Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Bloomington, CA

We need large trucks to keep our economy moving. While many truck drivers are safe, accidents can still happen. Crashes with large commercial trucks can lead to life-changing injuries. If you’ve been hit by a big rig, you may wonder how you can secure compensation for your medical bills and repairs.
The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help. Our attorneys know the highways and major roads all over the Inland Empire, and we’re familiar with regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We can help even the odds against trucking companies and insurance companies so that you receive fair compensation.
Consultations are free, and clients don’t pay unless we win. To request a consultation with our semi-truck accident lawyers serving Bloomington, CA, contact our law firm today.

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

Big rig crashes are a major danger throughout the state. According to numbers from the FMCSA, there were 11,630 tractor-trailer crashes in California in 2024. These 18-wheeler collisions caused 5,179 injuries and 367 fatalities.
Looking at data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there is no Bloomington-specific auto accident data. However, these numbers from nearby cities can help convey the potential hazards on the road.

• According to OTS data for Fontana, there were 911 accident injuries and fatalities in that nearby city in 2023
• According to OTS data for Rialto, there were 468 accident injuries and fatalities in that nearby city in 2023

Bloomington Roads and Highways Where Large Truck Accidents Can Happen

Many large truck accidents around San Bernardino County occur on major freeways and multi-lane roads. Here are some of the most dangerous roads for big rig crashes in the area:

• Interstate 10: Many semi-trucks travel along I-10 to reach Los Angeles or head out to Arizona. Local drivers need to be careful getting onto or off of I-10 at Cedar Avenue. High speeds and heavy traffic can cause a multi-lane pileup.
• Interstate 215: While I-215 is just outside of Bloomington, locals need to be careful about potential big rig accidents. Large trucks have gotten into rollovers and multi-vehicle crashes on this auxiliary interstate.
• Crash Risks on Other Major Roads: Big trucks and other commercial vehicles are also present in nearby Colton, particularly around Agua Mansa Industrial Corridor and streets like Riverside Avenue. 

Many streets in Bloomington itself are less likely to experience major trucking crashes. Regardless, be sure to stay safe on the road and be careful whenever you’re driving near tractor-trailers.

There are different reasons why big rig crashes happen. These are just some of the most common reasons these collisions occur in San Bernardino County.

Truck Driver Fatigue

The trucking industry often demands long hours, leading many drivers to stay on the road past their safe limits. Fatigue severely impairs reaction times and decision-making, much like alcohol impairment. When a driver is fighting sleep while operating an 80,000-pound vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. We examine logbooks and electronic logging device (ELD) data to determine if a trucker in a crash exceeded federal hours of service regulations.

Failure to Check Blind Spots

Commercial trucks have massive blind spots, known as “no-zones.” These no-zones are on all four sides, causing smaller vehicles to effectively disappear from view. When a truck driver fails to adequately clear these areas before changing lanes or turning, they can easily crush a passenger car. It is the professional responsibility of the driver to use mirrors and technology to ensure their path is clear.

Truck Driver Distractions

Modern truck cabs are filled with distractions, from dispatch radios and GPS units to personal cell phones. Because heavy trucks require much longer distances to stop, even a few seconds of inattention can lead to a multi-vehicle pileup. We utilize expert investigative techniques to determine if a truck driver was distracted by technology or other tasks at the time of the collision, ensuring this dangerous behavior is documented as a primary factor in your claim.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving in the trucking world often involves speeding to meet tight delivery deadlines, tailgating, or aggressive lane changes. Given the massive weight and size of a big rig, these behaviors are incredibly hazardous on Bloomington’s streets and freeways. Our attorneys hold drivers and their employers accountable for prioritizing speed over the safety of the public, using black box data to prove their reckless conduct and establish their liability for your injuries.

Poor Cargo Loading

If cargo is not properly balanced or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable, jackknife, or tip over. Overloaded trucks are also significantly harder to stop and more prone to brake failure. We investigate the logistics companies and loaders responsible for the trailer to determine if cargo negligence played a role. Identifying these third parties ensures you have the best opportunity to recover full compensation from all responsible entities.

Truck Maintenance Issues

Trucking companies are required to maintain their fleets to ensure every vehicle is safe for the road. Worn brake pads, bald tires, or faulty lighting are preventable issues that cause many accidents. When companies skip maintenance to save time or money, they are being negligent. Our team reviews maintenance logs and inspection reports to uncover any mechanical failures that could have been avoided with proper and timely care.

