Both truck accidents and car accidents can leave behind destruction and injuries. However, there are key differences between them.
One of the most apparent differences is that trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. This means that a truck will crash with greater force, which tends to result in life-altering injuries or even death.
The size and weight aren’t the only factors that make truck accidents different from car accidents. These other factors also play a role.
Factors Involving Truck Design
Poor visibility from the perspective of a truck driver and poor stopping power are other things that make truck accidents worse. Trucks have huge blind spots, so drivers may not always be aware of cars positioned where they can’t see them.
Even when a trucker can see a problem on the road, it takes a greater distance to come to a complete stop, so they may not be able to avoid a crash.
Trucks are also more prone to rollover accidents and jackknifing. They have a higher center of gravity, and if they need to swerve to avoid an obstacle, they can roll over onto other vehicles. In other situations, a swerving maneuver may result in the trailer folding into the truck, which is known as jackknifing.
Factors Involving Federal Trucking Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules and regulations for the trucking industry. When a truck accident happens, how it is investigated is far more complex than a car accident.
Trucking companies will have a legal team to defend against injury claims to minimize the compensation payout to truck accident victims. While insurance companies may also try these tactics in a car accident, the intricate rules and regulations on the federal level can make it an exhausting endeavor. This is why it’s best to work with a truck accident lawyer who understands all these laws and how they can impact your truck crash case.
Factors Involving Liability
Even a car accident involving multiple vehicles is less complicated than determining liability in a truck accident. There are potentially more liable parties involved in truck crashes that go beyond the truck driver.
Other liable parties in a truck accident could include the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck, the manufacturer of a defective truck part, the truck retailer, the person or company responsible for repairs to the truck, a government entity responsible for maintaining safe roads, or even the party that loaded the cargo onto the truck.
There are also factors involving trucking insurance that make an accident with a truck different than one involving cars. Trucking companies have insurance requirements but are not obligated to show the level of coverage available until the litigation process begins. There are other intricacies involving insurance and truck accidents that can make them far more confusing than a car crash.
Since car insurance policies and state laws can also add to that confusion, it is essential to speak with an attorney who has represented truck accident victims. If you’ve lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you may also be able to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit to get justice after that tragedy.
Truck accident injuries often cause catastrophic injuries for the victims. If someone survives, their life may never be the same as it was before. One similarity truck accidents have to car accidents is that you can seek compensation from the liable party. However, since there are potentially many liable parties, you may be looking at a much larger settlement amount to compensate you for all your damages.
Conclusion
It’s clear that truck accidents are vastly different from car accidents in many ways. The size, weight, design factors, federal regulations, liability concerns, and insurance complexities all contribute to the distinct nature of truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it is crucial to seek legal support from an experienced truck accident lawyer to navigate the complexities and secure the compensation you deserve. Understanding these differences is vital for both victims and their families as they navigate the challenging aftermath of a truck accident.
