# Who may be responsible after a truck crash? Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/truck-crash/ Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied. ## Short answer The driver or the business they work for may be at fault. Other parties may be involved too. A truck’s size alone does not prove who caused the crash. ## Hypothetical example A truck driver makes an unsafe turn while making a delivery. A cyclist gets hurt. ## How the rule works A work-related crash can involve more records than a private-car crash. Driver duties and the employer’s role may be separate issues. Proof of who did what helps identify the right claims. ## What can change the answer The truck’s upkeep, load, and work records may matter. A business is not at fault just because its name is on the truck. ## A useful next step Save the company name and truck number. Ask about steps to keep truck and business records from being lost. ## Court decisions behind this answer ### Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co. (2011) 51 Cal.4th 764, slip op., pp. 1–3. The court rejected a broad no-duty rule for a truck stopped beside a freeway. Drivers still had to use ordinary care. Limit: It did not hold that every roadside stop is careless. The facts matter when deciding breach and cause. Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2011/s178799/ ### Perez v. Van Groningen & Sons, Inc. (1986) 41 Cal.3d 962, pp. 967–970. A worker could still be doing the employer’s work despite breaking a rule against giving a ride. Limit: This does not make every personal trip a work trip. Scope of employment depends on the work and facts. Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/41/962.html ## Sources - [California Civil Code § 1714 — Responsibility for harm](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1714.) - [Civil Code § 2338 — Responsibility for an agent’s conduct](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=2338.) - [Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co. (2011) 51 Cal.4th 764](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2011/s178799/) - [Perez v. Van Groningen & Sons, Inc. (1986) 41 Cal.3d 962](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/41/962.html) General information, not legal advice.