At first glance, a truck accident is no different from any other vehicle accident. However, there are significant differences between truck and other car accidents.
Understanding the differences could help you recover compensation for your losses. Here is what you should know:
Size can contribute a lot to an accident
The sheer size of trucks can contribute to the severity of vehicle accidents. Commercial trucks often weigh thousands of pounds more than typical vehicles. While the average vehicle may weigh 3,000 or 4,000 pounds, tractor-trailers and semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Because of the size of these vehicles, the impact of a commercial truck on other vehicles, pedestrians and buildings can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Accidents may be caused by more than one oversight
Many trucking accidents are caused by driver negligence. A truck driver may be speeding or aggressive, which endangers their life and the lives of others. Truck drivers may also increase the risk of accidents by using substances, becoming distracted or falling asleep behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are not always to blame for vehicle accidents, however. If the brakes on a truck were not maintained regularly, it could prevent a trucker from slowing their vehicle to a stop before colliding with another vehicle. Trucks require regular maintenance, and the owner failing to schedule it or the mechanic failing to carry it out properly could endanger the lives of others.
Some truck accidents are also caused by regulation compliance negligence. Truck companies may enforce policies that directly risk the lives of truckers and other people on the road. Regulations that might be overlooked include vehicle maintenance and mandatory breaks.
There may be more than one liable party
Victims should be aware of who may be liable in a truck accident. Unlike other car accidents, there may be multiple liable parties in a truck accident, including the driver, mechanic or trucking company. Victims may be able to recover maximum damages for their losses by holding the liable parties responsible for their actions.