San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer

If a collision with a commercial truck injures you on I-5, SR-163, or another busy San Diego route, you know how quickly everything can change. Between medical bills, time off work, and the uncertainty of recovery, it’s a heavy burden to carry. 

An experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer can make a difference in your life today by protecting your right to full and fair compensation for all your injuries and losses. 

At Walton Law, APC, we’ve stood beside crash victims and their families across Southern California. We know how hard it is to get fair treatment when you're up against companies with entire legal departments working to minimize your claim. 

You don’t have to handle this on your own. Let us help you seek the compensation you need to heal and move forward.

---

Schedule a Free Consultation

---

Why Choose Walton Law, APC for Your San Diego Truck Accident Case?

Choosing the right attorney isn’t just about hiring someone with the right credentials—it’s about working with a legal team that understands what you're going through and knows how to take real action on your behalf.

At Walton Law, APC, we don’t take every case that comes through the door. We believe each client deserves personalized attention and a legal strategy tailored to their specific situation. 

We purposely maintain a selective caseload so we can dedicate the time, focus, and resources that serious truck accident claims require. Our team of San Diego personal injury lawyers has recovered millions for injury victims by holding negligent drivers, freight companies, and insurers accountable.

San Diego's trucking corridors are complex, with a mix of dense urban traffic and commercial transport routes. Successfully resolving these cases requires not only sharp legal skill but also familiarity with local roadways, truck routes, and California’s transportation regulations. That’s what we bring to the table—and more.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

Collisions involving commercial trucks often result in far more serious injuries than crashes between passenger cars. That’s because trucks weigh 20 times more than an average car and sit much higher off the ground. When something goes wrong, smaller vehicles absorb most of the impact, and their occupants often suffer life-altering harm.

Truck accidents can involve many different kinds of incidents, including:

• Jackknife accidents, where the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab
• Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer
• Override crashes where a truck drives over the back of a smaller vehicle
• Rollovers caused by speed, sharp turns, or shifting cargo
• Blind spot collisions occur when drivers fail to see vehicles alongside them
• Cargo spills that scatter debris or hazardous materials into traffic

San Diego has several truck accident hotspots, particularly along I-8, I-15, and SR-94. The Otay Mesa Port of Entry, with its constant commercial freight activity, sees frequent truck traffic and occasional crashes. Intersections near downtown and the merge near the I-805 corridor are also well-known danger zones.

Truck Accidents in San Diego

In one recent year, San Diego County authorities recorded 406 commercial truck accidents. Those crashes injured more than 200 people and claimed seven lives. These incidents reflect a larger pattern: San Diego ranks second in California for truck accidents, behind only Los Angeles. 

Southern California’s challenges are unique. With its massive population, busy international ports, and high traffic volume, commercial vehicle accidents occur more often here than almost anywhere else in the country. In fact, California consistently ranks second in the nation behind Texas for states with the most commercial truck accidents.

In one recent year, California recorded 13,603 commercial truck crashes statewide. Of those, 459 were fatal, and 4,172 resulted in injuries.

San Diego’s combination of urban congestion, high-volume shipping, and complicated highway interchanges creates conditions where devastating truck crashes occur with alarming frequency.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Truck crashes are rarely “accidents” in the true sense. They typically stem from preventable problems like risky behavior and poor maintenance.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Speeding or aggressive driving by impatient or careless operators
• Driver fatigue from long hours behind the wheel without rest
• Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or using a navigation device
• Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo that shifts or causes an imbalance
• Mechanical failure from worn brakes, bald tires, or neglected repairs
• Poor weather conditions that make braking or visibility difficult
• Inadequate driver training, especially in handling difficult terrain or urban traffic
• Failure to follow traffic laws, including unsafe lane changes or failure to yield

Truck accident causes hold the key to identifying what parties may be held liable, and to pursuing the maximum compensation available for resulting injuries and fatalities. An experienced truck accident lawyer with Walton Law, APC, will investigate your case to determine what happened and why.

Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?

You might wonder whether your situation “qualifies” for a legal claim. The truth is, if you were hurt because someone else acted carelessly, you may have grounds for compensation.

Truck accident claims for personal injury and wrongful death are based on negligence. In legal terms, that means someone failed to use reasonable care.

To succeed in a truck accident case, your lawyer must demonstrate that:

1. The truck driver or another party owed you a duty of care: This means they had a legal responsibility to drive safely and follow the rules of the road.
2. They breached that duty by acting carelessly or recklessly: For example, they may have been speeding, distracted, or failed to maintain the truck properly.
3. That breach caused the crash: In other words, their careless actions directly led to the accident that injured you.
4. You suffered injuries or financial losses as a result: This includes things like medical bills, lost income, or pain from your injuries.

In plain terms, if someone made a preventable mistake, like speeding, ignoring traffic signs, or failing to secure a load, and you were hurt because of it, you may be entitled to seek damages.

