7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes

Published on: 21 January 2020 Last Updated on: 12 August 2024
7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes

Truck accidents happen due to severe weather conditions, road hazards, and exhausted driving. When accidents occur, the laws require further steps than are needed for a standard auto accident.

Federal and state laws apply to truck accidents, and law enforcement must follow these laws when determining what happened. Victims who were involved in a trucking accident review the 7 ways truck accidents differ from regular car accidents.

Here are the 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes:

1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Regulations Apply

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator regulations require all commercial drivers to take a resting period after each 12-hour driving schedule. A failure to follow the regulation increases the risk of a trucking accident. All miles traveled in the truck are recorded in the driver’s log. Additionally, the drivers are required to stop at weigh stations that are open throughout the interstate. An imbalanced load increases the risk of the rig jackknifing and causing a trucking accident. All drivers and trucking companies must follow all federal laws pertaining to operating an 18-wheeler.

2. A Higher Potential Payout Through Insurance

Trucking companies have more insurance coverage than most auto owners. Victims involved in the trucking accidents have a chance of receiving far more substantial payouts to cover medical expenses and property damage if the truck is owned by a trucking company. The coverage applies to all victims involved in the accident when the commercial driver is responsible for the accident. If the victim’s injuries and property damage costs exceed the coverage maximum, the victim can file a lawsuit to collect compensation.

3. A More Thorough Investigation is Required

Federal laws require more thorough investigations for all trucking accidents. An investigation determines if the commercial driver followed federal regulations or if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The truck is evaluated for mechanical failures that contributed to the accident, too.

4. More Substantial Injuries and a Higher Risk of Fatalities

The risk of more substantial injuries or fatalities is greater than with regular car crashes. The weight of the commercial truck alone increases the likelihood of a fatal accident. Trucking accidents often include several vehicles and multiple injuries.

5. More Potential Individuals Could be Involved in the Accidents

The accountable party isn’t always clear at first when it comes to trucking accidents. First, law enforcement evaluates the driver. If the driver didn’t cause the accident, the next step is to evaluate the truck for mechanical failures and faulty parts. Any mechanical failures that were due to the trucking company’s failure to serve the truck make the trucking company liable.

6. Medical Bills Often Cost More

After a trucking accident, the victim’s medical bills could cost a lot more than if the victim was involved in a regular car crash. Since injuries are often more severe, the medical costs are greater, and some patients sustain permanent injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are more likely in commercial trucking accidents.

7. More Property Damage Than in Regular Auto Accidents

More Property Damage Than in Regular Auto Accidents

Extensive property damage is possible in a trucking accident. The path of the accident defines how much property damage occurs. If the accident happens on a major highway, it is possible for the accident to involve multiple vehicles and properties that are nearby.

Commercial trucking accidents increase the risk of serious injuries and fatalities. Whenever a large-scale truck is involved, the weight and the speed of the truck play a role in the outcome. Victims who were involved in the accidents follow tips for filing lawsuits and collecting compensation for their injuries and financial losses.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

