Truck vs Car Crash: What Makes Them So Different?

Size and Weight: Key Differences Between Cars and Trucks

The size and weight are the most important factors that affect braking distances, vehicle control, and severity of accidents. Cars are smaller in size and lighter in weight, with the ability to stop quickly, whereas, trucks are heavier and require more time to stop. In case of collisions and accidents, trucks are more likely to cause severe damage to cars because of their huge size, weight and force of impact. These factors determine the difference in severity of road accidents caused by trucks and cars.  

Collision Impact: How Vehicle Types Affect Accident Outcomes

In recent truck vs car accident statistics, it is observed that drivers should have an understanding of how the type of vehicle affects the accident outcomes.

Extent of Damage:

Trucks are larger in size and are built to withstand extreme weather conditions — wind force, rain, etc,. These massive vehicles are manufactured with strong plastic, iron, and other metals. When colliding with cars, they exert greater collision force causing severe damage to cars and collateral damage to the environment because they are smaller in size and have different structural integrity.

Safety of drivers and passengers:

Truck Drivers are safer than car drivers because they sit at higher elevated seats where the cars are not able to hit them directly causing any casualties.

Injury Severity: Comparing Car and Truck Accident Injuries

The common types of injuries in truck and car accident cases can be minor and major.

• Injuries in truck accidents: Spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, brain shock, crush injury, neck injury.
• Injuries in car accidents: Whiplash, bone fractures, cuts and bruises, limb loss, internal injuries, and facial trauma.

Injuries and severity can vary among car and truck accidents because trucks have elevated structures that can override car protective zones causing severe injury to passengers.

Common Causes of Car and Truck Accidents

Car and truck accidents are typically caused by similar common reasons. However, the impact of such accidents varies due to the weight, size, speed, and design of trucks. According to the semi-truck vs car accident statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common causes of car and truck accidents are discussed below.

Driver Error:

• Car: Drivers not obeying the traffic signals and over-speeding.
• Truck: Truck drivers travel for prolonged periods, and they become more tired, which causes dizziness, and drowsy driving, leading to severe accidents to trucks and cars nearby.

Vehicle Maintenance:

• Car: Broken headlights, malfunctioning horns, tire issues, and vehicle system failure are the common causes of car accidents.
• Truck: Defective tires, overloading cargo, less air pressure in tires, brake failure, and broken indicators cause truck accidents.

External Factors:

• Weather conditions — low visibility, heavy rains, snow, gusts of air, etc.
• Poorly maintained roads — potholes, bumps, ridges, broken road signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, zebra-crossings, etc.

Liability and Legal Challenges in Car vs Truck Accidents

Establishing liability in truck accident cases can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties as potential defendants — truck driver, truck company, insurance provider(s), truck manufacturer, governmental agencies, contractors, and any other third party. In car accidents, the liable parties can be the at-fault driver and/or their insurance companies. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult an experienced injury attorney in case of a truck accident.

Insurance and Compensation: What’s Different for Cars and Trucks?

In car accidents, the insurance coverage is relatively less as compared to truck accident insurance which has a higher coverage limit. This is because truck accidents involve multiple-party liability issues, and often include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. However, in car accidents, only economic and non-economic damages are typically awarded to the victim.

In Kansas City, it is mandatory for car and truck drivers to have auto insurance.

Regulations: How Trucking Laws Differ from Car Rules

Trucking rules are different from car rules because trucks are the logistics carriers, and they have a different purpose to serve than cars. These regulations can affect liability and compensation as well.

Working Hour Rules:

• Drivers are obligated to maintain their hour logbook — ensuring they take sufficient breaks between shifts to avoid accidents and any mishaps.
• If a driver violates the service hours rule, the company can be held responsible.

Weight Limits:

• The Trucking companies are regulated by federal and state laws to maintain weight limits.
• If a truck accident happens because of overloading, the driver and the company can be held responsible for damage caused to the environment and other cars.

Maintenance Rules:

• If a truck accident happens because of negligence in the maintenance of the truck, then the trucking company is responsible for an accident caused by poorly maintained vehicles and worn-out parts.

To sum it up, car accidents are different from truck accidents. The primary difference lies in factors such as degree of damage, compensation amount, establishing liability, types of damages claimed, severity of injuries, and type of vehicle. It is crucial to have a consultation with an experienced car and truck accident lawyer to weigh your legal options, the type of damages you can claim, and evidence gathering.