After a serious crash, many people assume that all accident claims work the same way. While both truck and car accident cases fall under personal injury law, the reality is that a truck accident claim is very different from a standard car accident claim. These differences can significantly affect liability, evidence, insurance negotiations, and the value of your case.
At Pfeifer Law Firm, we regularly help injured Arkansans understand their rights after serious collisions involving commercial trucks. Knowing how truck accident claims differ from car accident claims can help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your ability to recover fair compensation.
The Size and Weight Difference Changes Everything
One of the most obvious differences between truck and car accidents is the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to an average passenger vehicle that weighs around 4,000 pounds. This imbalance often leads to far more severe injuries when a truck collides with a car.
Because injuries tend to be more catastrophic, truck accident claims often involve:
- Higher medical expenses and long term care costs
- Permanent disabilities or life altering injuries
- Longer recovery times and lost earning capacity
- Greater pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
In contrast, car accident claims are more likely to involve moderate injuries, though serious harm can still occur. The severity of injuries in truck accident cases typically results in higher claim values and more aggressive defense strategies from insurance companies.
More Parties May Be Liable in a Truck Accident
In a typical car accident claim, liability usually falls on one or both drivers involved. Truck accident claims are rarely that simple. Multiple parties may share responsibility for a commercial truck crash, depending on the circumstances.
Potentially liable parties in a truck accident may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- A third party maintenance or repair company
- The company that loaded the cargo
- The truck or parts manufacturer
For example, a driver may have been speeding, but the trucking company could also be at fault for pushing unrealistic delivery schedules or failing to properly maintain the vehicle. Identifying all responsible parties is critical because it increases the available sources of compensation.
Car accident claims rarely involve this level of complexity. Most are resolved by dealing with one or two insurance companies, usually representing the drivers involved.
Truck Accident Claims Are Governed by Federal Regulations
Another major difference between truck and car accident claims is the role of federal trucking regulations. Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations govern issues such as hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and cargo loading.
Violations of federal trucking regulations can be powerful evidence in a truck accident claim. For example, if a driver exceeded allowable driving hours and caused a crash due to fatigue, that violation can support a finding of negligence.
You can learn more about these safety rules directly from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations do not apply to ordinary drivers, which is why car accident claims generally rely only on state traffic laws.
Evidence Is More Complex and Time Sensitive
Truck accident cases require far more evidence than most car accident claims. In addition to police reports and witness statements, truck accident investigations may involve:
- Driver logbooks and electronic logging device data
- Black box or event data recorder information
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Drug and alcohol testing results
- Dispatch and communication records
Much of this evidence is controlled by the trucking company and can be lost or destroyed if it is not preserved quickly. This is one reason why victims of truck accidents should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Car accident claims usually rely on simpler forms of evidence and are less likely to involve corporate record keeping or electronic data.
Insurance Coverage Is Larger and More Aggressive
Commercial trucking companies are required to carry significantly higher insurance coverage than individual drivers. While this may sound like a benefit, it often leads to more resistance during the claims process.
Trucking insurers have teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers whose goal is to minimize payouts. They often begin building a defense within hours of a crash. Victims may face pressure to give recorded statements or accept early settlement offers that do not reflect the true value of their injuries.
Car accident claims typically involve personal auto insurance policies with lower limits and fewer legal resources behind them.
Fault Rules Still Apply Under Arkansas Law
Both truck and car accident claims in Arkansas are subject to the state’s modified comparative fault rule. This means an injured person can recover compensation only if they are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Any compensation awarded is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault.
Because truck accident claims often involve multiple parties and large sums of money, insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto the injured driver. Having a clear understanding of how fault is determined is essential.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides valuable information on accident causes and safety data that is often used in crash investigations.
Damages Are Often Higher in Truck Accident Claims
The damages available in a truck accident claim are similar to those in a car accident claim, but the amounts are often much higher due to the severity of injuries. Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In cases involving extreme misconduct, such as drunk or reckless commercial driving, punitive damages may also be available. These damages are designed to punish wrongdoing and deter similar behavior.
Why Legal Representation Matters More in Truck Accident Cases
While many car accident claims can be resolved with minimal legal involvement, truck accident cases almost always require experienced representation. The legal and factual issues are more complex, the stakes are higher, and the opposition is better prepared.
An attorney handling a truck accident claim must know how to:
- Investigate federal and state regulatory violations
- Preserve and analyze critical trucking evidence
- Identify all liable parties
- Counter aggressive insurance defense tactics
If your crash involved a commercial truck, working with attorneys who focus on these cases can make a meaningful difference. You can learn more about how Pfeifer Law Firm approaches these cases by visiting our truck accident attorneys in Little Rock page.
How Pfeifer Law Firm Helps Injury Victims
Pfeifer Law Firm represents individuals who have been seriously injured due to negligence on Arkansas roads. Whether your case involves a commercial truck or another type of accident, our goal is to pursue full and fair compensation while guiding you through every step of the process.
Truck accident claims demand experience, resources, and a deep understanding of the law. Our team also handles a wide range of injury cases, which you can explore on our personal injury lawyer in Little Rock page.
Understanding the Difference Can Protect Your Claim
Truck accident claims are not just larger versions of car accident cases. They involve different laws, more parties, complex evidence, and higher financial risk. Treating a truck accident like a routine car crash can lead to undervalued settlements or denied claims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, understanding these differences is the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.
For additional safety and crash data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers research on motor vehicle injuries and their long term impact.
Speaking with an experienced attorney early can help ensure that critical evidence is preserved and that all responsible parties are held accountable.