Truck Accident Injuries on Highway 60 in Riverside: Legal Help for Victims

Highway 60 (the Pomona Freeway) is a critical east-west corridor through Riverside County, stretching from the I-15 interchange through downtown Riverside, Moreno Valley, and into the desert communities beyond. This heavily trafficked route serves as a primary artery for commercial trucking, carrying freight between the massive warehouse and distribution centers of the Inland Empire and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The combination of high truck traffic, mixed with commuter vehicles and challenging road conditions, makes Highway 60 one of the most dangerous corridors in Riverside County for truck accidents. When fully-loaded semi-trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds collide with passenger vehicles, the results are often catastrophic.

The Unique Dangers of Highway 60 Truck Accidents

Why Highway 60 Is High-Risk

Highway 60 through Riverside County presents multiple factors that contribute to truck accidents:

Industrial Concentration: The Inland Empire is home to massive distribution centers for Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Target, and countless other companies. Truck traffic is constant and heavy throughout the day and night. Commuter Mixing: Thousands of commuters share the road with commercial trucks, creating dangerous speed differentials and lane-change hazards. Road Geometry: Several sections of Highway 60 feature grades, curves, and interchanges that are challenging for large trucks to navigate safely. Construction Zones: Ongoing road improvements create temporary hazards, lane shifts, and confusion. Weather Conditions: Riverside's inland location means extreme heat in summer and occasional fog that reduces visibility.

Common Truck Accident Causes on Highway 60

Commercial truck accidents on Highway 60 occur due to various forms of negligence:

Driver Fatigue: Despite federal hours-of-service regulations, many truck drivers push beyond safe limits due to pressure to meet delivery schedules. Drowsy driving is a leading cause of serious truck accidents. Speeding: Truck drivers rushing to meet deadlines may exceed safe speeds, particularly dangerous given the stopping distance required for loaded trucks. Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, GPS programming, and other distractions take truck drivers' attention from the road. Improper Loading: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift, causing loss of control or cargo spills. Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues often result from inadequate maintenance. Unsafe Lane Changes: Trucks have significant blind spots. Improper lane changes cause sideswipe accidents and force other vehicles off the road. Impaired Driving: While less common than in passenger vehicle accidents, some truck drivers operate under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications.

Types of Truck Accidents on Highway 60

Different accident types present different challenges and injuries:

Rear-End Collisions

When trucks rear-end smaller vehicles, the weight differential causes catastrophic damage. Conversely, vehicles rear-ending trucks can result in underride accidents where the car slides beneath the truck trailer.

Jackknife Accidents

When a truck's trailer swings around to form an acute angle with the cab, the truck can sweep across multiple lanes, striking multiple vehicles.

Rollover Accidents

Overloaded trucks, improper loading, or excessive speed in curves can cause trucks to roll over, crushing vehicles alongside them.

Wide Turn Accidents

Trucks making right turns may swing wide into adjacent lanes, striking vehicles attempting to pass on the right.

Cargo Spill Accidents

Improperly secured cargo can fall from trucks, striking vehicles or creating obstacles that cause secondary accidents.

Tire Blowout Accidents

When truck tires fail at highway speeds, debris can strike other vehicles, and the truck may lose control.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Truck accident cases often involve significant compensation due to the severity of injuries and the substantial insurance coverage carried by commercial trucking operations.

Available Damages

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (emergency, ongoing, and future care)
• Lost wages and benefits
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Home modifications for disability
• Medical equipment and supplies

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages:

In cases involving egregious conduct—such as falsified driver logs, knowingly employing impaired drivers, or intentional safety violations—punitive damages may be available.

Why Truck Cases Often Have Higher Values

• Commercial trucks must carry minimum liability coverage of $750,000 (often $1 million or more)
• Severe injuries are more common in truck accidents
• Multiple parties may share liability, increasing available coverage
• Corporate defendants have deeper pockets than individual drivers

Factors Affecting Case Value

• Severity and permanence of injuries
• Impact on ability to work
• Clarity of truck driver/company negligence
• Available insurance and assets
• Strength of evidence

Statute of Limitations in Riverside

Time limits for truck accident claims must be strictly observed:

Personal Injury: Two Years

You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against negligent parties.

Claims Against Government Entities: Six Months

If a dangerous road condition on Highway 60 contributed to your accident, you must file an administrative claim with Caltrans or other responsible agencies within six months.

Wrongful Death: Two Years

If you lost a loved one in a Highway 60 truck accident, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years.

Why Immediate Action Is Critical

Truck accident cases require immediate investigation because:

• Electronic logging data may be overwritten
• Truck companies may repair or destroy vehicles
• Witnesses become harder to locate
• Trucking companies begin building their defense immediately
• Evidence of safety violations must be preserved

Who Is Liable in Highway 60 Truck Accidents?

