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(804) 821-0090 Regardless of the size of the vehicle, people generally tend to classify truck accidents and car wrecks as being the same. While there may be some similarities, such as individuals getting hurt and seeking compensation, the crucial details can be vastly different. The legal process of the average truck accident differs from that of car crashes.
Learning how Richmond truck accidents differ from car accidents could give you useful information about settlement expectations, case duration, and more. If you suffered harm in a truck or car crash and need excellent legal representation, our truck collision attorneys at Latham & Martin could help you pursue damages.
Collisions between two or more trucks or one truck and a passenger vehicle are not the same as those involving two or more passenger vehicles. Understanding this difference is vital for building a case.
One important difference between truck and auto crashes in Richmond is the size-to-weight ratio. At full capacity, the gross vehicle weight of a truck is approximately 80,000 lbs. Passenger cars and SUVs weigh between 3,000 and 6,000 lbs, half-ton pickup trucks weigh 6,000 to 7,000 lbs, and heavy-duty trucks weigh between 10,000 and 14,000 lbs.
A fully loaded truck is at least 5.7 times the size of an average passenger vehicle. The occupants of the smaller vehicles usually suffer the greatest impact in accidents.
In car accidents, liability typically lies with drivers and, possibly, other road users whose negligent actions caused the wrecks. Liability in truck crashes may extend beyond the driver to the following parties:
Identifying all liable parties and contacting their insurance providers to receive maximum compensation makes semi-trailer accidents more complex and prolonged.
According to Virginia Code § 46.2-2143.1, vehicle owners must carry a minimum auto liability coverage of $50,000 for a person’s bodily injury, $100,000 for bodily injuries from one accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Liability coverage for trucks ranges from $750,000 to $5 million. This implies that accessible compensation for victims of auto collisions and 18-wheeler crashes varies widely, with the latter likely to receive more money.
Higher compensation demands in tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle accident cases incentivize insurance companies to fight harder to reduce payouts and reassign as much negligence to the claimant as possible. As a result, the liable party’s insurers may choose to litigate the case instead of settling out of court.
Additionally, investigation of the truck’s event data recorder contents, compliance with federal mandates, and case backlog in Richmond courts increase the possibility of a prolonged claims process in contrast to auto crash claims.
At Latham & Martin, our skilled lawyers are familiar with how Richmond truck accidents differ from car accidents and could help you with your case. Our attorneys could use our unique insight, in-depth knowledge of the law, and commitment to securing substantial settlements to fight for you both in and out of court.
Call today for a confidential case evaluation.