The city of San Francisco is a major commercial hub all around. Tourism and hospitality, technology, and international business are just a few of the main commercial sectors that make this city such a bustling spot for all matters of business.

Commercial vehicles come and go through this city and nearby areas, increasing the probability of commercial vehicle accidents happening. Keep reading to learn more about commercial vehicle accidents, liability, and why a San Francisco commercial vehicle accident attorney from BD&J should be on your radar after an accident.

Have you been in a commercial vehicle accident? Call BD&J now!

How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents in San Francisco?

San Francisco has a variety of busy neighborhoods with high traffic, including Union Square, the Financial District, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more. With high tourism and a large commercial presence overall, commercial vehicle accidents in the city are more than plentiful.

Commercial vehicles used to transport cargo or people for business purposes can often strike other cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians, and these incidents are referred to as commercial vehicle accidents. Typical commercial vehicles include:

Semi-trailers
Delivery vans
Pickup trucks
Tractor trailers
Dump trucks
School buses
And more

Some of the most common accidents the attorneys at BD&J have represented in San Francisco include:

Wide-Turn Accidents

Wide-turn accidents occur when a large commercial vehicle, often a semi-trailer or similar vehicle, angles out to complete a turn. By angling out, they then strike a vehicle to their left due to their width.

Tire Blowout Accidents

Tire blowout accidents happen when the tire of a commercial vehicle ruptures due to loss of pressure. This sudden rupture combined with the weight of the vehicle and a loss of speed often results in the vehicle colliding with other vehicles or rolling over.

Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident is characterized by a commercial truck tipping over onto its side or roof due to loss of stability/gravity. Rollover accidents can be caused by tire blowouts, completing turns at too high speeds, and trying to navigate ill-designed curves on the road.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide head-first. Due to the weight of commercial vehicles (with some weighing up to 80,000 pounds), these collisions can have catastrophic consequences for other vulnerable drivers and pedestrians.

Do I Have to go to the Hospital After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

In 2023, 4,354 fatalities resulted from large truck crashes nationwide, with 65% of these fatalities comprised of occupants of cars, and 17% of fatalities being bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Injuries from a commercial vehicle accident can be serious, even life-threatening to the occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians, so a hospital visit is crucial after an accident. Some of the most frequent injuries after a commercial vehicle accident include:

Traumatic brain injuries – This type of injury occurs when there is trauma to the brain, often resulting in swelling, bruising, or bleeding. These injuries can often lead to cognitive impairment, and in some cases, death.
Burns – Burns can develop as a result of flammable liquids from the vehicles involved or even due to the cargo a commercial vehicle is carrying. Severe burns can result in disfigurement, nerve damage, and even loss of limbs.
Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries from commercial vehicle accidents can occur due to severe impact and exertion that comes with a commercial vehicle collision. Spinal cord injuries can lead to pain, nausea, and paralysis.
Broken bones – Broken bones can often result from the impact of a commercial vehicle accident. For more serious cases of broken bones, injured victims can develop disfigurement, arthritis, and even nerve damage.
Organ damage – Organ damage can lead to the impairment or dysfunction of major organs, including the heart, lungs, spleen, and liver, due to trauma. This type of injury can result in organ failure, disability, and even death.

What are the Dangers of Commercial Vehicles?

Tour buses, trucks, delivery vans, and autonomous cars are some of the frequent commercial vehicles that weave in and out of San Francisco traffic daily. Some of the significant dangers of commercial vehicles to take into consideration include:

Size: Many commercial vehicles are significantly larger than other cars, in both height and weight, with some semi-trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds.
More blind spots: Due to their size and the elevation of the driver on a commercial vehicle, many commercial vehicles have more blind spots than other cars. No-zones are specific blind spot areas around a truck where cars are advised not to stay in and includes the area spanning 20 feet in front of the truck, 30 feet behind the truck, and the sides of the truck.
Longer braking distances: Many large commercial vehicles need longer braking distances (about a 20-40% longer distance) which can be particularly dangerous when other cars cut them off, or there is fallen debris on the road that warrants a quick brake response.

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Why Do Commercial Vehicle Accidents Happen?

