Who’s Actually at Fault? Identifying All Liable Parties After a Commercial Truck Crash

A truck accident is different from a collision involving a passenger car, partly because the driver is an…

Aug 14, 2026

A truck accident is different from a collision involving a passenger car, partly because the driver is an employee of the trucking company. With that said, the trucking company may also bear legal responsibility for the driver’s actions and the vehicles it owns. Additionally, other liable parties may include the truck’s manufacturer, vendors who service the carrier, the owner of the cargo, and even the local government or contractor responsible for road design or maintenance.

If you or a loved one is involved in a truck collision, it’s likely that you’ll need a personal injury lawyer to investigate and determine who’s responsible for injuries and losses. At Jingozian Law Group, our legal team is ready to handle the heavy lifting of your case while you focus on what’s important: recovery.

Gathering Evidence After a Truck Accident

After a truck accident, there’s a variety of data that should be thoroughly reviewed to determine the cause and who is legally responsible. A personal injury attorney may focus on police reports and the condition of the vehicles involved in the wreck. In some cases, an accident reconstruction specialist may be consulted for a professional forensic analysis and an accurate interpretation of the accident.

Many trucking companies rush to get rid of evidence that may be crucial to the investigation, such as black box recordings, activity logs, and other crucial trucking company records. A truck accident attorney can file a spoliation letter to preserve data for analysis, helping you build a stronger case.

Our Practice Areas

Premises Liability

Wrongful Death

Scooter Accidents

Dog Bites

Bicycle Accidents

Uber & Lyft Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

Bus Accidents

Who’s Liable After a Truck Accident?

As stated, a thorough investigation is crucial following a truck accident to determine what happened and why. A professional personal injury lawyer in Canoga Park, CA can conduct a full review of the evidence to determine which party should be held responsible. This can be individuals or multiple parties.

Truck Driver

The most common cause of truck accidents is negligent drivers. Whether it’s due to fatigue, speeding, or distractions, there may be criminal charges pending or even a conviction. A truck driver is responsible for thoroughly inspecting the rig to ensure proper maintenance and proper loading of the cargo. Truck accident attorneys can investigate to determine if the collision is a result of improper maintenance or sudden cargo shifts.

Carrier

The trucking company is responsible for its vehicles and drivers. This means taking accountability for hiring and training practices, as the company is liable if it hires drivers who have infractions on their records. Sometimes employee interviews or carrier records indicate that the company pushes employees to save money by cutting corners on truck maintenance and inspection requirements, as well as FMCSA hours of service (HOS) limits,

Cargo Shipper and Loader

Carriers can work as contractors to ship cargo for other companies. When they are involved in an accident, the individual parties in these arrangements are each responsible for state and federal regulations and can be held responsible if negligent. In the case of sudden cargo shifts or other cargo-related issues as the cause of a truck accident, a personal injury attorney may acquire and examine records from all the parties involved.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

A common mistake accident victims make is accepting a settlement for injuries and other losses without consulting a truck accident lawyer. The attorneys at Jingozian Law Group have decades of experience obtaining compensation for clients involved in all types of commercial trucking collisions. We leverage extensive resources to fully investigate a truck accident and bring solid claims against all the responsible parties. Contact us today to request a free evaluation of your case.