Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer: How are Truck Accidents Different Than Car Accidents?
Serious truck-related accidents are rising in Atlanta, Georgia, each year. That is hardly a surprise considering the high number of semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and commercial trucks on the road each day. Unfortunately, many of those truck-related accidents result in serious injuries.
There are obvious differences between trucks and cars, like the size. But what are specific ways that truck accidents are different than car accidents?
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Understands Serious Injuries Which Result from a Truck Accident
Clear differences between trucks and cars include:
- Trucks are bigger
- Trucks are heavier; a loaded truck can weigh [link]
- Trucks are larger
- Because of the weight, trucks take longer to stop
- Highway speeds make it even more difficult for trucks to stop
It is clear to see why the impact of a truck is significantly more than the impact of a car. As a result, damages to a car and its occupants from a truck accident are usually more serious, including death. A semi-truck accident lawyer understands the serious injuries caused by a truck accident.
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Knows Which Parties May Be Involved in an Accident
Most trucks on the road are owned by a trucking company that hires drivers as employees or independent contractors. Therefore, at a minimum, the trucking company and driver will be involved as parties to a claim. In addition, depending on the nature of the accident, parties involved in the accident may include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company and/or owner of the truck
- Truck’s maintenance workers
- Loaders
- Truck manufacturer
- Manufacturer of truck parts
- The driver of another automobile and passengers
A semi-truck accident lawyer will ensure that you do not neglect to identify one of these important parties. Generally, each of these parties has an insurance policy which is a potential source of settlement funds. Further, holding parties liable for your accident responsible may prevent them from causing similar or worse harm to other victims.
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Knows the Insurance Policies Relevant to an Accident
When a truck is involved in your personal injury accident, you will likely go against the trucking company. Trucks usually have large insurance policy coverage amounts, much greater than the amount that vehicles have. This is because trucking accidents can be severe. In addition, trucking insurance companies, like other insurance companies, have a vested interest in saving money. So, these insurance companies will often take the defense of the truck-related accident very seriously to avoid paying out and protecting their money. For this reason, having a qualified semi-truck accident lawyer on your side is very important.
There could be multiple insurance policies because of the many possible parties in a truck accident. Many parties can cause a complicated case. Additionally, many insurance sources can also help you receive fair compensation for injuries. A semi-truck accident lawyer will ensure that all policies are considered.
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Knows the Regulations of the Trucking Industry
Trucks and their owners must follow regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act, which governs trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Regulations include:
- Required insurance policy amounts
- Record-keeping requirements
- Driver logs
- Truck maintenance
- Driver background checks
- Driver evaluations
- Driver drug and alcohol tests
- Limitations on the number of hours a truck driver can drive each day
Additional regulations include:
- Truck drivers often need to go through special education and training
- The trucking company provides specific instructions to drivers
- Most drivers need to have a commercial driver’s license
If any of these regulations (under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act or otherwise) is breached, there could be liability on the part of the trucking company, driver, or other party. This includes the liability of the trucking company for negligence in hiring or training.
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Understands the Complicated Aspects and Causes of a Truck Accident
A personal injury accident involving a truck often requires more effort, is more costly, and is more time-consuming than other vehicle accidents. But the truck owner, employer trucking company often may be responsible, making them have all or some liability for the accident.
For example, truck equipment failure can play a large role in an accident. However, just because equipment fails does not mean that the driver is not to blame. The driver is responsible for checking the equipment to make sure everything is working properly. If there is a part or equipment that the driver did not check or failed to check properly, then it malfunctioned, the truck driver could be liable.
Some of the unique considerations and causes of an accident with a truck may include:
- Multiple parties to the claim
- Many insurance policies, often more complicated
- Dangerous cargo on the trucks (logs, flammable material, dangerous substances) falling on the car behind
- Driver negligence (error in driving judgment, falling asleep while driving because they worked too many hours)
- Technology problems in the truck
- Inadequate maintenance and repairs (trucks’ weight and long hours on the road require frequent maintenance and repairs)
- Malfunctioning of the truck which causes a fire, sparks, truck to stop suddenly, broken turn signals
- Truck driver with a history of drug use
- Head-on collision
- T-bone collision
- Miscalculating the time needed for truck to stop (trucks take longer to stop because of their heavyweight
- Miscalculating the room needed to turn and hitting a car because of the blind spot
- Truck tipping over
- Equipment failure
- Brake problems
- Tire problems
- Safety violations
A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Knows How to Investigate the Unique Challenges of a Truck Accident
Because of the many complicated and unique aspects of a truck accident described above, mistakes in handling the claim are possible, particularly when someone not familiar with truck accidents is in charge.
Truck drivers must report any accidents and incidents to the trucking company. The trucking company immediately involves the appropriate insurance companies, which start an investigation immediately. Because of the large policy limits and multiple possible parties involved, the insurance company will deploy investigators, lawyers, and experts to collect evidence and investigate the accident. If the trucking company takes an aggressive approach with significant resources, a truck accident victim must take an equally strong position. In other words, a semi-truck accident lawyer can also collect evidence and investigate the accident. Semi-truck accident lawyer Ali Awad will work with experts and investigators to build your case as strong as possible.
You Need Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Ali Awad on Your Side if You Have Been Involved in an Accident in Atlanta, Georgia
If you are a truck accident victim, call semi-truck accident lawyer Ali Awad. The facts, investigation, documentation, and cost of a truck accident can be incredibly complex. If you have been in a truck accident, semi-truck accident lawyer Ali Awad and his experienced legal team understand the nature of the accident, your injuries, and the overall challenges. Have the injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm on your side.