What is the Difference Between Car and Truck Accidents?
Car accidents and truck accidents are not always treated the same when brought to court. Truck accidents tend to be much more serious with more severe or life-threatening injuries. In fact, truck accidents are more likely to result in fatalities. The severity of a trucking accident can be a result of its size, which is about 20 times larger than the average vehicle on the road, or a result of its weight which is around 35,000 lbs unloaded and 80,000 lbs loaded, compared to the average 3,000-5,000 lb car, etc.
If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, the process of a claim is entirely different than that of a car accident. A truck accident can cause severe injuries and extensive property damage due to the high center of gravity, increasing the risk of turnover. This means that some accidents are specific to semi-trucks, or trucks with a trailer, such as jackknifing. This is why trucks usually carry more insurance. Due to the higher likelihood of an accident occurring, there is a higher risk of fatality in a trucking accident. According to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, a truck that weighs 10,000 lbs and carries non-hazardous cargo, the liability insurance may be at least $750,000. A truck that weighs 10,000 lbs while carrying hazardous cargo, the insurance rate may jump to $1,000,000. If a truck weighs 10,000 lbs, carries hazardous materials and explosives, this truck may now be covered with $5,000,000 in liability insurance.
Some common causes of truck accidents include fatigued driving, distracted driving, drunk/drugged driving, tailgating, speeding, improperly secured cargo, unqualified drivers, and more. Proving fault due to negligence can be a difficult task to do on your own, that’s why the lawyers of Scher and Scher encourage you to come to our office for a free consultation in determining how we can help your case.
Truck drivers receive extensive training and their operations follow strict regulations while their vehicles are on the road. Cameras may be used in their vehicles for them to abstain from cell phone use and other distractions. As opposed to car accidents, truckers may not take all of the fault. Their employer, the owner of the truck, or the facility which loaded the truck may be at fault, each with varying degrees of liability. These are all points of evidence that Scher and Scher take into consideration when putting your case together in an effort to get you the compensation you deserve!
If you have been injured in a car or truck accident, consult with the accident attorneys at Scher and Scher Law Group, P.A. Our attorneys have extensive experience and knowledge in the field of personal injury law and are ready to take on your truck accident case. Call now for a free consultation.
