The Inland Empire’s trucking corridors (I-10, I-15, SR-60, and SR-91) serve as vital arteries for the movement of goods across Southern California. Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel these routes to connect major logistics hubs, warehouses, and ports.

When accidents occur along these heavily traveled corridors, victims may face life-changing injuries, significant property damage, and complex questions about liability.

Crash Risks in the Inland Empire’s Trucking Corridors

The Inland Empire’s extensive network of freeways and roads creates road conditions that are continually congested with freight traffic. Thousands of commercial trucks traverse these corridors daily, and the potent mix of large trucks and small vehicles can lead to devastating collisions that injure drivers and passengers.

Common crash types in the region include rear-end impacts, jackknife accidents, underride collisions, and rollovers. Many occur near logistics hubs in Ontario, Fontana, and Rialto, where trucks enter and exit freeways at high volumes.

Factors like driver fatigue, speeding, mechanical failures, and distracted driving often play a role in causing preventable collisions. Following a serious injury, the truck driver and the trucking group that owns the vehicle can be liable for the harm and damage that was caused.

Compensation You May Be Owed

Truck collisions in the Inland Empire can leave victims facing steep medical bills and long recoveries. If you were injured along major routes like I-10, I-15, SR-60, or SR-91, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. Economic damages, for example, can cover the cost of emergency medical care, hospital stays, rehab, and even future treatment costs.

You may also be eligible to recover lost wages and compensation for other out-of-pocket expenses tied to the crash. Non-economic damages account for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In severe cases involving reckless driving, improper maintenance, or fatigue violations, punitive damages may also apply.

Understanding Trucking Collisions in the Inland Empire

Trucking collisions drive a large share of serious traffic incidents across the Inland Empire. California’s DMV lists about 420,000 heavy-duty trucks on the road. In 2022, Norco recorded 97 collisions that resulted in an injury or fatality. San Bernardino County saw 14,615 people injured or killed in vehicle collisions in 2024.

Riverside County reported 260 serious injuries from speeding in 2021, which is a common trigger for high-energy crashes involving big rigs. Major freight corridors where truck and passenger traffic converge include I-10, I-15, SR-60, I-215, and the CA-210. Corridors with heavy truck volumes often produce underride collisions, jackknifes, rollovers, and high-speed impacts.

Typical harms include multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, deep lacerations, and internal bleeding. After stabilization, critically injured patients are usually taken to regional trauma centers like Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, 400 North Pepper Avenue, Colton, CA 92324, for surgery, imaging, and inpatient rehabilitation and recovery.

Why You Should Hire an Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a truck collision in the Inland Empire, your top priority should be to hire a truck accident lawyer. An Inland Empire truck accident attorney can manage the complexities of your truck accident claim so you are paid what you are owed. Securing money from a truck accident claim requires more than accusations and personal testimony. You’ll need to back up your claim with compelling evidence that stands up in court.

With representation from a personal injury lawyer who understands the truck injury claim process, you can secure both economic and non-economic damages for the physical and emotional harm you endured. Legal representation plays a critical role in ensuring that your rights are protected and filings are made on time and with the proper documentation.

FAQs

What Is the Inland Empire Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan?

The Inland Empire Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (IE CMCP) is a regional strategy to improve mobility across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Led by SBCTA, RCTC, and Caltrans, it focuses on reducing congestion, expanding transit, improving freight movement, and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle routes through coordinated infrastructure, land use planning, and multimodal transportation investments.

What Area Is Considered the Inland Empire in California?

The Inland Empire covers Riverside County and San Bernardino County in Southern California. This region includes cities such as Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Temecula. Known for its rapid growth, logistics hubs, and diverse communities, the Inland Empire stretches from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Coachella Valley. The area sees extensive traffic from commercial trucks.

What Is a Multimodal Corridor?

A multimodal corridor is a transportation route designed to support multiple forms of travel, such as cars, buses, trains, bicycles, and pedestrians. These corridors aim to improve mobility, safety, and efficiency by integrating different transportation modes within the same network.

They often include features like bike lanes, sidewalks, public transit routes, and roadway improvements to reduce congestion and enhance connectivity. The potent mix of cars, pedestrians, and cyclists creates the potential for collisions.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Collisions in California?

The most common cause of truck collisions in California is negligence on the part of a truck driver. When a truck driver fails to pay attention to the road or take reasonable precautions under certain driving conditions, innocent victims can pay the price. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also lead to catastrophic injuries on the road and potential liabilities for trucking groups.

Find Reliable Legal Counsel for Your Personal Injury Case

Truck accidents along the Inland Empire’s major corridors can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges. When negligence by a truck driver, company, or third party causes harm, you have the right to seek justice and fair compensation. Easton & Easton brings decades of experience representing victims of serious truck collisions across Southern California.

Our attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and fight to hold negligent parties accountable. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we are committed to helping you recover what you’ve lost. Contact Easton & Easton today to discuss your case and take the first step toward recovery.