There are approximately 11 million large trucks on U.S. roads, including tractor-trailers and single-unit trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles are involved in roughly 415,000 crashes each year, and about 20 percent of those crashes result in injuries or fatalities.
The St. Louis area sees an especially high volume of commercial truck traffic. Its central location makes it a major hub for freight transportation, and Missouri’s relatively low commercial vehicle registration costs encourage many trucking companies to register their fleets in the state.
When fully loaded, a commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds or more. Because of their enormous size and weight, collisions involving large trucks are far more likely to cause catastrophic injuries or death. In most cases, the occupants of passenger vehicles, not the truck driver, suffer the most serious consequences.
Most of us grow up hearing, “Take responsibility for your mistakes.” Unfortunately, that isn’t how trucking accident claims typically begin. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a collision with a commercial truck, don’t be surprised if the trucking company immediately denies responsibility, even when the evidence appears clear. While frustrating, these denials are a common part of the legal process and should not be mistaken for the final word on what happened.
Why Trucking Companies Don’t Take Accountability for Wrecks
When a commercial truck driver is involved in a crash, the trucking company will act quickly to protect itself and try to avoid liability for the accident. Trucking companies are very good at trying to avoid accountability. They have far more resources than the average driver and have lawyers guiding them.
Typically, the truck driver and the trucking company deny responsibility. For victims of trucking accidents, this can be infuriating. Not only are they denying fault for causing someone’s injury and suffering, but they’re trying to say that the victim is actually to blame.
What Trucking Companies and Their Insurance Companies Do After an Accident
For most newer truck fleets, if a truck driver is involved in a collision, the dispatch office may find out automatically, due to onboard data being uploaded in real time.
The truck driver’s protocol requires that they call the dispatcher immediately to report the crash. Many times, the trucking company will send investigators to the scene to begin interviewing witnesses and looking for evidence within hours of the wreck.
The trucking company may:
- Take measurements
- Take photographs or videos
- Interview other motorists
- Collect crash data from the truck
- Have someone call you for a recorded statement
- Try to get you (or others, including passengers or family members) to sign medical releases or settlement forms
- Tell you that you don’t need a lawyer or that they will only agree to pay if you don’t hire a lawyer (this should be a red flag)
- Have their attorneys call you or threaten to sue you, claiming you were at fault
- Falsify documents and repair orders
- Coach their drivers on how to answer police questions
How Fast Action Can Affect You After an Accident
Many trucking operations will have the truck repaired within days of a wreck. They may claim the vehicle did not actually make as much impact as it really did.
By the time an injured person finally calls a lawyer or files a claim in the cases, the accident scene may be cleaned up, witnesses may be hard to track down, truck maintenance records may no longer be available, and there may be little hard evidence left. The trucking company then denies any wrongdoing and refuses to pay.
The sooner you start your investigation and get a truck accident lawyer on your side, the faster you can start protecting your rights. Experienced truck accident attorneys understand how fast the trucking companies work, so they hire their own investigators and act quickly to preserve crucial evidence to protect their clients.
Why Truck Wreck Victims Need a Lawyer
A lot of people ask, “Do I need a lawyer after a truck accident?” The short answer is that you should always have a lawyer review the accident and explain your legal options. There are a lot of good reasons to hire a lawyer to assist with your case. When someone is horribly injured or killed in an accident, a lawyer can make a lifechanging difference for their family.
If you or your family are dealing with the aftermath of a semi-truck crash, you may have already encountered some of the tactics discussed in this article. The trucking company may have already approached your family and pressured you to settle. Before making a decision that could affect your future, consider speaking with an experienced truck accident lawyer. An attorney can protect your rights, handle communications with the trucking company, and help ensure you pursue the full compensation your family may need for medical care, financial stability, and the road to recovery.
Here are some of the benefits of having a truck accident lawyer involved right from the start:
- An experienced truck accident lawyer knows how to investigate a crash, preserve critical evidence, and determine whether the trucking company or other responsible parties are liable.
