or a private contractor may have relevant records.
When a large truck hits a car, SUV, pickup, or van, the people in the smaller vehicle are more likely to suffer serious or life-changing injuries. These crashes may involve rear-end collisions, sideswipes, unsafe lane changes, jackknife events, or trucks drifting out of their lane.
These cases often turn on details such as truck speed, braking distance, driver fatigue, blind spots, vehicle maintenance, and whether the trucking company followed safe scheduling and supervision practices.
Underride crashes happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the side or rear of a trailer. Override crashes happen when a truck rides up over another vehicle, often during a rear-end collision. Both types of crashes can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries because of the size and height difference between the truck and the smaller vehicle.
Important evidence may include trailer guard condition, inspection records, maintenance history, crash reconstruction evidence, braking data, and photographs of the vehicles before repairs or disposal.
See our deeper guide on the different types of truck accidents in San Diego.
Truck crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists are especially dangerous because there is little protection between the person and the vehicle. These collisions may happen near crosswalks, bike lanes, intersections, port areas, downtown San Diego, the Embarcadero, and commercial delivery routes.
A common issue in these cases is visibility. Investigators may need to evaluate blind spots, turning movements, mirrors, camera systems, driver training, company policies, and whether the truck was operating safely around people walking or riding bikes.
Delivery trucks are now common throughout San Diego neighborhoods, business districts, apartment complexes, and commercial corridors. Crashes may involve Amazon delivery vehicles, UPS trucks, FedEx trucks, USPS vehicles, food delivery drivers, box trucks, or other commercial vehicles.
These cases can be more complicated than they first appear because more than one company may be involved in the delivery process. Relevant evidence may include route data, delivery schedules, app-based records, driver status, vehicle ownership, maintenance records, and insurance coverage.
Construction zones often bring dump trucks, concrete mixers, flatbeds, and tractor-trailers close to workers, drivers, pedestrians, and slowed traffic. Serious crashes can happen when trucks back up without proper precautions, enter or exit work areas unsafely, or fail to adjust for congestion and changing traffic patterns.
These cases may involve the truck driver, trucking company, general contractor, subcontractor, traffic-control company, property owner, or public agency. Because government-entity deadlines can be shorter than ordinary injury deadlines, early review is important when the crash involves a public roadway, state highway, or municipal project.
Conor and Leslie Hulburt, founders of the Hulburt Law Firm, are dedicated San Diego truck accident lawyers with extensive experience helping clients recover maximum compensation after serious or catastrophic injuries. They understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges victims face following truck or commercial vehicle accidents, and are committed to guiding clients through every step of the legal process.
Known for their genuine care, dedication, and strategic advocacy, Conor and Leslie have built a reputation as trusted personal injury attorneys in San Diego, providing top-tier representation for people injured in truck accidents and ensuring justice is served.

Our attorneys have a proven track record in serious injury and wrongful death cases, including truck, roadway, construction, automotive defect, and catastrophic injury matters. Please note that past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its specific facts, injuries, liability evidence, and available insurance.
Jury verdict against Caltrans for a 13-year-old boy who was hit by a car while using a dangerous crosswalk.
A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash into a tree on the side of a San Diego County highway, killing a beloved husband and father.
A massive, improperly installed gate collapsed on a subcontracted worker who was asked by the general contractor to paint it, causing his tragic death.
A dump truck driver failed to "get out and look" before backing up into a construction worker, crushing his leg against a bulldozer.
A commercial truck driver drifted off the road and struck and killed a San Diego bicyclist lawfully riding on the shoulder.
A fatigued box truck driver drove into the wrong lane of traffic and struck an RV, causing the occupants injuries.
In your free case review, we listen to how the crash happened, what injuries you’re dealing with, and what questions you and your family have. We look at any information you already have—such as police reports, photos, medical records, or insurance letters—and give an honest assessment of whether a truck accident claim makes sense under California law. This conversation is confidential and there’s no obligation to move forward.
If you decide to work with us and sign a representation agreement, we move quickly to investigate the crash and preserve critical evidence. In truck cases, that can include obtaining police and collision reports, photographing the scene and vehicles, interviewing witnesses, and sending preservation letters to keep “black box” data, electronic logging device (ELD) records, dash-cam video, and maintenance documents from being lost or overwritten. Acting early helps protect key evidence that can be essential later.
Next, we dig into the trucking side of the case. We work to obtain and review driver logs, hours-of-service records, dispatch notes, inspection and maintenance histories, driver qualification files, and company safety policies. We look for issues like driver fatigue, unsafe scheduling, inadequate training, poor supervision, and skipped inspections or repairs. When appropriate, we consult with trucking safety experts and accident reconstructionists to understand exactly how and why the collision occurred.
Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver and one insurance policy. We identify all potentially responsible parties—such as the driver, motor carrier, trailer owner, freight broker, shipper, maintenance provider, or even a parts manufacturer—and evaluate what insurance coverages may apply. At the same time, we work with you and your doctors to understand your injuries, medical needs, lost income, and the impact of the crash on your daily life so we can present a clear, detailed picture of your losses.
