Large commercial trucks move through California every day, especially in high-traffic areas like the Central Valley. When one of those trucks is involved in a crash, the damage tends to be severe.

According to the National Safety Council, over 70% of those injured in semi-truck collisions in the U.S. were occupants of smaller vehicles. Many of these victims faced big medical bills, totaled vehicles, and months of lost paychecks.

When a truck driver is at fault, you have the right to seek compensation, but in some cases, they deny doing anything wrong or blame you for the collision. If this happens, you need legal support to preserve evidence, push back on false claims, and protect your ability to recover damages.

Learn why it’s essential to work with a skilled California truck crash lawyer to protect your rights, investigate the liable party, and prove your claim for maximum compensation.

Why Denials Are So Common in Truck Accident Claims

Due to the catastrophic nature of truck accidents, these claims are often high-stakes. Truck drivers and their employers may deny fault immediately to avoid higher insurance premiums, legal exposure, and regulatory scrutiny.

They may claim you cut them off, stopped too suddenly, or were distracted, even when the facts suggest otherwise. These tactics are common and are intended to protect the company, not the injured driver.

For example, if a driver ran a red light or swerved into your lane, they might still argue that you were at fault. The case can come down to your word against theirs without supporting evidence.

An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate and gather proof to support your case.

Investigation Strategies When Drivers Deny Fault

Proving liability when a truck driver denies causing an accident takes detailed, technical evidence. Attorneys who handle these cases focus on records that the driver can’t easily deny, including:

  • Driver Logs: Federal regulations require truck drivers to track their hours. Data from electronic logging device (ELD) records can indicate whether the driver skipped rest breaks, drove too long, or was under pressure to meet delivery deadlines.
  • Black Box Data: Most commercial trucks are equipped with built-in event data recorders that capture speed, braking, and steering data in the moments leading up to a crash. This information can confirm what happened, even if the driver says something different.
  • Maintenance Records: Equipment failure, such as bad brakes or bald tires, may have contributed to the crash. Maintenance records can show whether the company kept the truck in safe condition or ignored known issues.
  • Trucking Company Policies: In some cases, company pressure to meet tight delivery schedules can push drivers to speed or skip required rest breaks. A lawyer can investigate internal communications to show whether the company contributed to the crash.

Each of these records helps build a strong, fact-based case, even when the driver refuses to take responsibility.

Multiple Sources of Liability in Truck Accidents

When a truck driver denies responsibility, they may not be the only one involved. Truck accident cases often include several parties who could share liability, such as:

At-Fault Party How They May Be Liable
Trucking Company May be liable for hiring unqualified drivers, ignoring safety protocols, or enforcing unrealistic delivery schedules
Maintenance Provider Can be held responsible for missed inspections, skipped repairs, or faulty work that led to mechanical failure
Cargo Loader May face liability if shifting or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash
Manufacturers Could share responsibility if a defective part or system failure played a role in the accident
Other Drivers Might be at fault if their actions, such as reckless driving, contributed to the collision

Identifying all possible sources of liability gives your truck accident attorney in California more ways to hold the right parties accountable and pursue the full compensation you’re owed.

Overcoming Insurance Company Denial Tactics

Truck accident insurance claims are rarely straightforward. Insurance companies representing drivers and carriers have one goal: to limit payouts. If the driver denies fault, insurers will often support that denial unless you can prove otherwise.

Truck collision accident attorneys know how to challenge these tactics. They may:

  • Review Video Footage: Your legal team can pull traffic, business, or dashcam recordings that show what really happened.
  • Interview Witnesses: Lawyers may contact bystanders or drivers who saw the crash and document their statements.
  • Work With Reconstruction Experts: A truck crash lawyer can hire specialists to analyze crash evidence and explain how the truck caused the collision.
  • Document Violations: Your attorney may uncover safety violations, such as missed inspections or illegal driving times, that indicate who is at fault.

These steps make it harder for insurers to deny responsibility and help you submit a solid, evidence-based claim for fair damages.

How a California Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You Prove Fault

When a truck driver denies fault, it puts your entire claim at risk. Evidence can disappear, and aggressive insurers may pressure you into an unfair settlement.

A skilled accident lawyer can:

  • Send spoliation letters to preserve critical evidence like log books and ELD data
  • Issue subpoenas to obtain maintenance records and dispatch communications
  • Request surveillance or traffic camera footage before they are deleted
  • Handle communication with insurers to protect you from delays and low offers

The sooner you involve an attorney, the better your chances of proving what really happened and recovering the full amount you’re owed.

Hurt in a Truck Accident? Get Qualified Legal Representation

When a truck driver denies fault, you need a legal team that understands how to respond. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve handled serious truck accident cases across California for decades.

We know how to investigate complex crashes and challenge false claims, and we help you seek the financial support needed to protect your future.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and find out how we can help you move forward.