- You will have a team that understands the challenges families face after a semi-truck accident and can answer your questions with experience and compassion.
- You will have a lawyer who understands the value of your case and will help pursue the compensation you deserve, including planning for long-term medical care, financial needs, or trust management if appropriate.
- You will have someone to answer your questions as they arise. When someone is seriously injured or killed in a truck accident, families often face countless uncertainties and difficult decisions. Having an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process with confidence.
- A truck accident lawyer can communicate with your healthcare providers and, when possible, work to delay medical debt collection efforts while your claim is pending.
- You will no longer have to communicate directly with the insurance company. Once you hire a lawyer, the insurance company will generally communicate with your attorney instead, reducing the risk that something you say could be used against your claim.
Is it Really Necessary to Sue the Trucking Company or Driver?
In many cases, your attorney may have to file a lawsuit in order to move the case forward. Most people would prefer to settle without going through a trial, but if the trucking company or insurance company is unwilling to accept liability and pay for their driver’s negligence, a lawsuit may be necessary.
If this is the case for you and your family, unfortunately you should expect to hear denials from the trucking company that injured you. Our firm has heard firsthand what upsetting things trucking companies may say about accident victims, and we have seen how it affects people who are going through such a difficult time. Many clients become upset when trucking companies deny responsibility for a wreck. But this is an all-too-common tactic used by defense attorneys representing trucking companies. By denying everything—even the facts that seem undeniable—they are preserving the defendant’s ability to deny certain aspects of the case later on.
For many reasons, the commercial motor vehicle driver and their company want to minimize responsibility for the crash they caused.
Trucking companies are concerned about:
- Insurance Implications. Trucking companies’ insurance premiums could increase if they accept liability for accidents. If the trucking company and its insurer can avoid accepting liability, they can avoid a potential payout and protect their profit margins.
- Legal Costs. Admitting fault could open the company to financial responsibility and lawsuits.
- Reputation Management. By denying liability, trucking companies try to maintain their image and business relationships.
- Financial Stability. Admitting responsibility might lead to large judgments against the company and financial instability. To protect their financial standing, companies often deny liability for accidents.
- Driver’s ability to work. The truck driver may be concerned about losing the ability to work if he/she is the cause of the accident.
Between coping with a loved one in the hospital, or grieving sudden loss, families find themselves overwhelmed and underprepared to handle the legal process, insurance adjusters, and the trucking company’s defense team.
An experienced truck accident attorney can level the playing field. Your lawyer will investigate the crash, gather and preserve critical evidence, handle communications with the insurance company, accurately assess the value of your claim, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
It’s also your attorney’s job to cut through the trucking company’s attempts to shift blame and ensure the facts come to light. While these tactics are common, they do not determine the outcome of your case. Choosing a lawyer with both trucking litigation experience and a commitment to client care can make a meaningful difference. The right legal team will not only protect your rights but also provide the guidance and support your family needs throughout the process.
If Your Family Has Been Affected by a Catastrophic Truck Accident, Craig, Kelley & Faultless Is Ready to Help
Craig, Kelley & Faultless is a personal injury law firm handling semi and other truck accident cases in St. Louis, Missouri, and throughout the nation. The firm has lawyers licensed in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. These experienced lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.
Our Missouri attorney Christopher M. Barry was included in 2026’s edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, reflecting his professional reputation and results. Chris believes that the civil justice system—particularly the right to a jury trial—plays a critical role in holding negligent parties accountable. He represents injured individuals exclusively and is committed to helping clients navigate difficult circumstances with clear guidance, responsiveness, and strong advocacy.
The Craig, Kelley & Faultless St. Louis office is located at 5585 Pershing Ave Suite 110, St. Louis, MO 63112, available by appointment only. Reach out for a free case consultation at (314) 367-2661or visit https://www.ckflaw.com/st-louis/.
David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, which requires Board Certification in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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