If you’ve been in a truck accident in San Francisco, you need a lawyer who will fight tirelessly for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’re proud of our 99% success rate and have recovered over $980 million dollars for our clients. We are the San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyers you need .

Truck accidents can be devastating, causing serious injuries, property damage, and even death.

If you were hurt in a crash with a semi, big rig, or other commercial vehicle, you need a San Francisco truck accident lawyer who moves fast to preserve black-box and electronic logging data and builds a case for full compensation.

GJEL has an over 99% success rate and has recovered more than $950 million for injured clients.

Looking for related help right now? See our what to do after accidents in San Francisco checklist or speak with a lawyer at 415‑986‑4777.

a truck and a car on the road

A qualified truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, deal with insurance companies, and get the compensation you deserve. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about finding the right truck accident lawyer in San Francisco.

Learn about GJEL and meet our San Francisco personal injury lawyers.

Why You Need a San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer:

Truck accidents can be more complicated than other types of accidents, and they often involve more parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck manufacturer.

That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents and has experience dealing with these types of cases. Here are some reasons why you need a San Francisco truck accident lawyer:

  • They can help you investigate the accident: A good truck accident attorney will have the resources to investigate the accident thoroughly, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing police reports.
  • They can deal with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with a serious injury. A truck accident lawyer can handle the negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve.
  • They can help you file a lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to pay or offers a low settlement, a truck accident lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
  • They can help you get the compensation you deserve: A truck accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Table of contents

Verified 2023 truck safety facts

Replace older statistics with the current national data below. Each fact links to the source.

  • 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2023. [1]
  • An estimated 153,452 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2023. [1]
  • 70% of people killed in large-truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles. [1]
  • 76% of fatal large-truck crashes happened on weekdays. [1]
  • Large trucks accounted for about 9% of vehicles involved in fatal crashes nationally. [1]

San Francisco context. City data show 26 traffic deaths in 2023, and a High Injury Network where a small share of streets see most severe and fatal crashes. [2] [3]

Why truck crash claims are different

  • Critical evidence expires fast. Event data recorder (ECM), electronic logging device (ELD) hours, dispatch notes, driver qualification files, and maintenance records can be lost or overwritten if holds are not sent immediately.
  • Federal and state rules apply. Hours-of-service, vehicle inspection and maintenance, and minimum insurance requirements shape liability and recovery. [4] [5]
  • Multiple liable parties. Carriers, brokers, shippers, loaders, maintenance vendors, and parts manufacturers can share fault.

San Francisco context and local resources

We serve clients across the Bay Area and file cases in the San Francisco Superior Court, Civic Center Courthouse. [6] The city’s only Level I trauma center is Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. [7]

How our San Francisco truck accident lawyers investigate

  • Preservation letters to secure ELD data, ECM downloads, driver logs, DVIRs, and maintenance files
  • Scene and vehicle inspections with reconstruction experts and high-resolution photography
  • Public records requests for police reports, body-worn camera, and traffic camera footage
  • Cargo and loading analysis to identify shipper, loader, and broker duties
  • Medical causation and damages linking treatment records to the mechanism of injury

Who can be liable

  • Truck driver and motor carrier
  • Broker, shipper, or cargo loading firm
  • Maintenance contractor or parts manufacturer
  • Other negligent road users
  • Public entity for a dangerous road condition

Insurance, minimums, and MCS‑90

Many commercial carriers must carry at least $750,000 in public liability coverage, with higher minimums for hazardous materials. Policies often include an MCS‑90 endorsement that ensures payment of judgments to protect the public. [5]

  • Freight carriers: $750,000 to $5,000,000 depending on cargo [5]
  • Passenger carriers: $1,500,000 to $5,000,000 depending on seating capacity [5]

We identify all policies, endorsements, and excess layers early so no coverage is missed.

Comparative negligence in California

California uses pure comparative negligence, which means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred. The rule comes from Li v. Yellow Cab Co. [8]

Your claim timeline in California

  • Most injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years. Property damage is typically 3 years. [9]
  • Claims against a government entity usually require a claim within 6 months before a lawsuit, with special rules after rejection. [10]
  • Act fast so we can send litigation holds and preserve evidence from carriers and insurers.

Compensation you can pursue

  • Medical bills and future care
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property repair or replacement
  • Punitive damages in qualifying cases

What to do after a truck accident in San Francisco

  • Call 911 and get medical care
  • Photograph vehicles, skid marks, DOT numbers, and company branding if safe
  • Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before you speak with an attorney
  • Save bills, pay stubs, and a symptom journal
  • Contact a San Francisco truck accident lawyer promptly to preserve ELD and ECM data

For a step by step checklist, see what to do after accidents in San Francisco.

Recent results

Truck collision injury case: $420,000 settlement for a California client after a truck vs. auto crash. Results depend on facts. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Read the case summary.

FAQs

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Most personal injury lawsuits are 2 years from the injury. Property damage is generally 3 years. Claims against government entities usually require a claim within 6 months first. [9] [10]

Do I need a lawyer if the trucking insurer already called me?

Yes. Carriers move fast to limit exposure. A lawyer protects your rights, preserves evidence, and manages communications while you focus on treatment.

What are hours of service rules for truck drivers?

For property carriers, the federal summary includes an 11 hour driving limit after 10 hours off duty, a 14 hour on duty window, and a 30 minute break after 8 hours of driving. [4]

What insurance coverage applies to my case?

Most freight carriers must carry at least $750,000 in public liability coverage, with higher minimums for hazardous cargo, and many policies include an MCS‑90 endorsement. [5]

Related San Francisco resources

Depending on your situation, you may also want to speak with our San Francisco personal injury lawyers, San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyers, San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers, San Francisco bicycle accident lawyers resource, San Francisco electric scooter accident lawyers, San Francisco scooter accident lawyers, San Francisco brain injury attorney, San Francisco wrongful death attorney, and San Francisco wrongful death settlements. For a broader overview, review our dedicated San Francisco truck accident lawyers resource and this San Francisco truck accident page. If a loved one was lost in a crash, see our San Francisco fatal accident lawyers.

Free case review: Call 415‑986‑4777 or submit our form. Offices at 883 Sacramento St apt a, San Francisco, CA 94108.

Sources

By Andrew R. Gillin, Founding Partner • California Bar #45226
Last updated: September 9, 2025

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