How is a Commercial Vehicle Different Than a Car Accident?

A wreck with a commercial vehicle in Corpus Christi can impact your life significantly. Unlike wrecks between passenger vehicles, a crash with a commercial vehicle is not only more dangerous, but also more legally complicated.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you need a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Corpus Christi on your side. At Carabin Shaw, we always start by listening to our clients to understand the unique circumstances surrounding their case. Hearing your story allows us to formulate a plan for your specific needs, which will help us help you get the justice you deserve.

A Commercial Vehicle Accident Versus a Car Accident

There are a number of ways that accidents involving commercial vehicles differ from an accident that solely involves passenger vehicles. How is a commercial vehicle accident different than a car accident? The following are the most important distinctions:

Difference in size

• One of the major factors that makes a commercial vehicle accident different than a car accident is the discrepancy in size between a commercial vehicle and a normal passenger vehicle. The average passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 lbs, while commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 lbs.
• Texas also allows “super heavy” permits for special circumstances, and those vehicles can weigh over 200,000 lbs. Larger trucks means more blind spots, longer stopping distances, and more intense impact when it collides with a passenger vehicle in Corpus Christi.

More than one liable party

• Another way commercial vehicle accidents differ from car accidents concerns liability. When two passenger vehicles collide, one of the drivers is almost always at fault. When a regular car gets into a wreck with a commercial vehicle, however, things are more complicated because a number of different parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances.
• In a commercial vehicle accident, the truck driver, trucking company, cargo company, the mechanic, or the parts manufacturer may be held liable. To know who’s responsible in your wreck, let a Texas trucking accident attorney review your case.

Different laws apply

• In addition to normal traffic laws, trucking companies have to follow rules and regulations laid out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), which delineates how much cargo a truck can carry and how much a driver is allowed to drive within a specific time span. Because the legality of commercial vehicle accidents is more complex, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney.

More money can be recovered

• Commercial vehicle accidents tend to lead to more serious injuries, which means higher medical bills and the potential for missing work for a longer period of time because of your injuries. More medical bills and missed work often equates to more money being recovered. To learn more, talk to a lawyer.

Different evidence

• In a trucking accident, there are three categories of evidence: the vehicle, the cargo, and the truck driver. A seasoned legal team will thoroughly investigate and document evidence for each of these categories. They’ll look at evidence like the driver’s credentials, the onboard GPS system, and weigh station paperwork, for instance, to build a full case against the liable party responsible for your accident.

The Lawyers You Can Count On: Free Initial Consultation

Commercial vehicles accidents can change your life forever. They’re more legally complicated than car accidents, so you want someone with years of experience to represent you and get you justice. Our team of attorneys at Carabin Shaw has been fighting for Texas victims just like yourself for decades. We go out of our way to make sure you’re taken care of, which is why we’ve been named a top 10 law firm in client satisfaction.

Don’t hesitate, call us today at 361-444-1111 to speak with one of our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Corpus Christi.

---