Both car accidents and truck accidents are major challenges affecting the safety of U.S. roads. But, while to a regular traffic participant, they might seem similar, legally speaking, there are more differences and similarities between them. As a lawyer, understanding these differences is important both for the success of your case and the client’s peace of mind.
Truck accidents result in more damages.
The average commercial truck weighs 80,000 lbs., compared to a car, which only weighs 2,870 lbs. considering this dramatic difference in terms of size and weight, it comes as no surprise that the damages caused by a truck are significantly higher, especially when one of them is driving over the speed limit. Unfortunately, when a truck and a regular car collide, the most damages occur in the passenger vehicle. Statistically, 96% of deaths occur in the passenger vehicle, and survivors often have to live with serious illness and disabilities.
Commercial trucks have extensive insurance.
In the U.S., most large trucks are commercial properties, which means that they carry more insurance. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial truck accidents account for 287,000 insurance property damage claims, 77,000 injuries, and over 4,300 deaths. Compared to a regular car, truck insurance policies cost up to $5,000 per year, and contracts are extremely valuable for insurance companies, who will fight even harder to fight the victim’s claim. For the personal injury attorney New Orleans, this means that the case will be considerably harder and that the insurance company will try to reach out to the victim for a settlement.
Cases require different evidence.
In an accident involving regular cars, lawyers collect evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and CCTV footage. However, in the case of truck accidents, the list of evidence that needs to be collected is bigger and includes categories such as:
- The driver: lawyers will check the truck driver’s qualifications, training, and whether they respected the resting hours.
- The truck: the lawyer will check if the truck was in good condition (especially the tires, which cause most truck accidents) and if maintenance has been conducted.
- The cargo: cargo influences the weight of the truck, so lawyers will check if the truck carried more than specified in the official instructions.
The science of trucks is different.
Truck accident lawyers need to familiarize themselves with the science of trucks, because these technical details are essential for understanding the cause of the accident. Because of their size and weight, trucks need longer to come to a halt, need more space on the road, and in general, they maneuver differently.
Compensation is usually greater for truck accidents.
Because the damages caused by truck accidents are more serious, the financial compensation is greater too. Depending on the severity of the accident and the damages sustained, the party responsible for the accident may have to cover for ongoing medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering caused by the accident.