Riverside sees plenty of commercial activity, which means commercial vehicles like semi-trailers, delivery trucks, and delivery vans are often weaving in and out of the city. The 91 and 60 highways are constantly flooded with commercial semi-trailers trying to make it to their destination. The frequency in which commercial vehicles operate in the city of Riverside increases the inevitability of commercial vehicle accidents. Keep reading to learn more about what causes commercial vehicle accidents, why you should consider filing a claim after these accident types, and how our Riverside commercial vehicle accident lawyers from BD&J can help in your fight for compensation!
What are Riverside Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
According to UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System, from January to September 2025, Riverside saw more than 60 truck crashes, with 82 injured victims overall. A commercial vehicle accident occurs when a vehicle used to transport cargo for business purposes (such as semi-trailers, delivery vans, buses, etc.) collides with another smaller vehicle, motorcycle, or pedestrian. Common commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Sideswipe accidents: Sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle’s side makes contact with another vehicle’s side, often as a scrape or direct hit. Due to the size and width of commercial vehicles, sideswipe accidents are fairly common.
- Head-on collisions: A head-on collision happens when two vehicles who are traveling in different directions collide headfirst. The largeness of commercial vehicles can lead to a greater impact and damages for other involved vehicles.
- Wide-turn accidents: A wide-turn accident occurs when a large commercial truck swings to the left to complete a right turn, impacting other vehicles in its vicinity. A wide-turn accident can also happen when a truck swings outward to turn, and a smaller car squeezes into the right lane next to the truck, getting swiped or crushed in the process.
- Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents happen when a large commercial vehicle tips onto its side and/or roof due to shifting weight and an off-balanced center of gravity. This type of accident often occurs when commercial vehicles are turning curves or speeding, and can have the most fatal consequences for all drivers involved.
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Why Do Commercial Vehicle Accidents Happen?
Commercial vehicle accidents can happen due to various reasons, such as:
Speeding
Speeding is regarded as one of the most common reasons for any type of vehicle accident, and commercial vehicle accidents are no different. Many commercial drivers are on tight deadlines to complete deliveries within allotted time frames, causing them to often speed when they shouldn’t. California law states that commercial trucks should be traveling 55 mph on highways, but this is not always the case.
Driver Fatigue
Property-carrying commercial drivers must not work more than 11 hours daily, but tight deadlines and pressure from employers can cause them to work longer shifts with fewer or no breaks in between. This is why driver fatigue, with symptoms of drowsiness, slow reaction times, and hazy vision, can be a significant cause of commercial vehicle accidents.
Did drowsy driving cause your Riverside commercial vehicle accident? Speak with the BD&J team 24/7 to discuss your options, call (855)906-3699 today.
Driver Error
Driver error, such as failure to see other vehicles in blind spots, trying to make a missed turn or exit quickly, or even failing to yield or see road signs can lead to commercial vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, it can often be the most vulnerable drivers and pedestrians who pay the price for these errors.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Brake failure, faulty engines, and other instances of defective commercial truck parts can lead to accidents. Similarly, failed vehicle maintenance or negligence of a company mechanic to address any defects in a commercial vehicle can also be a cause for accidents.
Road Flaws
Lack of road signage, flaws in road design, and potholes can be a few of the flaws in the road that result in commercial truck accidents. When a commercial vehicle accident in Riverside occurs due to road flaws, the local municipality may be held liable for failure to address these issues earlier.
Who is Liable for My Commercial Vehicle Accident in Riverside?
Some of the liable parties in a commercial vehicle accident in Riverside may include:
- The commercial truck driver for driving drowsy or distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow proper driving maneuvers for commercial vehicles, or speeding.
- The employer of the commercial driver for failing to provide allotted breaks, negligent hiring practices, not providing adequate safety training, or even failing to properly secure cargo or provide vehicle maintenance.
- The local municipality for improper road design, failing to provide adequate road signage, or for not addressing the presence of potholes on the road that led to a commercial vehicle accident.
- The vehicle manufacturer if the commercial vehicle accident was caused by faulty commercial vehicle parts, a design flaw on the vehicle, or for lack of warnings in regard to use of the vehicle.
