Since 2003, our Houston personal injury attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm have represented Texas residents whose lives have been changed by all types of accidents, including car and semi-truck accidents.
Our experience highlights the stark difference between car and semi-truck accidents due to commercial trucks’ sheer size, weight, and operational complexities. While car accidents can be severe, collisions involving semi-trucks often have far more devastating consequences.
The dynamics of these accidents also differ—due to their size, semi-trucks require longer stopping distances, have more prominent blind spots, and can cause multi-vehicle pile-ups. Additionally, the legal and insurance aspects of semi-truck accidents are far more complex.
This complexity and the potential for catastrophic outcomes make truck accidents vastly different and more challenging than typical car accidents. Here, our Harris County truck accident and injury lawyers explain.
What are the Critical Differences Between Texas Truck and Car Accidents?
The first and most evident difference in these crashes is that trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so truck accidents often result in more severe injuries and significant property damage. Due to their size, truck accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even fatalities.
Other differences include, but are not limited to:
- Complex Liability Issues
Unlike car accidents, where liability is usually between two drivers, truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and truck parts manufacturers. Determining liability can be complex and requires a thorough investigation.
Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to strict federal and state regulations, such as hours-of-service rules and maintenance requirements. Violations of these regulations can play a critical role in establishing liability.
- Insurance Policies
Trucks must carry much higher insurance coverage than passenger vehicles, often leading to more contentious negotiations with insurers. The stakes are higher, and insurance companies may aggressively defend against large claims.
Trucking companies may have multiple layers of insurance coverage, including policies for the truck, the trailer, and the cargo, which can complicate the claims process.
- Evidence Collection and Preservation
Trucks have Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) that track driving hours, speed, and other critical data. Accessing this data is essential in proving negligence but may require legal action to obtain. Due to the complexity and severity of truck accidents, accident reconstruction experts are often needed to analyze the scene and determine how the crash occurred.
- Regulatory Investigations
After a truck accident, regulatory bodies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may investigate, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Their findings can impact the outcome of a lawsuit.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Houston understand the unique challenges of truck accident cases and can navigate these complexities, ensuring that critical evidence is preserved and thoroughly examined.
To maximize the compensation available, we can effectively identify all liable parties and use our skills and experience when negotiating with powerful insurance companies that may aggressively defend against large claims, ensuring our clients are not shortchanged.
Contact Our Lawyer at Hollingsworth Law Firm Today
Contact our dedicated Houston truck accident attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. Call 713-637-4560 or contact us online.
Our skilled bilingual personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
