What Makes Truck Accident Claims Different?
Any traffic accident can result in serious injuries and devastating consequences. However, large commercial truck accidents are in a category of their own.
The sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers and other heavy trucks make collisions extremely dangerous for passenger vehicle occupants.
In addition to the severity of the injuries they cause, large truck accidents present unique challenges for injured victims and survivors as they pursue compensation for their losses. Truck accident claims are often more complex than regular car accident claims.
Suppose you have suffered serious or catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in an accident caused by the negligence of a truck driver.
In that case, it is important to consult with an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney as soon as possible – and before you talk to insurance adjusters, make or sign any document.
How do commercial truck accidents differ from car accidents?
Our firm believes that negligent truckers and trucking companies should be held accountable for the harm they cause to motorists on the road and that victims have the right to seek compensation for the injuries and damages caused.
Victims should be aware of the following differences between commercial truck accident claims and car accident claims:
The stakes are often high in truck accident claims. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death for the passenger vehicle’s occupants.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,964 people died in traffic collisions involving large trucks in a recent year, and 71 percent of those deaths were occupants of other vehicles.
Trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard against claims for the level of damages involved in cases of death or catastrophic injury.
Federal agencies regulate commercial truckers and trucking companies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established on January 1, 2000, under the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.
This agency’s primary objective is to prevent injuries and deaths resulting from traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles.
Truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo handlers, and others are subject to FMCSA regulations, and violations may have implications for civil claims for injuries in accidents.
Several parties may be liable for truck accident injuries. In car accident claims, the responsible party is usually the driver whose negligence caused the accident.
In commercial motor vehicle accidents, many different parties may be liable. Potential defendants may include: the driver, the owner of the truck, the owner of the trailer, the party leasing the truck or trailer from the owner, truck manufacturers, parts manufacturers, vehicle repair shops, shipping companies, and more.
Many responsible parties provide more sources of compensation for victims. However, it also means more insurance companies, lawyers, and big companies fighting claims.