As a Memphis truck accident attorney, I know accidents happen. But when an accident involves a large truck, the damage can be catastrophic. Although commercial trucks account for only 4 percent of the 268 million vehicles on the road, they are involved in about 1 in 10 highway deaths.

There are many variables that come into play in any vehicle accident. When large commercial trucks are added to the mix, things can get more dangerous and more complicated. Read below to find out some major differences between a car accident and an accident with a large truck.

Truck accidents cause more damage.

It goes without saying that truck accidents are usually more severe than car accidents, based on size alone. A fully-loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the typical car weighs in at only about 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This means the average car stands little chance against a big rig in an accident.

In addition, trucks can’t slow down or stop as quickly as cars, so trucks tend to hit cars with much greater impact, often leaving the car occupants with devastating injuries, or even death.

Types of accidents

Though every accident has its own unique set of circumstances, there are some common types of collisions involving cars and trucks. Some of these include:

  • rollovers
  • trailer jack knife accidents
  • side impact crashes
  • rear-end collisions
  • underride accidents

Many of these accidents not only cause substantial personal injury and property damage to the vehicles directly involved, they can also affect any objects or vehicles in the path of the collision.

Common truck accident injuries

The injuries motorists receive in a truck accident can be significant. Some common injuries that result from these accidents are:

  • spinal cord damage
  • internal organ damage
  • traumatic brain injury
  • paralysis
  • broken bones
  • facial injuries
  • lacerations
  • and more

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a truck, a truck accident attorney Memphis trusts can help.

Understanding the causes and gathering evidence is imperative.

Another big difference between a truck and a car accident is figuring out the cause of the accident, which is imperative in a personal injury claim. Car accidents are usually a result of human error (the driver didn’t stop properly, was distracted, speeding, and so forth). But serious truck accidents often happen because of the size of the truck. This is because it’s more difficult to stop quickly or make proper turns.

Equipment failure is another common cause of truck accidents. The truck company and the driver are responsible for performing routine check-ups on the truck. If these check-ups are neglected, a safety malfunction can occur.

The process of gathering information and evidence can be much more extensive with a truck accident compared to a car accident. An experienced truck accident attorney can help properly investigate and gather necessary information. This includes analyzing trucking logs, company safety records, the driver’s records, and more. An attorney who knows what they’re doing will take this extensive mental load off your plate so that you can focus on healing.

Going up against a trucking company is complex. 

This is the biggest difference between truck and car accidents. If a big rig is involved in an accident, that accident also involves the trucking company. A claim against a trucking company means you will be facing an aggressive insurance company (and their highly-trained lawyers).  Their main goal is to avoid paying out large settlements. Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side will help level the playing field when going up against a trucking company.

Talk to a truck accident attorney Memphis trusts today for FREE.

When it comes down to it, truck accidents are much more complex than car accidents. They usually involve greater damages and a complicated legal process with multiple parties involved (the trucking company, the truck driver, and sometimes multiple insurance companies).

If you, or someone you love is the victim of a car or truck accident, talk to a truck accident attorney Memphis trusts today for FREE. You can contact us online or call (901) 327-2100 for a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our experienced attorneys will answer any questions you have and come up with a plan to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Any vehicle accident is stressful. We’re here to help relieve that stress so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to life.