While they both may share the road, cars and trucks are far different from each other. Commercial trucks can be up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs about 4,000 pounds. Because to the immense weight of these trucks, accidents involving them are frequently severe and can leave victims catastrophically injured or dead. Truck accidents are different from car accidents due to the severity of the injuries caused, but also in a number of other ways. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck, your personal injury claim will not be so straight forward as a claim involving another car.
Severe Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are large and heavy, which inhibits their ability to stop or maneuver quickly. When a truck is involved in an accident, their size causes accidents to be much more serious, even at low speeds. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries for victims, and can even be fatal. Common injuries sustained in trucking accidents include:
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Fractures
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Limb loss or amputation
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Back and neck injuries
Liability in Trucking Accidents
Trucks are often owned by trucking companies, who hire drivers to haul loads. It is also possible that a driver is an owner and operator of their truck. Drivers can also be independent contractors for larger companies or be leasing their truck from a company. There are many unique situations when it comes to responsibility for an accident that it can be difficult to determine who is at fault for your accident.
The driver may be held liable, as they were the person in control of the truck, but different circumstances can mean the trucking company, owner of the truck, or even the manufacturer of the truck can share in the responsibility for the accident. If it was found that poor maintenance, an overloaded or poorly loaded truck, and inexperienced truck driver, or other factors are to blame for the accident, the company may share in the fault for the accident. It is the responsibility of the company to ensure the safety of those on the road by properly caring for their trucks, training drivers, assigning safe loads, and ensuring that their drivers follow all regulations.
The driver may be held liable if they were driving in an unsafe manner, were driving when too fatigued, or were found to have altered their logs illegally to stay on the road past their hours of service limit. A manufacturer can be held liable if a component failed under normal use, and caused the accident. Additionally, the owner, lessee, or lessor of the truck may be responsible if maintenance procedures were not followed.
The Role of Insurance in Truck Accidents
It is likely that there will be multiple insurance policies involved in a trucking accident as well. Each party can have their own insurance policy to protect them, and it is possible that you will have to settle with more than one company or policy for your accident. In addition to multiple insurance companies, you may have to handle multiple lawyers and investigations to determine the cause of your accident, as each party involved in the accident tries to protect their own interests. Truck accident claims also tend to move forward quickly, as many companies maintain attorneys on staff for the sole purpose of handling accident claims. To ensure that you receive compensation, it is best to begin your claim as soon as possible. Contact a skilled truck accident lawyer to help you navigate your complicated case. They will investigate your accident and build a case to defend your right to compensation for your injuries.
Don’t hesitate to seek help if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Our Fort Worth truck accident attorneys can help you file your claim. At the Law Office of James M. Stanley, our team has been serving injured victims since 1976, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the maximum settlement possible. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation to begin your case.