How are Truck Accidents Different from Other Crashes?
Any crash on the road can be a traumatic and difficult experience. However, if you have been injured in a truck accident, the situation is often much more serious. There are many reasons truck accidents differ from other types of crashes. Trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which results in injuries that are more severe. Sometimes, those injuries are even life-threatening.
Unfortunately, the severe injuries caused by a truck accident are just one way truck accidents differ from wrecks involving passenger vehicles. Below, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer outlines other ways these crashes differ.
Multiple Liable Parties
When two drivers of passenger vehicles are involved in a crash, one of them is usually to blame. While truck drivers certainly can act negligently and cause a crash, there are many other parties that can be liable for an accident. These include:
- The trucking company
- The lessor of the truck or trailer
- Any company that inspected or maintained the truck (repair/maintenance crews)
- Any party that loaded the truck (shippers or loaders of the truck’s cargo)
- Any company that manufactured a defective truck or equipment on the truck
- A motor carrier who hired the trucking company
- The broker who hired the trucking company
It is very difficult to determine who is liable for a truck accident, which is why you should always work with an attorney afterward.
Insurance Companies are More Aggressive
Insurance companies are always aggressive after any accident because they prioritize their profits over the safety and well-being of accident victims. However, truck drivers and trucking companies have much larger insurance policies that protect them, which means insurers often have to pay out large settlements. To prevent this from happening, insurance companies are much more aggressive and difficult to work with.
Cargo Can Be Dangerous On Its Own
Unlike accidents involving passenger vehicles, trucks carry a large amount of cargo. When they are involved in a crash, this cargo can spill over onto the road. In the best of cases, this cargo can crash into other vehicles. In the worst of cases, the cargo can be caustic or toxic, which can cause very serious injuries. Spilled cargo usually happens when the cargo has not been loaded properly.
Federal Law Applies
Accidents involving two or more passenger vehicles are typically governed by state law. When an 18-wheeler is involved in a crash, though, federal law also applies. For example, federal law dictates how long truck drivers can remain on the road, under the hours of service rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also outlines strict regulations for the inspection and maintenance of trucks as well as maximum weight limits of trucks.
Our Truck Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Can Help You Claim Compensation After a Crash
If you have been involved in an accident involving a truck, you need sound legal advice. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer can provide it and guide you through the personal injury process so you obtain the full and fair compensation that is justly yours. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to request a free consultation and to get more information.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations
