If you’ve recently suffered the physical and emotional toll of a vehicular accident, you already know how a single moment can turn your life upside-down. Now, let’s say that accident involved a commercial truck; in these situations, the challenges you face become exponentially more complex.
After a truck accident, understanding the key differences between these collisions and passenger vehicle accidents is crucial. These differences can shape your legal journey towards securing the compensation and justice you deserve.
#1: Trucks Are Bigger, Heavier, and Cause More Damage
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, significantly more than the average passenger car. Due to this stark contrast, accidents involving trucks often result in more severe injuries, greater property damage, and a higher likelihood of fatalities. Victims often require thousands or even millions of dollars in compensation to help pay for medical bills, disability accommodations, emotional trauma, and more.
#2: Truck Accident Claims Often Involve Multiple Parties
In a typical car accident case, the drivers of the vehicles are usually the only ones who are involved in the case. Truck accidents, however, can involve a range of stakeholders, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and sometimes even the manufacturers of truck parts.
This multiplicity of parties complicates the legal process, making it imperative to hire an attorney well-versed in truck accident claims. Legal representatives skilled in this area can investigate the cause of the collision, helping make sure that all accountable parties are held responsible.
#3: Trucks Require More Routine Maintenance
Commercial trucks often travel long distances carrying heavy loads. This extended use makes them subject to wear and tear at a much quicker rate than personal vehicles. Federal regulations mandate routine maintenance checks for commercial trucks, but negligence or oversight can lead to mechanical failures that cause accidents. If poor maintenance is a factor, the trucking company may be held responsible.
#4: Trucks Are Much More Difficult to Operate
Operating a commercial truck requires specialized training and a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Despite this, the large size and complex mechanics of these vehicles make them inherently more difficult to maneuver, especially in emergencies.
Truck drivers also have to contend with blind spots, long stopping distances, and load shifting, all of which can contribute to accidents. In many cases, driver error or inadequate training leads to a truck accident.
#5: Truck Accident Claims Involve Different Evidence
While car accident claims often rely on police reports, eyewitness accounts, and sometimes dash-cam footage, truck accident cases involve additional types of evidence. This can include the truck’s black box, which records data about speed and braking activities, as well as logs detailing the driver’s hours on the road, maintenance records, and even the trucking company’s safety history. Collecting and interpreting this specialized evidence is crucial for building a robust case.
Contact a Florida Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Florida, the time to act is now. A personal injury attorney in Riverview who specializes in truck accident claims can help you navigate the legal process, understand your rights and legal options, and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Your lawyer will meticulously investigate your accident, identifying the liable parties so that you can hold them accountable for your injuries.
After seeking medical care for your injuries, schedule a free case consultation with a Riverview truck accident lawyer right away. Your attorney will evaluate your case and identify your optimal path toward maximum compensation.