how to ship a car

How to Ship a Car Made Easy: 5 Tips to Keep in Mind

If you're trying to move a car transnationally or overseas, you need to know how to ship a car. Without the right advice, it can be a complicated and expensive endeavor. Whether you're moving overseas, trying to buy a car, or receiving a gift, you'll need to do some research to figure out the best way to ship your vehicle. Many people prefer the convenience of shipping a car to the mental and physical cost of driving it yourself. It may seem like shipping a car can cost more than driving it yourself. However, when you drive it yourself, you have to consider gas costs, hotel costs, exhaustion, and potential mechanical failure. To figure out how to ship your car, check out the guide below. How to Ship a Car: In the past, shipping a car was quite difficult. Now, you have endless assistance and services at your fingertips. Follow these steps to successfully ship your car. 1. Do Some Research: The first step to shipping your car is to research the companies you're considering. You can check the best auto transport companies with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to make sure they are legitimate. 2. Call Your Insurance Company: Check with both your insurance company and the shipping company's insurance to determine what kind of coverage is available for your vehicle. They should offer $500,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage. 3. Plan It Out: Make sure you leave enough time for your vehicle to be shipped, as it is a time-consuming process. You may need four to eight weeks to complete the delivery. Then, decide what exact location you want your vehicle shipped to. There are only two types of carriers: covered and uncovered. A covered carrier costs more than an uncovered one, but it also offers more protection. 4. Do an Inspection: Both you and the shipping company should inspect it before sending it out. They will take note of any damage. Make sure to get a copy of this document so you can hold the company accountable should any additional damage happen to your car. 5. Clean It Out: Although it may sound like a nice idea to ships items inside your car, it's not the safest. These items can imbalance the car or limit the view through the windows. Make sure to get everything out of the car before you ship it. The only thing you need in your car is a little bit of gas so the carriers can load and unload the car without concern. More Guidance: Although shipping a car costs about $0.40 to $1.00 a mile depending on how far it's going, it's about more than the cost. Shipping a car is convenient and allows you to relax while you wait for your car to come to you. Figuring out how to ship a car involves some research, but it's much easier today than in the past. Make sure to use this guide to help you with your car's journey. For more helpful articles about travel and beyond, don't forget to stop by our page. Read Also: Rv Lifestyle: Are You Dreaming Of A Life On The Road! How Car Detailing Can Keep Your Vehicle In Top Shape

READ MOREDetails
Railway Equipment

Essential Facts To Consider Before Renting Heavy Railway Equipment

If you are involved in the repair or maintenance of railways then you can appreciate the need for heavy equipment. In the past railways were fixed manually. Men used spanners, jacks, shovels, and plenty of muscle power to dig up, detach, and replace damaged tracks and signs. Fortunately, this is much easier to do today. However, although heavy equipment makes the job significantly easier, the equipment is generally expensive and it may be difficult to justify the purchase of such equipment. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can rent the heavy equipment you need from a reputable railway equipment company. This makes the process affordable and practical. But, you do need to know the following. It’s Safer The simple truth is that doing any work on a railway line is dangerous. Trains can be on the tracks and heavy items can injure you. Using specialized equipment, some of which is automated, dramatically reduces the risk. Alongside this, renting equipment instead of buying it means you don’t have to worry about maintaining it. This will be handled by the rental firm for you, allowing you to focus on using the equipment for your intended project. The fact that the maintenance is carried out by a reputable company ensures it is always safe to use. Cost-Effective Purchasing heavy equipment for occasional use is simply not a viable option for many companies. The cost of purchasing would take years to recuperate. In fact, by the time the machine has paid for itself, it would probably be outdated and inefficient. That isn’t something to worry about when renting heaving equipment. You may also like: What to Consider When Buying Heavy Duty Truck Alignment Equipment Training Of course, it is important that a properly trained and registered operator uses the equipment. You will need to confirm you have such an operator before you rent the equipment. If not, the company may be able to supply an operative. Length Of Job This is a key factor in deciding whether to rent or buy. The longer a job is set to go on for the more justifiable it is to purchase heavy railway equipment. But, it isn’t just the length of the job that matters. It also matters how often you would use a specific piece of equipment. After all, if you use it just once or twice, even as part of a ten-year job, it really is better to rent than to buy. Delivery If you opt to purchase heavy equipment you also need to think about transportation. While the manufacturer may deliver it for you, how will you move it when you need it in different locations? This is an important part of the equation as transport costs can be significant. Again, a specialist firm will handle all of this for you, allowing you to get the job done properly, safely, and within budget. After all, if there is an issue with your heavy equipment then the firm will handle all repairs and issues for you. That is useful! Read Also: Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

