Trucking Company Liability for Driver Negligence in California

Proving Trucking Company Liability for Driver Negligence in California

California uses a fault-based system to resolve all motor vehicle accident cases in the state. This means that whoever is responsible for causing the accident absorbs liability for the resulting damages, and an injured victim needs to prove fault for their accident before they can recover any compensation. While this may sound simple enough, the reality is that commercial truck accidents are usually more difficult to resolve than standard passenger vehicle accident cases.

The National Safety Council reported that in 2024, there were 120,724 large trucks involved in injury crashes nationwide. Whenever a smaller vehicle is involved in a truck accident, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are likely to suffer the worst of the resulting damages. While most truck accidents result from driver negligence, they can also occur due to regulatory noncompliance and the negligence of trucking companies.

The term “vicarious liability” applies to any situation in which an employer bears liability for the actions of their employee. For example, if a truck driver caused an accident due to intoxicated driving, and they have a history of similar incidents that would have been revealed in a background check, their employer is likely to face vicarious liability for the accident for failure to conduct a proper background check that would have revealed this risk.

Trucking company liability for driver negligence in California can also apply when a company neglects to enforce regulations like the hours of service rules meant to prevent fatigued driving. Unfortunately, some of these companies simply look the other way when their drivers violate these rules because it means they complete deliveries for the company faster. If you prove a trucking company shares fault for your accident, they share liability for your damages.

Claiming Compensation for Trucking Company Negligence

Resolving a vehicle accident case in California begins with proving liability for the accident, and then you must show the full scope of the damages you suffered because of the defendant’s actions. You have the right to claim compensation for economic losses like vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost wages if you are unable to work while you recover. You may also claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced.

A skilled California truck accident attorney will be an invaluable asset when it comes to building your case and identifying the party or parties liable for your damages. Your attorney can help you file an auto insurance claim, verifying that the defendant’s insurer offers a fair settlement offer and resolving any disputes they raise against your claim. If you must file a personal injury suit, you are more likely to achieve a positive outcome with an attorney’s help.

Ultimately, it can be very difficult to establish a trucking company’s liability for driver negligence in California. The team at Bentley & More LLP has extensive experience representing injured clients in a wide range of accident cases, including truck accident claims. You can trust us to help you establish fault for your recent accident, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services and how we can help with your recovery.

FAQs

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

The most common causes of truck accidents in California include driver negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, and moving violations; regulatory noncompliance, such as hours of service violations and failure to perform vehicle maintenance; and illegal misconduct, such as drinking and driving. You should hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so they can gather the evidence you need to establish liability.

What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Fault for a Truck Accident?

The evidence you may need to prove fault for a truck accident could include the truck’s black-box data, trucking company records, witness statements, police reports, and cell phone data. You should hire a truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity after the accident so they can begin gathering crucial evidence as soon as possible. Some evidence is time-sensitive, so you should have an attorney start building your case right away.

What Is the Value of a Truck Accident Claim?

The value of a truck accident claim depends on the severity of your damages. If you can prove that another party is responsible for causing the accident, you can claim compensation for the full scope of economic and non-economic losses you suffered because of their negligence or misconduct. An experienced California truck accident attorney can help you claim compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.

Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Proving trucking company liability for driver negligence in California can be extremely difficult, so you should hire a truck accident lawyer who has proven experience with cases like yours to increase your chances of success with your case. Your attorney can gather evidence you would not know how to obtain on your own, and they can also accurately calculate your total claimable damages. You’re more likely to achieve a favorable outcome with their help.

Speak to Our Truck Accident Lawyer

The personal injury attorney at Bentley & More LLP have years of proven experience helping clients through some of the most challenging vehicle accident cases in California. Truck accident cases are often more difficult to resolve than standard passenger vehicle accident claims in many ways, but our team knows how to help you overcome the obstacles you are likely to face as you seek compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.

About the author: Greg Bentley

Co-Founder & Trial Lawyer at Bentley & More LLP

Greg Bentley is Co-Founder of Bentley & More LLP in Newport Beach, California. With 36 years of experience, he represents plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, insurance bad faith, dangerous road and property conditions, and construction-site failure cases. Admitted to the State Bar of California, Greg earned his J.D. from Western State University College of Law in 1990. He is a member of several invitation-only trial organizations, including the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and is active in multiple statewide and regional trial lawyer associations.

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