Once we have built the case, we take over communications with the insurance companies and defense lawyers so you don’t have to. We present the evidence of fault and damages, challenge attempts to shift blame onto you or minimize your injuries, and negotiate from a position informed by trucking regulations and industry standards. Throughout negotiations, we keep you updated, explain any settlement offers in plain language, and help you weigh the risks and benefits of settlement versus litigation.
If the trucking companies and insurers are not willing to resolve the case fairly, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court. Litigation can involve written discovery, depositions of drivers and company representatives, motion practice, and, when necessary, preparing for trial. At trial, we work to tell your story using documents, expert testimony, and demonstrative exhibits to show how the crash happened, how safety rules were broken, and what the collision has meant for you and your family.
Truck accident cases in California are often more complicated than ordinary car accident claims. A serious truck crash may involve state traffic laws, federal trucking safety rules, commercial insurance policies, and several companies connected to the truck, driver, trailer, cargo, or route. The overview below explains the basic legal issues that may matter after a serious truck accident in or around San Diego.
Truck drivers in California have a duty to use reasonable care and avoid putting others on the road at risk. Commercial truck drivers also have additional safety responsibilities because of the size, weight, and danger posed by large trucks.
These duties may include holding the proper commercial license, passing required medical evaluations, following hours-of-service limits, inspecting the truck, securing cargo, and complying with maintenance requirements. Trucking companies also have their own responsibilities, including hiring qualified drivers, providing proper training, supervising drivers, maintaining vehicles, and assigning routes or schedules that do not encourage unsafe driving.
When a truck driver or trucking company violates a safety rule and that violation contributes to a crash, it can become important evidence in a California truck accident claim. These violations may help show how the crash happened, who may be responsible, and whether the trucking company failed to follow basic safety practices.
California uses a comparative fault system, which was adopted by our Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. That means more than one person or company can share responsibility for a crash.
If an injured person is found partly responsible, any recovery may be reduced by that percentage of fault. For example, if a jury values your damages at $1 million and finds you 20% at fault, you recover $800,000. If the jury finds you 60% at fault, you still recover $400,000.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce what they have to pay. That is one reason early investigation, witness statements, vehicle data, and trucking company records can be so important.
Liability in a truck crash often extends well beyond the driver. Depending on the facts, potentially responsible parties can include:
Identifying all potentially liable parties is critical in serious truck cases, because multiple insurance policies and corporate defendants may be involved.
Commercial trucks are subject to federal safety rules that do not apply to ordinary passenger vehicles. These rules address issues such as driver qualifications, medical fitness, hours of service, electronic logging devices, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and cargo securement.
In a truck accident case, these rules can help explain what should have happened before the crash. For example, records may show whether the driver had been on the road too long, whether the truck was properly inspected, whether cargo was secured, or whether the trucking company ignored safety problems.
When a safety rule is violated and the violation contributes to a crash, it may become important evidence of fault.
See our resources on the FMCSA trucking rules and how they apply in a trucking lawsuit.
Truck accident cases often involve larger and more complex insurance policies than ordinary car accident claims. A commercial truck may have coverage through the driver, the motor carrier, the trailer owner, the shipper, the broker, a maintenance company, or other businesses connected to the trip.
Finding every available layer of insurance is an important part of a serious truck accident case. This is especially true when the injuries involve surgery, permanent disability, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, severe fractures, burns, or wrongful death.
See our article on insurance coverage for truck accidents in San Diego for a deeper look.
The damages available after a truck accident depend on the facts of the crash, the injuries involved, and the insurance coverage available. In many California truck accident cases, injured people may seek compensation for:
In rare cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be considered. Every case is different, and the law places limits and conditions on certain categories of damages.
For more information, see our resources on compensation available for truck accident victims and common injuries in truck accidents in San Diego.
Missing a deadline almost always ends the case.
For a walk-through of what happens once a lawsuit is filed, see our resource on the litigation process for truck accident lawsuits in San Diego.
In a serious truck case, we never rely on the police report alone. We bring in accident reconstructionists, pull the truck’s electronic data, and request the carrier’s federal safety records.
Modern trucks record speed, brake input, steering, and the driver’s hours on duty. We work with engineers who download and read this data, and pair it with 3D crash reconstruction.
We look beyond the truck driver to identify every party that may have contributed to the crash, including the motor carrier, broker, shipper, maintenance vendor, or other companies connected to the vehicle or load.
Conor Hulburt has won a $28.1 million jury verdict, multiple seven-figure truck settlements, and recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell. We focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
We don’t just talk the talk. We walk the walk. From providing regular case updates to achieving life-changing results, we genuinely care about each and every one of our clients.
After a truck crash, your safety and medical care come first. Call 911, move to a safe location if you can, and accept medical help at the scene. If possible, take photos or video of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, debris, visible injuries, license plates, company names, and any identifying information on the truck or trailer.
Get contact information from witnesses and avoid giving a detailed recorded statement to an insurance company before understanding your rights. Because truck records, camera footage, and vehicle data can be lost or overwritten, early evidence preservation can be important.
