Legal Insights and Essential Steps
Each year, millions of automobile crashes happen across the United States, with Florida alone seeing 394,865 crashes in 2023. Fatal accidents involving large trucks increased by 1.8% from 2021 to 5,837 in 2022, a rise of 49% over the past decade. The legal handling of car crashes is quite different from that of truck crashes due to the unique characteristics of each vehicle and accident. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone involved in such unfortunate events.
The Nature of Car vs. Truck Crashes
Car crashes are fundamentally different from crashes involving large trucks. A passenger car's operation on the road cannot be compared to that of a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tanker truck, or tractor-trailer. The differences are even more pronounced when handling the legal aspects of these accidents. If you've been injured in a car or truck crash, hiring a Florida personal injury law firm with the expertise to handle your case is essential.
Key Differences in Car and Truck Crashes
Car accidents can cause serious injuries but are usually less severe than truck accidents because cars are much lighter, typically under 4,000 pounds. Truck accidents, on the other hand, often result in catastrophic injuries since a fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, creating much more impact. Trucks have large blind spots, called No-Zones, that can hide entire vehicles, making lane changes and turns risky. They also need 20 to 40% more distance to stop than cars, making avoiding collisions harder.
Trucks are also less maneuverable, making it more difficult to avoid obstacles. Injuries from truck accidents tend to be more severe, like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, compared to the whiplash and fractures more common in car crashes. Trucks follow strict federal safety regulations, but accidents still happen due to non-compliance or mechanical issues. Additionally, truck crashes can cause significant economic and environmental damage, especially if they involve hazardous materials, leading to expensive cleanups and potential pollution. Knowing these differences is key to improving road safety and reducing the risks of both types of accidents.
The Legal Process for Car and Truck Crashes
In Florida, handling truck and car accidents differs due to insurance coverage and legal details. Car insurance includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. This no-fault system ensures quick access to medical care and financial support. Truck insurance is more complicated and usually has higher limits because of the potential for more serious damage. These policies can differ based on whether the truck is owned by the driver or leased from a company. Commercial insurance companies often send experienced investigators and adjusters right after an accident to reduce their liability.
Truck accidents involve more detailed investigations and often lead to longer legal battles because of the higher amounts of money involved and the complexity of the cases, including federal regulations. Victims of truck accidents should get help from lawyers who know about commercial vehicle accidents to handle the complex insurance policies and multiple parties involved. Acting quickly and preserving important evidence can greatly affect the outcome of a truck accident case, helping ensure fair compensation and a thorough investigation.
Contact Leo Valdes, personal injury trial attorney, for a free consultation today.
Citation:
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Valdes Law Firm. (22). Truck accident. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://www.valdeslaw.com/blog/category/truck-accident/