Car Accidents vs. Truck Accidents
A motor vehicle accident can involve an array of situations and any type of vehicle. While this is true, accidents that involve a commercial truck tend to stand out from the rest. Getting to know the difference in car accidents vs. truck accidents can help you understand your rights and the ability you have to recover compensation if you ever find yourself in one of these unfortunate situations. Keep reading to learn more.
Serious Injuries
Because of the weight, size, and the inability a driver has to quickly stop or control a large, commercial vehicle, they are considered the most dangerous on the roads today. This means they are much more likely to cause an injury than a traditional passenger car or pickup truck.
These injuries include catastrophic injuries, which can alter the life of the victim, along with their families. Some injuries that often occur with large truck accidents include paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries. Each of these injuries is considered serious and can have a long-term and far-reaching impact on the accident victim and their family. In many cases, it can result in significant emotional, financial, and physical damages, too, which makes full compensation even more important for handling issues related to lost wages, lost future income, long term medical care, and pain and suffering.
Fatal Risks
According to the NHTSA and FMCSA, commercial trucks cause more than 5,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Considering the total number of commercial trucks that are on the road at a given time, this number increases the possibility of fatal risks that are caused by a trucking accident. If the death that is caused is because of the negligence of the trucking company, the driver, or another negligent party, the family of the victim can file a wrongful death claim. It’s best to see the counsel of a west palm beach personal injury attorney to ensure the right legal actions are taken.
Unique Laws
Civil wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits are referred to as “torts.” These will typically entail the same elements of being able to prove liability and fault, which means you have to prove there was a legal duty, that the duty was breached, causation of the breach, and the damages that resulted. Even though these elements are pretty consistent in any injury-related case, a truck accident claim will require a very concise understanding of the regulations and laws that apply to the trucking industry.
This includes the regulations that are enforced by the FMCSA, which includes things like hazardous material transportation, vehicle weight restrictions, cargo securement, the hiring and licensing of commercial drivers, maintenance standards for the truck, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service rules, and more.
Why You Need Legal Representation
While there is no law that makes it mandatory for you to have a personal injury attorney to represent your case and help you seek compensation, this can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. This is particularly true when dealing with a truck accident claim. If you are in this situation and you need the help of a personal injury attorney contact our legal team at Felice Trial Attorneys Law by calling (561) 444-8822. Our team is a community-oriented firm that is committed to providing fair and full compensation for any and all accident victims in West Palm Beach.
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