Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Ontario, CA

We count on large trucks to keep the economy going. Unfortunately, major commercial trucking accidents happen throughout the Inland Empire. These big rig wrecks can span multiple lanes, injuring many people and causing injuries with lifelong consequences. The medical bills and changes to your future can be staggering.
The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help. Our attorneys can level the playing field with trucking companies and insurance companies. Our team knows the dangers on local highways, and we can parse complicated regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We’re eager to fight for you and your family.
Our law offices offer free consultations, and clients don’t pay unless our attorneys win. To set up a case review with our semi-truck accident lawyers serving Ontario, contact our law firm today.

How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents in the Ontario Area?

Tractor-trailer accidents are a major issue all over the state. According to numbers from the FMCSA, there were 11,630 big rig crashes in California in 2024. These semi-truck collisions caused 5,179 injuries and 367 fatalities.
According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 941 injuries and fatalities from auto accidents in Ontario in 2023. This number accounts for collisions with large trucks as well as commuter vehicles.

Ontario Roads and Highways Where Large Truck Accidents Can Happen

Many commercial trucking accidents occur on major freeways and multi-lane roads. Here are a few of the most dangerous roads for semi-truck collisions in this part of San Bernardino County:

• Interstate 10: Plenty of commercial vehicles take I-10 in both directions, which can increase the risks of a major collision. These risks are heightened late at night, when truckers could be tired and less attentive.
• Interstate 15: Like I-10, I-15 is another major freeway used by people in the commercial trucking industry. There are risks of 18-wheeler crashes during normal commuting hours as well as overnight.
• State Route 60: SR-60 has complicated interchanges and a lot of traffic. When semi-trucks are on the road, the potential for a serious crash increases.

As you commute and go about your day, we suggest being extra cautious whenever you’re driving near an 18-wheeler in Ontario. Added caution can help you avoid potential injuries.

There are many reasons why tractor-trailers get into accidents. These are just some of the most common reasons these types of crashes happen in San Bernardino County.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Trucking companies often demand long hours of their drivers, leading many truckers to stay on the road well past their limits. Much like the effects of alcohol, fatigue can impair reaction times and decision-making. When a trucker is fighting sleep behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. Our lawyers will meticulously examine logbooks and electronic logging device (ELD) data to determine if a driver exceeded legal hours of service.

Failure to Check Blind Spots

Semi-trucks have massive blind spots that are called “no-zones.” There are no-zones on all four sides of these vehicles. When a driver doesn’t ensure the no-zones are clear, they can easily crush a smaller passenger vehicle in an underride crash. It is the driver’s responsibility to utilize mirrors and technology to ensure the path is clear. Our firm works to prove negligence when a truck driver fails to respect the space of others on the road.

Truck Driver Distractions

Modern truck cabs are filled with distractions, from dispatch radios and GPS units to personal cell phones. Because trucks require more distance to stop, even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a multi-vehicle pileup. We investigate whether a driver was distracted by technology or other tasks at the time of the collision, ensuring that this dangerous behavior is documented to support your claim for maximum compensation.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving in the trucking world often involves rushing to meet tight delivery deadlines, tailgating, or aggressive lane changes. Given the massive weight and size of a big rig, these behaviors are incredibly dangerous. We hold drivers and their employers accountable when they prioritize speed over safety, using witness statements and black box data to recreate the moments leading up to the accident and prove liability.

Poor Cargo Loading

If cargo is not properly balanced or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable or even tip over. Overloaded trucks are also harder to stop and more prone to brake failure. Our firm can investigate the parties responsible for loading the trailer to determine if negligence in the warehouse led to the disaster on the highway. We can ensure all liable parties are brought to justice.

Truck Maintenance Issues

Trucking companies are legally required to perform regular inspections and maintenance. Worn brake pads, bald tires, or faulty lighting can turn a semi-truck into a ticking time bomb. When a company skips maintenance to save money or keep a truck on the road, they are endangering everyone. Our team reviews maintenance records to identify mechanical failures that could have been prevented with proper care and oversight.

