What is the difference between a truck accident and an auto accident?

Truck accidents and auto accidents can both be catastrophic. Truck accidents, however, due stand a greater chance of causing severe injury and property damage. Here are the major differences between truck and auto accidents.

Severity of Injuries

A large, commercial truck typically weighs about 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. The average passenger vehicle, on the other hand, weighs only about 3,000 pounds. Truck accidents, due to their sheer power, are more likely to cause fatalities than car versus car accidents. In truck accidents that don’t cause fatalities, the injuries are often severe.

Causes of Accidents

Trucks are obviously much bigger than typical passenger vehicles, but many people do not realize that because of their size they have several blind spots. Trucks are also unable to stop and maneuver as quickly as other vehicles. All of these factors contribute to accidents.

Liability Issues

Liability tends to be more complicated when an accident involves a truck. The liability may not be solely with the driver as in a vehicle versus vehicle crash. The company that owns the truck and employs the driver and the manufacturer of the truck may share some of the blame, at least legally.

When you are in a truck versus vehicle accident in Atlanta, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can assist you in filing a claim for injuries and property damage. An attorney has the knowledge necessary to help determine who should be named in the lawsuit and what types of compensation a victim may be entitled to.