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Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Lawyer Serving the Bay Area

Truck accident attorney Bay Area

Experienced Representation for Victims of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Contra Costa Counties

Truck accidents are among the most devastating collisions on California roads. A fully loaded semi-truck or tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, leaving victims of smaller vehicles with catastrophic injuries or fatal outcomes.

At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we fight for individuals and families whose lives have been changed by negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and commercial carriers. With over two decades of experience in personal injury and complex litigation, Attorney Ginny Walia provides the skill, tenacity, and compassion needed to win against large trucking corporations and their insurers.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

We represent victims injured in all types of truck and commercial vehicle collisions, including:

  • Semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents
  • Delivery truck and box-truck crashes (FedEx, UPS, Amazon, etc.)
  • Construction vehicle or dump truck accidents
  • Tow truck and flatbed accidents
  • Garbage truck collisions
  • Accidents caused by truck driver fatigue, intoxication, or distraction
  • Accidents involving overloaded or improperly secured cargo
  • Underride and jackknife accidents
  • Multi-vehicle pileups involving commercial trucks

Our firm handles both private trucking company cases and publicly owned or contracted vehicle cases under California law.

Understanding Truck Accident Liability in California

Truck accident cases are often complex, involving multiple responsible parties such as:

  • Truck drivers - for negligent driving, fatigue, or substance use
  • Trucking companies - for negligent hiring, supervision, or overworking drivers
  • Vehicle or parts manufacturers - for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems
  • Cargo loaders and shippers - for unbalanced or improperly secured loads
  • Maintenance contractors - for failure to maintain safe vehicles

Under California negligence law, all parties whose actions contributed to the crash can be held liable for damages. Because commercial trucking is heavily regulated at both the state and federal levels (including FMCSA regulations), violations of those rules can significantly strengthen a victim's case.

Key California and Federal Trucking Regulations

Truck drivers and companies operating in California must follow:

  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for hours of service, driver qualifications, and vehicle inspections
  • California Vehicle Code §§ 34500–34520, governing commercial vehicle safety standards
  • Strict maintenance, logbook, and rest break requirements
  • State weight and cargo limitations

Any violation of these laws can demonstrate negligence per se - automatically supporting liability for the crash.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Some of the most frequent causes include:

  • Driver fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel
  • Distracted driving (texting, GPS use, etc.)
  • Speeding or unsafe lane changes
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Poor truck maintenance or brake failure
  • Overloaded or unsecured cargo
  • Negligent hiring and training practices

Our legal team conducts independent investigations, working with accident reconstructionists, black-box data analysts, and safety experts to uncover the truth and identify all liable parties.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Due to their massive size and impact force, truck accidents often result in:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Multiple fractures or amputations
  • Severe burns and crush injuries
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims

We partner with medical and economic experts to ensure that the full scope of physical, emotional, and financial harm is properly documented.

Damages You May Recover

Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to significant compensation for:

  • Medical expenses and future treatment
  • Lost income and reduced earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death damages (for surviving family members)

Because trucking companies often carry multi-million-dollar insurance policies, it's crucial to have an attorney who knows how to negotiate aggressively and litigate effectively when insurers attempt to minimize payouts.

Truck Accident Cases Across the Bay Area

Ginny Walia Law Offices proudly serves clients throughout:

  • Alameda County: Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro
  • Santa Clara County: San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto
  • Contra Costa County: Concord, Walnut Creek, Richmond, Antioch
  • San Joaquin County: Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, Manteca

We are deeply familiar with the high-traffic corridors where truck accidents frequently occur - including I-880, I-580, I-680, Highway 101, and I-5 - and understand how to deal with local law enforcement agencies and insurance adjusters across jurisdictions.

Why Clients Choose Ginny Walia Law Offices

  • 20+ years of litigation experience in serious injury and wrongful death cases
  • Successful track record against commercial insurers and corporate defendants
  • Personalized client service - every case handled directly by Attorney Ginny Walia
  • Contingency-fee representation - you pay nothing unless we win
  • Bilingual services (English and Punjabi) and deep community ties throughout the Bay Area

Our firm combines the resources of a large firm with the individual attention of a boutique practice.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

If you've been injured in a truck collision:

  1. Call 911 and obtain medical attention immediately.
  2. Do not discuss fault with the truck driver or company representatives.
  3. Gather photos, witness names, and license plate or DOT numbers if possible.
  4. Request a copy of the police report.
  5. Contact a truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurance adjusters.

Because trucking companies often deploy their own investigators immediately after a crash, time is critical - early legal intervention can preserve vital evidence like electronic logging device (ELD) data and maintenance records.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or commercial vehicle accident anywhere in the Bay Area, contact Ginny Walia Law Offices today. We represent clients in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Contra Costa Counties - and we don't get paid unless we win your case.

Request Free Consultation Call +1 (800) 379-9330

Truck Accident FAQs

Your safety is the top priority. Call 911, seek medical attention, and ensure a police report is filed. If possible, gather photos of the scene, vehicle damage, license plates, and witness information. Avoid speaking to the truck driver's insurance company before consulting an attorney — their goal is to minimize your claim.

Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loader, vehicle manufacturer, and maintenance contractors. Determining liability requires investigation of logbooks, electronic data (ELDs), maintenance records, and employment documents — all of which your attorney will obtain to build your case.

California uses a comparative negligence system, meaning more than one party can share fault. Even if you were partially responsible, you can still recover damages proportional to the other party's percentage of fault. Your attorney will use evidence such as police reports, black box data, and expert testimony to establish liability.

Truck accident cases are more complex because they involve federal and state trucking regulations, multiple insurance policies, and commercial entities with powerful legal teams. The severity of injuries and property damage is also much greater due to the size and weight of trucks.

Under California's statute of limitations (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If a government entity (such as a city or county vehicle) is involved, you must file an administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act.

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and ongoing care, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and wrongful death (if applicable). An experienced truck accident attorney ensures that all damages — economic and non-economic — are fully calculated before settlement negotiations.

At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or court verdict.

Crucial evidence can include truck "black box" or electronic logging device (ELD) data, driver's logbooks and employment records, truck maintenance and inspection reports, photos and video footage from dashcams or surveillance, and police and accident reconstruction reports. Preserving this evidence early is critical — trucking companies often act quickly to protect themselves.

Yes. Trucking companies are typically vicariously liable for the actions of their drivers while performing job duties. They can also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or failing to maintain their vehicles.

Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of injuries, medical costs, impact on earning ability, and degree of fault. Our team at Ginny Walia Law Offices conducts a full evaluation to determine the fair value of your claim and fights to maximize your recovery.

With over 20 years of litigation experience and a proven record in personal injury law, Ginny Walia provides dedicated, strategic representation for truck accident victims. We know how to handle powerful trucking insurers and corporate defendants — and we're committed to getting justice for our clients across the Bay Area, including Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Contra Costa Counties.