Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Upland, CA

Trucking accidents pose greater legal challenges than other kinds of motor vehicle accidents. Trucking companies often have strong legal teams in place, and multiple parties may be liable for causing the collision. The injuries in these types of collisions can be catastrophic, causing lifelong changes to a person’s mobility and livelihood.
You need a lawyer who knows the roads of the Inland Empire and understands the intricacies of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help. We’ll level the playing field against powerful interests and fight to secure compensation for your bills and future financial needs.
Consultations are free, and clients pay no legal fees unless our attorneys win. To request a consultation with our truck accident lawyers serving Upland, contact our law firm today.

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

18-wheeler accidents are a major concern all over California. According to numbers from the FMCSA, there were 11,630 semi-truck crashes in the state in 2024. These large truck accidents caused 5,179 injuries and 367 fatalities.
Local data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recorded 577 injuries and fatalities from auto accidents in Upland in 2023. This accounts for commuter accidents as well as crashes with large commercial trucks.

Upland Roads and Highways Where Large Truck Accidents Can Happen

Many commercial truck accidents occur on busy freeways and multi-lane roads. Here are a few of the most dangerous roads for 18-wheeler collisions in this part of San Bernardino County:

• Interstate 10: Eastbound and westbound traffic is heavy on I-10. The mix of commuter vehicles, tractor-trailers, and other commercial vehicles can make the road dangerous at all times of the day.
• Foothill Freeway/Route 210: Thousands of vehicles travel on the Foothill Freeway every day. Drivers have to contend with heavy traffic and high speeds on the highway as well as dangers getting to off-ramps or on-ramps.
• Foothill Boulevard: Multiple lanes of traffic along Foothill Boulevard put countless motorists at risk. Pedestrians and cyclists also face major dangers from semi-trucks on this busy road.

As you’re driving to work or to run an errand, we suggest that you exercise additional caution whenever you’re near a big rig in Upland. This can help you avoid a serious crash.

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 responsible for causing or contributing to a big rig wreck in Upland. Our lawyers will carefully investigate the crash and identify all liable parties as we seek compensation.

The Truck Driver

In most truck accident investigations, the driver is the first party scrutinized. If the trucker was rushing to meet a deadline, distracted by a text message, or violating federal safety regulations, they are personally liable for the damages they caused. At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we hold individual drivers accountable for failing to uphold their duty of care to other motorists on the road, ensuring your rights are protected against professional negligence.

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 cultures that force drivers to violate safety laws. These systemic failures often lead to preventable and catastrophic collisions on our roads. At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we aggressively pursue these corporations to ensure they are held accountable for their corporate negligence and the safety violations that caused your injuries.

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 or oversight. If a third-party repair shop or maintenance contractor failed to properly fix critical safety systems like the brakes, steering, or tires, they share legal liability for the crash. We meticulously investigate the vehicle’s maintenance history and service logs to determine if subpar workmanship or skipped inspections contributed to the collision.

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. 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 the loads are secured. If improper loading caused the cargo to shift and led to an accident, the loading company can be held financially responsible. Our trucking accident lawyers investigate the entire chain of events to find the truth.

Local Municipalities

If a government agency failed to maintain a road or designed a hazardous on-ramp or off-ramp that contributed to your semi-truck crash, they may be liable. Our team handles the unique legal challenges and shorter filing deadlines associated with pursuing a claim against a city or state entity in the state of California.

Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Agreement Claim

Many clients ask us about how much their trucking accident case is worth. Each case is different, and our lawyers need to take time to consider how the crash has affected your life. Our semi-truck collision lawyers will be sure to seek compensation that properly covers both 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 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 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 sets strict “hours of service” guidelines to ensure truckers get enough rest.
For example, property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Violating these rules is illegal and a major cause of fatigue-related crashes.
At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we use electronic log data to prove when drivers and companies ignored these laws to hit their targets. This evidence is crucial in establishing negligence and securing the justice you deserve.

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

Yes, you can. California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your final compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For instance, if you are awarded $100,000 but were 10% at fault, you would receive $90,000. 
Trucking companies and their insurers will often try to blame you to avoid paying the full value of your claim. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the roads around Upland ensures that fault is assigned fairly and your recovery is fair.

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

Generally, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit in California is two years from the date of the truck accident. However, time is of the essence.
Trucking companies often have teams on the scene immediately to collect evidence. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file an administrative claim.
Contacting a truck accident attorney early is essential. Our trucking accident lawyers will act quickly to preserve black box data, driver logs, and witness testimony before they are lost or destroyed.