Most people think all vehicle accidents are the same, but that is not true. Any accident involving a commercial truck has special considerations you and your lawyer must take into account. If you have been injured or lost a family member in a trucking accident, you must be aware of the differences between passenger vehicle crashes and truck accidents.
Trucks are governed by federal law
One difference between car and truck accidents is that commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Drivers and trucking companies must follow the rules set forth by the FMCSA. When they do not follow these regulations, they may cause catastrophic or fatal accidents.
An investigation into the crash may uncover FMCSA violations such as:
- Impaired drivers
- Logbook and hours violations
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Unsafe or poorly maintained vehicles
It is critical to gather evidence as soon as possible after the accident to determine the cause of the crash and build a strong case for compensation. The trucking company and its insurance carrier will move quickly to hide the evidence, so you will want help in preserving it.
Trucking companies have different insurance policies
Another crucial difference between passenger vehicles and trucks is the type of insurance they have. Commercial vehicles are covered by commercial insurance policies. These policies have higher payouts, and the insurance company will fight hard to avoid paying out compensation to the accident victims. Their team of adjusters, attorneys and other experts are there to save the company money, not to help you get what you need.
You don’t want to do this alone
The complexity of trucking accident cases is something you don’t want to attempt without help. You will want to work with an attorney who has experience with trucking accidents and who understands how to get the compensation you need to move forward.
