The aftermath of a serious vehicle accident is often overwhelming. Not only will you have to deal with insurance companies, you may also face other issues like physical injuries and damage to your vehicle. The result is that you will be under a lot of stress. Hiring a lawyer can help to relieve that stress. Your lawyer can help you to sort through the various legal issues surrounding your accident. As you evaluate different attorneys, it is important to consider the fact that car accident attorneys and trucking accident attorneys are quite different.
Differences Between Car Accident and Truck Accident Cases
- Liability
One of the main differences between car and truck accidents has to do with who is liable. While the driver in a car accident is usually liable, a truck accident lawyer has to consider liability beyond just the driver. In a truck accident, the trucking company is often liable; in fact, the driver’s liability is sometimes much less than their employer’s liability. Trucking companies are expected to train their drivers properly and to obey federal regulations. If they fail to take care of either of these responsibilities, a court may consider them liable for the accident.
- Forensics
A trucking accident lawyer will typically have to go through more information than a car accident lawyer would. The lawyer will have to assess the truck driver’s employment history as well as their qualifications for the job. They will also have to examine the results of any drug and alcohol testing that the driver has undergone. In addition, they will have to look at the trucking company’s insurance and evaluate the truck’s black box as evidence.
- The Injuries
One dramatic difference between car accidents and trucking accidents is how severe the injuries are. The main factor in this is the weight disparity between the two vehicles. While most cars weigh around 3,000 pounds, a semi can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That mismatch in weights means that accidents involving trucks often produce very serious injuries, which is why there is a requirement for trucking companies to carry insurance with high liability limits.
Have you been injured in a trucking accident? It is important that you choose an attorney with experience in your kind of case. Clay Hinds can help. Contact us for a free consultation.