Trucks Vs. Car Accidents

How Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents

Truck crashes can have a profound and long-lasting impact on someone’s life. The consequences of a truck accident extend far beyond the physical injuries sustained in the collision.

Truck accidents and car accidents differ significantly in their potential for severe consequences and the complexities involved. The size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and regular cars mean that truck accidents often result in more extensive property damage, catastrophic injuries, and even fatalities. Moreover, trucks have longer stopping distances and larger blind spots, making them more challenging to maneuver safely on the road. Truck accidents are also subject to specific regulations and requirements governing the trucking industry, such as Hours of Service rules and weight limits, which can impact liability and compensation.

Our truck accident lawyers at Malone Legal Group are equipped with the expertise and experience needed to navigate the intricacies of truck accident cases. We understand the unique challenges that arise in these accidents and conduct thorough investigations to gather critical evidence. Our dedicated truck accident attorneys can clarify your options and help you move forward with a legal claim.

The Five Critical Differences Between Truck and Car Accidents

Truck and car accidents differ significantly due to the vast disparities in size, weight, and complexity between commercial trucks and regular passenger vehicles. Here are six critical differences between truck and car accidents:

Severity of Accidents Truck crashes are often much more severe than car crashes for the following reasons:

Weight Disparity: A fully-loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 20 to 30 times more than an average passenger car. When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the force of impact is significantly greater, leading to more substantial damage to both vehicles.

High Center of Gravity: Trucks have a higher center of gravity, which makes them more susceptible to rolling over in certain situations, especially during sharp turns or evasive maneuvers. Rollover accidents can result in severe injuries to the truck driver and others on the road.

Braking Distance: Trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop compared to cars. The added weight and momentum make it more challenging for truck drivers to brake quickly in emergencies, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.

Underride Accidents: In some truck accidents, smaller vehicles can become trapped underneath the rear or side of the truck due to its height. These underride accidents can cause devastating injuries or fatalities to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Multiple Impact Points: Truck accidents often involve multiple impact points due to the size and shape of the truck. This can lead to secondary collisions and more extensive damage to other vehicles on the road.

Severity of Injuries

The severity of injuries in truck accidents is one of the most significant and concerning aspects of these collisions. Due to the substantial size and weight of commercial trucks, the impact of a truck accident can lead to devastating injuries for occupants of smaller vehicles and even pedestrians. Here are some factors that contribute to the heightened severity of injuries in truck accidents:

Impact Force: The sheer weight and momentum of a commercial truck create a significantly higher impact force compared to that of a regular car. When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the force of the impact is much greater, resulting in more extensive damage to both vehicles and significantly increasing the risk of severe injuries to the occupants.

Height and Underride Accidents: Commercial trucks have a higher ground clearance, which means that during a collision, smaller vehicles can become trapped underneath the rear or side of the truck. These underride accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Rollover Accidents: Due to their high center of gravity, trucks are more susceptible to rollover accidents, especially during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. Rollover accidents can lead to severe injuries, including head and spinal injuries, fractures, and organ damage.

Cargo-Related Hazards: In some truck accidents, cargo spillage or cargo shifting can occur, leading to additional dangers. When improperly secured or hazardous materials are involved, these accidents can cause fires, explosions, or environmental hazards, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.

Long-Stopping Distance: Trucks require a significantly longer distance to come to a complete stop compared to cars due to their weight. This can lead to rear-end collisions, causing whiplash injuries and other neck and back-related issues for the occupants of the rear-ended vehicle.

Number of Parties Involved

One of the unique aspects of truck accidents that differentiates them from car accidents is the number of parties involved. Truck accidents often have multiple parties that may share responsibility for the collision. These parties can include:

• Truck Driver Trucking Company
• Truck Owner
• Maintenance Provider
• Cargo Loading Company
• Vehicle Manufacturer

Determining the liability of each party involved in a truck accident can be complex and requires a thorough investigation. It’s essential to have experienced Lubbock truck accident attorneys who understand the nuances of these cases and can identify all potentially liable parties. By holding all responsible parties accountable, victims of truck accidents have a better chance of obtaining full and fair compensation for their injuries and losses.