Vehicle accidents happen all the time in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but no two are the same. There are even a few differences depending on the type of vehicle.
While both car and truck crashes can cause serious injuries and damage, big rig accidents are in a league of their own. You could be facing more extensive injuries, substantial losses, and legal complications after a truck crash.
So, how do car wreck and truck accident cases differ? Let’s take a look at the facts so that you can be prepared when it comes to filing a claim.
Size Makes a Difference
One of the biggest differences between a car accident and a truck crash is the size of the vehicles. A standard car weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, but a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
With this massive weight difference, truck accidents are much more destructive. When this vehicle collides with a car, the passenger car almost always takes the brunt of the impact. This is the reason why people involved in truck accidents often suffer more severe injuries than those in car crashes. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities are more common in these incidents.
Stopping distance is another concern. A car can come to a quick stop if needed, but a semi-truck is a different story. Trucks take much longer to slow down, especially at high speeds. If a truck driver isn’t paying attention, or if another driver suddenly cuts them off, there’s a much higher chance of a serious accident.
The Causes of Accidents Are Different
Car accidents are often caused by several factors. These can include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Bad weather conditions
While these same reasons can cause truck accidents, these crashes have their own set of risk factors, such as:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. Even though some laws limit their driving hours, some push past their limits to meet deadlines. A tired driver behind the wheel of a massive truck is a recipe for disaster.
- Improperly loaded cargo: If a truck’s load is not balanced properly, it can tip over or become harder to control.
- Brake or tire failures: Trucks put a lot of stress on their brakes and tires. Mechanical failures can happen at the worst possible times when they are not well-maintained.
- Blind spots: Trucks have huge blind spots, much larger than those of a regular car. If a car sits in one of these “no-zones,” the truck driver may not see them when changing lanes.
The Legal Side Is More Complicated
If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you probably know that determining fault usually comes down to which driver was being careless. Maybe someone ran a red light, rear-ended another car, or was texting while driving.
With truck accidents, more than one party could often be responsible. Remember that not always just the truck driver is at fault.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident?
- The truck driver: They could be at fault if they were speeding, driving tired, or distracted.
- The trucking company: They might be to blame if they forced their drivers to work long hours or failed to maintain their trucks properly.
- The cargo loaders: If the cargo was improperly secured, it could cause the truck to lose control.
- The truck manufacturer: If a truck part fails due to a defect, the company that made it can be held responsible.
Along with that, truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules cover everything from how many hours a truck driver can work to how often their truck must be inspected. If any of these rules were broken, it could have a big impact on a legal case.
Insurance and Compensation Work Differently
Another major difference? Insurance policies. Most regular drivers have auto insurance policies with coverage limits between $25,000 and $100,000. That might be enough to reimburse a minor fender bender, but that’s not even close to cover a serious accident.
On the other hand, truck companies must carry much larger insurance policies. This is because the damage caused by a truck accident can be financially devastating. Victims often need extensive medical care, physical therapy, and even lifelong support if they suffer permanent disabilities.
Truck accident claims often result in much higher settlements than car accident claims. However, this also means that trucking companies and insurers will fight harder to avoid paying out claims. They have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability, which makes it important for accident victims to have strong legal representation.
At the end of the day, any accident can be a traumatic experience. But truck accidents are often more destructive, complicated, and legally challenging than regular car crashes.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident, reach out to an experienced lawyer. The team at Folkman Law is standing by to assist with your claim.
