California’s highways are some of the busiest in the country. Every day, thousands of large commercial trucks share the road with smaller passenger vehicles. When a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or delivery truck collides with a car, the results can be devastating. Knowing the common causes of truck accidents in California helps victims recognize what went wrong and how to pursue justice.

Quick Facts – Common Causes of Truck Accidents

At Deldar Legal, we’ve represented countless California drivers who were injured after being struck by large trucks. Most of these collisions could have been prevented. Before we begin explaining the common causes of truck accidents in California, our team put together some quick facts:

Most truck crashes happen because of preventable human or mechanical errors.
Common causes include fatigue, speeding, poor maintenance, and distracted driving.
Victims have a limited time to file claims in California, which is typically two years.
Early investigation and documentation are critical for proving fault.
Deldar Legal offers free case reviews 24/7 when you call us at (844) 335-3271.

1. Truck Driver Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents in California. Truckers drive long hours to meet tight delivery deadlines. Even though federal “hours-of-service” rules limit driving time, violations still happen. This is sometimes encouraged by unrealistic schedules or company pressure to move cargo as quickly as possible.

Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, similar to drunk driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finds that fatigue is a factor in roughly 13% of truck accidents. Here are some signs of fatigue-related crashes:

Truck drifted across lanes before impact
Driver logbook discrepancies
Cell phone or GPS showing extended travel without breaks

An attorney can subpoena electronic logbooks and GPS data to prove hours-of-service violations. This is a key step in proving negligence. It’s important to note trucking companies don’t hand this kind of information over easily unless the law forces them to. Your lawyer having experience with truck accident injury claims will help victims tremendously.

2. Distracted or Negligent Driving

Truck driver negligence is another major problem on California roads. Distraction can come from texting, eating, adjusting GPS devices, or even fatigue itself. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh between 45,000 and 80,000 pounds. One moment of distraction can have catastrophic consequences.

Examples of negligence include:

Texting or using a handheld phone
Following too closely
Failing to signal lane changes
Ignoring weather or traffic conditions

If you suspect distracted driving caused your crash, photos, dashcam footage, and witness statements can make or break your case. California law allows victims to recover compensation under the comparative negligence rule. It means each party involved in the accident may be assigned a percentage of fault. If lawyer can prove the truck driver was distracted it can significantly strengthen your claim.

3. Speeding & Unsafe Maneuvers

Speeding is one of the most common, and deadly, truck accident factors in California. Large trucks need more distance to stop safely. On freeways like the I-5 or I-10, where traffic flows at 70 mph or more, a speeding truck becomes a 40-ton hazard. Unsafe maneuvers include:

Sudden lane changes
Tailgating
Aggressive merging on crowded interchanges

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, speeding remains a top cause of fatal collisions statewide. When a truck driver exceeds the posted limit or drives too fast for road conditions, both the driver and their employer may share liability.

4. Poor Truck Maintenance

California commercial trucks must meet strict maintenance standards. The problem is that sometimes nobody holds trucking companies accountable. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions are frequent culprits behind catastrophic accidents. It’s why we included it on our list of common causes of truck accidents in California.

Common maintenance failures:

Worn brake pads or defective brake lines
Bald or underinflated tires
Faulty lighting or reflectors
Suspension or steering defects

Trucking companies are legally obligated to inspect their vehicles regularly. When maintenance records show skipped inspections or ignored repair recommendations, that evidence can prove negligence in vehicle upkeep. Attorneys will use truck mechanics or an accident reconstructionist to demonstrate these failures.

5. Improper Cargo Loading

Improperly loaded cargo is one of the most overlooked causes of truck accidents. A trailer with uneven weight distribution or unsecured freight can tip over or spill its contents across multiple lanes of the highway. In California, the risk is higher with long, curvy coastal and desert highways and steep mountain passes. Major interstates filled with trucks run through every region of the state.

Examples of Cargo Issues:

Overloaded trailers exceeding weight limits
Cargo not properly tied down or balanced
Hazardous materials loaded without compliance

The liability may extend beyond the driver to third-party loading companies or contractors. In California truck crash investigations, attorneys typically request bills of lading, weight tickets, and photos of the cargo to determine whether negligent loading played a role.

6. Driving Under the Influence or While Impaired

Although most professional truck drivers are careful, impairment is still one of the causes of truck accidents each year. Even small amounts of alcohol, prescription medication, or stimulants can impair a driver’s alertness or reaction time.

California law sets strict limits for commercial drivers: a 0.04% blood-alcohol concentration (half the legal limit for other drivers). When an impaired truck driver causes an injury crash, victims can pursue damages not only from the driver but also from the employer.

