Cars and trucks vary from one another in a multitude of ways, especially when it comes to accidents. Not only do they differ in sheer weight and size, but they also differ when it comes to liabilities and injuries. Regardless of whether you are in a car or truck accident, the consequences can be life-altering. So, let’s dive into what exactly some of these differences are.
Weight and Size
The first difference between trucks and cars should be a rather intuitive one: weight and size. Trucks are visibly much bigger than cars are, often more than three times the size. The sheer mass of a truck, coupled with the cargo they may be hauling, makes trucks substantially heavier as well. Whereas most cars weigh less than 10,000 pounds, large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (including cargo). The weight and size of a vehicle has a great impact on an accident as a truck is likely to have a much more significant impact on another vehicle than a car would.
Severity of Injury
With a bigger vehicle comes an increase in the severity of injury. Even if a car was going half the speed of a truck, a truck is likely to make a much more devastating impact on the vehicle that it hits. This also means that car drivers are much more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury, or even death, than a truck driver.
Center of Gravity
The center of gravity for a car versus a truck differs, as trucks are much higher off the ground. This high center of gravity on trucks can make the vehicle very top heavy, thus increasing the risk for a rollover accident. While the higher center of gravity is not the main contributing factor to rollover accidents, it definitely has an impactful role.
Prevalence on the Road
Just by taking a quick glance at any U.S. highway, it is abundantly clear that cars outnumber commercial trucks on the road. In fact, large trucks only made up 5% of total registered vehicles in 2021. However, when looking at the number of fatalities for cars vs. trucks, truck accidents cause a disproportionate amount of fatalities. In a study conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), it was reported that the death rate per 100 million miles for cars was 1.50, whereas the death rate per 100 million miles for large trucks was 1.74. This further proves that truck accidents, while not as numerous, are far more deadly.
Differences in Liability
Liability, which refers to who holds responsibility for damages or harm caused, differs when it comes to car versus truck accidents. Generally speaking, the liability in a car accident falls on the driver who caused the accident. In a truck accident, however, the answer is a little more convoluted and on a case-by-case basis as there are a number of different parties that may be held liable. These potential liable parties include, but are not limited to:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loaders
- Truck owner
- Other motorist
- Truck Manufacturer
What To Do After a Truck Accident
Following a truck accident, the first thing you want to do is to seek professional medical assistance by calling 9-1-1 if anyone is hurt at the scene. If you are able to, you also want to capture images of the accident and exchange personal contact information with the other individuals involved. Additionally, look to see if there were any individuals who witnessed the accident who could vouch for you if you file a police report and wind up in court. Lastly, you want to make sure that you get in contact with an experienced New Haven truck accident attorney who can help fight for justice and the compensation you may be entitled to. Truck accidents can be very serious, therefore, it is important to take these necessary steps to protect yourself.
