How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

Not all auto accidents are the same, and you may be in more danger if involved in a truck accident than a car accident. Boston personal injury attorneys say that the damages and parties involved can vary across the board, affecting the insurance claims process.

If you were involved in a truck accident, it’s crucial to understand the differences so that you’re well prepared for the journey ahead. Truck accidents are collisions or crashes involving an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or some other type of commercial truck that results in vehicle damage or injuries.

Truck accident lawyers in Boston explore the main ways these accidents differ from car accidents and what to expect during the claims process.

Trucks Are Bigger Than Other Vehicles

Commercial trucks are large compared to regular cars and vehicles. When fully loaded, they weigh several tens of thousands of pounds, increasing the risk of accidents because they take longer to stop, more so in the face of an emergency.

Additionally, due to their design, trucks also cannot maneuver around or away from dangerous road accidents as easily as cars. So, when a collision happens, the damages can be incredibly serious. Trucks are also prone to dangerous situations like roll-overs, T-bone collisions, and severe damage even at low speeds. An accident with a small car can be life-changing for the car driver.

Truck Accidents Often Result in More Substantial Damage

One of the most significant differences between car and truck accidents is the amount of damage that trucks can cause in an accident. Being struck by an 18-wheeler poses a higher risk of sustaining more devastating injuries. It may require more expensive vehicle repairs or even a car replacement.

Boston truck accident attorneys often witness truck accident victims sustain the following types of life-threatening injuries with severe health outcomes:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Internal organ injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations and burn injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Death

If you sustained severe injuries in a truck accident or lost a loved one due to the impact, contact skilled accident attorneys in Massachusetts to help you seek compensation. You should not have to pay for the damages from your pocket, especially if you were not at fault for the accident. Let lawyers evaluate if you have the legal right to sue for compensation.

Trucking Companies Are Governed by Different Safety Standards and Regulations

Trucking companies must follow specific federal trucking regulations and safety standards when employing truck drivers. They must perform background checks, drug tests, and regular evaluations to ensure the drivers are well-suited for their responsibilities.

Employers must also carefully control the hours that drivers work per day. Sadly, most truck drivers work long hours under enormous pressure to meet certain deadlines, which may encourage them to drive while fatigued or lie about when they are taking rests.

These regulations become crucial in truck accident claims as truck accident attorneys and insurance adjusters must investigate whether the rules were violated, contributing to the accident. If such is the case, your truck accident attorneys in Boston can hold the trucking company liable for your injuries.

Truck Accident Happen Due to Multiple Potential Causes

In car accident cases, the at-fault party is often one of the drivers who is negligent. The other driver can file a personal injury claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company for compensation. On the contrary, truck accident cases are rarely that straightforward.

There could be multiple causes of truck accidents, and they must be investigated. While the truck driver could be to blame for the crash, there could be other underlying factors involved. For example, the collision could have resulted from:

  • Negligence by the trucking company
  • Mechanical or equipment failure
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Poorly loaded cargo

A Truck Accident May Require More Extensive Investigation Than is Usually Needed for a Car Accident

Due to the multiple potential causes of a truck accident, your Boston truck accident lawyers and other parties involved may need to do a lot of investigation to uncover what caused the accident and the parties liable. For example, equipment failure could be due to manufacturing faults, in which case the manufacturer could be held liable.

The driver could also be at fault for not conducting pre-trip inspections or the company for not adequately maintaining the truck or training the driver on safety practices. A truck accident entails so many moving parts compared to a car accident, and it’s crucial that all details are thoroughly investigated, which could prolong the time it takes to determine fault.

Insurance Companies Can Be More Aggressive

Commercial trucks are required to have more substantial insurance policies than car drivers. The truck driver, the company, and possibly the truck itself may be covered. Given the high insurance coverage, insurance companies may be more aggressive in defending their claims.

They will fight to protect their money as much as possible, which often means reducing what they pay out in compensation claims. The interplay of multiple insurance companies after the accident can leave you confused and overwhelmed, so you should hire aggressive truck accident lawyers in Massachusetts to fight for your rights.

Navigating Complex Insurance Claims After a Truck Accident with the Help of a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer

The legal process of pursuing an insurance claim after a truck accident can be complex and frustrating. Truck accident claims differ from car accident claims because a lot goes into investigating the accident. The damage from the crash can be more substantial, and you need to be prepared for what may be a long legal battle.

Most importantly, ensure you retain experienced personal injury lawyers in Boston to help you navigate the process. Joel H. Schwartz PC is a reputable firm with knowledgeable truck accident lawyers who can take up your case. No matter how complicated your case is, we won’t relent until you get the justice you deserve. Call us at 508-850-0342 to schedule a FREE consultation.