Poor Road Conditions

Issues like deep potholes, uneven lane shifts in construction zones, or inadequate signage can be especially hazardous for tractor-trailers. Because of their high center of gravity, a truck hitting a road hazard is more likely to jackknife or roll over. If the road itself was dangerous, the local or state government may be liable. We navigate the complexities of claims against public entities in San Bernardino County to ensure you are compensated.

Bad Weather Conditions

Rain and heavy winds can make the I-10 and other local routes treacherous for heavy haulers. Truckers are expected to exercise extreme caution or even pull over when visibility or traction is compromised. Failing to adjust speed for wet pavement or high winds is a form of negligence. We help victims prove that the truck driver failed to act as a reasonable professional under the prevailing weather conditions.

Multiple parties could be held accountable for causing or contributing to a semi-truck accident in Ontario. Our attorneys will investigate the accident and identify all liable parties as we seek compensation.

The Truck Driver

The driver is often the primary party at fault, especially if they were speeding, distracted, or under the influence. As the person in control of the vehicle, they have a legal duty to operate it safely and follow all traffic laws to protect others.

The Trucking Company

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies are often liable for the actions of their employees. They can also be held directly negligent for poor hiring practices, failing to train drivers, or pushing employees to violate federal safety regulations to meet deadlines.

Maintenance and Repair Crews

If a third-party mechanic or maintenance company failed to properly fix a known issue, such as a faulty braking system, they may be held liable. We investigate the paper trail of repairs to see if a mechanical failure was caused by subpar workmanship.

Vehicle or Part Companies

When a crash is caused by a manufacturing defect—like a tire blowout or steering failure—the company that designed or built the truck or part can be held responsible through a product liability claim. We hold these manufacturers to the highest safety standards.

Cargo Loading Companies

Independent contractors who load trailers must ensure the weight is distributed according to safety standards. If improper loading caused the truck to shift or roll, these companies can be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.

Local Municipalities

If a government agency failed to repair a known dangerous road condition or designed a hazardous intersection that contributed to the crash, they may be held liable. We handle the specific legal procedures required to file claims against public entities in California.

Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Claim

Many people ask our lawyers how much a trucking accident case could be worth. It varies. The exact value of your claim will depend on your injuries, property damage, and the long-term effects on your life. Our trucking accident attorneys will be sure to seek compensation that fairly addresses your economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are the material and financial losses that were caused by the 18-wheeler crash. This may include:

• Past medical bills and visits with specialists
• Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy
• Current and future health needs
• Repairs to your vehicle
• Replacement of a totaled vehicle
• Damage to other belongings during the crash
• Lost income while recovering from injuries
• Loss of future earning potential due to disability

Non-economic damages are the subjective changes to a person’s life after a catastrophic 18-wheeler collision. This may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Reduced quality of life

Federal Hours of Service Regulations for Truckers

The FMCSA strictly regulates how many hours a trucker can drive to prevent fatigue-related accidents. For example, most freight drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must also take mandatory breaks.
When trucking companies pressure drivers to ignore these rules, they are breaking the law. Our law firm will use ELD data to prove when these regulations were violated, which serves as powerful evidence of negligence in your truck accident lawsuit.

Can I Seek Damages If I Was Partially Liable for the Collision?

Yes. California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. This means that even if you were 40% at fault for the accident, you can still recover 60% of your total damages.
Insurance companies for trucking firms often try to blame the passenger vehicle driver to save money. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer is vital to fight back against these tactics. Our attorneys can help ensure that fault is assigned accurately so you receive the highest possible settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Big Rig Accident?

In California, you generally have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, waiting is dangerous.
Evidence in trucking cases (such as black box data, driver logs, and witness accounts) can disappear, get destroyed, or fade. Furthermore, if a government entity is involved, you may only have six months to file an administrative claim.
Contacting our truck accident attorneys serving Ontario ASAP ensures that critical evidence is preserved and all deadlines are met.