How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents

How truck accidents are different from car accidents. Driving accidents can happen to anyone at any time. While cars are the most commonly used mode of transportation on roads, commercial trucks also play a vital role in moving goods across the country. Unfortunately, truck accidents can be more catastrophic than car accidents due to their size and weight. Burger Law‘s truck accident lawyers have over 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation in auto cases, and to date have won over $200 million in compensation for our clients. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, call
Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To find out how much your truck accident claim may be worth, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

The Differences Between Truck Accidents and Car Accidents

Size and Weight

The most striking difference between trucks and cars is their size and weight. A semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while a typical passenger car weighs around 3,000 pounds. The physics behind collisions illustrates why truck mishaps are predominantly more severe: Force = mass x velocity. Thus, even at moderate speeds, the massive weight of a truck means that collisions can inflict greater damage compared to accidents involving smaller vehicles.

For instance, if a truck collides with a car, the last would receive the most damage due to the truck’s momentum and mass. This force can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities, especially if the car is struck in a vulnerable area, as showcased by studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, due to trucks’ extended braking distances and greater need for space to stop and maneuver, drivers may find it more challenging to avoid collisions, which can lead to tragic outcomes, especially in situations requiring quick stops.

Cargo

Unlike passenger cars, which customarily carry minimal loads, trucks are designed to transport substantial cargo, including hazardous materials, heavy machinery, and oversized shipments. This adds another layer of complexity to truck accidents. If not properly secured, cargo can shift during transit, making the truck harder to control and posing additional hazards if it spills onto the roadway, creating dangerous obstacles for other drivers.

Moreover, trucks habitually carry materials that, if released in an accident, can exacerbate the damage. For example, a truck carrying flammable liquids or chemicals could cause explosions or hazardous spills, leading to more severe accidents and injuries.

Maintenance

While passenger cars need regular maintenance, such as oil changes and brake checks, trucks require more extensive and frequent maintenance. Federal regulations mandate strict maintenance schedules to certify that trucks operate safely. These cover everything from brake inspections to tire checks and engine performance. When servicing is neglected, it can result in mechanical failures that contribute to mishaps.

To illustrate, a malfunctioning braking system or worn-out tires can lead to loss of control and collisions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees these regulations, and violations can have noteworthy consequences for trucking companies and drivers alike.

Liability

Determining liability in truck accidents can be more complex compared to car accidents. Truck accidents repeatedly involve multiple parties, including the driver, the trucking company, the cargo owner, and sometimes the manufacturer of the vehicle or any of its components. Each of these parties may bear some responsibility for the accident.

If a truck’s brakes fail due to poor maintenance, the trucking company responsible for maintaining the vehicle might be held liable. On the other hand, if the payload is improperly fastened, the cargo owner could be at fault. Establishing liability requires a thorough investigation into all parties involved and often necessitates legal expertise to navigate the complexities of trucking regulations and contractual obligations.

And while a manufacturer can be liable for a car accident in some circumstances, 90 percent of car accidents are caused by driver error; therefore, in the majority of car accident claims, you’ll be claiming a single driver.

Different Causes of Accidents

Driver error is a leading cause of car accidents. Nonetheless, when it comes to trucks, some of the following factors could be involved:

• Driver Fatigue: Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers frequently work extended hours, and despite regulations like 49 CFR Part 396.13, which require rest periods and pre-trip inspections, fatigue remains a critical issue. Exhausted drivers may suffer from impaired judgment and slower reaction times, spiking the risk of accidents.
• Shifting or Improperly Loaded Cargo: If cargo shifts during transit, it can destabilize the truck. This instability makes the vehicle more susceptible to tipping or losing control, especially during sudden maneuvers or adverse conditions.
• Overloaded Trucks: Trucks that exceed their weight limits place substantial stress on their braking systems and tires, reducing braking efficiency and heightening the risk of tire blowouts. This overload undermines the truck’s overall safety and performance.
• Maintenance Issues: Insufficient or poorly conducted maintenance can lead to serious mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or engine problems. These issues can impair the truck’s ability to operate safely, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Equipment Failure: Mechanical defects, including engine malfunctions and brake issues, can cause an extensive loss of control, raising the risk of crashes. Such failures periodically result in unpredictable vehicle behavior, making it challenging for the driver to maintain control and navigate safely.

