San Diego Truck Accident Attorney

The rules of the road don't mean much when an 80,000-pound truck veers out of its lane, crashes through a guardrail, flips on a curve, or rear-ends a stopped vehicle. When that happens on the I-5, I-8, or a crowded Mission Valley interchange, lives change in seconds.

San Diego highways carry more commercial truck traffic than most people realize—construction hauls from El Cajon, military convoys from Point Loma, freight from the port, and cross-border deliveries from Otay Mesa. These trucks move fast and weigh more than 40 tons. When something goes wrong, the injuries are severe, and recovery is never quick.

The law gives you the right to take action. That matters when medical bills keep coming in, when someone in your family can't walk, work, or drive again, and when the trucking company already has its investigators working on a defense.

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we've spent the last 47 years standing up to trucking companies, insurance carriers, and state agencies on behalf of people in San Diego. We've recovered more than $2 billion for clients since our founding, not because we chase big numbers but because we take people's lives seriously.

We know your story is more than the crash report. If you were injured in a truck accident, call (619) 236-9363 or contact us online to speak with a top-rated San Diego truck accident lawyer.

"I not only recommend attorney Vince Bartolotta, but I guarantee once you have used his service, you too will look no further. He responds in an extremely timely manner; he is a very knowledgeable and trustworthy person. There is no other attorney that will work as hard for you."

‍— Emily F., Client, San Diego, CA

People Over Corporations. Always.

You're likely not here just for answers. You want things back to normal—to be able to pay for your care, stay in your home, support your family, and understand what comes next.

We're here to help with that.

We've handled truck crash cases across San Diego County—from the I-5 near La Jolla to Otay Mesa Road's industrial zones—and we've seen what families face after a wreck:

• Emergency surgery at UC San Diego or Scripps,
• Time missed from school for a child with serious injuries,
• Calls from multiple insurance companies within days, and
• Lingering trauma from the sound and force of the crash itself.

These are heavy moments. Most people are unsure of what to do first. That's okay. We do.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement—Here's Why

After a truck crash, you may get a call from an insurance adjuster asking for a "quick statement" or "your side of the story." That recording can seem harmless, especially when they act like they want to help. But their real goal is to gather information that shrinks their own company's financial responsibility.

People often feel pressured into saying they "feel okay" or they "didn't see what happened." These comments can be taken out of context later, even if you were still in shock or unaware of your injuries at the time.

Let us speak on your behalf. You're never required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer, and insurance companies cannot penalize you for protecting your rights. A San Diego trucking accidents attorney can handle those conversations the right way, at the right time.

Two Examples: What Accountability Can Look Like

We don't share case results to sound impressive. We share them to show what hard work and persistence can give back to real people when others try to deny responsibility.

$1.55 Million for Injured Child in Truck Crash

A tractor-trailer ran over a 12-year-old pedestrian. The child lost part of their foot. The company refused to accept full blame. We fought back and helped the family secure the resources they needed for prosthetics, treatment, and lifelong support.

$6.25 Million After an I-5 Freeway Head-On Collision

A Halliburton employee lost control of a vehicle coming off the shoulder and slammed directly into our client's van. The impact caused a traumatic brain injury. Our work revealed the role of both the driver and the state's poor maintenance. The result: a life-changing settlement that made care possible.

Trucking Routes Grow—So Has the Risk in San Diego

San Diego's expanding infrastructure has increased truck traffic across the region. According to Caltrans, the I-5 corridor and Otay Mesa Port of Entry now see thousands of daily truck crossings. The inland freeway system, including I-15, SR-52, and SR-78, remains heavily trafficked by freight carriers and contracting crews.

Where trucks go, risk follows.

San Diego County transportation studies show that Escondido, Chula Vista, and downtown San Diego report rising rates of truck-involved accidents. Tight merging lanes, sharp curves, and poor weather near the mountains and coastal zones all contribute.

When a truck operator loses focus, even for seconds, families pay the price.

Why Truck Crashes Are Different in San Diego

Truck crashes follow different rules compared to car-on-car collisions. These large vehicles cause more severe injuries, introduce greater legal complexity, and necessitate a distinct type of investigation.

Our San Diego Truck crash lawyers see this in cases involving:

• Fatigued drivers missing rest breaks,
• Brake failure from skipped maintenance protocols,
• Unsecured cargo loads impacting balance or breaking loose,
• Drivers under the influence while hauling at night, and
• Companies falsifying logbooks or ignoring regulations.

