Traffic accidents happen daily. It’s become almost impossible to turn on the TV and not hear a report about the latest accidents on the road. Unfortunately, with a country as huge as the US where people are commuting every day it’s quite normal to expect such a high number of accidents.
When we discuss traffic accidents, our mind immediately goes to car accidents and with good reason as these are the most common types of accidents that take place simply because cars are the most popular vehicle chosen by commuters. However, that doesn’t mean these are the only accidents that take place.
In recent years, the number of semi-trucks has risen significantly and these vehicles have become more frequent on the roads. This is because the trucking industry has been expanding and the need for semi-trucks is much bigger than before as they’re needed to transport goods.
Although semi-truck accidents are not as frequent, they’re much more serious and life-threatening due to many factors.
In the next lines, we’ll take a closer look at the main differences between these two and we’ll also provide some actionable tips on what victims can do to protect themselves.
How common are accidents in the US
The US is a vast region that witnesses several commuters every day. Not to mention the tourists that roam the states daily. With such high frequent roads, accidents are inevitable. Back in 2022, there were more than 42,500 fatal car accidents across the US.
On the other hand, there were almost 5,000 large truck crashes in the same year. The numbers are drastically different but so is the damage caused by these vehicles. Semi-trucks cause much more property damage, not to mention that the likelihood of surviving a semi-truck collision or accident is very low.
Why semi-truck accidents require a different approach
Semi-truck accidents differ from car accidents in various ways, from the scale of the impact to the complex regulations surrounding trucking. With semi-truck accidents, trucking companies are also a potential guilty party, so the scope of these accidents is definitely much larger than a car accident. There are other distinctions as well. Here’s a closer look at some of the key differences:
Size and weight
Believe it or not but semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, significantly more than the average passenger car, which weighs around 3,000 pounds. The mere size and weight of these trucks mean that any collision with a passenger vehicle can lead to catastrophic damage and serious injuries. A fatal outcome is more likely with semi-truck collisions as the impact is more drastic.
Imagine a collision between a semi-truck and a car and the damage that the passenger car would suffer, not to mention its driver.
Surviving victims may face more severe injuries, longer recovery times, and higher medical costs. They are also not able to work for a long period of time.
Also, the material and property damage caused by a semi-truck is much greater when compared to the damage a car could do.
Complex legal regulations
Unlike car accidents where fault typically lies with one of the drivers, responsibility in semi-truck accidents can be more complicated.
In many cases, multiple parties could be held responsible, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, and even third-party maintenance providers, so it’s not that easy to determine fault.
Determining who is the guilty party requires a thorough investigation and a solid understanding of trucking laws. Most states such as Arizona and Indiana even have regulations of their own that refer to this issue.
And most victims of semi-truck accidents don’t have a thorough knowledge of these legal intricacies. That’s why it’s always advisable to consult with a semi-truck accident lawyer to get some legal guidance and support.
Insurance coverage complexities
Another difference is the insurance coverage. Car owners usually don’t need such a high insurance coverage package. However, trucking companies are required to carry significantly higher insurance coverage.
You might think that this means that victims have a better chance of being compensated, but it can also mean that insurance companies will fight harder to minimize payouts(as they usually do).
These insurance policies are often worth millions, so insurers may deploy aggressive tactics to avoid substantial financial losses. Insurance representatives can often be aggressive and even try to trick the victim into agreeing to a less-than-fair settlement.
Specialized evidence collection
Investigating a semi-truck accident is more complex than a typical car accident. Apart from the usual evidence that’s collected, in case of semi-truck accidents the evidence portfolio may include driver logs, GPS data, black box recordings, and maintenance records.
All of these steps are necessary to determine fault. For instance, if the trucking company hasn’t done regular maintenance, then the semi-truck driver is not the only one at fault.
Also, if the trucking company has set very tight deadlines and has not provided enough room for a break, causing the driver to experience fatigue, it’s important to support these claims with evidence.
Accident reconstruction experts might even be called to the scene to determine the exact cause and contributing factors. This is usually done in situations where the extent of the damage is huge and with a fatal outcome.
The bottom line
As you can see, semi-truck accidents are fundamentally different from car accidents. They differ in so many things: impact, liability, recovery time, etc. For victims of semi-truck accidents, it’s extremely important to understand these differences and understand all the legal complexities related to liability and insurance coverage.
For car accident victims, the process is pretty much straightforward and it doesn’t require as much time as a semi-truck accident. No matter the type of accident, as an injured party you need to get legal support on time to finalize the settlement process as quickly as possible.
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