More Complicated Investigations – And More Available Evidence

Investigating truck accidents is often more multifaceted than car collisions due to the involvement of multiple parties and the larger scope of the scene. These incidents show a tendency to cause more damage and may involve multiple vehicles, making the scene more challenging to evaluate

However, this complexity also means more evidence is available. Investigators can access:

• Black Boxes: Trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices (ELDs) and black boxes that record critical data, such as speed, braking patterns, and driver behavior. This information can provide valuable insights into the circumstances leading up to an accident.
• Driver and Maintenance Logs: Logs can show how well the truck was maintained and whether the driver adhered to regulations regarding rest and driving hours.
• Cargo Loading Manifests: These documents detail the type and weight of cargo, which can help determine if improper loading contributed to the accident.
• Truck Company Records: Hiring practices, safety records, and compliance with federal regulations can all be relevant in investigating a truck accident.

Insurance Policies

If you own a vehicle, you have to have insurance. Missouri and Illinois have almost identical minimum insurance coverage requirements for standard passenger cars:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 per accident for property damage (in Missouri)
• $20,000 per accident for property damage (in Illinois)

While a car owner can opt for higher coverage, the policy limits for passenger cars often don’t exceed $100,000 or $150,000. If your damages exceed the policy limits, you’ll have to look at other options and insurance policies for full compensation.

Because truck accidents can cause so much damage, the policy limits in a truck accident are much higher, typically in the millions of dollars. This has two main consequences:

1. In the case of catastrophic injury or wrongful death, the insurance policy is much more likely to cover all of your damages.
2. Because so much money is involved, the insurance company will fight even harder to devalue your claim.

A Harder Fight For Fair Compensation

In a car accident, you’re usually going up against a single driver and an insurance adjuster. In truck accidents, you have to fight a large corporation and an insurance company dedicated to minimizing your claim. That can make truck accident cases more difficult to win, and at time, nearly impossible to do so without the help of an experienced truck accident
attorney.

Who Is At Greater Risk of Injury?

Passengers in smaller vehicles are at a higher risk of injury in truck accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in fatal truck accidents, 67% of the deaths are occupants of smaller vehicles, while truck occupants account for just 16% of fatalities. This is due to the substantial force generated by large trucks during collisions.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that commercial vehicle accidents contribute notably to roadway fatalities. Additionally, vulnerable road users like pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists face elevated susceptibility. The National Safety Council (NSC) notes that large trucks are involved in nearly 10% of all fatal crashes despite comprising only about 4% of registered vehicles.

Types of Truck vs. Car Collisions

Rear-End Crashes

Rear-end collisions involving trucks can be particularly dangerous due to the truck’s longer stopping distances. Trucks require more time and space to stop, leading to severe impacts in rear-end crashes. The Missouri Department of Transportation highlights that truck-related accidents contribute significantly to fatalities, especially on highways with heavy truck traffic.

Lane Changes

Improper lane changes are a frequent cause of truck accidents. Trucks have large blind spots, known as “no-zones,” which obstruct drivers’ view of smaller vehicles. Accidents generally occur when trucks merge or change lanes without noticing cars in their blind spots. This can result in sideswipe collisions or forcing cars off the road.

Fatigued Drivers

Fatigue is a well-documented issue in the trucking industry. Despite regulations that mandate rest periods and inspections, drivers surpass these limits. Fatigue impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and can lead to serious accidents, including instances where drivers fall asleep at the wheel.

Speeding Trucks

Speeding is another critical factor in truck accidents. Trucks traveling at high speeds have longer stopping distances and reduced control, leading to severe injuries, multi-vehicle pileups, or jackknifing, where the trailer swings uncontrollably.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Gary Burger

Personal Injury Attorney

Other Differences Between Truck and Car Accidents

Injury Severity

Injuries from truck accidents are often more severe than those from car accidents. The high impact of truck collisions can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and fatalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that injury severity increases with age, making elderly individuals especially vulnerable in truck collisions.

Determining & Proving Negligence

Proving negligence in truck accidents involves more complexity than in car accidents. While car accidents are prone to involve a single driver, truck accidents may involve multiple potential defendants, including the driver, trucking company, manufacturers, and cargo owners. Gathering evidence from various sources, such as black boxes and maintenance records, is crucial in establishing liability. Safer Trucking reports provide insight into trucking companies’ safety histories and violation records.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

You only have one chance to get full compensation for your injuries – don’t let it slip. Only dedicated and experienced injury attorneys who won’t back down from a fight can get you the recovery you deserve. Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation. Based in St. Louis and Chicago, we serve the injured and their families throughout Missouri and Illinois.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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