How Accidents Differ Between Trucks and Passenger Vehicles

Accidents happen. Some accidents may be more dangerous than others, though. When it comes to tractor trailer accidents, this is absolutely the case. When a truck gets into an accident with a passenger vehicle, the results can be horrifying. Here is what you need to know about the differences between a trucking accident and a typical passenger vehicle accident.

Difference in Injuries

One of the major differences between car and truck accidents are the injuries sustained. Tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. An average passenger car, on the other hand, weighs on average 3,000 pounds. If you have an accident between these two vehicles, it is very obvious what may happen. The larger vehicle can cause extensive damage to the smaller and serious injuries to the people inside. Accidents with commercial trucks tend to result in very serious injuries. In fact, truckers have larger liability limits with their insurance policies because of how devastating an accident with a big rig can be. Higher liabilities mean that there is more money available for those injured in an accident.

Difference in Causes

No matter the accident, when you are trying to figure out who is at fault or what caused the accident, it can be difficult. With trucking accidents, it isn’t always simple. In most vehicle accidents, the cause of the accident is human error. However, with truckers, there may be others who can be held responsible for the accident. For instance, sometimes the equipment fails, which leads to an accident. This may mean that the manufacturer is liable, rather than the trucker him or herself. Unless, of course, the trucker knew about the problem and still drove. In addition, if a company encourages truckers to be reckless with their hours on the road, it may be the company’s fault.

Regulations 

Truckers have to abide by certain regulations. If a trucker does not maintain all of his or her equipment, then accidents may happen with more ease than a passenger vehicle. Trucking accidents have different causes, but this only means that if you are in an accident, you will need as much evidence as possible to prove liability.

Contact an Attorney 

Trucking accidents can be devastating. When it comes to trucking accidents versus a standard passenger vehicle accident, the trucking accidents tend to have worse injuries and different causes than other vehicles. It is important that you treat a trucking accident differently and talk to a lawyer who understands trucking incidents. Consult with a trucking accident lawyer, like a trucking accident lawyer in Memphis, TN, as soon as possible to begin making your case. 

Thanks to Patterson Bray for their insight into how truck accidents are different than regular car accidents.