Ways a Truck Accident is Different from a Car Accident
A personal injury lawyer Harrisonburg VA victims trust can clarify legal issues for victims and fight for their rights to compensation from those who caused their injury. If you were injured in a truck accident, it is important to understand that the process of filing a personal injury claim is much different than filing a car damage claim after a vehicle accident.
Here are several ways a truck accident is different from a car accident:
Different Regulations
Long distance commercial truck drivers cross state lines in order to make interstate deliveries. As a result, they are required to follow many more regulations than standard vehicle drivers. Commercial truckers have to obtain special licenses, get annual inspections, and log their driving miles in books. A personal injury lawyer Harrisonburg VA community members turn to can use this documentation to bolster your injury claim. For instance, if the driver logged excessive miles within a certain period of time, your lawyer could make the case that the driver was fatigued and that contributed to the accident.
More Severe Property Damage
Because semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, it is easy to see why they cause greater property damage than accidents involving passenger vehicles. In fact, it is not uncommon for cars to get totaled in truck accidents.
Greater Injuries
Accidents involving commercial trucks can also cause more severe injuries to drivers and passengers than accidents between two cars. When a huge truck hits a much smaller vehicle, drivers and passengers can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, or a fatal injury.
More Expensive Insurance Policies
Because of their size and weight, and because they are at higher risk for accidents due to spending significant time on the road, trucking companies often carry insurance policies worth millions of dollars. However, their insurance company will put a lot of effort into finding a way to avoid paying settlements to victims. For this reason, it is crucial for truck accident victims to hire a personal injury lawyer Harrisonburg VA residents choose in similar circumstances.
Higher Medical Bills
Truck accidents can result in more severe injuries, so it is natural that the medical bills will be higher. For example, traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common injuries in truck accidents. They can lead to surgeries, longer stays in a hospital, and long-term rehabilitation. Injured individuals can easily rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills very quickly. A skilled personal injury lawyer in Harrisonburg VA can help truck accident victims calculate the extent of their injuries so that they can receive fair compensation.
Higher Risk of Death
Unfortunately, truck accidents are much more likely to result in fatalities than accidents involving standard vehicles. Those who lose a family member in a truck accident may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and recover compensation for funeral costs, medical bills, and other related expenses.
As you can see, truck accidents are much more complex than car accidents. If you were injured in a truck accident, you may want to speak to a personal injury lawyer Harrisonburg VA locals rely on about your case as soon as possible. He or she may be able to help you file a claim and protect your legal rights. A Harrisonburg personal injury lawyer can also help you gather the evidence necessary to prove your case.
Schedule a free consultation with a MartinWren, P.C. personal injury lawyer Harrisonburg VA offers to talk about your case in detail– call us today at (434) 817-3100.