Truck Accident Litigation vs. Passenger Car Cases
September 14, 2012 By Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
Call the Attorney at (866) 758-4529 
Free Consultation
Call the Attorney at (866) 758-4529 Free Consultation
The difference between commercial vehicle litigation and normal car wrecks is substantial and requires special expertise and experience on the part of the law firm handling the claim. There are very big differences between a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit and a passenger car versus passenger car accident case. The 1st point is obvious and that is that the truck driver is a professional driver and must follow different rules of the road and different safety procedures than mom or dad.
Not only must the truck driver comply with special rules and obtain a special drivers license there are many different safety requirements that a truck driver and a trucking company must follow on everyday basis. These safety rules are implemented solely to protect the public from catastrophic accidents that routinely occur with big rigs.
Such things as qualification of the truck driver can become a very big issue if an inadequately trained driver is behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle that is in a serious injury or wrongful death accident. Further, the truck drivers actions and complying with the safety rules and regulation for such things as his hours behind the wheel and for his safety inspection can be significant in presenting the case to a jury with an eye toward not only actual damages but the potential for punitive damages.
Additionally, the trucking company as an obligation under the rules and regulations applicable to truck drivers and trucking companies to make sure that their drivers are complying with and understand clearly the responsibilities under the law. Ultimately, under the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Regulations, the motor carrier is responsible vicariously for the actions and interactions of their drivers.
Because the rules for professional drivers and trucking companies are so different from that of a passenger car the professional chosen to help the family after serious truck accident must be well-versed in the applicable rules and regulations for truckers and truck drivers.
It is not only the rules that are different but also the vehicles themselves behave substantially different due to size and also that tractor-trailer combinations being articulated vehicles behave much differently than a pickup truck or passenger car. Stopping distances for big rigs are substantially greater than cars and pickup trucks. Also, the reenactment or reconstruction of the truck accident must take into consideration the different characteristics of the vehicles in order to accurately determine exactly what happened in many instances.
It is very important to the victim and the victim's family that the truck accident attorney they select has substantial experience in big rig accident litigation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Baumgartner Law Firm
Greg Baumgartner founded the Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985 and handles truck accident litigation across Texas.
Copyright Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
More information about Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Such things as qualification of the truck driver can become a very big issue if an inadequately trained driver is behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle that is in a serious injury or wrongful death accident. Further, the truck drivers actions and complying with the safety rules and regulation for such things as his hours behind the wheel and for his safety inspection can be significant in presenting the case to a jury with an eye toward not only actual damages but the potential for punitive damages.
Additionally, the trucking company as an obligation under the rules and regulations applicable to truck drivers and trucking companies to make sure that their drivers are complying with and understand clearly the responsibilities under the law. Ultimately, under the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Regulations, the motor carrier is responsible vicariously for the actions and interactions of their drivers.
Because the rules for professional drivers and trucking companies are so different from that of a passenger car the professional chosen to help the family after serious truck accident must be well-versed in the applicable rules and regulations for truckers and truck drivers.
It is not only the rules that are different but also the vehicles themselves behave substantially different due to size and also that tractor-trailer combinations being articulated vehicles behave much differently than a pickup truck or passenger car. Stopping distances for big rigs are substantially greater than cars and pickup trucks. Also, the reenactment or reconstruction of the truck accident must take into consideration the different characteristics of the vehicles in order to accurately determine exactly what happened in many instances.
It is very important to the victim and the victim's family that the truck accident attorney they select has substantial experience in big rig accident litigation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Baumgartner Law Firm
Greg Baumgartner founded the Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985 and handles truck accident litigation across Texas.
Copyright Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
More information about Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
View all articles published by Baumgartner Law Firm - Texas Truck Accident
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
