Multi-Car Crash in Hesperia: Who’s Liable When Truck Accidents Cause Chain Reactions?
On April 15, 2025, a serious crash involving multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck, a box truck, and a pickup truck, happened on the northbound I-15 Freeway in Hesperia. The accident caused major damage to both the truck and other vehicles. Emergency crews had to free the box truck driver, who was seriously hurt and flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital. Another driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment, while the semi-truck driver was not injured.
Earlier that same day, a separate crash on the southbound I-15 caused a SigAlert, shutting down two lanes and backing up traffic for miles. These accidents show just how dangerous chain-reaction crashes involving trucks can be — and why sorting out who’s responsible often takes careful investigation.
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., we understand what you’re up against after a serious truck accident. If your accident involved multiple vehicles, you may not know where to turn for help or who to hold responsible. We do! Call our San Bernardino truck accident lawyers at (909) 890-1000 and let’s talk in a free consultation.
Understanding Chain-Reaction Accidents
Chain-reaction accidents occur when an initial accident sets off a series of subsequent crashes. When a big rig or commercial truck is involved, these accidents can be particularly severe due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. For instance, if a truck fails to stop in time and rear-ends a car, the force can propel that car into the vehicle ahead, creating a domino effect.
Common Causes of Chain-Reaction Truck Crashes
Chain-reaction crashes involving trucks can happen in just seconds, but the causes often go deeper. Many factors can trigger these accidents, especially when large trucks are involved.
One of the most common causes is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often spend long hours behind the wheel, and even a few seconds of drowsiness can have dangerous results. A tired driver might not react in time to slow traffic ahead, leading to a rear-end crash that sets off a chain reaction.
- Poor maintenance: Trucks that are not properly maintained can suffer from brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering problems. If a truck can’t stop quickly because its brakes are worn, it may crash into several cars before coming to a full stop.
- Bad weather: Rain, fog, and high winds can make it harder for trucks to slow down or stay in their lanes. On busy freeways like the I-15 in Hesperia, just one mistake in bad weather can trigger a multi-vehicle pileup.
- Distracted driving: A truck driver who looks down at a GPS, sends a text, or even reaches for a coffee cup could miss important changes in traffic. When a heavy truck hits even one car, the force can push several vehicles into each other.
- Tailgating: Trucks need a lot more space to stop than smaller vehicles. If a driver follows too closely, there’s little chance to avoid a crash if traffic suddenly slows down.
In many chain-reaction accidents, it’s a mix of these problems that leads to disaster. Understanding the cause is a big first step in proving who should be held responsible.
Determining Liability in Multi-Vehicle Crashes
In California, figuring out who is at fault in a multi-car crash can be complicated. Investigators look closely at what each driver was doing before and during the accident. Usually, the driver who causes the first crash is mainly to blame. However, they are not always the only ones responsible. If other drivers were speeding, distracted, following too closely, or driving carelessly, they might also share part of the fault.
For example, if a truck rear-ends a car and pushes it into another car, the truck driver would likely be responsible. But if one of the other drivers was texting and didn’t react in time to avoid another crash, they could be partly to blame, too. Every action leading up to the accident matters in determining who is responsible for the damages.
The Role of Comparative Negligence
California operates under a pure comparative negligence system. This means that each party involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault, and their compensation is adjusted accordingly. For example, if a driver is found to be 30% at fault for an accident, they can still recover 70% of their damages.
Investigating the Accident
Determining liability in a chain-reaction crash requires a thorough investigation. Evidence such as police reports, eyewitness statements, and traffic camera footage can provide insights into the sequence of events. In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be hired to analyze the crash dynamics and identify contributing factors.
Potential Liable Parties
In truck-related chain-reaction accidents, multiple parties may be held liable:
- Truck Driver: If the driver was fatigued, distracted, or violated traffic laws, they could be held responsible.
- Trucking Company: Employers may be liable for inadequate training, poor maintenance, or encouraging unsafe driving practices.
- Other Drivers: Motorists who were speeding, tailgating, or otherwise negligent can share fault.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, the manufacturer might be accountable.
- Government Entities: Poor road conditions or inadequate signage maintained by government agencies can also be factors.
Hurt in a Chain-Reaction Crash? Our Truck Accident Attorney is Here to Help
Getting through a crash like this can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team of truck accident attorneys knows how to sort out these tough cases and fight for the care and money you deserve. Let us handle the hard work while you focus on healing.
Call William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., today for a free, friendly consultation. You have options — and we’re ready to help you every step of the way. Call today at 909-890-1000 or fill out our contact form for more information.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.