Common Truck Accident Causes in Riverside
Common Truck Accident Causes in Riverside
Thousands of drivers travel Riverside’s highways, local roads, and industrial corridors every day. Mixed in with cars, motorcycles, and delivery vans are semi-trucks—huge vehicles hauling freight across Southern California. When these rigs crash, the outcome is often far worse than a regular traffic accident.
Bentley & More LLP helps Riverside individuals and families who’ve been hurt in truck crashes caused by careless or reckless drivers. Knowing how these accidents happen and what causes them helps you understand your legal options when a poor decision by a trucking company or a truck driver leads to serious harm. Contact a Riverside truck accident lawyer today for the legal help you need.
Big Rigs: The Size of the Problem
Semi-trucks and commercial vehicles don’t move like cars. They weigh more, take longer to stop, and have huge blind spots. The damage is often much worse when these vehicles crash into cars and other passenger vehicles. In Riverside, where major routes like I-215, State Route 60, and I-10 see heavy truck traffic, these wrecks happen more than many think.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, truck-involved accidents cause hundreds of serious injuries each year across the state. Riverside County ranks among the highest counties for accidents involving large trucks. The numbers are not just statistics—they represent families, workers, and children who end up dealing with the fallout.
Bad Brakes and Bald Tires on Trucks
Poor maintenance causes many truck crashes. Many trucking companies cut corners to save time or money, which shows on the road.
Worn-out brakes make it hard for a truck to stop in time. Imagine a fully loaded big rig barreling down the 60 Freeway, only to find traffic suddenly slowing ahead. If the brakes don’t work right, that truck won’t stop until it crushes everything in its path. In fact, during many special truck safety enforcement efforts, it’s not uncommon to see around 15% of inspected trucks put out of service by law enforcement because of bad brakes.
Bald tires are another common problem. They don’t grip the road like they should, especially during rain or extreme heat, both of which are common in Riverside.
You might think inspections would catch these problems, but not all companies take them seriously. Some skip safety checks or lie on reports. State law requires inspections, but enforcement doesn’t always keep up.
Tired Truck Drivers Behind the Wheel
Truckers work long shifts—sometimes too long. Federal rules limit a truck driver’s hours on the road, but drivers might skip breaks, falsify driver logs, or fail to keep them when companies push for faster deliveries.
Tired drivers don’t think clearly. Their reaction time drops. They may nod off behind the wheel for just a second, but that second could end in tragedy.
Riverside sees a lot of overnight trucking. Loads move through the city at all hours, heading to and from warehouses. These late-night routes often involve sleepy drivers trying to finish a shift. For drivers sharing the road, it’s a real risk.
Truckers Speeding and Running Lights
Some truck drivers treat deadlines like a race. They go too fast, roll through red lights, or change lanes without looking. A speeding 18-wheeler won’t stop quickly. The smaller car usually takes the worst of it in a truck accident.
Traffic signals and signs exist for a reason. But people get hurt when drivers ignore them, especially in busy intersections like Magnolia Avenue and Arlington Avenue or Van Buren Boulevard.
Speeding also makes it harder to stay in control. A truck that’s too fast through a curve might flip or jackknife. Either one could block lanes, cause pileups, or crush nearby vehicles.
State law limits truck speeds on highways to 55 mph. But not every driver follows the rules.
Truck Blind Spots and Bad Truck Driver Decisions
Every vehicle has blind spots, but trucks have huge ones. If a car sits just behind or beside a trailer, the trucker might not even know it’s there.
Truckers must check mirrors, use turn signals early, and be sure it’s safe before moving over. But some don’t bother. They change lanes without checking or swing wide during turns, cutting across lanes.
In Riverside’s tight streets or warehouse zones, these careless moves often cause sideswipes or squeeze cars between curbs and trailers. These aren’t just fender benders—some end with crushed cars or deadly injuries.
Truck Cargo Loading Mistakes Cause Trouble
What’s inside the trailer matters, too. A truck that’s loaded wrong may be thrown off balance or even spill its cargo.
An uneven load may cause the trailer to tip during turns or high winds. Loose straps or faulty doors may cause debris to fly onto the road. When heavy equipment or boxes tumble out, nearby drivers often don’t have time to react.
Federal regulations spell out how cargo should be secured. But if a company skips steps or a driver rushes to get on the road, people on the highway pay the price.
Real-World Example: Warehouse Mayhem
A Riverside man driving home from work got caught behind a truck that dropped several metal pipes on the 91 Freeway. The pipes bounced and crushed his windshield. Investigators later found that the load hadn’t been properly secured. That moment of carelessness changed his life.
Some Truckers Are Drunk or High Behind the Wheel
Driving under the influence doesn’t just mean alcohol anymore. Some truckers use drugs, either illegal ones or even medications that affect judgment.
Even though motor carriers are supposed to drug test truck drivers, some miss signs or ignore them altogether.
Some drugs may help truck drivers stay awake. But they also lead to crashes, paranoia, and reckless driving. In other cases, a driver might mix pain meds or sleep aids with long shifts, leading to confusion or drowsiness.
Drunk driving is a problem, too. Despite years of warnings, some truckers still drink before hitting the road. For victims, it’s a nightmare.
