5 Differences Between Truck & Car Accidents
Distracted driving has been linked to roughly 25% of all fatal crashes. In fact, studies have shown that taking your eyes off the road for 3 to 5 seconds is all it takes for a fatal accident to occur.
While any accident can result in a fatality, those that occur between a large truck and a car are more inclined. Why? Let’s take a look.
What You Need to Know About Distracted Driving in LA
Large trucks and cars are not made equally, leaving fatalities between the two devastatingly uneven. This is due to the very specific differences between the two types of vehicles.
- Size & Weight: There is no denying it – large trucks are much bigger and heavier than almost any vehicle on the road. Because of this, a collision between the two is likely to have a much larger impact.
- Different Causes: Distracted driving does not necessarily revolve around a cellphone. Sure, reading text messages, checking emails, or responding to a FaceTime call are all dangerous while driving. Looking at Billboards for a prolonged period of time, turning to speak to a passenger or yell at the rambunctious kids in the backseat, or reaching for the drink you just dropped in your lap are also forms of distractions that can cause serious accidents.
- Severity of Injuries: Injuries that result from the truck on car accidents are much more likely to result in severe injuries. If you are driving 55 mph and look away for 5 seconds, you travel the entire length of a football field by the time your eyes are back on the road. It takes a small vehicle roughly 290 feet to stop at that speed. A large truck will need almost 512 feet. With the size and weight of a large truck going that same speed – well, let’s just say the likelihood of survival is greatly diminished for the driver and passengers in the car.
- Liable Parties: Liability may fall to several parties. From the truck driver to the company that employs him or her – determining who is liable for an accident with a truck can be tricky. However, a thorough investigation and evidence chain can help prove liability.
- Larger Claims: Because of the devastating effects of an accident with a truck, as well as the wealth of the company that backs the driver – these types of accidents often result in larger claims.
Proving Negligence
Proving negligence may not always be as easy as checking cell phone records. While a thorough investigation will include this type of evidence collection, a cell phone record does not report other potential distractions. An experienced lawyer, like those at Waitz & Downer, can help you sort through the evidence to uncover proof of negligence in a truck accident.
Contact Us to Take Action against Distracted Driving
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, contact Waitz & Downer today. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.
