Understanding The Key Differences Between Trucking And Regular Car Accidents

Ever wondered how the legal process works if you're injured in a truck accident that wasn't your fault? Most trucking accidents are complex situations that leave victims bewildered, unsure of how to fight for the compensation that they deserve. Many factors add complexity to these auto accident cases, making them more complex to deal with than regular car accidents. 

If you want to know how your truck injury case will play out, read along to discover the main differentiating factors between trucking accidents and accidents involving standard cars.

Vehicle Size And Weight

One of the most obvious distinctions between a truck accident and a normal car accident is the size and weight of the vehicles involved.

Trucking accidents involve semi-trucks whose size and weight can be several times that of regular cars and/or smaller vehicles. The sheer length and weight of the vehicles can increase the severity of damage to vehicles and injuries inflicted on accident victims.

The bigger the size and weight of semi-trucks, the more insurance truck owners or trucking companies are required to carry. As a result, more money is available to compensate truck accident victims. This means you could get a higher compensation amount if you're hurt in a trucking accident than in a car accident.

The Number Of Liable Parties

Another aspect that separates truck injury cases from normal car injury cases is the number of parties that may be liable for the victim's injuries. While other drivers are almost always at fault in an ordinary car accident case, trucking injury cases tend to have more liable parties besides other truck drivers. 

From the trucking company itself to the manufacturer of the truck, the company that is responsible for loading the truck, or the company subcontracted to carry out maintenance and repair work on the truck, many different parties could be liable for causing a trucking accident.

As a result, a more thorough investigation process is required to determine the at-fault party or parties. This may result in partial-fault personal injury claims against multiple parties instead of claiming compensation from a single at-fault party.

Contrary to common belief, all auto accidents are not created equal. Since the process of determining the at-fault parties and the amount of compensation to be sought in a truck injury case can be rather complex, you should get an auto accident lawyer that focuses on trucking accidents. 

Contact a law firm like Bradley Drendel & Jeanney to learn more.


Share