Although truck accidents and passenger vehicles are common, when a crash involves a truck, there are some stark differences. These differences include both practical and legal aspects. Knowing how these legal situations are different will help you understand the best ways to approach them, increasing your chances of having a better result from your legal case. Below are just a few ways that truck accident cases are different from car accident cases.
The Damages Are Different in Car and Truck Accident Cases
Commercial trucks are large. When they are fully loaded, they could hold thousands of pounds of weight. That type of load makes them harder to maneuver, including when the truck must slow down and accelerate. Decreased maneuverability can lead to loss of control that causes serious accidents. The huge size difference between a car and a truck often means that the damage that a truck can cause are much more significant than in passenger vehicle accidents as well. This includes:
- Property damage
- Physical injuries
- Mental or emotional wounds
Truck accidents are also more likely to lead to fatalities for a passenger vehicle driver or rider as well.
In these situations, the increased amount of damages also means that the case as a whole is more complicated as well. You may have more medical treatment and evidence. You are also more likely to need an expert to help predict long-term damages from a truck accident as well. Your truck accident lawyer can help with all of these complex issues.
The Defendants Tend to Be Different in Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases are complicated because they often involve more parties than a car accident. In fact, it may be difficult to determine who you should include as a defendant. Potential defendants may involve:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Anyone who owns the truck
- Parties who own the load that was in the vehicle at the time of the accident
- Anyone who does maintenance on the truck
Your truck accident attorney will be able to help you determine who should be involved in your case. You want to be sure that you get the right party involved who is legally responsible for your injuries and damages that result from the accident.
Even the Laws Are Different for Truck Accident Cases & Car Accident Cases
Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow very specific requirements regarding things like loading, drive time, maintenance requirements, and driver training. Both federal and state laws control truck accidents. When a driver or trucking company does not follow these restrictions, that can be a sign of the carelessness or recklessness that leads to legal responsibility.
It is vital to know and understand these laws and regulations to successfully determine whether someone was negligent. An experienced truck attorney will be able to help you navigate these tricky laws.
Get a Lawyer Who Knows Truck Accident Cases
If you have been through a truck accident, you need a lawyer who has experience with these types of cases. John Foy & Associates has been helping truck accident victims for over 20 years. We can help you too. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
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