Key evidence may include:

Police toxicology reports
Drug test results
Witness statements regarding erratic driving

7. Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers

Handling a big rig takes skill and specialized training. Unfortunately, due to driver shortages, many trucking companies rush new hires through minimal instruction. Inexperienced drivers may panic when faced with sudden hazards, resulting in overcorrection, rollovers, or jackknife crashes.

Training-related issues:

Failure to teach proper braking on downhill grades
Inadequate instruction on securing cargo
Lack of defensive-driving techniques

California law requires motor carriers to ensure all drivers are properly licensed and trained. If training logs or personnel files show negligence, that evidence can directly support your claim.

8. Blind Spots and Unsafe Lane Changes

Trucks have large “no-zones” surrounding the vehicle. These are blind spots along both sides and directly behind the trailer. If a truck driver fails to check these zones before changing lanes, smaller vehicles can easily be sideswiped or forced off the road.

High-risk scenarios:

Truck merging onto congested freeways
Changing lanes without signaling
Turning across multiple lanes in city intersections

In Los Angeles County, where multi-lane freeways meet narrow urban streets, blind-spot collisions are common. Accident reconstruction and dashcam footage can help prove fault when the truck driver claims they “didn’t see” the car.

9. Poor Weather or Road Conditions

Weather is the one most unpredictable causes of truck accidents in California. Even the best drivers struggle with heavy rain, fog, or mountain winds. But truck drivers must take extra precautions like slowing down, increasing following distances, and adjusting for slippery roads.

Common contributing factors:

Hydroplaning on wet pavement
Blowing debris on desert highways
Reduced visibility during wildfires or fog
Snowy or icy conditions on mountain roads

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reports thousands of weather-related crashes each year. When a truck driver fails to adjust speed or braking for poor conditions, it may constitute negligence.

10. Violating Hours-of-Service or Safety Regulations

Federal law limits most long-haul truckers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Some companies, however, push drivers to ignore these limits, creating dangerous fatigue and logbook falsification.

Red flags of violations:

Inconsistent mileage vs. time logged
GPS data showing nonstop driving
“Paper logs” altered to hide over-the-limit hours

Truck accident attorneys can subpoena the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data to prove these violations. Demonstrating that the trucking company encouraged or ignored unsafe schedules can significantly increase liability in your case.

11. Defective Parts or Equipment Failure

Sometimes, a crash results from faulty components: defective tires, brakes, or couplings. Even if recent maintenance was performed, trucks can still have issues. In these cases, manufacturers or distributors may also bear responsibility under product liability law. Examples of defective components include:

Tire blowouts due to manufacturing flaws
Faulty brake systems or air lines
Steering or coupling system malfunctions

People may not think that equipment is one of the causes of truck accidents you need to worry about. However, when mechanical evidence points to defective parts, your lawyer may work with engineers to identify whether the part failed due to poor design, manufacturing error, or inadequate warning labels.

Causes of Truck Accidents – What You Should Do Next

In California, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. If the truck belonged to a government entity, you may have as little as six months to submit an administrative claim first. Missing these deadlines could bar you from recovery. For your best chance at receiving fair compensation, here is what you need to do:

Call 911 and request a police report (CHP or local law enforcement).
Seek medical care immediately, even minor pain may signal internal injury.
Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, license plates, and injuries.
Get driver and company information, including DOT number.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies.
Contact a California truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Damages You May Recover in Causes of Truck Accidents

These common causes of truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, including spinal injuries, broken bones, and brain trauma. Compensation may include:

Economic damages – Medical bills, lost income, property repair
Non-economic damages – Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Future costs – Rehabilitation, long-term care, mobility aids

Contacting a California Truck Accident Lawyer

No attorney can guarantee an outcome, but Deldar Legal fights to maximize your recovery under California law. California has one of the nation’s highest volumes of commercial-truck traffic from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties in Southern California to San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Alameda Counties in Northern California. Knowing the common causes of truck accidents and the risks can help you stay alert and helps injured victims understand why accountability matters.

Call Deldar Today

At Deldar Legal, we’re more than just attorneys, we’re your partners in recovery. If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve a top-rated truck accident injury attorney in California who will fight for your rights and help you rebuild your life. From the moment you contact us, we handle everything, from medical appointments and transportation to insurance negotiations and legal paperwork, so you can focus on healing.

Our experienced team represents clients across a wide range of personal injury cases, including:

Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Slip-and-fall and premises liability claims
Dog bites and animal attacks
Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic injuries
Wrongful death of a loved one

Deldar Legal is here to help. We offer free consultations and work on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no risk in reaching out.

Call us today at (844) 335-3271 or contact us to speak with an experienced California injury lawyer. Let Deldar Legal fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.