Poor Road Conditions

Road hazards like deep potholes, uneven surfaces, or poorly marked construction zones can be especially hazardous for large trucks. A truck’s high center of gravity makes it more susceptible to rolling over if it strikes a significant road defect. If a road condition in or around Bloomington contributed to the trucking accident, our lawyers can navigate the specific legal requirements and shorter filing deadlines associated with pursuing claims against public agencies.

Bad Weather Conditions

Heavy rain and strong winds can make the local freeways treacherous for high-profile vehicles. Truck drivers are expected to exercise extreme caution or even pull over when visibility or traction is compromised. Failing to adjust speed for wet pavement or maintaining control during high winds is a form of negligence. We help accident victims prove that the trucker failed to act as a reasonable professional at the time of the accident.

Different parties can be held liable for a semi-truck collision depending on the nature of the accident. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas will investigate the accident and help ensure the liable party or parties are held accountable.

The Truck Driver

In most truck accident investigations, the truck driver is the first party scrutinized. If the semi-truck operator was speeding to meet a deadline, distracted by a mobile device, or violating federal safety laws, they are personally liable for the damages they caused. We hold individual truckers accountable for failing to uphold their duty.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies bear significant legal responsibility for the conduct of their drivers. These companies can be held directly liable for negligent hiring, insufficient training, or creating high-pressure environments that force drivers to exceed legal driving hours. We aggressively pursue these corporations to ensure they are held accountable for their corporate negligence.

Maintenance and Repair Crews

When a catastrophic truck accident occurs, the driver is not always the sole party at fault. Often, the underlying cause is a mechanical failure resulting from negligent service. If a third-party repair shop failed to properly fix critical safety systems like the brakes or steering, they share legal liability for the crash.

Vehicle or Part Companies

When an accident is caused by a manufacturing or part defect, such as a tire blowout or a faulty hitch, the company that designed or produced the part can be held liable. We pursue product liability claims against these manufacturers to hold them accountable for putting dangerous equipment on the road.

Cargo Loading Companies

The parties responsible for loading the truck must ensure the weight is balanced and secure. If improper loading caused the cargo to shift and led to an accident, the loading company can be held financially responsible. We investigate the entire chain of logistics to find the truth behind the crash.

Local Municipalities

If a government agency in San Bernardino County failed to maintain a road or designed a hazardous traffic pattern that contributed to your accident, they may be liable. We handle the unique legal challenges and shorter filing deadlines associated with pursuing a claim against a city or state entity in California.

Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Claim

The exact value of an 18-wheeler crash claim will vary from client to client. When you meet with our semi-truck accident lawyers serving Bloomington, we will review what happened and seek maximum compensation based on your injuries and lasting changes to your life. We’ll be sure to seek compensation that fairly covers your economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are the material and financial losses that were caused by the big rig 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 major trucking accident. This may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Lower quality of life

Federal Hours of Service Regulations for Truckers

The FMCSA enforces strict “hours of service” (HOS) rules to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
Property-carrying drivers such as long-haul truckers are limited to an 11-hour driving window within a 14-hour on-duty period, after which they must take 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers must also take a 30-minute rest break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. Furthermore, a 60/70-hour weekly limit applies, requiring a 34-hour restart to reset the clock.
When trucking companies pressure their drivers to bypass these safety mandates, they endanger everyone. Our law firm will use electronic logging records to determine if these violations occurred.

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

Yes. California operates under a “pure comparative negligence” system, which allows victims to pursue compensation even if they were significantly at fault. Your total recovery is simply reduced by your assigned percentage of blame.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you are found to be 20% responsible, you would still receive $80,000.
Trucking companies often attempt to shift at least some liability to victims to minimize their payouts. Having a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer is essential to ensure fault is determined fairly and your recovery is maximized.

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

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file within this two-year window, you lose your right to seek damages permanently.
If your claim involves a government entity (such as a public vehicle or hazardous road maintenance), you must file a formal administrative claim within just six months.
Because trucking accident evidence like logbooks and black box data can be quickly overwritten, promptly contacting a truck accident attorney serving Bloomington is crucial for preserving your case.