Commercial vehicle accidents in San Francisco often happen due to:

Meeting tight deadlines – In 2025, San Francisco was ranked as the third worst city with traffic congestion in the nation. Most commercial drivers are eager to meet tight deadlines and complete their delivery quotas, and in a city where the average commuter spent 112 hours in traffic in one year, congested traffic can lead to speeding or aggressive driving, resulting in commercial vehicle accidents.
Driver error – Common driver errors, including distracted driving (on the phone, eating, or doing anything else that takes attention away from the road), failing to yield, trying to make up for missing a turn, and so on, can be common causes for commercial vehicle accidents.
Unsecured cargo – Unsecured cargo can shift, slide, and even fall off commercial vehicles, leading to debris on the road or an impact on other unsuspecting motorists. A driver attempting to avoid fallen cargo can also strike another vehicle, leading to an accident.
Vehicle defects – In 2025, a nationwide commercial vehicle inspection concluded in inspectors placing 2,296 vehicles out of service for brake-related violations. Brakes, engine problems, and system interface defects are some of the most seen in commercial vehicles.

Are There Laws to Regulate San Francisco Commercial Drivers?

Yes, there are plenty of laws that regulate how many hours a driver can operate, the speed of a commercial vehicle, and so on. These laws include:

There are strict hours of service regulations where property-carrying commercial drivers have a driving limit of 11 hours, while passenger carrying commercial drivers have a driving limit of 10 hours consecutively in one day
There is a 30-minute break requirement after driving for 8 hours consecutively
Commercial vehicles should not be going more than 55mph on a highway
Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles should always be traveling on the right lane
Commercial truck drivers are required to keep a logbook of their driving activities to further ensure hours of service and breaks are being enforced.

Vulnerable drivers and pedestrians shouldn’t pay for broken commercial vehicle driver laws. Call BD&J today.

Do I Need a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney for My Claim?

If you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in San Francisco, speak with a commercial vehicle accident attorney from BD&J. Our lawyers help with:

Filing the initial claim
Helping to collect evidence
Interviewing expert witnesses to support your injuries
Negotiating for a fair settlement that covers all your accident-related expenses
Communicating on your behalf with the other party and their representation

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Liable for My Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Some of the parties who could be held liable in your commercial vehicle accident include the commercial driver, the employer of the commercial driver, another driver, the commercial vehicle manufacturer, or the local city government.

Is it Hard to Prove Liability for an Accident?

It is not necessarily hard to prove liability, but you must be able to prove that the other party had a duty of care to you, and that a direct breach of this duty resulted in your injuries.

What Can Compensation from a Personal Injury Claim Be Used For?

Compensation from a personal injury claim can be used to cover present and future medical expenses, disability, loss of income if you’re unable to work due to injuries, car repairs, and physical rehabilitation if needed.

Don’t let compensation for your accident pass you by. Connect with a BD&J commercial vehicle accident attorney!

Do I Have to Speak to the Insurance Provider of the Company Involved in My Claim?

No, you don’t have to speak to the insurance provider. Most insurance companies are looking to reduce the payout for claimants as much as possible, and they can try to use your statements to pin liability on you for the accident. Let a commercial vehicle accident attorney handle insurance communications on your behalf.

What if An Insurance Provider Denies My Claim?

Just because an insurance provider denies your claim, it doesn’t mean compensation is completely impossible. Legal action can be taken if the claim is unfairly dismissed.

Why Should I Work with BD&J for My San Francisco Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?

BD&J attorneys have spent more than 20 years fighting for the rights of injured California residents. With more than $3 billion* recovered in compensation, our lawyers are persistent advocates who fight for justice and fair financial restitution. Our clients are family, so don’t hesitate to complete our form for a free initial consultation

How Do I Afford Working with BD&J?

At BD&J, we work on a contingency basis, which means that case costs are advanced to clients, and no upfront payment is required. Attorney fees are deducted from the compensation amount after a case settles, which means you pay no fees until we win*.

How To Recover Damages After a Commercial Vehicle Accident

After a commercial vehicle accident in San Francisco, the last thing you want to worry about is paying for injuries and more out of your own pocket. To recover damages after a commercial vehicle accident, be sure to:

Prove the liability of another party. You must be able to prove that the other party’s negligent or reckless conduct resulted in your injuries. Do this by showing evidence that supports your claim and injuries.
Gather all the proper evidence. Compile all the evidence related to your accident, including photos and videos, dashcam footage, your medical records to show the extent of injuries, eyewitness testimonies, and a police report. Make sure to have backups of any photos and videos as well.
Consult with a San Francisco commercial vehicle accident lawyer. Work with a San Francisco commercial vehicle accident attorney to hold commercial companies and other liable parties responsible for your injuries. A considerate and experienced law firm like BD&J will offer free initial consultations to learn more about your case.

Ready to recover compensation? Consult the BD&J commercial vehicle accident lawyers in San Francisco!