Truck accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties:

Truck Drivers

The driver may be personally liable for negligent conduct such as:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Fatigue from hours-of-service violations
• Distracted or impaired driving
• Failure to conduct proper inspections

Trucking Companies

Motor carriers can be held liable for:

• Negligent hiring (employing drivers with poor records)
• Negligent supervision and training
• Pressure to violate safety regulations
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance
• Hours-of-service violations

Cargo Loaders

Parties responsible for loading cargo may be liable when:

• Cargo is improperly secured
• Trucks are overloaded
• Weight is distributed incorrectly
• Hazardous materials aren't properly handled

Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers

Product liability claims may arise when:

• Defective brakes fail
• Tires blow out due to manufacturing defects
• Steering or other systems malfunction

Maintenance Contractors

Third-party maintenance companies can be liable for:

• Negligent repairs
• Failure to identify and repair defects
• Using substandard replacement parts

Government Entities

Caltrans and local governments may be liable when:

• Dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident
• Inadequate signage or warnings existed
• Road design created unreasonable hazards

Proving Your Highway 60 Truck Accident Case

Building a successful case requires extensive investigation and evidence:

Critical Evidence in Truck Cases

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Federal law requires most commercial trucks to use ELDs that record driving time, rest breaks, and other data crucial to proving hours-of-service violations. Black Box Data: Many trucks have event data recorders capturing speed, braking, and other information from before and during the crash. Driver Qualification Files: Trucking companies must maintain files documenting driver training, medical certifications, and employment history. Maintenance Records: Logs showing inspection and repair history can prove negligent maintenance. Cargo Documentation: Bills of lading and loading records can prove improper loading. Drug and Alcohol Test Results: Federal regulations require testing after serious accidents. Company Safety Records: History of safety violations, prior accidents, and FMCSA ratings.

Expert Witnesses

Truck accident cases often require expert testimony from:

• Accident reconstructionists
• Trucking industry safety experts
• Medical specialists
• Economists (for future damages)
• Vocational rehabilitation experts

Regulatory Violations

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations establish standards for:

• Driver qualifications and training
• Hours of service limits
• Vehicle maintenance requirements
• Cargo securement
• Drug and alcohol testing

Violations of these regulations can establish negligence per se.

Common Injuries in Highway 60 Truck Accidents

The massive forces involved in truck accidents cause severe injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Even with airbag deployment, the violent forces in truck collisions can cause concussions, brain contusions, and severe traumatic brain injuries affecting cognitive function, personality, and independence.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care and dramatically changing the victim's life.

Crush Injuries

When smaller vehicles are compressed by truck impacts, occupants can suffer crush injuries requiring amputation or causing internal organ damage.

Burn Injuries

Truck accidents involving fuel fires or hazardous cargo can cause severe burns requiring extensive treatment and resulting in permanent scarring.

Internal Injuries

The blunt force trauma of truck collisions can damage internal organs, sometimes with symptoms that don't appear immediately.

Multiple Fractures

The forces involved in truck accidents frequently cause multiple broken bones requiring surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.

Dealing with Trucking Companies After an Accident

Trucking companies respond aggressively to protect themselves after serious accidents:

What to Expect

• Insurance adjusters contacting you quickly
• Requests for recorded statements
• Early settlement offers designed to minimize payout
• Investigators gathering evidence to blame you
• Legal teams preparing to defend the company

How to Protect Yourself

• Don't give recorded statements without legal representation
• Don't accept early settlement offers
• Preserve all evidence including your vehicle
• Document all injuries and treatment
• Contact an experienced truck accident attorney immediately

Affiliate Resources

Serious truck accident injuries require comprehensive support:

Specialized Medical Care

• Trauma Centers: Level I trauma centers for critical injuries
• Neurosurgeons: For brain and spinal injuries
• Orthopedic Surgeons: For fractures and joint injuries
• Burn Centers: Specialized burn treatment facilities
• Rehabilitation Centers: Comprehensive recovery programs

Long-Term Support

• Physical Therapy: Ongoing rehabilitation services
• Occupational Therapy: Regaining daily living skills
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Career transition assistance
• Home Healthcare: Support for daily activities
• Medical Equipment: Wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc.

Mental Health Resources

• Trauma Counselors: PTSD and accident trauma specialists
• Support Groups: Connecting with other survivors
• Family Counseling: Support for families affected by serious injuries

Get the Legal Help You Need

Highway 60 truck accident cases are complex and require attorneys with specific experience in commercial trucking litigation. Our nonprofit referral service connects victims with experienced truck accident attorneys who:

• Understand federal trucking regulations
• Have resources to investigate complex accidents
• Know how to take on large trucking companies
• Have track records of substantial recoveries

Every attorney in our network offers free consultations and works on contingency. You pay nothing unless you recover compensation.

Don't let trucking companies and their insurers take advantage of you. Contact us today to be connected with a trusted attorney who will fight for justice.

Time is critical in truck accident cases. Evidence disappears quickly. Take action now.