Car crashes can lead to a lot of personal stress for those involved. They may need to file complicated paperwork to pursue an insurance claim. A crash could cost thousands of dollars, leave someone without a vehicle and force them to take a leave of absence from work.
Each crash is unique, depending on the vehicles involved and exact physics of the collision. Semi-truck collisions between an 18-wheeler and a standard passenger vehicle are among the worst crashes possible. They often cause the worst injuries as well. These are some of the challenges that often make semi-truck collision injury cases more complex than a traditional car crash case.
The severity of the wreck
The overall size difference between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle makes the crash that will likely occur far more serious for the passengers of the four-wheel vehicle. The momentum of a large truck can often cause some of the worst injuries imaginable, including amputations, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. In some cases, the physical damage may be so severe that people have to permanently change their lifestyle.
The numerous parties that may be possibly responsible
It is almost always one of the motorists involved in the crash that will be some blame for a collision, but that isn’t necessarily the case when there is a semi-truck involved. There could be businesses that are technically responsible for the crash and also financially liable for the after effects of the collision. Additionally, there may be a large commercial insurance policy that applies, or perhaps a business policy covering another business that contributed to the crash occurring. Determining fault can often be a big challenge when someone gets hurt in a semi-truck crash.
The higher amount of coverage
Commercial trucks can do much more damage, so the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that they carry very sizable insurance policies. If a truck weighs at least 10,001 pounds, the FMCSA requires at least $750,000 of liability insurance. Some trucks have far more than that. In theory this means that those injured by a semi-truck have more coverage available, but it also often means that the claims process is much more challenging.
Those who recognize how semi-truck crashes are different than other car wrecks may have an easier time feeling justified seeking legal guidance in the wake of a crash.