How Personal Injury Claims Differ Between Cars and Trucks

1. Severity of Injuries

Truck accidents often result in more serious injuries compared to car accidents due to their larger size and heavier weight. Severe injuries not only mean more significant medical costs, but they may also result in extended periods of disability or even permanent impairment. This can significantly increase the potential damages in a personal injury claim.

2. Liability and Multiple Parties

In a car accident, liability often falls on one or both of the drivers involved. In contrast, truck accidents can involve multiple liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and even companies responsible for loading and maintaining the truck. Determining liability in truck accidents can be more complex, requiring extensive investigation and expert testimony.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Trucking is a highly regulated industry, with rules on everything from driver hours to vehicle maintenance. A violation of these regulations could contribute to an accident, making the regulatory compliance aspect a critical part of a truck accident claim. This is typically less relevant in car accident claims, which are usually governed by general traffic laws.

4. Larger Insurance Policies

Due to the potential for catastrophic damage, trucks typically have much larger insurance policies than cars. While this means there might be more compensation available for injuries, it also means you’re likely to face more resistance from the insurance company. The high stakes often make truck accident claims more contentious and drawn out than car accident claims.

5. Complex Accident Reconstruction

Due to the size and weight of trucks, accidents involving them can result in more complex crash scenes. Detailed accident reconstruction is often necessary to understand exactly what happened and who was at fault. This can require expert testimony and makes the investigation process in truck accident claims more complex than in most car accident claims.

6. Impact of Commercial Pressures