Truck Accidents vs. Car Accidents: Key Legal Differences

At Gelbstein & Associates, PLLC, we’ve handled countless personal injury claims involving both truck and car accidents. While both types of cases often stem from driver negligence or recklessness, the legal complexities that come with truck accidents are significantly different—and often much more severe—than those of standard car collisions. Understanding these differences is critical if you’ve been involved in a serious accident and are seeking the compensation you deserve.

Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a minor fender-bender or a catastrophic highway collision, it’s essential to know how the law treats these two types of accidents differently, especially when you’re considering hiring a personal injury lawyer in Brooklyn to advocate for your rights.

The Scale of Impact: Truck vs. Car Accidents

Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions involving them tend to result in more serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs only about 3,000 pounds. This massive disparity in size means that the injuries sustained in truck accidents are often far more severe, sometimes involving spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, both of which can require lifelong medical care.

These heightened consequences make it all the more important to work with a best truck accident attorney in Brooklyn who understands how to navigate the complexities of truck accident claims.

Legal Responsibility and Liability

In a typical car accident case, liability usually falls on one of the drivers involved. However, truck accident cases can involve multiple parties, making liability much harder to establish. Responsible parties might include:

• The truck driver

• The trucking company

• The vehicle manufacturer

• A third-party maintenance provider

• Cargo loading companies

Each of these parties may have played a role in the accident, and each may have separate insurance providers and legal teams. That’s why having an experienced injury lawyer in Brooklyn on your side is crucial—they can investigate thoroughly and hold all negligent parties accountable.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

Unlike everyday drivers, commercial truck drivers and their employers must adhere to strict federal and state regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces rules about driver hours, vehicle maintenance, load limits, and more. Violations of these rules can provide essential evidence in a truck accident case.

For example, if a trucking company allowed a driver to exceed the federally mandated hours-of-service limits, and that driver caused a crash due to fatigue, the company could be held liable for negligence. Knowing how to uncover these violations is a task best handled by a Brooklyn car accident lawyer who understands the nuances of transportation law.

Insurance Policies and Compensation

Another major legal difference between truck and car accidents lies in the insurance policies involved. Trucking companies are required to carry significantly higher liability insurance than individual drivers, often in the millions of dollars. While this theoretically means higher compensation for victims, it also means you’ll be facing off against aggressive insurance companies whose main goal is to minimize their payouts.

Having the best injury lawyer advocating for you means that you’re not going up against these entities alone. We know how to negotiate with insurance adjusters and are fully prepared to take a case to court if that’s what it takes to secure fair compensation.

Evidence Collection and Investigation

The types of evidence collected in a truck accident investigation are far more complex than in a standard car accident. In addition to police reports and eyewitness accounts, a thorough investigation may involve:

• Black box (electronic logging device) data

• Driver logs

• Maintenance and inspection records

• Trucking company hiring and training practices

• Dashcam or surveillance footage

Our team at Gelbstein & Associates is well-versed in securing and analyzing this type of evidence, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed in building a strong case.

Why Legal Representation Matters More in Truck Accidents

Truck accident claims are high-stakes. With more severe injuries, multiple liable parties, complex regulations, and powerful insurance companies involved, victims simply can’t afford to go it alone. Partnering with a personal injury attorney who knows how to handle these intricacies can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Our firm brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to the table, including a senior judge with over 30 years on the bench. This gives us a unique perspective on how cases are evaluated in court and how to position our clients for success.

Get Help from Trusted Injury Lawyers in Brooklyn

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or car accident, don’t leave your future in the hands of just any law firm. Gelbstein & Associates, PLLC is here to provide you with compassionate, knowledgeable legal representation tailored to the specifics of your case.

We serve clients across Brooklyn, including neighborhoods like Flatlands, Park Slope, and Flatbush. Whether you’re searching for an injury lawyer or a car accident lawyer near me, we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help: https://gelbstein.com/contact-us/