How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?

Traffic accidents are common in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana. Many of these are minor and do not result in serious injuries. When a large truck is involved, however, victims will typically suffer injuries that are catastrophic. These injuries impact accident victims in the long term. There are many differences between truck accidents and crashes involving smaller cars that cause these severe injuries. Below, our Baton Rouge car accident lawyer explains what these are.

Size Differences

Commercial trucks are exceptionally large. They are over 70 feet long and more than 13 feet high. When fully loaded, they can also weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Considering that the average car weighs just up to 4,000 pounds and is approximately four feet high, it is easy to see why a large truck causes so much damage and severe injuries. The large size of a commercial truck also creates huge blind spots on all sides of the vehicle. These blind spots are called ‘no zones’ because no car should ever remain in them.

Multiple Liable Parties

After most car accidents, liability typically lies with one of the drivers at the scene. While multiple drivers may have contributed to a crash, they are typically still at the scene. This is not always true after a truck accident. Multiple parties are often liable for these accidents and they are as follows:

• Truck drivers: Truck drivers have a tremendous responsibility to ensure they operate their vehicle in a safe manner. Unfortunately, some still act negligently when they are behind the wheel. Truckers may fail to pay attention to the road, speed, or drive while impaired. Any negligent act can cause a serious crash that results in serious injury.
• Trucking companies: Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees, including truck drivers. As such, if a truck driver acts negligently, they and the trucking company they work for can be held liable. Additionally, when trucking companies fail to properly hire and train truck drivers, they can also be held liable.
• Manufacturers: Manufacturers of trucks and truck parts have a legal obligation to ensure that they are made safely. When they fail to do this and a defective truck causes a crash, the manufacturer can be held liable.
• Third parties: There are many third parties that can also cause or contribute to a crash. These include inspection companies, maintenance companies, and cargo-loading companies. Any time any of these third parties fail to perform their job properly and cause an accident, they can be held liable.
• Government entities: Local, state, and federal governments all have a responsibility to ensure the roads people use are safe. When roads are not properly designed or are not maintained properly, a government entity may be liable.

Different Laws

Most people are aware of the state laws that govern car accidents in Louisiana. Being a fault state, accident victims can hold liable parties accountable for paying damages when they acted negligently and caused a crash. This remains true when a large commercial truck is involved in a crash. However, there are other laws that apply specifically to trucks and the trucking industry, and many people are not aware of these laws.

For example, truck drivers are only allowed to spend a certain amount of time on the road. This is known as the hours of service rule and is meant to prevent truck driver fatigue and the horrible crashes it can cause. Many truck drivers do not comply with this rule, in order to meet their tight deadlines and deliver  their cargo on time. Trucking companies also sometimes incentivize truck drivers to break the rules so they can increase their profits.

Different Investigations

Even the investigations that follow a truck accident are different from those conducted after a car crash. For example, during a truck accident investigation, your lawyer will ask the trucking company for the driver’s logbooks. Many of these are electronic today and so, they cannot be forged or altered. These log books can prove that a truck driver was on the road for too long and is liable for an accident.

Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Baton Rouge Can Help with Your Case

Truck accidents are vastly different from car accidents, so seeking the help of a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer is particularly critical. At Big River Trial Attorneys, our experienced attorney can determine who is liable for your injuries and hold them responsible for paying the fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at (225) 963-9638 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.