Do you ever wonder why truck accident claims are so different from regular car crashes?
Think about it. Getting rear-ended by another sedan in a parking lot doesn’t have the same consequences as getting smashed by a tractor-trailer.
Truck accidents are more complex. They take longer to settle. And there are multiple parties involved.
But here’s the thing…
There’s a lot more money on the line. That means victims of truck accidents need to know what sets these cases apart before they hire an attorney and file a claim.
What you’re about to read will cover:
- Why Truck Accidents Cause More Serious Injuries
- There Are Multiple Parties In Truck Accident Claims
- Federal Regulations Come Into Play
- Insurance Requirements Are Much Different
- How This Affects Your Potential Compensation
Let’s dive in!
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
The differences begin with the damage that trucks can cause.
You and I know that a semi-truck weighs much more than your typical passenger vehicle. But let’s look at some actual numbers.
An 80,000-pound loaded semi weighs 20 times as much as a 4,000-pound passenger car. When these two crash, it’s the car that suffers catastrophic damage.
According to recent NHTSA data, there were around 2,523 deaths in large truck-related accidents during the first six months of 2024 alone.
But here’s the sad reality…
Majority of those killed were not the occupants of the truck.
Victims need to understand when they hire a tractor-trailer accident attorney that 82% of fatalities in deadly truck accidents are people in cars and smaller vehicles. According to Elrod Pope, injuries are more severe when you’re dealing with a truck accident. Many of his clients suffer from life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Which leads to…
Truck accident injuries are much more severe than your run-of-the-mill car accident.
Common injuries from truck accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
These injuries can drastically change someone’s life. And they require significant medical care. That’s why truck accident claims require more evidence.
There’s Always More Than One At-Fault Party
If you were in a standard car accident, there’s a good chance you only have one at-fault party.
Me and the other driver. Simple.
When you add trucks into the collision, there are now numerous people and companies that could be responsible.
Some liable parties in a truck accident may include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Loading company
- Truck manufacturer
- Maintenance companies
- Parts manufacturer
You have more than one party. That means you have multiple insurance companies and attorneys fighting against you.
It also means you have to prove that multiple parties were negligent which requires a lot of evidence.
That’s why truck accident claims take much longer to settle than car accidents.
There Are Federal Rules That Regulate Trucks
When you think about government regulations, the first thing that comes to mind are state motor vehicle laws.
But there’s another layer of regulations that only trucking companies have to abide by. And those are federal laws.
Examples of trucking regulations include:
- How many hours a driver can drive before resting
- Mandated rest breaks
- Vehicle maintenance regulations
- Hiring requirements
- Electronic logging devices
Did you know…
Trucking companies are required to keep records on:
- Driver logs
- Maintenance schedules
- GPS tracking
- Black box data
Trucking accident lawyers know how to use these records to help prove fault. While police officers can write a report on car accidents, truck accident investigators can literally dissect every part of the collision.
But you have to know what you’re looking for. All of the above information is used to establish negligence. But it can be destroyed.
Trucking companies aren’t required to keep these records forever.
You Need Much More Insurance
Car insurance requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. In most states, you’re probably required to have at least $25,000 to $50,000 in coverage.
Trucking companies have to carry…
…$750,000 in liability insurance.
That’s right. Federal law states that every trucking company must have a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage if they’re hauling non-hazardous materials. If they’re hauling hazardous materials, that minimum goes up to $5 million.
Higher payouts means there’s more money for you as the victim. But it also means insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid payouts.
Also, trucking companies aren’t your local insurance providers. They usually hire top notch attorneys to defend their companies.
You Need An Attorney That Specializes In Truck Accidents
Because injuries tend to be more severe in truck accidents, you’re looking at higher compensation amounts when cases settle.
Here’s the breakdown.
More serious injuries = Higher medical expenses.
Longer recovery times = More lost wages.
Disabilities = Potential lifetime care.
You get the point…
Standard car accident cases don’t reach the millions like truck accidents can.
With higher damages comes higher insurance amounts. That means insurance companies have more attorneys and money to defend themselves.
If you don’t have a good attorney on your side, you’re screwed.
Why Truck Accident Claims Take Longer
Car accidents are pretty straightforward.
Driver A rear-ends Driver B. They exchange insurance and file a claim with their insurance companies.
Someone got box cheese stained on their new Toyota Corolla. No biggie.
Truck accidents require a more detailed investigation. Which usually requires a professional.
Things you’ll need to investigate a truck accident include:
- Accident reconstructionist
- Doctors/Medical professionals
- Economists
- Mechanics
- Trucking industry experts
Guess what else takes time…
Collecting evidence.
This doesn’t happen with car accidents. Police officers write a report and investigate some basic evidence. Then they send you on your way.
Not with big trucks.
You need to preserve evidence.
Trucking companies can destroy evidence if they know what you’re looking for. Hiring the right attorney will prevent any chance of your evidence being destroyed.
How To Summarize All Of This Information
At first glance, truck accident claims should be no different than your average car accident.
Sure, big trucks cause more damage. But they’re still motor vehicles.
Both require you to deal with insurance companies. And both can result in injuries.
However, that’s where the comparison ends.
Here are the 5 main things that make truck accident claims different from car accidents:
- More serious injuries that require greater compensation
- Multiple parties could be liable
- Trucking companies have to follow federal regulations
- Commercial trucking has much higher insurance requirements
- You need a much more in-depth investigation
Knowing this information can help you protect your rights after a crash. Understanding how to proceed is the next step.
Don’t approach a truck accident like you would from a car accident. Because your life could very well depend on it.
