A collision between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck can be devastating. Tractor-trailers, large delivery vehicles, and other commercial vehicles can weigh many times more than passenger cars. When these vehicles collide, the difference in size and weight can produce catastrophic consequences.
Truck accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries, amputations, and wrongful death.
The Size Difference Matters
Passenger vehicles are designed to protect occupants during collisions, but they cannot eliminate the physical forces involved when a much larger commercial vehicle strikes them.
A truck may also have a significantly greater stopping distance than a passenger vehicle. If a truck driver is traveling too fast, following too closely, distracted, fatigued, or unable to see traffic ahead, the resulting crash can be severe.
Truck Accidents May Involve Multiple Causes
A commercial truck crash is not necessarily caused by one simple mistake.
Potential contributing factors can include:
- Driver distraction
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper loading
- Mechanical failures
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training
- Weather
- Blind spots
- Failure to recognize stopped traffic
Determining the cause requires an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
More Than One Party May Be Involved
Truck accident claims can be more complicated than ordinary car accident claims because multiple parties may have information or responsibility connected to the vehicle.
Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may examine the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, cargo loader, vehicle manufacturer, or other parties.
This makes early evidence preservation particularly important.
Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Commercial vehicles may be equipped with electronic systems that contain important information about vehicle operation.
Other evidence can include:
- Driver logs
- Dispatch records
- Maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Electronic data
- Dash-camera footage
- GPS information
- Cargo documentation
- Witness statements
- Accident-scene photographs
Preserving this evidence can be critical when determining how the crash occurred.
Catastrophic Injuries Change the Stakes
Ponton Law’s practice specifically includes commercial vehicle and catastrophic injury cases. Its published results include significant recoveries involving commercial vehicles and serious back, pelvis, head, and wrongful-death claims.
When a truck crash causes a catastrophic injury, the claim may involve substantial future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
A truck accident should therefore be investigated as more than a simple traffic collision. The evidence may involve the driver, vehicle, company, cargo, and operational history.