- Another driver for tailgating the commercial vehicle, speeding around the commercial vehicle, and not following the proper duties of care when driving around commercial vehicles.
Why Should I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
After a commercial vehicle accident, you may be left with trauma, anxiety, and the overwhelming task of dealing with numerous expenses. A personal injury claim can help you get legal representation in the fight for compensation. Why should you file a personal injury claim? Consider a claim if:
- You were injured as a direct result of the accident that was caused by another party’s negligent or reckless acts.
- You had to stop working due to the injuries of a commercial vehicle accident caused by another party.
- You do not have the financial means to cover the injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle accident.
- Your loved one passed away due to the injuries they developed in a commercial vehicle accident.
- The party responsible for your commercial vehicle accident doesn’t admit to liability.
- Your insurance claim for compensation is denied by the liable commercial company’s insurance provider.
Was your claim denied or lowballed? Don’t wait, call the BD&J attorneys to schedule your free consultation!
How Can Riverside Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Help My Claim?
You’ve dealt with the trauma and pain of a commercial vehicle accident, now let a commercial vehicle accident attorney from BD&J handle the rest. A commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help your claim by:
- Helping present the initial claim
- Handling all communications with the other party’s attorneys and insurance
- Helping to collect evidence to support your claim
- Interviewing expert witnesses for further evidence
- Negotiating on a fair settlement for your case
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases Settle Before Trial?
Commercial vehicle accident cases can settle for various reasons, such as a compensation agreement, liability acceptance, to avoid emotional stress on all parties involved, and to avoid the lengthy timeframe of taking a claim to trial.
If I Did Have to go to Trial, Could I Represent Myself?
You could, but you’d be dealing with legal complexities that an attorney would best be suited to help you on. Not to mention, reports show that plaintiffs who work with an attorney can get up to 3 times more in compensation compared to plaintiffs who represent themselves in a personal injury claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?
After a commercial vehicle accident, injured Californians have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Beat the clock and file your Riverside commercial vehicle accident claim with BD&J, schedule your FREE consultation today.
What if My Loved One Died from Their Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries?
If your loved one died from their commercial vehicle accident injuries, you should absolutely speak to a BD&J wrongful death attorney to learn more about filing a claim. Your loved one deserves justice!
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Riverside?
Spouses or legally recognized domestic partners, children (including stepchildren and adopted children), and financially dependent minors of the deceased can file a wrongful death lawsuit. In some cases, parents, siblings, and nieces/nephews of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim as well.
Why Should I Work with BD&J?
BD&J has spent more than 20 years working to defend the rights of injured Californians and obtain compensation. We’ve recovered more than $3 billion* in compensation, and our team of advocates are always ready to represent clients with tenacity and compassion.
Can I Still Work with BD&J if I Don’t Have the Financial Means?
Yes! We work on a contingency basis, which means all case costs are advanced to our clients, and the final attorney payment is taken from the compensation amount after a case is settled. This means less financial strain on clients and no fees until we win*.
How To Navigate an Insurance Call After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
After a commercial vehicle accident, you may have to speak to the insurance provider of the company. To navigate this insurance call, you should:
- Remain as neutral as possible. – Keep all statements made to an insurance agent completely neutral in regard to the accident.
- Avoid any admissions of guilt. – Insurance agents are looking to pin fault on other drivers to pay out as little as possible. Avoid any direct admissions of guilt, such as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see…”.
- Do not overexplain. – Do not feel the need to over explain, as this may end up causing you to implicate yourself or even result in an admission of guilt. Just provide the events of the accident as they occurred.
- Have a Riverside commercial vehicle accident attorney talk to insurance for you. – If you feel too overwhelmed to talk to an insurance company on your own, let an experienced Riverside commercial vehicle accident attorney take over.
Don’t deal with insurance companies on your own. Connect with a BD&J lawyer now!
Riverside Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Who Protect Injured California Residents
If you or a loved one were involved in a commercial vehicle accident in Riverside, you shouldn’t have to fight the legal battle of a personal injury claim alone. The BD&J team has been fighting for injured Californians for more than 20 years, and we are persistent in the fight for justified compensation. Contact BD&J today to schedule your free initial consultation with a Riverside commercial vehicle accident attorney.
