A truck accident is one of the most complex and devastating types of traffic accidents. If your truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the aftermath is often catastrophic, with severe injuries or fatalities. A truck accident also presents unique legal challenges, making the case more complicated than other traffic accidents. Let's explore four reasons truck accidents are more complex than other car accidents.
1. Multiple party liabilities
In a typical accident, liability usually falls on one or both drivers. However, truck accidents often have multiple responsible parties, making it harder to determine fault, necessitating thorough investigation. Liable parties include:
- Truck driver: If the accident was caused by reckless driving, fatigue, or violation of traffic laws, the truck driver may be held accountable.
- Trucking company: Employers may be responsible if they fail to enforce safety regulations, hire unqualified drivers, or pressure drivers to exceed legal driving hours.
- Truck manufacturers or maintenance providers: If a mechanical failure, such as brake failure or tire blowout, contributed to the crash, the company responsible for manufacturing or maintaining the truck could be liable.
- Cargo loaders: Unsecured cargo can cause trucks to become unstable, leading to accidents. The party responsible for loading the truck may share liability in such cases.
2. Complex insurance policies
Truck drivers and trucking companies often carry high-limit insurance policies due to the severe damage their vehicles cause. These insurance policies are typically more extensive than those of a passenger vehicle, sometimes covering millions of dollars in damages. However, insurance companies representing trucks have aggressive legal terms for minimizing payouts.
Be sure to partner with an experienced lawyer from a reputable law firm like Buckhead Law. An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of trucking laws. They can also help you gather necessary evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure fair compensation. Without legal representation, the injured parties may struggle to receive the compensation they deserve, especially when facing powerful insurance companies and corporate defense teams.
3. Extensive investigation and evidence collection
Truck accidents require a more thorough investigation than standard car crashes. You must collect and analyze vital evidence, such as:
- Black box data
- Driver logs
- Surveillance footage
- Truck maintenance records
- Witnesses testimonies
For severe accidents, an accident reconstruction expert may be needed to evaluate the exact cause of the accident. Unlike a simple fender-bender, a truck accident case requires detailed investigations that can take weeks or months to complete.
4. Severe injuries and property damage
One of the most significant reasons why truck accidents are more complex is the level of destruction they cause. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while an average car weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This massive weight difference means that the impact is often catastrophic when a truck crashes into a smaller vehicle.
Victims of truck accidents are more likely to suffer life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or multiple fractures. In many cases, these injuries lead to long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, or even permanent disability.
Beyond injuries, property damage in truck accidents is also significantly higher. Passenger vehicles involved in such crashes are often entirely totaled, and infrastructure such as guardrails, road signs, or bridges can sustain severe damage.
Endnote
Multiple liable parties, complex insurance policies, the need for extensive investigation, and the severity of injuries make truck accidents more complex than standard car crashes. Be sure to work with an experienced attorney to help navigate the complex legal process effectively and protect your rights.
