Are Truck Accident Lawsuits More Complicated?

Each year, hundreds of thousands of truck accidents occur around the country. These types of crashes can result in serious injuries, but getting compensation in a lawsuit isn’t always straightforward. There are several factors that can make a commercial truck accident lawsuit more complex than one involving a passenger car.

Injuries and Fatalities are More Common

Statistically speaking, truck accidents lead to a disproportionately higher number of fatalities and severe injuries. Getting compensation the harm that has been sustained often involves more steps. Instead of simply submitting the doctor’s bill for a broken arm, you have to prove that you deserve compensation for things like disfigurement or lost earning potential. Though the final truck accident compensation can be higher, it also requires more work to reach this outcome.

There are Often Multiple Negligent Parties

In a standard car accident, figuring out who to sue is typically straightforward. However, in a trucking accident, the driver isn’t the only party who might be at fault. Since trucks are usually commercial vehicles, a lot goes on behind the scenes.

An accident could be caused by a loading company failing to strap down shipping containers or by the trucking company forcing their drivers to keep behind the wheel when tired in order to meet a deadline. Your Allentown personal injury attorney will need to investigate the case carefully to determine who is at fault. Your lawsuit could potentially end up involving multiple parties.

Truck Drivers Are Governed by Different Laws

There are a variety or federal rules and regulations applicable to truckers involving such matters as how long they can drive without a break and how often they must sleep . Other regulations also require truck drivers to use electronic logging devices that keep close track of their location, speed, and other details. All of these laws can be very useful in a lawsuit against a truck driver. You can get a lot of information on what led to the accident. These laws also make it more possible to prove negligence in some cases because you may be able to show that the driver was breaking the law instead of just ignoring common sense or traditional rules of the road.

A Lot of Savvy Professionals Will Support the Other Party

Another unfortunate side effect of being in an accident with a commercial vehicle is that there are often big corporations backing the other side. You won’t necessarily be going up against an everyday person and their truck accident lawyer. Instead, you’ll often end up fighting against the insurance team for the trucking company. These parties can have a lot of money to support their case, so things can be tricky. However, don’t let this intimidate you. In some cases, it can work in your favor because the insurance company may find it more efficient to settle your case instead of arguing in court.

Trucks Have Different Operational Requirements

Winning a car accident lawsuit usually requires you to show ways the other party failed in their duty to drive responsibly. Since most attorneys, jury members, and judges have driven a car, the basics of driving responsibly are common knowledge. However, the basics of driving a huge commercial truck are a lot more complex. To drive safely, trucks have to operate in more gears, make wider turns, and perform other tasks you might not know about. It’s common for plaintiffs to need input from a truck driving expert who can explain how the other party failed to drive correctly.

The Allentown personal injury attorneys at Metzger & Kleiner have plenty of experience handling all the details of these complex accident lawsuits. We are happy to review your case with you and discuss your options. To learn more about how we might be able to assist you, call us at at 610-435-7400 or fill out our online contact form now.