What is the Difference Between a Semi-Truck Accident and a Car Accident?

Trucks are much heavier and larger than cars, typically resulting in more severe or life-threatening injuries. Trucking accident claims are often much larger than those involving other types of motor vehicles and are highly regulated.

In addition to the size and weight of the truck, trucking accidents are often more complex and may involve multiple parties including the driver, the trucking company, and sometimes other parties.  Each party is often heavily protected by teams of attorneys who are prepared to fight against an injury claim.

Trucking accidents may involve complicating factors, including the teams of attorneys protecting the trucking company, failure to properly maintain the truck, sleep deprivation, and many other factors that require a deeper investigation. A personal injury attorney can help you with traffic reconstruction, collecting medical records, witness statements, and obtaining the truck’s black box evidence, employee records, and travel logs.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) is responsible for regulating truck companies and their drivers and requires drivers to have background checks, periodic evaluations, restrictions on the number of hours driven in a day, drug and alcohol testing, and other strict standards. Violations of these regulations can provide the basis for establishing liability on the part of the company or its driver in the event of an accident.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

• Rear-End Collisions
• T-Bone / Side Impact Collisions
• Jackknife Accidents
• Head-On Collisions
• Rollover Accidents
• No-Zone Accidents

Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

The bottom line is that trucking accidents are complex and often result in legal battles that require experienced personal injury attorneys. 

If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, we can help you get the justice you deserve. Contact Saladino & Schaaf today or call us at 270-444-0406 (Paducah Office) or 270-753-1529 (Murray Office) to schedule a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but the clock is ticking.