Any motor vehicle accident in South Carolina can cause damage, injuries, and death. However, there are fundamental differences in crashes depending on the type of vehicle involved. If it is a truck accident, there are reasons why the collision will differ from a car accident.
Why a truck accident is not the same as a car accident
There are basic factors that result in a disparity between truck and car accidents. Obviously, a truck is significantly larger than a passenger car. A truck’s size and weight make it likely that there will be greater damage after impact. It also maneuvers differently than a car. Stopping takes longer, there is more of a chance of the truck jackknifing and there are blind spots a trucker must navigate. Trucks function under separate rules than cars. Truckers are under the umbrella of federal legislation in addition to local traffic laws. For example, truckers are required to limit the amount of time they spend on the road in one day.
There must also be an electronic logging device to track those hours. If there are violations, it can endanger the trucker’s commercial driver’s license. In a normal car accident is relatively easy to determine who is at fault and assess negligence. With truckers, there are many entities – the truck driver, the truck manufacturer, the truck company – who could be responsible. Finally, insurance companies do not treat all motor vehicle accidents the same. Insurers who cover truckers will do whatever they can to avoid a major payout after a truck crash. With a car accident, it is more likely that the insurance company will want to settle any litigation to prevent a costly legal battle.
Knowing how to assess truck accidents can be essential in their aftermath
It is imperative for those who have been in a truck accident to know how to move forward. That includes considering how to recover from medical costs, lost income, and more. Given these factors, it can be useful to have guidance on the ins and outs of any type of accident.
