Summary
Victims face difficulties proving fault when a trucking company denies liability after a crash. Getting justice requires strong legal support, from negligence and driver logs to black box evidence and federal rules. Learn who might be responsible, your legal options, and why hiring a California truck accident lawyer is important.
Table of Contents
A trucking accident near Santa Clara, CA, especially on busy roads like El Camino Real, can overwhelm families with medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs. The tragedy worsens when the trucking company denies liability, forcing accident victims to fight harder for compensation.
Understanding why this happens and what steps you can take is critical. In this blog, we explore the tactics trucking companies use, the role of evidence, and how a California truck accident lawyer can help level the playing field.
Why Trucking Companies Often Deny Liability
Trucking companies have financial incentives to avoid responsibility after truck crashes. Denying liability reduces their insurance coverage payouts and shields them from penalties. Reasons they dispute claims include:
- Driver Negligence Denial: Claiming the truck drivers followed federal regulations.
- Blaming Accident Victims: Suggesting passenger vehicles caused the accident scene.
- Mechanical Failure Excuses: Pointing to truck maintenance or a truck manufacturer’s issue instead.
- Delaying Tactics: Extending investigations to pressure victims into smaller settlements.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, fatalities related to freight transportation increased by 47.5% from 2012 to 2022, with trucks making up 86.5% of these deaths. These figures emphasize the significant safety risks within the trucking industry.
Proving Negligence with Strong Evidence
Evidence is essential in personal injury case investigations when a trucking company denies liability. Building a solid claim may include:
- Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, and mechanical failure before the crash.
- Driver Logs: Prove compliance with federal regulations on rest and driving hours.
- Police Report: Independent documentation of the accident scene.
- Truck Maintenance Records: Show whether large and commercial trucks were maintained correctly.
- Medical Treatment Documentation: Connects injuries such as brain injuries to the trucking accident.
This evidence strengthens truck accident claims and helps insurance companies see the facts clearly.
Other Parties That May Be Liable
Liability doesn’t always rest solely on trucking companies. Depending on the case, others may share responsibility, including:
- Truck Drivers – Fatigue, speeding, or reckless driving factors.
- Truck Manufacturer – Defective parts contributing to crashes.
- Maintenance Company – Poor servicing that caused mechanical failure.
- Cargo Loaders – Improperly loaded big rigs leading to loss of control.
By examining all possible angles, a law firm can identify every liable party and pursue fair compensation for property damages, medical expenses, and wrongful death claims.
Legal Options When Liability Is Disputed
When a trucking company denies liability, accident victims still have options:
- Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit – Hold responsible parties accountable in court.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Leverage strong evidence to secure a settlement.
- Pursuing Wrongful Death Claims – For families who lost loved ones in truck crashes.
- Seeking Damages – Cover medical bills, Lost Wages, long-term care, and property damages.
California residents benefit from local statutes and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. Victims near Santa Clara University or other busy Santa Clara roads should act quickly to preserve evidence and meet deadlines.
Why Having a Truck Accident Lawyer Matters
A California truck accident lawyer provides essential support when liability is contested. They:
- Investigate the accident scene thoroughly.
- Subpoena driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records.
- Challenge trucking companies’ tactics.
- Calculate damages for medical bills, medical treatment, and lost income.
- Guide clients through the complexities of truck accident claims and insurance coverage disputes.
Having a dedicated truck accident lawyer in Santa Clara ensures injured victims are not left at the mercy of the trucking industry’s legal teams.
FAQs
California uses a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover compensation even if you share blame for the accident. There’s no threshold that bars recovery—even if you’re 90% at fault, you can still collect 10% of your damages. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An experienced attorney can help present evidence that limits unfair fault claims and maximizes your compensation.
Yes. Victims with catastrophic injuries may need lifelong treatment. Compensation can include rehabilitation, medical equipment, in-home assistance, and modifications to living spaces to improve quality of life.
Insurance companies focus on profits, often denying valid claims, delaying payments, or offering quick settlements that may not cover your medical bills, lost wages, and property damages. Legal guidance ensures your settlement covers your actual losses.
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the trucking accident. However, cases involving government entities (such as unsafe roads or poorly maintained infrastructure) may require filing a claim within six months.
In many trucking accident cases, liability is shared among truck drivers, maintenance companies, cargo loaders, or the truck manufacturer. California law allows victims to pursue compensation from each responsible party, which can increase the likelihood of full recovery for medical expenses and property damages.
Strong Legal Support for the Road Ahead
When a trucking company denies liability, victims need more than sympathy—they need action. Strong legal advocacy makes the difference in proving negligence and navigating insurance coverage battles. If you or a loved one suffered brain injuries, property damages, or wrongful death after a trucking accident in California, Farahi Law Firm in Santa Clara is here to help.
📞Contact us today for a free consultation and let an experienced California truck accident lawyer fight for the justice you deserve.
