Some people may think that all types of vehicular accidents are the same. After all, when you get hit by a vehicle, you may care about the type of vehicle that caused the crash. While the majority of vehicle accident claims have similarities, accidents that involve a commercial truck are different. From complex problems regarding liability to the seriousness of damages often involved, truck accident litigation is multifaceted. Thus, victims should consider hiring a Glen Falls truck accident lawyer who has the experience and resources they can use for handling cases that involve 18-wheelers. Keep reading to learn more about how truck crashes are different from vehicle accidents:
The Extent of Injuries Victims May Sustain
Any vehicle can cause severe injuries. But catastrophic injuries are more likely to occur in truck accidents than other vehicular accidents. This has to do with the size and weight of a commercial truck. When fully loaded, a semi-truck can be up to 40 tons heavier and may be almost 15 feet above the ground. Meanwhile, a standard car can only weigh up to 3, 000 pounds and can be up to 6 feet tall.
With such differences, trucks can cause significant injuries when involved in a collision, particularly when they are at high speed. These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, serious burns, amputation injuries, spinal cord injuries, and others.
The Extent of Resulting Damages
Any serious injuries lead to substantial expenses and other costs. Because of this, truck accident victims seek higher compensation than they could seek in other vehicular accidents. This is particularly true when the accident resulted in a wrongful death case.
Usually, insurance providers contest claims that involve catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to the damages sought. When you pick a lawyer to handle your truck accident claim, look for one who is willing to pursue compensation for you or represent you in court should your case goes to trial.
Every insurer will find ways to justify their intention to pay as little amount of compensation as possible. Thus, you and your attorney must work hard to achieve maximum recovery whether from settlement negotiations or a trial verdict.
Liability
In car accident cases, fault is often straightforward. Another driver may be solely to blame for the crash or both drivers might be to blame. But with truck accidents, liability may be assigned to more than one party. Apart from the truck driver, other parties that may have to share the blame includes their employer, the tractor or trailer owner, a truck maintenance company, an auto part manufacturer, and a company that loads cargo. The parties involved in your truck accident depend on the facts and circumstances of the accident.
