Whether you’re on a cross-country road trip or your daily commute, a lot of things can happen when you’re out on the road. Many people think that the worst that could happen is a bad car accident. While a car crash can be complicated and you may have to involve lawyers, it’s nothing compared to truck accidents.
When you get hit by a truck, not only can the accident be much worse, but you may most definitely need a personal injury lawyer to make sure you don’t suffer any losses.
If you’re wondering about the difference between car accidents and truck accidents from a legal point of view, here is how they both differ from one another.
Understanding the Cause of a Truck Accident
A common car accident may happen because one driver may have been going faster than they should, they weren’t paying attention, or they were intoxicated, among other things. The basic everyday things that are caused by human error.
However, truck accidents are different. The vehicles are more complicated and much heavier. Not to mention, the truckers have routes that take days or weeks to complete. Because of the sheer size of the trucks, accidents can happen because they take longer to slow down or take proper turns, among other reasons.
Additionally, truck accidents can also be because of a malfunctioning truck. Because of how much they are on the road, trucks need far more maintenance and checkups than cars. Even slacking a little to cut costs can cause problems for the trucker on the road. That’s why equipment failure is another common reason for truck accidents.
Some Laws Are Different For Truckers
Similar to the cause of the accidents, there can be differences in laws for car drivers and truckers. Since the trucks are bigger and heavier, not to mention the drivers are on the road for days, the trucking company is subject to more laws and regulations.
For instance, truck drivers have a set number of consecutive hours that they need to rest every day, the number of hours they can drive every day, and the number of hours they can stay on duty. They have to log all their time in the company system to make sure they are following the rules.
Truck Accidents Can Have More Than One Liable Party
With car crashes, you can get a car accident attorney and take legal action against the driver to get compensated for your financial losses. It’s simple because you know who to go against.
However, the same is not true for truck accidents. As mentioned above, truck accidents can happen for many reasons. It’s not always the fault of the trucker. That’s why it can often be challenging to know who to take legal action against in a truck accident.
Firstly, you might think of going after the driver. If a truck driver is not following federal and state laws, they can be liable for the accident.
Secondly, you may also be able to go after the trucking company if the truck driver is at fault. That might allow you to get better compensation, but it also means you need a really good lawyer.
Lastly, you might be able to go after the mechanic, maintenance crew, and other parties if an equipment failure caused the crash.
