3 Ways A Truck Accident Is Different From Your Average Car Crashes
Car Accident Lawyer
While both car accidents and truck accidents can be devastating, they are not the same. The differences in size and weight between a car and a truck alone can make for a nightmarish situation.
When you’re in an accident with a truck as opposed to another vehicle, you may experience more severe injuries and more extensive damage to your vehicle. Because of this, it is important that hire a car accident lawyer from Tuttle Law P.A. to handle your case if you are involved in a truck accident.
Here are the three ways a truck accident may differ from the average car crash.
Truck Accidents Cause More Injuries Than Car Collisions
The average car weighs about 4,000 pounds, and the average pickup truck comes in at around 5,500 pounds. Now consider that the average 18-wheeler weighs up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. That’s 20 times heavier than a standard car! Sure, trucks surpass cars in size and weight, but drivers of passenger vehicles are still vulnerable to injuries due to their sheer size and weight alone.
Because trucks are so much larger than normal automobiles, they can cause significantly more damage during crashes. Passenger vehicle drivers are often left with devastating injuries including:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back problems
- Facial disfigurement
- Broken bones (or compound fractures)
- Paralysis or death
If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately regardless of whether or not you believe your injuries are severe enough to warrant emergency care. A car accident lawyer from Tuttle Law P.A. can help you through the process.
Trucks Can Cause Accidents due to Poor Maintenance
Trucks are heavy-duty vehicles that require routine maintenance to work properly. From brakes to tires, batteries, lights and more, there are many parts that need proper upkeep to keep a truck running safely when on the road.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies neglect this responsibility and send their trucks out with brakes that don’t work properly or tires that aren’t safe for the road.
Different Entities Involved
When a motorist is involved in a car accident with another driver on the road, there are typically only two parties involved: the other motorist and their insurance company. However, this may not be true in a truck accident case. There may be additional entities involved in these cases including:
- The truck driver (and possibly their employer)
- The company who leased or rented the tractor-trailer
- The person/company who owns and maintains the trailer
There will likely be multiple parties involved in the accident. If you were riding in a truck when an accident occurred — or if you were hit by a truck — you’ll need to contact an experienced lawyer who can help determine who should be held liable for damages in court. Trucking companies will typically have a team of lawyers ready to defend themselves against any claims of negligence or wrongdoings. This is why it is essential to hire a car accident lawyer from Tuttle Law P.A.