Why Truck Accidents are Complicated
Truck accidents are complicated for many reasons, particularly due to the fact that the size of a truck is so much larger than the size of the typical passenger vehicle. These types of collisions can cause severe injury or even death. When a trucking accident occurs, the size of the crash may cause other vehicles to collide since they may not be able to stop in time. Truck accidents can also be quite complicated because if you bring a claim to gain compensation for your injuries, there may be more than one at-fault party. Typically, the negligent driver is the one at-fault party, but when a truck is involved, there may be a claim against the company that owns the truck for their own negligence.
We are a law firm with offices in every state that can help you if you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident. These types of collisions can be complicated, so we encourage you to speak with one of our experienced attorneys right away. We can listen to the facts of your case and potentially help you get compensated for your injuries.
Trucks vs. Passenger Cars
The most obvious reason for trucking accidents to be complex when compared with standard accidents involving two passenger vehicles is that trucks are significantly larger and heavier than cars. Because of their size and weight, the impact when a collision occurs with a car can result in severe injuries to the driver and any passengers in the car. Additionally, these types of accidents may result in pile-up collisions, with the potential for other cars to collide after being unable to avoid the large accident scene in front of them on the roadway.
The Potential for Additional Parties to be At-Fault
Another reason that truck accidents can be incredibly complex is because there may be more than one at-fault party. While you may easily be able to prove the driver of the truck was negligent in some manner, there is the potential for the company that owns the truck to also be just as liable. Often, if liability for the accident can be found on the part of the company owning the truck, it will benefit you as the injured party since the company likely has a higher insurance policy limit than the driver. If your injuries are significant, this will allow you to have a higher chance at fully recovering all of your damages, since you won’t be capped at the just the driver’s policy limit.
How Could the Trucking Company be At-Fault for My Accident?
There are many ways in which the truck company may actually have been negligent. For example, if it is later determined that the trucking company failed to have proper maintenance performed on the truck and faulty brakes caused the accident, the company could be responsible for your accident. Additionally, if the company had certain policies set in place that made their drivers overly tired or having to achieve unrealistic arrival times at their destinations, this could make the business responsible for the collision, depending on the facts of the accident.