According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Those who survive such accidents can face debilitating injuries, medical expenses, mental trauma, loss of wages, and other outcomes. The type of vehicle involved in an accident, whether it’s a car or a truck, plays a role in shaping the aftermath and the personal injury claims process or other types of legal actions.
Understanding these differences is essential as it can help you navigate the process with greater clarity and confidence. We have highlighted the six key differences in the aftermath and claims for car vs. truck accidents. We will also share how our law firm, Angel Reyes & Associates, can help you overcome some of the challenges faced by victims seeking compensation for their losses in car and truck accidents.
Legal Distinctions Between Car and Truck Accidents
The legal framework that governs car and truck accidents has some key differences. Commercial trucks are governed by federal and state regulations, such as those established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Trucking regulations cover several essential aspects, including hours of service (HOS) for truck drivers, which are designed to prevent fatigue and ensure safer driving conditions. These rules dictate the maximum driving hours allowed per day and week, as well as mandatory rest periods, aiming to reduce the risks associated with overworked drivers.
Additionally, there are strict regulations for weight limits for trucks. Overloaded trucks can become unstable and harder to stop, making them a safety hazard for all road users, so these rules are crucial. Trucking companies also have to maintain vehicles, hire trained workers, and follow safety standards. These rules make truck operations more complicated than the simpler legal duties for car drivers.
Another key legal distinction between car and truck accident cases is that truck drivers, especially those who operate commercial vehicles, are held to higher standards of care due to the potential risks associated with operating large vehicles. This means truck drivers need to be extra cautious and meet higher safety standards while on the road.
One difference between car and truck accidents is how liability is determined. While car accidents can involve more than one responsible party, truck accidents are often more complicated because they frequently include additional entities.
Liability in truck accidents can extend beyond the driver to involve the trucking company, those responsible for loading the cargo, maintenance crews, or even the truck manufacturer if a defect is discovered. This adds complexity to truck accident claims and lawsuits. The truck accident claims often require more extensive investigation into the role of all parties involved in the accident.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Truck accidents and car accidents often occur as a result of similar causes. Both types of accidents may be caused by distracted driving, mechanical failure, speeding, or drunk driving. These behaviors are common among car and truck drivers. However, truck accidents can frequently involve some unique factors, such as driver fatigue.
As truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, they’re at a greater risk of fatigue. Even with strict federal and state-mandated driving hours limits, truck drivers may exceed these limits to meet tight deadlines. The resulting driver fatigue is a common cause of truck accidents.
Another unique factor in truck accidents is the cargo. Trucks often carry heavy, oversized, or hazardous materials. In some cases, improper cargo handling can lead to accidents. Overloaded or poorly secured cargo can shift during transit, affecting the truck’s balance and stability.
This increases the risk of rollovers, jackknife accidents, or the truck losing control entirely. Hazardous materials can also pose additional risks, as accidents involving flammable or toxic substances may cause fires or explosions.
Trucks are also at a higher risk of mechanical failures due to higher mileage. If trucking companies try to cut corners by saving on maintenance costs, the risk of mechanical issues for the truck can increase.
Large commercial trucks also have larger blind spots. Passenger vehicles driving in these blind spots may not be visible to the truck driver, which can lead to accidents. Additionally, trucks require more space for wide turns, sometimes swinging into adjacent lanes. This makes visibility a constant challenge for truck drivers.
Truck drivers also need training or licensing to operate commercial vehicles. Inadequate training is a common cause of truck accidents. In some cases, the trucking company may also be held responsible for hiring or allowing unqualified drivers to operate their vehicles.
While the common causes of car accidents are often linked directly to driver behavior, trucking accidents tend to involve a broader range of factors, including industry-specific challenges. Generally, claims or lawsuits involving truck accidents are more complex and often require assistance from attorneys well-versed in trucking regulations and laws.
Injury Severity
As you can imagine, victims of truck accidents often suffer more serious injuries. The injury severity is worse if the semi truck crashes with a pedestrian, cyclist, or a smaller passenger car. The sheer size and weight of large trucks, which can be many times heavier than a car, result in much greater force upon impact.
There are weight differences between commercial trucks, so the type of truck involved in the crash is also a factor. However, the force of a crash in truck accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and other severe injuries. It’s not that car accidents aren’t dangerous or fatal, it’s just that truck accidents can have a higher risk of severe harm.
In some cases, trucks may cause multi-vehicle pile-ups due to their large size and force in collisions, compounding the risk of severe injuries compared to accidents involving only cars. Some new truck models have comparable safety features compared to cars.
However, some truck models on the road are outdated in terms of safety features such as lane departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and parking assistance.
Legal Process
With the higher complexity of truck accident cases, the legal process is often more involved. In most truck accident cases, multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and even manufacturers of truck parts. This contrasts with car accident cases, which typically focus on the actions of the drivers involved, making the legal proceedings simpler and faster.
The legal process for truck accident claims may require compliance checks with the authorities, such as the FMCSA or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). These compliance checks help determine if any federal rules or regulations were violated. The legal process may also include an accident investigation into the trucking company’s internal processes for hiring, training, and monitoring truck driver activity on duty.
For example, if the trucking company is found guilty of pushing the truck driver beyond their limits, and that caused the accident, then the trucking company could be liable for the damages caused by the accident.
Evidence Gathering
Generally, gathering evidence in a typical car accident is more straightforward compared to a truck accident. The most commonly used evidence in car accidents includes photos or videos from the crash site, police reports, medical records, and surveillance footage.
In contrast, the evidence gathering in the truck accident cases is more extensive. Evidence in truck accidents includes data from the truck’s black box, driver logs detailing hours of service, maintenance records of the truck, and GPS tracking information.
However, the evidence needed for a car or truck accident depends on the case. In some cases, a truck accident case may involve simpler evidence requirements, while a car accident case could demand a more detailed investigation. Each case must be evaluated individually to determine the appropriate evidence.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance negotiations for car accidents are often more straightforward, involving personal auto insurance policies that cover damages based on established fault. If a large payout is involved, it can get more challenging. However, compared to truck accidents, it’s generally a simpler process.
Dealing with insurance companies for truck accident claims can be more complicated due to the involvement of commercial trucking insurance policies. Additionally, the potential for a larger payout and the risk of reputation damage often drive insurance companies to adopt aggressive strategies to deflect liability and minimize the amount they pay for an 18-wheeler accident lawsuit settlement.
How Angel Reyes & Associates Supports Clients Through the Process
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you need a reliable Texas car accident law firm to help you through the process. Allow Angel Reyes & Associates to fight for your rights. With our proven track record, you can have the peace of mind that your truck crash case is in reliable hands.
Our legal team specializes in helping victims of truck and car accidents, including those seeking justice after a collision with an 18-wheeler. As experienced Texas big rig accident lawyers, our team provides expert legal support by conducting thorough investigations, gathering critical evidence like black box data and driver logs, and navigating complex industry regulations. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer.
