Truck accidents differ from car accidents in multiple ways. The size and weight difference between the two vehicles can leave the occupants of the car far more seriously injured than the occupants of the larger truck. Passenger car occupants are also more likely to suffer fatal injuries (68%) than truck occupants (15%).
In addition, accidents involving cars tend to be caused by driver error. In contrast, accidents involving trucks can have driver, mechanical, manufacturing, and other unique causes such as improperly loaded cargo. These factors can make identifying the at-fault party in a truck accident complex without legal guidance and support.
How Size and Weight Affect Truck vs. Vehicle Collisions
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) research shows that a truck can weigh as much as 30 times more than a passenger car. The difference in size, weight, and height between a car and a truck in an accident can mean:
- The car can become lodged underneath the truck
- The truck can need up to 40% more stopping distance
- Passenger vehicle occupants are in a vulnerable position
If you or someone you love was seriously injured, or if a loved one was fatally injured in a truck accident, it can be challenging to identify the at-fault party and hold them accountable on your own.
A truck accident lawyer can explain the critical details of building your case and help you fight to recover damages for your injuries and related expenses.
Commonly Reported Truck Accident Injuries
The size discrepancy between vehicles means the car occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries. Injuries common in truck accidents include:
- Internal injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Limb amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Chemical and contact burns
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Less serious injuries can include cuts, scrapes, bruises, and broken bones. When serious or compounded, these injuries can also require extensive and costly treatment. They can also cause disfigurement that requires surgery and multiple other treatment options or lead to dangerous infections.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Potential At-Fault Parties in Truck Accidents
In most car accidents, driver error is the primary cause, allowing you to pursue the at-fault driver or their insurer for financial recovery. However, there can be one or multiple at-fault parties in a truck accident. This can complicate your truck accident case because you will need to identify all at-fault parties and apportion blame accordingly.
This can mean seeking compensation from several insurance parties simultaneously, which can mean:
- Obtaining and completing multiple claim forms
- Building more than one evidence file
- Navigating multiple settlement negotiations
A truck accident attorney can help you understand the complexities of your case and ensure each at-fault party is held accountable for their negligence.
The Truck Driver
In some cases, the truck driver’s actions and behavior can cause a collision. These can include cases where the trucker was:
- Distracted
- Drowsy
- Intoxicated
- Speeding
You can also hold the trucker accountable if he falsifies his logbook or exceeds his allowable driving hours.
The lawyer who handles your case can help you obtain copies of the driver’s logbook, driving record, BAC (blood alcohol concentration) test results, and other evidence that proves his actions and financial liability.
The Trucking Company
Just as the truck driver is responsible for his actions, the company he drives for is responsible for the truck, its maintenance, and other factors that might have contributed to the accident.
These can include:
- Faulty vehicle inspection
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Improperly trained drivers
- Inadequately trained drivers
- Inadequate truck maintenance
Your attorney can request copies of supporting documents — truck maintenance records, proof of trucker training or the lack thereof, videos of the cargo being loaded, etc. — that prove the validity of your case against the trucking company.
Truck and Component Manufacturers
A truck is a huge machine made up of several parts and components. Therefore, you could have a case against the truck’s maker if a manufacturing or design flaw caused the truck to malfunction.
Similarly, you could hold liable one or more of the companies that manufactured the truck’s parts. These can include faulty windshield wipers that caused impaired vision and faulty brakes that would not allow the truck driver to stop despite his best effort.
Your lawyer can obtain mechanical reports and consult expert witnesses to prove a flawed part contributed to the accident.
Contact Our Office Today to Receive a Free Review of Your Truck Accident Case
If you or someone you love was seriously or fatally injured in a collision with a big truck, you could be entitled to financial compensation. At Bressman Law, our truck accident lawyer will explain how your truck accident case differs from a car accident case and how we build your claim for financial recovery.
Contact our law firm today to learn more about how hard we will fight for you.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