Poor Truck Driver Training and Inexperienced Truckers
Some truck companies hire new drivers without much training. Others use temporary workers who haven’t handled big rigs before. Some may not even have the proper driver’s license to be behind the wheel of a big rig. The result? Drivers who don’t know how to operate a commercial truck safely, back into tight spaces, or control a truck during bad weather.
Riverside has seen an increase in warehouse activity, which means more short-haul drivers and delivery trucks. Many of these drivers aren’t used to city driving or heavy traffic. When someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, they often panic, make poor choices, or fail to react quickly.
Unsafe Trucks on Riverside Roads
Some trucks shouldn’t be on the road at all. Rusted frames, broken mirrors, missing lights, and damaged brakes add to the danger. Yet, trucks with these problems still show up every day.
You might see one rolling past on I-10 or stopped at a truck stop. From the outside, it’s hard to tell whether the truck passed inspection or if anyone even bothered.
When companies skip repairs or drivers don’t speak up about issues, everyone else shares the risk.
Port Truck Traffic Through Riverside
Thousands of trucks pass through Riverside each week, hauling cargo to or from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These ports handle about 40% of all containerized imports in the U.S. Much of that freight travels inland through Riverside to warehouses, rail yards, and distribution centers.
This steady flow of port traffic includes semis and overloaded container trucks. Many are on tight delivery schedules, pushing drivers to speed or skip rest breaks. With so many of these vehicles sharing the road with local drivers, the chances of a crash increase, especially on routes like the 91, 60, and I-215.
When Truck Maintenance Records Matter
After a truck accident, one of the first things investigators often dig into is the truck’s maintenance history. These records show whether the company took proper care of its rig or skipped steps to save time or money. Records may reveal worn brakes that were never replaced, tires that should’ve been changed months ago, or inspection forms with missing entries or forged signatures.
When safety checks get skipped or repair issues go unreported, it’s not just a paperwork problem. It means someone made a decision that put others at risk. These records help show whether the trucking company followed safety rules or ignored them. In many cases, they make the difference in proving who caused the crash and why it happened in the first place.
Who Pays When a Truck Driver Makes a Mistake?
If you’re hit by a truck in Riverside, you may need medical care, time off work, or even long-term help. The law gives you the right to seek money from whoever caused the crash. But that’s not always a single person.
Sometimes it’s the truck driver. Other times, it’s the company that hired them, the truck or truck parts manufacturer, or the business that loaded the cargo.
Trucking companies don’t always admit fault. They may send lawyers, deny blame, or try to shift it to you. That’s when having someone who knows how to handle these cases makes a big difference.
Bentley & More LLP helps people in Riverside sort through these wrecks. Our team holds trucking companies, insurance adjusters, and others accountable when their decisions lead to injury.
What You Should Do in the Days and Weeks After a Truck Accident
After a crash with a semi-truck, the following steps you take at home, at the doctor’s office, or when dealing with insurance may shape what happens with your case. Taking the right actions early on helps protect your health and your chances of receiving fair compensation.
- Go to all follow-up doctor appointments. Keep track of new symptoms and don’t skip visits, even if you feel a little better. Medical records create a timeline of your injuries.
- Write down your experience. Make notes about how the crash happened, how you’ve felt since, what daily tasks are harder now, and what’s changed in your life.
- Save everything. This includes medical bills, letters from insurance companies, pay stubs showing missed work, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs like prescriptions or mobility aids.
- Don’t post about the truck accident online. Insurance companies may look through your social media for anything they may twist to downplay your injuries.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney before dealing with insurance adjusters. Trucking companies often send their teams in early to shift blame or pressure you to settle fast for less than you deserve.
If you’re unsure whether you’re doing everything right, that’s a sign to contact an attorney for help. You shouldn’t have to figure all this out alone.
Riverside Roads with a History of Truck Crashes
Some parts of Riverside see more truck wrecks than others. Watch out on these roads:
- Interstate 215, especially near the University Avenue and Central Avenue exits.
- Highway 60 near Market Street and Rubidoux Boulevard.
- The I-10 corridor heading into San Bernardino County.
- Local warehouse zones near Alessandro Boulevard and Perris Boulevard.
These areas mix heavy truck traffic with local drivers, school buses, and rush-hour backups, which is a recipe for crashes.
When Insurance Companies Play Hardball
Truck insurance companies don’t like to pay big claims. That’s why they often act fast after a truck accident, trying to twist your words, blame someone else, or delay everything.
Some even send private investigators to follow you or check your social media. Others argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you say.
You shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. Bentley & More LLP has helped many clients deal with aggressive insurers. We work to get your voice heard and your losses covered.
Getting Answers Without the Runaround
Many clients come to us after feeling pushed around. They’ve sent paperwork, made calls, and waited months, only to hear excuses. We don’t let that slide. If someone refuses to take responsibility, we push back.
Call Bentley & More LLP Today
You didn’t ask for this. A truck driver or trucking company made a bad decision, and now you’re left to deal with it. You deserve clear answers, real help, and fair compensation.
Contact Bentley & More LLP at (949) 870-3800 for a free consultation with a Riverside personal injury lawyer. Our team knows the roads, laws, and tactics trucking companies and their insurers use. We’ll stand with you and work to hold the responsible party accountable.
Don’t wait. Evidence fades, witnesses move, and insurance companies keep playing games. Let’s start your case the right way.