How Do I Know Whether a Truck Driver Is at Fault for an Accident?

 Posted on August 26, 2026 in Truck Accidents

Getting in an accident with a semi-truck is not only frightening, but extremely dangerous. Serious injuries often result. Understanding what kind of compensation may be available is very important to many victims.

Determining who was at fault in an accident with a commercial truck is important for knowing if you can recover damages. Whether a truck driver is at fault or not depends on the driver’s conduct. If they were acting negligently, they may be liable for the accident. In some cases, other parties like the trucking company can also bear responsibility for an accident.

If you were injured in an accident with a commercial truck in 2026, a Milford/Orange, CT truck accident lawyer can help you determine whether you may be awarded compensation.

How Can a Connecticut Truck Driver Be Negligent?

Negligence generally means a driver failed to do what a reasonably careful driver would have done in the same situation.

Common forms of negligence in truck accidents include:

• Following too closely

• Not checking a blind spot before changing lanes

• Driving while fatigued

• Driving impaired

• Driving while distracted by a phone or other device

Sometimes the trucking company shares the blame. It may, for example, push a driver to meet a schedule that didn’t allow enough rest or fail to meet federal safety standards for their vehicles.

What Evidence Can Help Prove a Connecticut Truck Driver Was at Fault?

Evidence from truck accidents often falls into two general categories.

Evidence from the Scene of the Accident

Evidence from the accident itself can show what each driver was doing and who contributed to the accident. Dashcam or security footage, traffic footage, and witness statements can all be valuable in showing how the accident played out. In some cases, the police report from the accident may be valuable evidence as well.

Records from the Truck and Trucking Company

This kind of evidence is often internal to the truck or the trucking company. It can show what set the stage for the accident to happen.

A truck’s "black box" tracks things like the vehicle’s speed, braking, seatbelt use, and GPS information. This information can help establish what the trucker was doing before and during the accident. Maintenance and pre-trip inspection logs can implicate the company if inspections were not done or done improperly.

A truck’s electronic logging device data tracks hours driven and can show if a driver was on the road too long. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service mandates that drivers have at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty between each 14 hours on-duty. After resting for 10 hours and then working for 14 hours, a driver may not drive more than 11 hours (49 CFR Part 395). A documented violation of these limits can be used as evidence of negligence.

While trucking companies must keep this information for six months by law, sometimes evidence gets destroyed before a claim is filed. An attorney can send a spoliation letter requesting that all evidence relevant to your claim be preserved.

How Does Shared Fault Affect a Connecticut Truck Accident Claim?

You can still recover damages even if you share some of the blame for the accident. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-572(h). As your fault isn’t greater than the combined fault of everyone you’re suing, you may still recover compensation. If a jury finds you were more than 50 percent at fault, you will likely be barred from recovery.

Call a Bridgeport, CT Truck Accident Lawyer Today

A lawyer can be a valuable asset in cases involving commercial trucks. Having someone experienced on your side to search out evidence and help you navigate offers from insurers can make a big difference in what you ultimately recover.

Our Milford/Orange, CT personal injury attorneys take a personal approach with every client. Tremont Sheldon P.C. has more than 100 years of combined experience and over 65 years in business. We have recovered more than $750 million in verdicts and settlements across more than 12,000 cases. We hold an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and more than 150 five-star reviews.

You’ll always talk to an attorney you know at our firm, not a call center. Calls go directly to our office, 24 hours a day. We offer free consultations and contingency billing. Our full-time staff includes Spanish and Portuguese speakers.

Call Tremont Sheldon P.C. at 203-335-5145 to talk through what happened and figure out your next steps.