Discover our investigation process for truck accidents in San Diego to learn more.
You may have a truck accident case if another person or company was careless and that conduct contributed to the crash and your injuries. That may include unsafe driving, fatigue, speeding, distraction, poor maintenance, improper loading, or a violation of trucking safety rules.
A case may be worth reviewing if you needed medical care, missed work, suffered serious pain, or your daily life has been disrupted. An attorney can review the facts and explain whether a claim may make sense under California law.
The compensation available depends on the facts of the crash, the severity of the injuries, and the insurance coverage available. In many California truck accident cases, damages may include medical bills, future care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and long-term care needs.
If a truck crash causes a death, eligible family members may also be able to bring a wrongful death claim. In rare cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may be considered.
The value of a truck accident case depends on the severity of the injuries, medical needs, lost income, long-term limitations, available insurance, and how clearly fault can be proven. There is no reliable “average” settlement because truck cases can range widely depending on the facts.
Serious truck accident cases may involve multiple defendants and several layers of insurance. Identifying every responsible party and preserving the right evidence can have a major impact on the value of the claim.
Important evidence may include medical records, photos and video, police or CHP reports, witness statements, truck electronic data, ELD records, dash-cam footage, inspection records, maintenance records, dispatch records, and driver qualification files.
Some trucking evidence can be lost, overwritten, or repaired away quickly. That is why evidence-preservation letters and early investigation can matter in serious truck accident cases.
There is no single timeline for a truck accident case. Some claims settle within several months once fault is reasonably clear and your medical condition is better understood. Others—especially those involving severe injuries, multiple defendants, disputed liability, or complex corporate structures—can take a year or more and may require filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial. Factors include how long it takes you to reach a stable point in your recovery, how cooperative insurers are, and the court’s schedule if litigation is necessary. A lawyer can give you a better sense of timing after learning the details of your case.
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but truck accident cases often involve multiple companies, commercial insurance policies, trucking safety rules, and evidence that must be preserved quickly. A lawyer can investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, work with experts, handle insurance communications, and prepare the case for settlement or trial.
Hulburt Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That generally means there is no upfront retainer or hourly billing, and the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery if money is recovered. The written fee agreement explains the fee and how case costs are handled.
See our guide on the role of a truck accident attorney and the importance of legal representation.
Truck crashes often result from a combination of factors. Common causes include:
A key part of any truck accident case is determining which of these factors contributed and who had the responsibility to prevent them.
Learn more about the most common truck accident types in San Diego.
Often, yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can usually pursue compensation even if you share some responsibility for the collision. Any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, your net recovery could be $80,000.
Insurance companies may try to assign more blame to you to pay less, so careful investigation and advocacy are important. A truck accident lawyer can help challenge unfair fault allocations and present evidence that accurately reflects what happened.
If a family member was killed in a truck crash, certain relatives may have the right to bring wrongful death and related survival claims under California law. Wrongful death claims seek compensation for the family’s losses—such as loss of financial support, household services, and the loss of the person’s love, companionship, and guidance. Survival claims seek compensation on behalf of the estate for harms the person suffered before death, such as medical expenses and, under current law, pre-death pain and suffering and, in some cases, punitive damages.
These cases can be emotionally difficult and legally complex, often involving multiple companies, high-stakes insurance issues, and strict deadlines. A lawyer experienced in both truck and wrongful death cases can help your family understand who may file, what claims are available, and what the process will look like.
In many California truck accident cases, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the collision. If you miss that statute of limitations, you may lose the right to pursue your claim in court.
Shorter time limits apply if a government entity is involved (for example, if a public vehicle or dangerous public roadway contributed to the crash). In those situations, you may need to file a formal government claim within six months of the accident before you can file suit. There are also special rules that can extend or “toll” deadlines in some circumstances, such as for minors or people who are incapacitated. Because these rules are technical and strictly enforced, it’s important to speak with a lawyer promptly so your deadlines can be identified and protected.
Medical liens arise when a health insurer or medical provider has paid for treatment related to your injuries and claims a right to be reimbursed from any settlement or judgment. Common lien sources include private health insurance, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and hospitals or other providers that treat you under a lien arrangement.
In a truck accident case, your attorney will typically:
Properly handling medical liens is an important part of resolving a truck case, and it can materially affect how much you take home at the end of the process.
Truck crashes in San Diego County often happen on major freight routes, freeway interchanges, port corridors, border routes, and areas with heavy construction or delivery traffic. Common locations include I-5, I-8, I-15, I-805, SR-52, SR-78, SR-94, and SR-905, as well as commercial areas near the Port of San Diego, Otay Mesa, Miramar, National City, and South Bay.
These crashes may involve semi-trucks, box trucks, delivery vans, construction vehicles, or other commercial vehicles. The location of the crash can matter because it may affect what evidence is available, which companies were involved, and whether traffic cameras, port records, delivery logs, or other local records need to be preserved quickly.
Hulburt Law Firm proudly serves truck accident victims throughout San Diego County, providing experienced legal guidance, compassionate support, and aggressive advocacy to help clients recover maximum compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impacts.

Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.