Author: Ben Marmont
Published: February 18, 2026
If you were anywhere near Highway 101 on the morning of January 18, 2026, you saw it: or at least felt the aftermath. A massive semi-truck flipped over near the Marsh Road exit in Redwood City, blocking nearly all northbound lanes and turning your morning commute into a nightmare.
But for the drivers involved, it was far worse than a traffic delay. It was a terrifying, life-changing moment that left them facing injuries, insurance battles, and a long road to recovery.
If you were involved in this accident: or any truck accident in the Bay Area: you need to understand what you're up against. Big rig accidents are nothing like typical car crashes. The stakes are higher. The injuries are more severe. And the insurance companies will fight you every step of the way.
Here's what happened on January 18th, what makes truck accidents so complex, and how we help victims like you recover maximum compensation: with ZERO fees until we win.
What Happened on Highway 101 at Marsh Road
On January 18, 2026, at approximately 10:50 a.m., a fully loaded 18-wheeler collided with a sedan on northbound Highway 101, just south of the Marsh Road exit near Redwood City and Menlo Park.
The impact caused the semi-truck to overturn, blocking three northbound lanes and bringing traffic to a standstill for hours. Both the truck driver and the sedan driver sustained injuries: officially labeled as "minor": and were transported to Stanford Hospital for treatment.
Emergency crews worked throughout the day to clear the wreckage. All lanes didn't reopen until 11 p.m.: more than twelve hours after the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Was it driver fatigue? Improper lane changes? Mechanical failure? Distracted driving? These are the questions that determine liability: and they're the questions we investigate aggressively when we represent truck accident victims.
If you were injured in this crash, don't wait. Even "minor" injuries can become major medical problems down the road.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different (and More Dangerous)
You might think an accident is an accident. But when a commercial big rig is involved, everything changes.
Truck accidents are more complex, more dangerous, and more costly than typical car crashes. Here's why:
Massive Size and Weight
An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Your sedan weighs around 3,000 pounds. When those two vehicles collide, the physics are brutal. The smaller vehicle: and everyone inside: absorbs the impact.
That's why truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, even when the initial report says "minor injuries."
Multiple Parties and Layers of Liability
In a typical car accident, you're dealing with two drivers and two insurance companies. In a truck accident, you could be facing:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck owner (if different from the operator)
- The cargo loading company
- The truck manufacturer
- The maintenance provider
Each party will try to shift blame to someone else. That's where we come in.
Commercial Insurance Policies
Trucking companies carry massive insurance policies: often $1 million or more. That sounds like good news, but it's not. It means the insurance company has a huge financial incentive to deny your claim or lowball your settlement.
They'll deploy teams of lawyers and investigators to minimize their payout. You need a truck accident attorney near me who knows how to fight back.
Federal and State Regulations
Trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in America. Drivers must follow strict rules about:
- Hours of service (how long they can drive without rest)
- Vehicle maintenance and inspections
- Cargo weight limits
- Drug and alcohol testing
When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, they're liable. We know how to find these violations and use them to build your case.
Why "Minor Injuries" Can Become Major Problems
Both drivers in the January 18th accident were treated for "minor injuries." But here's what most people don't know: many serious injuries don't show symptoms right away.
You might feel fine at the scene. Adrenaline is pumping. You're in shock. But days or weeks later, the pain starts: and it doesn't stop.
Delayed injury symptoms include:
- Chronic back and neck pain (from whiplash or spinal injuries)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from head impacts
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety
If you settle your claim too quickly: before you know the full extent of your injuries: you're stuck. You can't go back and ask for more money later.
That's why you need a personal injury lawyer California who won't let the insurance company rush you into a lowball settlement.
The Real Cost of a Truck Accident
Truck accidents turn your life upside down in seconds. And the financial costs pile up fast:
Medical Expenses
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgery and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Future medical care
Lost Income
- Missed work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost career opportunities
- Long-term disability
Property Damage
Your vehicle might be totaled. And if you were carrying valuable cargo or equipment, that's gone too.
