How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents

If you’ve been involved in a crash involving a tractor-trailer, sedan, SUV, or another type of vehicle, learning about how truck accidents differ from car accidents can help you understand your situation and how you could go about obtaining compensation for your injuries and expenses.

While both types of crashes can result in severe injuries and significant losses, there are a number of differences that set truck and car accidents apart from each other. Researching the different aspects of each type of collision can be difficult, but luckily the Thumbs Up Guys from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys are here to offer a clear explanation.

Truck Accidents Usually Cause More Damage and Serious Injuries

One of the most significant differences between truck and car accidents is that truck wrecks often cause more damage and worse injuries than car crashes. If you’ve been struck by an 18-wheeler, you could need extensive vehicle repair or even a replacement car.

When it comes to injuries, truck collisions often cause severe and life-threatening health outcomes. Victims could suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Whiplash
• Neck injury
• Broken bones
• Internal injury
• Soft-tissue injury
• Burn injury
• Lacerations
• And more

If you’ve suffered serious injuries or vehicle damage in an accident, your best option moving forward is to hire a personal injury attorney and seek compensation via an insurance claim. A successful claim can help you cover treatment expenses, vehicle repairs, and other costs. 

Filing a Claim for a Truck Accident is a Different Process

The process an attorney must go through to file a claim for a truck accident is often much more complex and difficult than the steps required to pursue compensation for a car accident. Here are some of the steps that car and truck wrecks differ on:

Calculating Damages

Since truck accidents cause more destruction and damage than car crashes, victims often require more compensation for their monetary losses and emotional distress. Before your attorney gets started on your claim, they’ll meet with you to discuss all the losses you’ve taken on.

While car accident victims may require similar losses, truck wreck survivors often require more compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair costs
• Decreased earning ability
• Pain and sufferin
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life

The Investigation

Investigating a crash and collecting the evidence necessary to build a strong claim often takes longer for truck accidents than it does for regular auto collisions. That’s because truck accidents usually involve multiple drivers.

Truck crashes can be caused by a number of different factors, while car accidents usually stem from driver negligence. This can make it harder to get to the bottom of a truck collision and determine who is at fault. 

Determining Who Is at Fault

Truck accident claims also differ from car accident claims because there are a variety of different parties who could be to blame for an 18-wheeler collision. Your attorney must identify the guilty party and file a claim with their insurer to get you the damages you’re owed.

Any of the following parties could be responsible for a truck crash:

• The driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo loaders
• The company that maintains the truck
• A truck parts manufacturer
• Another driver

As you can see, there are several different individuals and entities that could be held liable for a truck crash. Fortunately, a skilled attorney can identify the guilty party and hold them responsible for damages, whether you’ve been injured in a car or truck crash. 

Negotiating a Settlement

Negotiating a settlement is another area where truck and car accident claims differ significantly. That’s because trucking companies often have an aggressive team of insurers and lawyers who are ready to combat claims. 

While negotiating a car accident settlement has its difficulties, going up against a high-profile insurance company in a truck accident claim can be particularly tricky. The insurer will likely take every measure they can to avoid paying you what you’re owed. As a result, it might take longer for you to get a settlement, or you might have to take your case to court

Truck Accident Cases Require a Skilled Attorney

As you now know, truck accidents can cause significant damages, are difficult to investigate, and are even harder to pursue compensation for. If you’ve been injured in a truck collision, you’ll want to make sure you hire an attorney who knows what they’re doing.

The outcome of your case could determine whether or not you’re able to pay your medical bills and support yourself while you recuperate from your injuries. You’ll want to find an experienced lawyer to ensure you have the best chance of receiving a fair settlement or verdict.

How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Truck Crash Case

Whether you were injured in a car wreck or semi-truck collision, it’s important to vet your lawyer properly. However, since truck crash cases require a high degree of legal knowledge and experience, you’ll want to ask an attorney the following questions before hiring them to help you file a truck accident claim:

• How long has your firm handled truck accident cases?
• What percentage of your caseload is devoted to claims like mine?
• Can you provide references from past clients who were injured in similar incidents?
• What is your success rate in settling or winning auto accident cases?
• What is your approach to communication with clients?
• What is your strategy for proving fault in a truck accident case?
• How do you handle negotiations with insurance companies?
• How long do you think it will take to resolve my case?

If an attorney offers acceptable answers to the questions listed above and you feel comfortable communicating with them, there’s a good chance that they’re the right choice for your claim, whether you’re pursuing compensation for a car or truck accident. 

Get in Touch With a Knowledgeable Attorney Today

While learning about how truck accidents are different from car accidents can help you make smart legal decisions after a collision, hiring a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to protect your right to compensation. A lawyer who has experience working on claims similar to yours will know which steps to take to recover the damages you deserve.

The team at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys has secured impressive results for countless individuals involved in truck crashes, car wrecks, and other incidents. We know how difficult it can be to recuperate from a bad accident, which is why we’re committed to helping you on your road to recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.