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All motor vehicle accidents can cause everything from minor scrapes and injuries to disfigurement and traumatic brain injuries. Even so, there are some major differences between accidents involving large trucks such as 18-wheelers and semi-trucks, and accidents involving regular cars and other smaller vehicles. From what causes them to their frequency, there are some note-worthy disparities.
Differing Causes
Many car accidents are caused due to mistakes made by the driver, such as:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
While accidents involving trucks can also be caused by these same human errors, they are more often caused by issues connected to their sheer size and weight. Trucks the size of 18-wheelers and semis are significantly more difficult to stop than a regular car. They are much more difficult to turn or stop with little notice in case of an emergency. Larger trucks are also on the roadways a lot, which means they require frequent maintenance. If not well-maintained, they can often cause accidents.
Large trucks are generally hauling cargo from Point A to Point B. Ensuring this cargo is the appropriate size for the truck it is on is imperative, as well as making certain that it is properly secured.
Severity of Injuries
Injuries from trucking accidents are substantially more likely to be catastrophic. While sizes vary, these trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and be 72 feet long. With a size that massive, and traveling at high rates of speed, these trucks pack quite a punch when they collide with another vehicle.
Differences in the Law
There are federal and state laws and regulations in Texas that apply only to trucks. The amount of time a truck driver may operate a vehicle without stopping to rest, and as well the length of time he must be at rest, are mandated. There are no such regulations for drivers of cars.
Evidence & Investigation
When an accident involving a large truck occurs, the investigation into the accident and the collection of evidence is a much more involved process than accidents involving smaller motor vehicles. There are various reasons for this, including the process of looking into the log accounts of the truck driver and the conduct of the trucking company itself. How are the drivers treated? Are they allowed adequate rest and do they have sufficient training to regularly operate such a large vehicle? Determining liability involves investigating the trucking company as much as looking into the driver.
A Texas Trucking Accident Attorney That Remembers Your Name
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it’s likely that most aspects of your life have been affected. You need counsel that will meet you where you are, and guide you throughout the process of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Counsel that remembers your name, and not just your file number. Contact the award-winning trial attorneys at Annie McAdams, PC, by calling 713-785-6262 or via our contact page.