Don’t Fight with the Insurance Companies

After a serious truck crash, it won’t take long for the phone calls to start. Insurance adjusters representing the trucking company may reach out to you, sometimes within days. They may sound helpful. They might even offer you a settlement right away.

But here’s the truth: those offers rarely reflect the full value of your losses.

Trucking companies have powerful insurance carriers with one goal: to limit their liability. They want to pay out as little as possible, and they count on injured people not knowing what their claim is truly worth. Signing something too soon could prevent you from getting the compensation you really need for ongoing treatment, lost income, or future care.

You don’t have to deal with them. At Walton Law, APC, we’ll handle all communications with the insurers from the moment we take your case. That way, you can focus on healing while we focus on holding the right people accountable.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties. Unlike a typical car accident, liability in a commercial trucking case may extend beyond just the driver.

Depending on the facts of your case, one or more of the following may be held accountable:

• Truck driver – for negligent actions like speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued
• Trucking company – for poor hiring practices, inadequate training, or failure to maintain the vehicle
• Cargo loaders – if improper loading contributed to instability or caused a spill
• Truck maintenance providers – if faulty repairs or skipped inspections led to mechanical failure
• Manufacturers – when a defective truck part played a role in the crash
• Third-party drivers – if someone else’s actions caused the truck to lose control

Determining who is legally responsible requires a deep dive into the events leading up to the crash. Our legal team works with investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and industry professionals to uncover the truth and build a case that stands up to scrutiny.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents often lead to severe, life-altering injuries due to the sheer force of impact. These injuries can require long-term care, multiple surgeries, or even permanent disability.

Injuries our San Diego truck accident lawyers have seen in helping survivors of  commercial truck crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Often caused by sudden blows to the head or whiplash-like movement, TBIs can affect memory, coordination, and personality.
• Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spine can result in partial or full paralysis, affecting independence and mobility.
• Bone fractures – From compound leg fractures to crushed ribs, broken bones are common in high-impact collisions.
• Internal injuries – Blunt force trauma can harm internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or organ failure.
• Burns – Fires from fuel tank ruptures or chemical cargo can lead to second- or third-degree burns.
• Amputations – Severe crush injuries or trapped limbs may require surgical removal.
• Soft tissue injuries – Torn ligaments, deep bruising, and muscle damage can cause pain and long-term complications.
• Psychological trauma – Anxiety, PTSD, and depression are just as real as physical injuries and can profoundly affect daily life.

When you’ve suffered a serious injury, your recovery is more than just physical; it’s emotional, financial, and deeply personal. Our team of truck accident lawyers in San Diego will fight for compensation that reflects the full scope of what you’ve lost.

What Compensation Is Available to Truck Accident Victims?

After a truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation, known legally as damages, for both economic and non-economic losses. These are meant to make you whole again and account for every way the injury has affected your life.

Economic damages

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)
• In-home care or medical devices

Non-economic damages 

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)

Wrongful Death Damages

If the accident caused the death of a loved one, wrongful death damages may also be available, covering funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. These damages are meant to punish especially reckless or intentional conduct, and to deter similar behavior in the future. A trucking company that routinely hires unqualified or dangerous truck drivers, for instance, may find itself on the hook for punitive damages in a truck accident case. 

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Truck Accident Cases

When you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, questions start piling up quickly—about deadlines, liability, compensation, and what to expect. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from San Diego truck accident victims, along with straightforward answers to help guide you forward.

How Can a Lawyer Help with My San Diego Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident cases can involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, insurance adjusters, and extensive paperwork. Having a legal advocate means you won’t have to juggle all of that while recovering.

At Walton Law, APC, we handle every part of your case:

• Investigating the crash and collecting critical evidence
• Identifying all liable parties
• Communicating with insurers and opposing counsel
• Calculating your damages with the help of medical and financial experts
• Negotiating for a full settlement or preparing for trial if necessary

You deserve time to focus on your health and family. We take the legal burden off your shoulders and put our energy into getting results.

Contact the San Diego Truck Accident Lawyers at Walton Law, APC Today

The weeks and months that follow a truck accident aren’t just paperwork and claims—they’re about trying to regain stability after something violent and unexpected disrupted your life. You might feel pain that doesn’t go away, or face bills that keep piling up and the pressure of missing work while trying to keep everything together.

At Walton Law, APC, we don't see you as a case file or a claim number. We see a person who needs answers, respect, and a legal team that’s ready to do the hard work, not just make promises.

From the moment you reach out, we’re committed to giving you clarity, confidence, and the kind of representation that makes a real difference in the outcome of your case. If a truck crash in San Diego has turned your world sideways, let’s talk about how we can help set things right. No pressure. Just a conversation about your options and what comes next. Call us at (858) 384-3320 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.

Schedule a Free Consultation

---

Walton Law, A.P.C. - San Diego Office

Address: 12555 High Bluff Dr Suite 333
San Diego, CA 92130

Phone: (858) 384-3320