Pain and Suffering
The physical pain is real. The emotional trauma is real. The impact on your family is real. You deserve compensation for all of it.
How We Investigate Truck Accidents
When you hire Fairmont Law Firm as your truck accident lawyer California, we launch a full investigation immediately.
We examine:
☑ Driver logs and hours-of-service records (to prove fatigue)
☑ Truck maintenance and inspection records (to find mechanical failures)
☑ Black box data from the truck's electronic logging device
☑ Dashcam and surveillance footage from the scene
☑ Drug and alcohol test results
☑ The trucking company's safety record and violation history
☑ Cargo loading and weight distribution records
We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and industry specialists to build an airtight case.
The trucking company's lawyers are already working to protect their interests. You need a team working just as hard for you.
Who's Liable in a Truck Accident?
Liability in truck accidents is complicated. But that's exactly why you need an experienced attorney.
Potential liable parties include:
Option 1: The Truck Driver
If the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence, they're liable. We prove driver negligence through records, witness testimony, and expert analysis.
Option 2: The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, maintaining their fleet, and enforcing safety regulations. If they cut corners, they're liable.
Option 3: The Cargo Loading Company
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause a truck to tip over. If the loading company made a mistake, they're liable.
Option 4: The Truck Manufacturer
If a mechanical defect caused the accident: faulty brakes, tire blowouts, steering failures: the manufacturer is liable.
We identify every liable party and hold them accountable. That's how we maximize your compensation.
What You Should Do After a Truck Accident
If you were involved in the January 18th crash: or any truck accident: take these steps immediately:
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some injuries don't show symptoms for days or weeks. And a medical report creates a paper trail for your claim.
Step 2: Document Everything
Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. Get the truck driver's information, the trucking company name, and the truck's license plate and DOT number.
Step 3: Don't Talk to Insurance Adjusters
The trucking company's insurance adjuster will call you quickly. They'll sound friendly and concerned. Don't fall for it. They're gathering information to use against you.
Politely decline to give a statement and refer them to your attorney.
Step 4: Call Fairmont Law Firm
We offer a free case evaluation. We'll review your case, explain your options, and start fighting for you immediately.
And remember: we charge ZERO fees until we win. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Why Fairmont Law Firm Is Different
We've recovered millions of dollars for truck accident victims across California. We know how to fight the big trucking companies and their insurance giants: and win.
Here's what you get when you work with us:
ZERO Fee Until We Win
You don't pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for you. If we don't win, you don't pay. It's that simple.
Millions Recovered
We've secured massive settlements and verdicts for our clients. We know what your case is worth: and we won't settle for less.
24/7 Availability
Accidents don't happen on a schedule. Neither do we. Call us anytime, day or night, and we'll be there.
Statewide Representation
We represent clients in all 58 California counties. Whether you're in Redwood City, San Francisco, San Jose, or anywhere in the Bay Area: we fight for you.
No Upfront Costs
We handle all investigation costs, expert fees, and legal expenses upfront. You pay nothing until we win.
Common Questions About Truck Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a claim?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But don't wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The sooner you hire an attorney, the stronger your case.
What if I was partially at fault?
California follows a "comparative negligence" rule. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not disqualified.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different. We calculate compensation based on your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and future costs. We don't settle until we know the full value of your claim.
Will I have to go to court?
Most truck accident cases settle before trial. But if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we're ready to take your case to court: and we're ready to win.
Don't Let the Insurance Company Steamroll You
The trucking company's insurance team is already working to minimize their payout. They're reviewing the accident report. They're interviewing witnesses. They're building a defense against your claim.
You need a truck accident attorney near me who fights just as hard for you.
At Fairmont Law Firm, we level the playing field. We hold trucking companies accountable. We secure maximum compensation for our clients. And we do it all with ZERO fees until we win.
If you were injured in the January 18th rollover on Highway 101: or any truck accident in California: call us now for a free case evaluation.
It only takes a minute. And it could change everything.
Contact Fairmont Law Firm today at https://www.fairmontlawfirm.com. We're available 24/7. ZERO Fee Until We Win.