18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles such as dump trucks, and garbage trucks are much larger than regular passenger vehicles. Their sheer size and weight can make them especially dangerous on the road for a number of reasons including:
18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when hauling a full load. Most passenger vehicles weigh around 5,000 pounds.
Tractor-trailers are over 13-feet high, 20-feet wide, and can reach lengths of up to 80-feet. This can make them difficult to handle and dangerous in the hands of a negligent driver.
Because of high ground clearance, passenger vehicles are at risk of under-riding trucks in a traffic accident.
Semi-trailers can take up to 40% longer to stop in comparison to a passenger vehicle.
Various factors contribute to commercial trucks causing an accident. Tight deadlines, severe weather, and negligent driving behaviors are just a few things that increase the risk of an accident.
While being a safe driver is always in your best interest, accidents do happen. If you suffered a serious commercial truck accident in the Permian Basin, you might be looking for a lawyer. If so, the dependable Texas attorneys of Williams Hart & Boundas law firm are here to guide you through this difficult time.
Important Differences Between Truck and Car Accidents
While any motor vehicle accident can be disastrous for a victim, there are several differences between truck and car accidents that should be considered. Especially as they play into the amount of compensation that a person can recover for their injuries.
Factors that set commercial truck accidents apart from traditional car accidents include:
Damages Suffered: The reality is the impact of an 80,000-pound vehicle slamming into a car is going to cause more damage than two regular-sized vehicles crashing. Truck companies know this and usually retain dozens of insurance coverages to protect themselves. Serious physical injuries in truck accidents can include broken bones, deep lacerations, back injuries, or even death.
Increased Property Damage: Because of their sheer size, an accident with a truck will often leave the passenger vehicle totaled or in a state of complex repair.
Multiple Parties Involved: Numerous parties are involved in the trucking industry. Many may be partially liable for the damages you suffered from the accident. From the driver to the company and others, multiple parties may be involved in your claim. The experienced attorneys of Williams Hart & Boundas can help you uncover who is responsible for your accident.
Complex Insurance Policies: As previously mentioned, commercial trucking companies want to protect themselves from claims. So they will purchase a number of different insurance policies to do so. In turn, these insurance companies may act in bad faith or may be difficult to work with. They do this to minimize the amount of compensation you can recover. Our attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas law firm are aware of their dirty tactics and will help you secure the compensation you deserve.
