When you think about a motor vehicle accident, you might picture a collision between two cars. But what happens when one of the vehicles involved is an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck?
Everyone knows semis are much larger and heavier than cars, however, the implication of this on the extent of injuries and damages in personal injury claims is often overlooked. As a result, many truck crash victims hire general personal injury attorneys to represent their truck accident lawsuit, and, in the process, may leave millions of dollars in compensation on the table. For your truck crash claim, it is important to hire a truck crash lawyer.
In this blog post, we'll dive into what exactly makes a truck crash different from a car crash and what these differences mean for your truck accident claim.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
Involved in a Crash?
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Involved in a Crash?
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Size, Weight, and Height
The larger the vehicle, the larger potential for harm.
One of the most significant differences between semis and cars is, of course, their size and weight. Trucks are significantly larger and heavier than cars, which means that they carry a greater potential for harm when they are involved in an accident. The average weight of a passenger car is around 4,000 pounds, while a fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
In the event of a crash, this size, weight, and height difference means that truck-on-car crashes disproportionately result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. From 2017 through 2021, national crash data shows that a crash with two or more vehicles was 4 times as likely to end in fatality if one of those vehicles was a large truck.*
What this means in a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim:
Because the harm caused is greater, the damages alleged and resulting injuries from trucking injury cases are usually greater than in a auto crash. As such, insurance companies will fight harder to avoid paying a truck crash victim what they’re owed.
In cases with significant damages, it is crucial for a truck crash victim and their family to receive the maximum compensation possible for their injuries because that compensation is often used to pay for life-saving care or subsidize a dramatic loss of family income.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a large truck, to ensure you receive all the compensation your injuries entitle you to, it's essential to have an experienced truck accident lawyer with a record of seven and eight-figure results and history of taking a truck accident cases to trial advocating for your rights.
With the right legal representation, you can rest assured that you won’t be bullied by defense into taking a settlement offer that is less than what you deserve.
Maneuverability (Turning, Stopping, Accelerating):
More skill and knowledge are needed to safely operate a large truck, which makes the crash investigation and the evidence collected more complex.
Another key difference between passenger cars and tractor-trailers is their maneuverability. Semis are larger and bulkier, making it more challenging for commercial truck drivers to navigate through tight spaces, make sharp turns, and stop quickly.
Due to their higher center of gravity, trucks are also more prone to tipping over and can quickly become a hazard in adverse weather conditions. On the other hand, passenger cars are smaller, lighter, and have a lower center of gravity, allowing for more agile and responsive handling. These differences mean that truck drivers must have greater knowledge and skill to operate their commercial motor vehicles (CMV) safely.
What this means in a personal injury claim:
Retaining a truck accident lawyer with the deep knowledge and experience needed to operate a big rig safely can be a game-changer when investigating a trucking claim. In semi crashes, very rarely is an “accident” truly an accident . It is important that the attorney representing your truck accident lawsuit understands trucks and can build a case theme that demonstrates all the circumstances that led up to the crash, what should have happened, and which parties are responsible for the critical errors that ended in catastrophe.
In this way, it can be advantageous for truck crash victims to work with a truck accident attorney who is also a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holder, as they possess the first-hand knowledge and experience required to find crucial evidence that other personal injury lawyers may overlook. Because they are proficient in driving big rigs as well as truck crash law, CDL-holding attorneys can easily find and hold all negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.
Did you Know?
Five of our lawyers hold a Commercial Driver’s License. No other personal injury law firm in the country has as many lawyers with CDLs as The Law Firm for Truck Safety does.
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Regulations
In truck accidents, negligence can extend far beyond just the truck driver.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to different regulations than car drivers. These laws are called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). For example, truck drivers are required to take breaks after a certain number of hours on the road, and their vehicles must meet certain safety standards. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, license suspension, or even criminal charges.
In contrast, four-wheel automotive drivers are generally subject to fewer regulations and are not required to meet the same safety standards. Therefore, the parties involved in car crash claims tend to be fewer.
The Power of the FMCSRs in the Palm of Your Hand
Finding accurate and organized information on The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations – also known as FMCSRs – can be hard to do especially when you are on the road or in the courtroom.
In an effort to make these critical safety regulations more accessible, our firm has created an app that gives attorneys and those looking to learn more about FMCSRs the power to instantly and easily access regulations within Title 49 of the CFRs.
Our app also includes federal interpretations and guidance that are not accessible in all versions of the FMCSRs.
Finding accurate and organized information on The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations – also known as FMCSRs – can be hard to do especially when you are on the road or in the courtroom.
In an effort to make these critical safety regulations more accessible, our firm has created an app that gives attorneys and those looking to learn more about FMCSRs the power to instantly and easily access regulations within Title 49 of the CFRs.
Our app also includes federal interpretations and guidance that are not accessible in all versions of the FMCSRs.
Trucking law is a complex and intricate field designed to safeguard the public from the potentially devastating effects of a truck crash.
Liable parties in a trucking case may include:
- Truck Drivers
- Truck Driver’s employer
- The vehicle manufacturer/repair shops
- Brokers and Shippers
- The tractor-trailer’s owner
- The company that loaded the trailer.
To navigate this complex terrain, and to understand which laws were violated in your truck crash, you need a legal team with extensive knowledge of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and a track record of success standing up for truck crash victims and survivors, and recovering compensation from even the largest motor carriers and brokers.
In the Courtroom:
Lawyers who limit their practice to trucking law tend to have more expertise on the FMCSRs due to their extensive exposure to trucking cases. Truck accident attorneys who have been certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) are particularly skilled in this area, having undergone rigorous testing and meeting a robust list of credentials demonstrating their proficiency in trucking case strategy and trucking law.**
Did you Know?
The Law Firm for Truck Safety has more NBTA-credited truck accident lawyers than any other firm in the nation?
Schedule your free, no-obligation your trucking case consultation today!
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In contrast, a car crash lawyer may not have the same level of experience or knowledge of the FMCSRs, making it harder for them to effectively represent clients injured or killed in a truck crash -- potentially resulting in missed parties and missed compensation opportunities for truck crash victims.
The Crucial Role of a Truck Accident Lawyer
When comparing truck v car accidents, the differences are drastic, with trucks posing a greater risk on the road. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck crash, it's vital to have a lawyer with extensive experience handling truck accident cases.
A personal injury attorney who focuses on truck accidents has the expertise and support necessary to navigate the complexities of trucking law and ensure your rights are protected. By choosing a true truck accident lawyer, and not a personal injury attorney who takes on trucking cases, you increase your chances of maximizing compensation for your trucking claim, enabling you to heal and move forward after your crash.
