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Why semitruck accidents aren’t the same as auto accident claims

On Behalf of | Nov 15, 2018 | Firm News, trucking accidents |

Make no mistake: Accidents involving large commercial trucks and semis are vastly different than accidents that only involve passenger vehicles.

The biggest difference, naturally, between a large truck accident and a car accident is that the impact from a truck can be so much stronger. The weight of a large commercial truck (plus its load, if it happens to be carrying one) is vastly greater than that of any passenger vehicle. That’s why accidents involving large trucks are far more likely to have serious injuries or deaths than accidents between cars. The more serious the injury, the more complex the resulting personal injury claim is likely to be.

But that’s just the start. Here are some other factors that make accident claims involving large trucks hard to handle:

The regulations

Truck drivers and trucking companies alike have to follow specific federal regulations that govern everything from how heavy a load they can haul to how long they can be on the road. It’s important to understand these regulations in order to recognize negligent behavior on the part of the driver or company.

The parties involved

Truck accidents can be caused by a number of reasons — tired drivers, cargo that was improperly loaded, defective parts in the engine or tires that blow out for no apparent reason. Sometimes one issue combines with another, and they both contribute to an accident. Any investigation into a truck accident has to include that possibility. This means that more than one party may ultimately bear responsibility for the damages.

The insurance companies

Commercial trucks are required to carry a lot of personal injury insurance. Since settlements can be large, insurance companies automatically try to mount aggressive defenses in an effort to protect their bottom lines.

Not every personal injury attorney handles truck accident claims — for good reason. They’re very complex, and they take specific knowledge and dedication. If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident or lost a relative to one, talk to an experienced trucking accident attorney about filing a claim.

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