READ MOREDetails
Car Tires

How to Check If Your Car Tires Are Good

Around this time every year, car owners start to think about their tires. Should you change your tires now or wait until spring? Even if you’re ready to make that decision, how can you tell if your tires are in good condition? Many factors contribute to the condition of your wheels. Do you frequently drive into potholes? Have you considered the climate? For instance, winter tires wear faster than regular ones. Even if you hardly drive your car, how do you store the tires? Elements like age and heat can damage your tires regardless of usage. They technically start wearing out the second you drive out of the tire shop. Leaving your tires until next season can weaken their function. Avoid waiting until they burst in traffic before taking the necessary steps. Instead, get new tires as replacements when you notice the old ones start to deteriorate. Find out how to check if your car tires are good with these guidelines. Check the Tread Depth  Just as your workout shoes wear out after several runs, your tires also take a beating after each drive. Regular car tires have different patterns marked on the surface. They also have deep ridges that help drivers grip the road while in motion. The tread depth measures the vertical length from the tire surface to the bottom of each tread. New tires have a tread depth of 10/32 inches. The longer you drive, the shallower the depth. The standard for used tires is 6/32 inches. Do your tire patterns feel smoother than usual? The tread depth is an easy DIY method to determine if you still have good tires. You can calculate the measurement in two ways using the tread depth gauge or silver coin. For the second test, insert a dollar coin into one of the grooves with the icon’s head facing down. If you can spot the entire part of the head, consider replacing your tires. However, the gauge is the most efficient method since it provides accurate measurements. A value lower than 5/32 indicates that you no longer have good tires. Similar Reads: Surprising Luxurious Car Designs How Old Are The Tires?  Many drivers hold a sentimental value to tires that come with their cars. So they hold on to them longer than they should. Even if you don’t drive frequently, your tires have a fixed lifespan of five years. Rubber starts to decompose after a few years, regardless of the condition. Storing your tires through the winter could further damage them. You can determine the tire’s age by observing the four numbers imprinted on it called the DOT number. They contain relevant information like the week and year of manufacture. The first two numbers represent the week, while the last two indicate the year. A recent manufacture date aging not up to five years means you still have good tires. Tire Inflation  Tires deflate slowly after each drive, as they lose up to one pound per square inch (psi) on average. Proper tire pressure keeps them inflated and lowers your fuel usage. Is your car consuming more fuel than usual? You might need to check if there’s adequate air in your tires. Since different cars have designated inflation pressure values of about 32 - 35 psi, you’ll need a pressure gauge. You can also find this measurement on the sticker behind your driver’s seat. Leave your car to rest for at least three hours and insert the gauge into the valve stem. If you get a higher number, let out the air until you get the correct value. For lower pressure, consult your mechanic to find out if you need new tires. Similar Reads: Major Car Maintenance Tips Evaluate The Motor Oil  Have you noticed multiple signs of wear and tear on other vehicle parts? There’s a chance your engine oil needs replacement. The motor oil lubricates the engine parts and helps you have a smoother drive. Dirty oil impedes the engine’s functions and strains the wheel while driving. The more you struggle to steer, the worse the damage to your tires. Physical Condition  As mentioned earlier, rubber decomposes after its set lifespan. Another way to determine the car’s tire quality is to inspect its physical condition. Do you feel bumps and scrapes on the tread wall? Even if you don’t find blisters, lookout for signs of rot like cracks and discoloration. The cuts resemble veins and make your tires look brittle. Avoid driving with decomposed tires since they lose air pressure. Wheel Balance  Unless you’re driving over endless potholes, your car shouldn’t vibrate in traffic. Maybe you have a deep tread in your tires. But that doesn’t explain why you keep losing control of the steering wheel. Occurrences like this mean you possibly have damaged tires. To determine if you still have good tires, have your mechanic check out the wheel balance. Read Also: Rochester Buick GMC Buying Tips When Wanting A New Car The Decline of Cars Sales Has Led to an Increase of Motorcycles in the UK How To Choose The Best Wheels And Tires For Your Vehicle 2022 Car Models Drivers Crave – What’s on Your Radar?

READ MOREDetails