Any motor vehicle accident involves hassles, injuries, and sometimes even death. However, there is a big difference between a semi-truck accident and a car accident, and you need to know all the details before proceeding legally.
The Differences Between a Car Accident and a Semi-Truck Accident
There are some major differences between a semi-truck accident and a car accident. Some of the differences are outlined below.
More Damage
Semi-trucks are enormous, and therefore the damage they can cause is often catastrophic. Even if a semi-truck is not going very fast, the vehicle’s weight can cause a lot of damage to your car.
Severe Injuries
Another big difference is the severity of injuries. When a massive vehicle collides with your own, even at slow speeds, you may suffer much harsher injuries and require extensive rehabilitation or recovery time. In some cases, you may never fully recover.
Trucks Are Hard to Predict
Cars are fairly easy to predict on the highways and local roads, but a large commercial vehicle moves differently, and most drivers don’t know what to expect. Typically, accidents with a truck are unavoidable because they cannot be anticipated well.
Dangerous Cargo
Depending on the type of truck, the cargo they are carrying could also be dangerous to you and your passengers. For example, hazardous materials may leak out onto the road after an accident and require professional cleanup. Additionally, heavy objects may fall from the truck hitting your vehicle or pedestrians. There are a lot of factors to consider with a truck accident.
Dealing With the Trucking Company
Another issue that complicates things is that you are not dealing with just a person and their insurance company after an accident with a semi-truck. Semi-trucks are owned by trucking companies or businesses and going after them legally can quickly become complex. Your case may involve the truck manufacturer, the driver, and the company that employs them.
Regardless of whether you are involved in a car accident or a semi-truck accident, contact your personal injury lawyer to get all the details before proceeding legally.
