No two car accidents are exactly the same in terms of circumstance, the extent of vehicle damage and bodily injury suffered by vehicle occupants. There are also significant differences between car accidents and truck accidents. Collisions involving trucks tend to be violent and painful simply due to the laws of physics.
Some Trucks Have Black Boxes
Though not every truck on the road has a black box, they are becoming more prevalent. The black boxes in trucks are similar to those in airplanes. The box records the crash’s details, including the speed rate, location coordinates, and more.
If you are involved in a crash with a big rig truck, your attorney will determine if the vehicle has a black box. The data retrieved from the black box helps the police, attorneys, and insurance companies piece together the puzzle of fault.
Forceful Impact
Truck accidents are more impactful than regular car accidents. Some semi-trucks weigh upwards of 30,000 pounds. A collision with such a vehicle can end one or several lives. Moreover, such massive trucks have the potential to flatten a passenger vehicle completely. It is also possible for trucks to cause damage to vehicles, vehicle occupants, and others in the vicinity if the force of impact loosens cargo.
The worst possible scenario is a collision with a truck carrying flammable cargo such as gasoline, oil, etc. The resulting fire has the potential to burn several vehicles, including the truck itself. Toxic spillage from the accident might poison an entire neighborhood or small community. Noxious chemicals and acid might even damage the surrounding environment to the point that it becomes unsafe for human habitation.
In contrast, collisions involving passenger vehicles tend to be fender benders or those that cause minor dents. The minimal damage caused by such a collision is the result of physics. The force of two passenger vehicles colliding is minimal simply because they weigh a couple thousand pounds as opposed to the 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of semi-trucks.
Truck Driver Blind Spots
Those who took driver’s education courses remember that trucks have blind spots in several areas. Though wide-angle and convex-style side mirrors help truck drivers see more of the space around them, there are still sizable blind spots. The rear of the truck and both sides have minimal or even no visibility from the driver’s perspective.
As a result, trucks are more likely to sideswipe a passenger vehicle adjacent to his or her big rig. The mere act of attempting to change lanes while driving a big rig is much more likely to cause an accident than if attempted by a passenger vehicle.
Moreover, a massive truck coming to a sudden halt is also more likely to cause a rear-end collision as the driver of such a large vehicle is unable to see directly behind the cargo connected to the rear.
Differences in Injuries
Drivers involved in passenger vehicle collisions tend to have minor injuries when juxtaposed with those suffered by drivers struck by big rig trucks. The force of a big rig truck’s collision with a smaller vehicle is much more likely to break bones, cause a traumatic brain injury, or kill someone. Airbags can also be pressured to the point that they do not function properly as they’ve exceeded their functional limit.
Passenger vehicle structural damage in which the vehicle’s framework is penetrated to the depth of the inner compartment can total the vehicle. Alternatively, truck drivers tend to escape such collisions without injury simply because they are positioned at higher elevations in cabins. Such high positioning often prevents bodily damage, though the truck itself is still vulnerable to damage.
The Domino Effect
A collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle has the potential to cause a pileup. The sheer force of a big rig truck can send another vehicle forward or to the side, causing a second collision. It is even possible for a series of collisions to occur after the initial point of contact with the passenger vehicle in which a massive pileup occurs. Such pileup chain reaction collisions have the potential to block the entirety of the road.
The Legal Requirements for Driving a Truck
The commercial trucking industry driver standards are different from the laws that govern vehicles operated by everyday civilians. As an example, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for commercial truck drivers is less than that of civilians. The standard BAC limit for civilian drivers is 0.08, while that for truck drivers is 0.04.
Moreover, truck drivers have driving limitations that prevent them from driving more than 11 hours per day. Truck drivers must have at least 10 consecutive hours of rest off-duty. Those involved in big rig accidents should also understand that there are specific record-keeping rules that govern how trucking companies and truck drivers work.
Truck drivers and their employers are also required to maintain detailed logs of qualifications, including truck maintenance records, alcohol screenings, and drug screenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Truck Accident Settlements and Court Awards Different From Those in Passenger Vehicle Accidents?
Yes. Truck accidents pose greater risks to people, vehicles, and other property. Therefore, such accidents typically end with higher settlement amounts and court awards from personal injury cases than crashes involving passenger vehicles. If the truck crash is catastrophic and ends a life, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed that leads to an especially large payout. However, even if life is not lost, there is a greater likelihood of high medical bills resulting from such crashes that ultimately lead to larger payouts.
Can Several Parties Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
Yes. It is possible for the truck driver, other drivers, the truck manufacturer, and even the trucking business to be found liable. There is also the possibility that the company responsible for loading cargo on the truck to be held accountable in the event of a crash.
Is a Lawyer Necessary in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident?
Yes. Do not attempt to represent yourself when discussing the crash with the auto insurance company or opposing counsel. A personal injury attorney will assist in investigating the case, identifying potential parties at fault, negotiating the settlement, and more. If necessary, your attorney will advocate on your behalf in a court of law.
Why Are Truck Rollover Accidents More Common Than Those of Passenger Vehicles?
Truck rollovers occur in higher numbers as they are more likely to tip than standard passenger vehicles. Tippage vulnerability is the result of tractor-trailers’ especially high center of gravity. If a truck swerves at a high rate of speed, jackknives, is subjected to storm conditions or is struck by another vehicle, it can easily tip over onto adjacent vehicles.
How Is Fault Determined in Truck Accidents?
Fault is a puzzle pieced together using a variety of tools. The truck’s black box tells part of the story of the crash, including the rate of speed, location, time, and more. Eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage also help prove one or several parties are liable.
Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys
For help, contact Gomez Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation by calling 866-TRIAL LAW (866-874-2552) or by contacting us online.