Unlike passenger car crashes, truck accidents often involve:

• Out-of-state corporate trucking companies;
• Federal transportation rules and commercial regulations;
• Fast-acting defense teams hired by insurers;
• Vehicle black box systems that erase data if not preserved; and
• More than one party, such as the trucking company, loader, or parts supplier, all share the blame.

We know the playbook trucking companies use to cover themselves. Our job is to counter it, document what happened, and hold every responsible party accountable.

"Winning isn't enough. We want to leave every client in a stronger place than where they started."

— Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr., Founding Partner & San Diego Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer 

Truck accident victims in San Diego deserve straight answers, support, and someone in their corner. Call (619) 236-9363 or message us online to schedule a free case review with an experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer.

What Happens After You Reach Out to a San Diego Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer?

Many people worry contacting a law firm means they're "suing someone" right away. That's far from true.

Here's a typical timeline for a truck accident claim in San Diego:

1. You contact our firm: We listen, ask questions, and review your situation. This initial consultation is free.
2. We investigate: Our team gathers records, crash reports, video evidence, black box data, medical reports, and witness statements.
3. You get medical treatment and support: You keep healing. We stay in touch. We begin preparing your claim.
4. We file a claim: This can involve dealing with the trucking company's insurance. If they don't treat the claim fairly, we prepare for trial.
5. We fight for resolution: This could mean a strong negotiated settlement or pursuing the case in court so that your voice is heard.

Most cases settle before trial. Every step along the way, we check-in, and you stay in control.

Truck Crashes Reshape Daily Life

Accidents involving 18-wheelers leave damage that's both visible and invisible. We've worked with San Diegans who:

• Spent months relearning how to walk;
• Struggled with memory and speech after severe head trauma;
• Faced daily pain from spinal injuries;
• Needed ramps, retrofit showers, home modifications; and
• Lost a loved one in a split-second collision.

California law allows compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, future care, and quality-of-life adjustments. But insurance companies often skip past that. They see an urgent financial problem and offer quick payouts that fall far short of what's needed.

Before saying yes to the first offer, talk to a San Diego truck accident attorney who knows what your case is worth and how to pursue justice without dragging out the process.

We Can Help Even if Fault Is Uncertain

Truck wrecks can be chaotic. Sometimes, both drivers make mistakes, or the whole story doesn't come out right away. You might be asking yourself:

"Can I still get help if I might have contributed to the crash?"

Yes, and we encourage you to speak with a San Diego big rig accident attorney before deciding what you can or can't pursue.

California follows a pure comparative fault system. That means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your outcome would reflect your level of responsibility, but it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Here's how we help protect that outcome:

• We look at company maintenance records, black box data, and loading logs.
• We identify all potential contributors, not just you and the truck driver.
• We challenge insurance tactics that unfairly shift blame onto injured victims.

You don't need to be perfect to deserve help. You just need someone willing to look at the full picture and fight for your side of it.

Why San Diegans Turn to Us

When you're dealing with a life-changing truck crash, choosing the right San Diego truck accident lawyer may be the most important decision you make.

A Martindale-Nolo survey found that people who worked with experienced law firms in truck accident cases recovered significantly more compensation than those who handled things alone. 

That's not surprising. Tractor-trailer crashes are complicated. Multiple insurance policies could be involved. Companies often rush to control the story and minimize the claim, and without guidance, it's easy to say or sign something that comes back to hurt your case.

The same national survey also asked people what mattered most in an attorney. The top answers?

• Communication,
• Honesty,
• Trust, and
• Responsiveness.

That's become our framework. We call back fast. We explain the law clearly. We show our work. We move cases forward, and we don't hand your file off to someone who's not prepared.

For nearly five decades, San Diegans have put their trust in Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire because we understand how crashes occur, which hospitals treat the most severe injuries, and how local courts evaluate complex injury claims. Whether your wreck happened on Harbor Drive, the I-15, or up near San Marcos, we've probably handled a case within a few blocks, and we're ready to help.

We Put in the Work. You Get the Support.

San Diego truck accident victims face enough without worrying whether their lawyer is paying attention. We handle that. While you focus on getting better or helping your loved one recover, we get to work gathering evidence, identifying who is responsible, and ensuring your story is heard.

Call (619) 236-9363 or message us now for a no-cost case review. Our lawyers live in San Diego. Our reputation stands on the cases we've taken here. You're why we do this.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents