The Difference Between a Truck Accident and a Car Accident
Many people are under the impression that all vehicle accidents are alike. This is false. Car and truck accidents are significantly different, each posing unique challenges and complicating the compensation claim process.
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we want to help people understand the differences between car and truck accidents and how those differences can influence the pursuit of fair compensation in a car or truck accident lawsuit.
Severe Injuries in Car vs Truck Accidents
Passenger cars typically weigh about 3,000 pounds. The average semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. There are distinct differences between the amount of damage a car accident can do to the human body and the amount of damage a fully loaded semi-truck can do to the human body.
Commercial truck accidents tend to cause more extensive physical damage to automobiles, leading to more severe injuries. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 72 percent of people killed in collisions involving large trucks were the occupants of the other vehicle. While any accident can cause significant injuries, truck accidents tend to involve more catastrophic injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and paralysis are common truck accident injuries.
Fatalities Reported in Car vs Truck Accidents
Comparing fatal car vs. truck accident statistics can be challenging. In Ohio, the Ohio State Patrol reports that in one year, there were 1,096 motor vehicle fatalities and 186 commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities. While there are more motor vehicle fatalities reported in the state, remember that there are more passenger vehicles on the road than large trucks.
When pick-up trucks, tow trucks, and commercial trucks are involved in fatal accidents, the harm is likely to be greater. These large, heavy vehicles are capable of doing more damage and causing more serious injuries than smaller passenger cars.
The Complexities of Truck Accidents
Truck accident claims are also typically more complicated than car accident claims. Why? Truck accidents cause more extensive damage and tend to lead to severe injuries that are expensive to treat.
Another reason truck accidents can be more complex than other types of accidents is that multiple parties may bear partial responsibility for causing the crash. It’s easy to point the finger at the truck driver. However, the trucking company, cargo loading company, and parts manufacturers may also be partially liable for the cause of the crash and, in turn, should compensate you for your financial losses.
Finally, truck accidents can be challenging because some of the evidence needed to strengthen your claim is trucking company property. Trucking companies own black box data, safety inspection reports, cargo loading manifests, and hours of service logs for their truck drivers. Anything that may implicate them in being liable for a collision is evidence they will not hand over simply because you asked politely. Legal intervention could be required to preserve crucial evidence.
Contact Our Akron Truck Accident Lawyers for Help
Different techniques and strategies are required to pursue maximum compensation for your losses from a car or truck accident. If a careless driver has injured you, you must turn to an experienced Akron personal injury lawyer who understands how best to manage car and truck accident claims.
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Akron truck accident lawyers have an extensive track record of helping injured truck accident victims pursue maximum compensation for their injuries. Contact our office today to arrange a free case evaluation to learn more about our experience handling truck accident cases.
