How Truck Accident Cases Differ From Car Accident Claims
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car. That difference alone tells you why they’re in a category of their own. Commercial truck drivers need specialized licenses, carriers have legal responsibilities, and trucking companies are subject to state and federal regulations that don’t apply to ordinary passenger vehicle drivers.
Having represented injured clients in truck accident cases across South Carolina for decades, Wyndham Law Firm LLC understands how these differences affect a claim. This article explains what separates truck accident cases from ordinary car accident claims and what those differences can mean after a serious collision.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
In most car accident claims, the focus is on the actions of the drivers involved. The investigation usually comes down to who caused the collision and whether that driver’s negligence led to someone else’s injuries.
A truck accident claim often starts with the driver, but it doesn’t always end there. Depending on what caused the crash, the trucking company, a maintenance provider, a company responsible for loading the cargo, or the manufacturer of a defective truck or part may also share liability. Federal safety regulations can also play a role when a carrier fails to meet its legal obligations.
Identifying every responsible party is an important step because each may bear a share of the legal responsibility for the crash. It also helps determine which insurance policies may provide compensation for an injured person.
The Evidence Behind a Truck Accident Claim
Both car and truck accident claims rely on evidence to show how the crash happened and who was responsible. The difference is that truck accident cases often involve records that don’t exist in an ordinary passenger vehicle collision.
Evidence commonly used in car accident claims:
- Police reports
- Photographs and videos
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage, when available
Additional evidence that may be available in a truck accident case:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Driver qualification files
- Inspection and maintenance records
- Event data recorder (“black box”) information
- Company safety records
- Cargo loading records, when relevant
Commercial carriers must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), which govern driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections, and other safety requirements. When a violation contributes to a crash, it can become important evidence in a negligence claim.
We’re Always Prepared to Help You With the Unexpected
Truck accident claims often involve federal trucking regulations, company records, and multiple parties that aren’t part of the typical car accident claim. Investigating those issues requires a different approach than an ordinary collision between passenger vehicles.
Wyndham Law Firm LLC helps clients throughout Charleston and South Carolina evaluate who’s liable, move quickly to preserve evidence, and build a claim around what actually happened. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, reach out to our office or call 843-279-5312 to talk through what happened and what your options look like.