Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Fontana, CA

Tractor-trailers and large commercial trucks are essential for our economy. Unfortunately, these vehicles can cause major accidents spanning multiple lanes. For those involved in a trucking accident, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Trucking companies and insurance companies could try to force you into a quick, lowball settlement.
The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is here to help. We can even the odds against powerful interests and negotiate from a place of strength. Our lawyers know Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations as well as the dangers of local highways and major roadways throughout the Inland Empire.
We offer free and confidential case reviews. In addition, clients don’t pay any legal fees unless we win. To request a consultation with our semi-truck accident lawyers serving Fontana, contact our law firm today.

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

Trucking accidents are a major danger throughout the state. According to numbers from the FMCSA, there were 11,630 tractor-trailer collisions in California in 2024. These 18-wheeler accidents caused 5,179 injuries and 367 fatalities.
Looking at data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 911 injuries and fatalities from all auto accidents in Fontana in 2023. This includes semi-trucks as well as commuter vehicles.

Fontana Roads and Highways Where Large Truck Accidents Can Happen

Many big rig accidents occur on major freeways and multi-lane roads. Here are some of the most dangerous roads for 18-wheeler crashes in this part of San Bernardino County:

• Interstate 10: Plenty of long-haul truckers take I-10 headed west into L.A. and east out to Palm Springs and Arizona. In addition to dangers on the interstate, drivers face risks of a major crash with large commercial vehicles whenever they’re getting on or off the freeway.
• Interstate 15: Drivers face similar concerns on I-15 as they would on I-10. This is another major freeway full of commuters as well as commercial vehicles.
• Foothill Freeway/Route 210: Thousands of truckers use the Foothill Freeway each day, and so do commuters in the area. This mix of traffic can lead to serious collisions, some of which may prove fatal.

Whenever you’re driving around Fontana, be sure to stay safe and exercise additional caution while near semi-trucks on the road.

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

Truck Driver Fatigue

The demanding nature of the shipping industry often pushes drivers to spend excessively long hours behind the wheel. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs the judgment necessary to navigate heavy traffic in Fontana. When a trucker operates an 80,000-pound vehicle while exhausted, they become a danger to everyone on the road. Our firm investigates electronic logging device (ELD) data to see if hours-of-service violations contributed to your accident and your resulting injuries.

Failure to Check Blind Spots

Commercial trucks have significant blind spots, or “no-zones,” where smaller passenger vehicles disappear from view. When a truck driver fails to properly clear these areas before changing lanes or merging, the results can be devastating. It’s the professional responsibility of the driver to account for these gaps in visibility. Our firm works to establish negligence by proving the driver failed to check their blind spot before turning or merging.

Truck Driver Distractions

Distractions in a truck cab go beyond just cell phone use. GPS devices, dispatch radios, and even paperwork can pull a driver’s attention away from the road. Because of the massive size of a semi-truck, even a momentary distraction can lead to a multi-vehicle pileup. Our lawyers use the latest investigative techniques to determine if a trucker was distracted, ensuring that this dangerous behavior is documented as a primary factor in your personal injury claim.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving by truckers often stems from the pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines. This includes behaviors such as speeding, following too closely, and aggressive lane changes. Given the sheer momentum of a fully loaded tractor-trailer, these actions are incredibly hazardous on Fontana’s streets and freeways. We can hold these drivers and their employers accountable for prioritizing speed over the safety of the public.

Poor Cargo Loading

Improperly secured or unbalanced cargo can cause a truck to become unstable, leading to a jackknife or a rollover accident. Shifting weight also affects the truck’s braking ability and handling. We investigate the logistics companies and loaders responsible for the trailer to determine if cargo negligence played a role. By identifying all responsible parties, our firm ensures you have the best opportunity to recover full compensation for your recovery.

Truck Maintenance Issues

Trucking companies are required to regularly service their fleets to ensure every vehicle is safe for the road. Worn brakes, defective tires, or malfunctioning lights are preventable issues that cause many accidents. When companies cut corners on maintenance to save time or money, they are being negligent. Our attorneys review maintenance logs and inspection reports to uncover any mechanical failures that could have been avoided with proper and timely vehicle care.

Poor Road Conditions

Road hazards like potholes, uneven surfaces, missing signs, and poorly marked construction zones can be particularly dangerous for big rigs. A semi’s high center of gravity makes it more susceptible to rolling over if it hits debris or bumps. If the condition of the roadway in Fontana contributed to the crash, the local government entity responsible for maintenance could be held liable.

Bad Weather Conditions

Heavy rain and strong winds can make driving conditions treacherous, particularly for heavy, high-profile vehicles. Truckers are expected to adjust their speed or stop driving entirely when weather conditions become unsafe. Failing to slow down on wet pavement or maintain control during high winds is a form of negligence. Our law firm can help victims prove that the truck driver failed to drive responsibly given the weather conditions at the time.

Different parties can be held liable for causing a semi-truck crash. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas will carefully investigate the accident and identify all potential liable parties as we seek compensation.

The Truck Driver

In most trucking accident investigations, the truck driver is held liable for the crash. If the operator was speeding to meet a deadline, distracted because they were using a mobile device, or violating federal hours of service laws, they are liable for the damages they caused. Our lawyers can hold individual drivers accountable for failing to uphold their duty of care.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies bear major legal responsibility for the conduct of their drivers and can be held directly liable for negligent hiring, insufficient training, or creating a high-pressure culture that forces drivers to exceed legal driving hours. We aggressively pursue these corporations to ensure they are held accountable for their corporate negligence and safety violations.

Maintenance and Repair Crews

When a catastrophic 18-wheeler 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 a collision is caused by a manufacturing defect, such as brake system failure or a faulty hitch, the company that designed or produced the part can be held responsible. Our lawyers can 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. Our team can investigate the entire chain of logistics to find the truth behind the rollover or jackknife crash.

Local Municipalities

If a government agency failed to fix a known road hazard or designed a hazardous off-ramp that contributed to a trucking accident, they may be liable. Our law firm can 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

People often ask how much their trucking accident claim is worth. There’s no average value for a semi-truck collision claim because each case is different. Our semi-truck accident attorneys serving Fontana will review the evidence and help you understand the value of your claim. We’ll seek compensation that properly 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 treatments and visits with specialists
• Occupational therapy and physical rehabilitation
• Ongoing and future health needs
• Repairs to your damaged vehicle
• Replacement of a totaled vehicle
• Damage to other belongings during the accident
• Lost wages while recovering from injuries
• Loss of future earnings 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) laws to prevent fatigue-related collisions in the trucking industry.
Property-carrying drivers 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.
When companies pressure their drivers to bypass these safety mandates, they endanger everyone. Our law firm will use ELD records to prove these violations and establish negligence.

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 99% 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 30% responsible, you would receive $70,000. Trucking companies often attempt to shift liability to victims to minimize payouts.
Having a seasoned trucking accident lawyer on your side is essential to ensure fault is determined fairly and your final award is protected.

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 window, you lose your right to seek damages permanently.
Keep in mind that if your claim involves a government entity (such as a city truck or hazardous road maintenance), you must file a formal administrative claim within just six months.
Because trucking evidence like logbooks and black box data can be quickly overwritten, contacting a truck accident lawyer ASAP is crucial for preserving your case.