San Diego Truck Accidents and the Role of Driver Fatigue in 2025

By Eugene Bruno on October 14, 2025

Every day, countless commercial trucks traverse San Diego’s highways to deliver goods across California and beyond. These massive vehicles are essential to our economy, but they also pose significant safety risks when operated by fatigued drivers.

In 2025, the dangers of commercial driver fatigue remain a top concern, especially as long-haul delivery demands continue to rise.

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in San Diego, you need legal guidance from a team that understands both the medical implications and the complex legal framework behind these crashes.

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how driver fatigue can cause devastating accidents. Our attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience and a 99.7% success rate helping injured clients across Southern California.

Understanding the Risk: Fatigue Behind the Wheel

Fatigue impairs a truck driver’s reaction time, decision-making ability, and alertness in the same way that alcohol or drugs do. Yet, many commercial drivers continue operating even after reaching physical and mental exhaustion. Why?

Unfortunately, tight deadlines, pressure from employers, and financial incentives often lead drivers to push past their limits.

In 2025, fatigue-related truck crashes continue to plague U.S. highways. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), fatigue is a factor in roughly 13% of serious commercial truck accidents nationwide.

In areas like San Diego, where major interstates like I-5 and I-15 carry heavy trucking traffic, the stakes are especially high.

FMCSA Regulation in California: Hours-of-Service Rules

To combat fatigue, the FMCSA enforces strict hours-of-service (HOS) regulations that apply to most commercial drivers in California and across the U.S.

These rules, designed to limit the number of hours a driver can work before resting, include:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour Limit: A driver cannot operate a truck after being on duty for 14 hours, even if not driving the entire time.
• 30-Minute Break Requirement: Drivers must take a break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
• 60/70-Hour Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty over 7/8 consecutive days.

These regulations aim to reduce the risk of long-haul truck crashes caused by drowsy or sleep-deprived operators. Yet, violations are common—either due to pressure from dispatchers or inadequate oversight by employers.

Violations and Their Role in Negligence Claims

When a fatigued truck driver causes a crash, the violation of FMCSA rules can serve as powerful evidence of negligence. For example, if a driver exceeded the 11-hour driving limit and caused an accident, that regulatory breach could form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit.

Common signs that HOS regulations may have been violated include:

• Missing or falsified driver logs
• GPS or ELD (Electronic Logging Device) discrepancies
• Driver testimony admitting fatigue or overwork
• Witnesses noting the driver appeared drowsy

Proving a link between violations in FMCSA regulations and the accident is key to winning maximum compensation.

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we conduct a thorough investigation into every accident. Our team reviews driver logs, subpoenas electronic records, and interviews witnesses to uncover violations.

Trucking Company Liability: More Than Just the Driver

Although the driver may be the one behind the wheel, trucking company liability often plays a central role in these cases.

Many companies incentivize dangerous behavior by pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules or turning a blind eye to known HOS violations. Thus, employers may be liable for:

• Failing to monitor driver hours properly
• Negligent hiring or training of drivers
• Encouraging or coercing drivers to falsify logs
• Ignoring signs of fatigue or past violations

When we pursue these claims, our goal is to demonstrate that a company failed to uphold its duty of care—not just to the driver, but to everyone on the road.

The Human Cost of Fatigue-Related Crashes

A truck driver fatigue accident in San Diego is rarely a minor event. These collisions often occur at high speeds and involve vehicles that weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, with victims suffering catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Wrongful death

Beyond the physical toll, there’s the emotional trauma and financial devastation that follows. Medical bills, lost income, long-term care costs, and reduced quality of life can alter a family’s future forever.

What to Do After a Suspected Fatigue-Related Truck Crash

If you believe that driver fatigue played a role in your truck accident, take the following steps to protect your rights:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Your well-being is the top priority.
2. Report the Accident – Make sure police document the scene and interview the driver.
3. Gather Evidence – Take photos, collect witness info, and keep all medical records.
4. Avoid Speaking with Insurers Alone – Insurance adjusters may try to downplay your claim.
5. Contact a San Diego Truck Accident Attorney – These cases are complex and require specialized legal knowledge.

How Eugene Bruno & Associates Can Help

Our legal team has extensive experience handling long-haul truck crashes and fatigue-related accidents. We handle every case with the care it deserves, and we fight to ensure that you and your family are not left paying for someone else’s negligence.

When you choose Eugene Bruno & Associates, you get:

• A comprehensive investigation into FMCSA violations
• Aggressive pursuit of trucking company liability
• Full valuation of your damages, including future medical needs
• Access to expert witnesses who can testify about fatigue, accident reconstruction, and regulatory standards

Frequently Asked Questions

Is driver fatigue enough to prove negligence?

Yes, if we can show that the driver violated FMCSA regulations or was operating in an unsafe condition, it strongly supports a negligence claim.

Can I sue the trucking company even if the driver was an independent contractor?

In many cases, yes. We examine the relationship between the driver and the company. If the company exerted control over schedules or operations, it may still be liable.

What is the statute of limitations for truck accident claims in California?

Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, acting quickly gives your legal team a better chance of preserving evidence.

Speak With Our Trusted Truck Accident Lawyers in San Diego

If you have been injured in a truck driver fatigue accident in San Diego, you need strong legal advocacy on your side. Call Eugene Bruno & Associates at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) today to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys.