Auto accidents happen every single day and can have devastating consequences. However, if you have ever been involved in or witnessed a truck accident, you will understand that they are entirely different from other traffic accidents involving smaller vehicles. Because of these differences, any resulting lawsuit needs to be handled by an experienced truck accident lawyer in Knoxville who understands the nuances of this type of accident.
Let’s look at some of the key differences between truck and car accidents.
Professional Drivers Are Involved
One of the most significant differences between truck accidents and those involving cars is that we are dealing with commercial vehicles. Subsequently, that means professional drivers are involved. Truck drivers are subject to extensive regulations and safety requirements far beyond those expected of an ordinary car driver. This is because they have a duty of care to other road users to do everything in their power to keep them safe. Professional truck drivers and the companies they work for will often face much higher legal penalties if they are found to be at fault for causing an accident. A truck accident lawyer in Knoxville can represent either side of the lawsuit - the truck driver/trucking company or the other party.
Larger Vehicles Can Cause More Damage
Another noticeable difference when it comes to truck accidents versus car accidents is the overall size of the vehicle. A fully loaded tractor and trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds which is several times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. As you might expect, an 80,000-pound truck makes a bigger impact than a 3000-pound car! The resulting lawsuit will likely involve more severe personal injuries and significant property damage. That is why it is essential that you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Knoxville who understands the severity of these types of accidents.
For a little perspective on how large commercial trucks are, take a look at some of these>If the truck driver is speeding and encounters a hazard stat
istics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:- In 2019 there were 4119 fatalities relating to trucking accidents. However, just 16% of those were the occupants of the trucks.
- When looking at two-vehicle accidents involving a commercial truck during 2019, 97% of those killed were occupants of passenger vehicles.
- 11% of all fatal traffic accidents in 2019 involved a commercial truck.
These statistics are eye-opening and go a long way toward demonstrating just how devastating a truck accident can be, given the immense size and weight of the vehicles involved. It also highlights our previous point, driving home, how important it is for truck drivers to comply with all regulations to make driving their vehicles safer.
Longer Stopping Distances
When you consider the additional weight behind commercial trucks, you will also realize that these vehicles have a much longer stopping distance than other vehicles. This can become an issue in a variety of circumstances. For example:
- If the truck driver has not adjusted his speed for bad weather
- When another vehicle pulls out in front of a truck without signaling
- If the truck driver is speeding and encounters a hazard
- When other drivers do not allow enough or misjudge the room, a truck needs
Let’s Talk About Blind Spots
Since truckers are riding higher on the road, you might think that they have an excellent view of what is going on around them on the roads. That is true until a point, but they also have some major blind spots, especially along the sides of their trailer. Vehicles sitting in those spots are often invisible to truck drivers. While the responsibility lies with the truck driver to make sure that they are paying attention to the traffic around them, other drivers also need to do their part. You may be surprised to learn that a large percentage of truck accidents can be attributed to car drivers who do not understand the blind spots and stopping distances of these larger vehicles and fail to give them space.
Choosing the Right Truck Accident Lawyer
As you can see, truck accidents can be far more complex than car accidents. It is crucial that you are represented by an experienced truck accident lawyer in Knoxville who knows how to approach the many nuances of a truck accident lawsuit. At Butler, Vines, and Babb, our team has experience in both truck accident defense for trucking companies and truck drivers, as well as representing injured parties. When you choose us as your truck accident lawyer in Knoxville, we will work with you to achieve the best resolution for your individual circumstances.
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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.
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