Car Accidents vs. Trucking Accidents: How They Differ

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

The number of motor vehicle accidents that occur each year has reached the millions. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2009, over 13 million passenger accidents have occurred in the past decade, half a million which involved large trucks.

All motor vehicle accidents share a few similarities, but a collision involving a commercial truck differs from that involving an automobile based on a variety of factors. Both can be traumatic to all parties involved and result in:

• Personal injuries;
• Damage to the vehicle or vehicles;
• Medical costs; and
• Post-accident stress and follow-up care.

However, financial liability and driver responsibility when comparing trucking and car accidents are not the same. A motorist involved in a car accident with one or more cars exchanges insurance information between drivers to file a claim. When a trucking accident occurs, both the commercial driver and the trucking company may be held liable for damages. In either case, pertinent data must be collected including:

• Police accident report;
• Medical records, including ambulance and emergency room data, when applicable; and
• Insurance information.

In addition to this basic information, when a commercial truck is involved, additional information may be reviewed as part of a claim, such as log books, service reports, and equipment checks.

Driver responsibility is also more extensive in trucking accidents. While both cars and trucks must maintain state and federal safety laws, there are regulations established specifically for commercial trucks. For example, there is a limit of the number of approved driving hours truckers are allowed per work week and logbooks must be accurately and consistently updated.

We understand the serious nature that any type of motor vehicle accident carries and we want to help victims seek justice and compensation they deserve. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Illinois, contact an Orland Park personal injury attorney today for a free case evaluation.