Washington Attorneys Serving Victims of Car and Truck Accidents
While cars and semi-trucks are both considered motor vehicles, the outcomes of their accidents can be different. There are numerous factors that affect truck accident claims, and those factors are often not present in accidents involving cars. If you are involved in an accident, it is important that you speak with a car accident attorney first. A skilled attorney can identify any factors specific to your claim, and ensure that you receive compensation based on your losses.
The Differences Between a Car Accident and Truck Accident Claim
- Severity of the Injuries – An average truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while most passenger vehicles average more around 3,000 pounds. Therefore, the injuries involved in these accidents will vary significantly. Truck accidents can cause more serious injuries, even at low speeds, due to the sheer weight of the vehicle and the distribution of that weight at the time of the accident. This is why truck accident victims are often rewarded a higher settlement amount than a car accident victim – to compensate for the serious, and often long-term, injuries.
- Accident Causes – The cause of truck accidents are often not the same as car accidents. Trucks are much bigger than passenger vehicles and have numerous blind spots. Also, a truck can have difficulty braking, accelerating and maneuvering compared to a passenger vehicle. These hindrances alone can put a truck at higher risk for accident. Cars, on the other hand, are often involved in accidents because of driver inattention, negligence, or distractions, rather than physical hindrances.
- Liability – This is one of the biggest differences between a car accident and truck accident claim. In any accident case, liability is assessed. Liability determines who is responsible for compensating the accident victim. In car accident claims, the liability typically falls to the at-fault driver. In a truck accident case, however, there could be numerous liable third parties, aside from the truck driver – including the driver’s employer, the truck’s mechanic, the manufacturer of truck components, or even the company that loaded the truck’s cargo.
- Records – Records are readily available in a truck accident case, since employers and truck operators are required to keep detailed records of their inventory, travel and even hours worked. This helps move the process of filing a claim along.
Regardless of Your Accident Type, You Need an Experienced Washington Car Accident Attorney
Whether your accident involved another vehicle or a truck, you need an experienced accident attorney by your side. An accident and injury lawyer in Washington can help you file your claim, establish liability and collect compensation for your injuries and losses. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC for a no-obligation consultation. Schedule your appointment now by calling 800-925-1875 or fill out our online contact form with your questions.
