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How Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

Not all accidents are created equal.  Every motor vehicle accident comes with its own unique set of circumstances. However, when a large truck is involved, typically the property damage, and nature and extent of the resulting injuries is more substantial than an ordinary car accident.  The way truck accidents are investigated by law enforcement and handled by insurance companies may also differ from ordinary car accidents.  Here are a few ways that a truck accident may differ from a car accident, as well as what every driver should know about truck accidents.

Increased Danger

Drivers generally have an inherent nervousness when driving near large trucks, and for good reason.  Statistics show that large trucks are markedly more dangerous than ordinary passenger cars.  Drivers of the smaller cars are much more likely to sustain injuries in accidents involving a large truck than the occupants of the truck. Across all fatal vehicle accidents, 74% involved a large truck. Sixty eight percent of those who died in truck accidents were passengers of the smaller vehicle.

The Cause of the Accident

The majority of motor vehicle accidents happen as a result of human error, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, overcorrection, etc. While driver mistakes are still a common cause of truck accidents, equipment also plays a role. There are more potential areas for equipment failure on a semi-truck; let’s take tires for example. A car has only 4 tires under a relatively small load, while the average semi-truck has 18 wheels under a heavy load. An issue with any one tire can impact the safety of the vehicle, and even cause an accident. In fact, tire defects are to blame for up to 30% of all truck-related accidents. Another example would be how trucks can have enormous blind spots for the driver, particularly in the rear parts of the trailer.  These blind spots can lead to the driver being unable to see nearby motor vehicles.

Trucking Company Insurance

Typically, semi-trucks are owned by large corporations, and have corporate power and large insurance companies to protect them.  Due to the extent of damage and injuries that semi-trucks can cause in crashes, they are quick to investigate and inspect the involved vehicles.  It is, therefore, important that if you have been involved in a crash with a large truck that you contact a lawyer as quickly as possible so that an adequate investigation can be undertaken on your behalf before physical evidence is lost.  Since most large trucks are considered commercial vehicles, they are also subject to specific legal requirements with regard to commercial vehicle inspections, and other regulatory requirements, such as the number of hours that drivers are allowed to be operating the truck.  It is crucial that this information is obtained and examined as soon as possible after a crash to ensure a proper investigation.  

If you are involved in a truck accident, it can be very intimidating to feel like it is you against a large corporation and their large insurance company. That is why it is absolutely vital that you contact the right truck accident lawyer to help handle your case. A qualified truck accident lawyer can help clear up the confusion of the situation, build your case, and strive to receive the compensation you deserve.

Consult the Truck Accident Lawyers at Personal Injury Attorney

The attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury understand that truck accident claims can be difficult. That’s why we work hard to make sure you feel heard, fully understand your case, and get the maximum compensation to help you on the road to recovery. If you have questions regarding truck accidents, contact the attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury today for a free consultation: nelsonpersonalinjury.com.