All car accidents are not created equal.
Ok. Sure. That much seems obvious. But most people don’t truly understand how different a crash with an 18-wheeler really is from a run-of-the-mill car wreck — until they or someone they love experience it firsthand.
The injuries can be far worse. The legal process is complicated. And the financial consequences are enormous.
Here’s what this guide covers:
- Why Truck Accidents Cause Far More Damage
- The Injuries Sustained Are In A Completely Different League
- Multiple Parties Can Be Held Accountable For The Crash
- Federal Rules Add A Layer Of Complexity To The Case
- You Need A Truck Wreck Injury Lawyer Fighting For You
An Anatomy of a Truck Accident Crash vs. Your Average Auto Collision
Picture this. Two passenger vehicles collide with one another. No major injuries. Basically a standard car accident.
Then compare that to what happens when a semi-truck barrels into one of those same vehicles. The details speak for themselves.
A commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when it’s fully loaded. That’s 20 times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. And it doesn’t take a Physics degree to understand how that weight impacts a collision.
It destroys everything.
That’s the main reason why truck accidents require different legal help than other car crashes. It’s understandable that many people have been in a fender bender before — or helped family members with their own car accident claims. But nothing could be further from the reality of hitting — or being hit by — a big rig.
82% of fatal truck accident victims in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants — not the truck drivers themselves.
If you’ve been involved in a collision with a commercial truck, seconds count. That’s why reviewing Dallas truck accident lawyer results from an experienced truck wreck injury firm as soon as possible is so important.
The Injuries Sustained Are In A Completely Different League
Whiplash? Maybe a sore neck.
More likely…a catastrophic injury that changes life forever.
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Full or partial paralysis
- Permanent scarring
- PTSD
These are just a few examples seen in truck accident cases. The point is that nobody knows how they will react upon impact. But recovery does not happen in a matter of weeks.
Traumatic injuries from truck accidents require immediate medical attention followed by extensive rehabilitation just to recover from the crash. Some injuries listed above are permanent.
Having a truck accident injury lawyer from day one ensures medical needs are thoroughly documented.
Multiple Parties Can Be Held Accountable For The Crash
Now here’s where it starts to get interesting…
When filing a standard auto collision claim, typically only one of two insurance companies is involved: the victim’s or the other driver’s.
Truck accidents involve multiple parties. Here are some of the most common:
- The driver – Was driving distracted, under the influence, tired, or simply reckless
- The trucking company – Failed to train the driver, knowingly allowed an exhausted driver on the road, or pushed the driver to violate hours-of-service regulations
- The person who loaded the truck – Did not secure the cargo correctly, leading to load shifting
- The truck manufacturer – Equipment malfunction or defective truck parts
- The maintenance company – Failed to repair or inspect the truck prior to departure
Finding every party at fault takes experience. That’s why hiring the right truck wreck injury lawyer is so crucial to any case.
Federal Regulations Add A Layer Of Complexity To The Case
This isn’t something seen in standard car accident claims. But every commercial truck on the road is governed by federal standards.
These regulations address:
- Driver hours-of-service limits
- Required rest breaks
- Commercial truck maintenance schedules and records
- Weight limits and cargo requirements
The FMCSA enforces these rules for a reason. But violations happen every day. And they often play a big role in truck accidents.
Was the driver pressured to make a deadline despite being over the legal hours-of-service limit? Those logs will need to be examined.
Did a malfunctioning brake cause the crash but maintenance records show the issue was never flagged? That could be negligence on the part of the maintenance company.
Truck accidents require specific knowledge regarding federal trucking regulations. That’s another area where a qualified lawyer can help build a strong case.
Expect To Deal With Big Insurance Companies
When buying insurance for a personal vehicle, the expectation is to deal with that insurance company after an accident. That’s not the case with large trucks.
Commercial trucks are insured by large companies with experienced claims adjusters and lawyers on staff. They know how to minimize payouts. They know how to lowball victims into accepting settlements that don’t come close to covering their damages.
It’s not personal. It’s how big corporations work. Unfortunately, they work extremely well at it.
Consider this…
The average fatal truck accident costs $7.2 million dollars. That number includes medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.
With compensation numbers this high, truck accident claims are fought tooth-and-nail by insurance companies. The first offer on the table should never be accepted.
How A Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Can Help
All the information above is why having a truck wreck injury lawyer in the picture matters so much. Here’s how the right attorney can help:
- They’ll investigate ASAP – Loss of evidence is a real thing. An attorney will gather everything from police reports to CCTV footage before it’s too late
- They’ll identify ALL liable parties – Truck drivers and their insurance companies will do everything they can to pin the accident on the other driver. An experienced attorney will find every party at fault
- They’ll work with accident reconstruction experts – Sometimes it’s just not enough to show what happened with photos and video. Reconstruction specialists use physical evidence from the crash to prove who is liable
- They know how to deal with insurance companies – The lawyer will handle every interaction with the insurance adjusters
- They have the client’s best interest in mind – Experienced truck wreck injury lawyers don’t accept cases they aren’t passionate about winning, fighting tooth-and-nail to ensure clients get the compensation they deserve
65% of large truck crash deaths are occupants of passenger vehicles — not the truck itself. Texas ranks in the top 5 states for truck accident fatalities year after year.
Bottom Line: A Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Is Essential
Truck accidents are exponentially more dangerous than the average car crash. They require different attorneys. And they come with larger insurance companies that try to minimize payouts from day one.
It’s not personal. It’s just business.
Having the right truck accident injury lawyer means combating big business and focusing on what matters most — recovering from the wreck.
