Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Jurupa Valley, CA

A semi-truck accident can change the rest of your life. These kinds of collisions often cause catastrophic injuries that require major surgery and physical rehabilitation. Some accident survivors are unable to work even after they’ve recovered, putting their financial future in question.
If you’ve been in a big rig crash, you need attorneys who can level the playing field against trucking companies and insurance providers. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help. We know how dangerous certain highways can be around the Inland Empire, and we’re familiar with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for commercial trucking.
Consultations are free, and clients pay nothing unless we win. We want to even the odds for you. For a confidential case review with our truck accident lawyers serving Jurupa Valley, contact our law firm today.

How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents in the Jurupa Valley Area?

Big rig crashes are a serious danger all over the state. According to numbers from the FMCSA, there were 11,630 tractor-trailer collisions in California in 2024. These large truck crashes caused 5,179 injuries and 367 fatalities.
Looking at data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 598 injuries and fatalities from auto accidents in Jurupa Valley in 2023. This number accounts for both semi-trucks and commuter vehicles.

Jurupa Valley Roads and Highways Where Large Truck Accidents Can Happen

Many trucking accidents occur on major freeways and multi-lane roads. Here are a few of the most dangerous roads for tractor-trailer collisions in this part of Riverside County:

• Interstate 15: Plenty of semi-trucks take I-15. The mix of large commercial vehicles and commuters can make this highway particularly dangerous. The risks of accidents are only increased at night, especially when there are long-haul truckers on the freeway.
• Interstate 215: Like I-15, drivers need to be on alert whenever they see a big rig nearby. If a trucker makes a mistake or a reckless driver swerves into a large truck, it can cause a major pileup that spans multiple lanes.
• State Route 60: Heavy traffic on SR 60 means a high risk of collisions, especially when there’s a semi-truck present. Commuters and truck drivers also have to deal with some tricky interchanges that could cause collisions. 

As you drive around Jurupa Valley, it’s best to exercise additional caution whenever you see a semi-truck on the road. This can help keep you safe as you’re commuting or running errands.

There are numerous reasons why large trucks get into collisions. These are just some of the most common reasons these accidents occur in Riverside County.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Trucking companies sometimes demand long hours from drivers. This causes truckers to stay on the road well past safe limits. Exhaustion severely impedes reaction times and can cause poor decision-making. The effects are similar to drunk driving. When a trucker is fighting to stay awake while operating a 40-ton vehicle, the results can be deadly. Our attorneys can examine logbooks and electronic logging device (ELD) data to determine if a driver exceeded federal hours of service.

Failure to Check Blind Spots

Commercial trucks have massive blind spots that are called “no-zones.” These no-zones are on all four sides of the vehicle. When a truck driver fails to clear a no-zone while changing lanes or turning, they can easily crush a smaller vehicle. Our lawyers work to establish negligence by proving the truck driver failed to respect the space of other motorists.

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. Our attorneys utilize the latest techniques to determine if a driver was distracted at the time of the collision, ensuring this dangerous behavior is documented as a factor in your case.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving in the trucking industry often involves speeding to meet a delivery deadline, taking turns too fast, or making aggressive lane changes. Given the size of a big rig, these actions are incredibly hazardous on Jurupa Valley’s streets and freeways. We 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. Our attorneys investigate the cargo 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 legally 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 maximize profits, they are being negligent. Our law firm reviews maintenance logs and inspection reports to uncover any mechanical failures that could have been avoided with proper and timely care, holding the company responsible for its oversight.

Poor Road Conditions

Road hazards like uneven surfaces, broken traffic lights, or poorly marked construction zones can be especially hazardous for semi-trucks. A truck’s high center of gravity makes it more susceptible to rolling over if it strikes a significant road defect. If the condition of the roadway in Jurupa Valley contributed to the crash, the local or state government may be liable. We 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 like semi-trucks. Truckers are expected to exercise additional caution when visibility or traction is compromised. Failing to adjust speed for wet pavement or during high winds can be considered negligence. Our trucking accident lawyers can help prove that the driver failed to act as a reasonable professional at the time of the accident.

Different parties can be held liable for causing or contributing to a large truck accident in Jurupa Valley. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas will investigate the accident and identify all liable parties as we seek compensation.

The Truck Driver

In many big rig crash investigations, the trucker is the liable party. If the truck operator failed to check their blind spots before merging, was distracted by the use of a mobile device, or ignored federal rest laws, they are personally liable for the damages they caused. Our law firm can hold individual drivers accountable for failing to uphold their duty.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies bear significant legal responsibility for the conduct of their drivers and 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 defect, such as a tire blowout or a faulty hitch, the company that designed or produced the part can be held liable. Our law firm can pursue product liability claims against these companies to hold them accountable for putting dangerous vehicles or faulty parts 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 attorneys can investigate the entire chain of logistics to find the cause or contributing factors behind the collision.

Local Municipalities

If a government agency failed to maintain a safe road or designed a hazardous traffic pattern that contributed to your accident, they may be liable. Our lawyers can handle the unique legal challenges and shorter filing deadlines associated with pursuing a claim against Riverside County authorities or another state entity in California.

Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Claim

The value of each semi-truck accident claim is different. How much your case is worth will depend on your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the lasting effects on your life. Our big rig crash attorneys serving the Jurupa Valley review what happened and seek compensation that fairly addresses your economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are the financial and material losses that were caused by the trucking accident. 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 semi-truck crash. 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 enforces strict “hours of service” (HOS) rules to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
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 the clock.
When trucking companies pressure their drivers to ignore these crucial safety mandates, they endanger everyone. Our law firm will utilize electronic 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 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 10% responsible, you would still receive $90,000.
Trucking companies often attempt to shift liability to victims to minimize their payouts. It’s a common tactic. Having a skilled truck accident lawyer is essential to ensure fault is fairly assessed 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.
However, if your claim involves a government entity (such as a city vehicle or an issue with a badly maintained road), you must file a formal administrative claim within just six months. 
Trucking accident evidence, like logbooks and black box data, can be quickly overwritten. It’s best to contact our truck accident attorneys immediately so we can preserve evidence in your case.