Car and truck accidents have the potential to be very different. Trucks weigh almost 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger car. Their weight makes it hard for commercial trucks to come to a complete stop. Their size also makes them less maneuverable than a passenger vehicle, meaning they’re less likely to be able to avoid hitting a car that is suddenly in their lane. More than this, claims filed in a car accident can be much simpler than those filed when people are involved in a truck accident. The following are a few reasons why truck accidents tend to be more complicated than car collisions.
Ownership
Most people own the vehicles they drive. Their car insurance will, therefore, cover the cost of their accidents, but may also extend to other drivers and passengers involved. On the other hand, many commercial vehicles on the road aren’t owned by the people who drive them. Semis either belong to owner-operators, self-employed truckers who own the 18-wheelers, or trucking companies, who often own hundreds of trucks and employ hundreds of drivers. If you get into an accident with a commercial truck owned by a trucking company, is the driver or the company liable for the crash? Often, the answer depends on the situation. If both the driver and the company are liable, you will involve several people and attorneys in your suit, which could increase the time it will take to get compensation.
Injuries
A commercial truck can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, so an accident with an 18-wheeler could lead to more serious injuries, such as a catastrophic injury or even death.
Compensation for Damages
The law allows the victims of serious injury and property damage to be compensated. Usually, the amount of compensation is intended to place them back in the financial and physical position they were prior to the accident. However, the maximum amount a person could sue for depends on the limits of the relevant policy. If the policy maximum is reached, the insurance company won’t pay any more, which could possibly leave you with extensive medical care bills.
Truck accident cases can take time and money. Start out your case with a successful and experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney. Our firm has more than 3 decades of experience representing victims and has earned millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts, and judgments. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.