Many California drivers feel anxious when sharing the road with large trucks. As it turns out, that wariness is justified. When a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle, bad things tend to happen to the car’s occupants. As a result, tractor-trailers and other heavy trucks are treated differently by both the government and insurance companies.
For example, insurance companies typically require 18-wheelers to carry well over $1 million in vehicle insurance. This is done because trucks often do much more property damage and are more likely to cause severe injuries during collisions, leaving insurance companies on the hook for expensive settlements. In addition, unlike passenger vehicles, large trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. These agencies make sure that truck drivers and trucking companies follow certain safety regulations, including rules on vehicle inspections and driver performance.
Truck accidents are also more likely to cause fatalities than other types of collisions. In fact, the FMCSA reports that truck crashes are responsible for thousands of deaths across the U.S. each year. Because of this, the families of many victims are forced to file wrongful death lawsuits to recover compensation for their losses, including funeral and burial costs, loss of income and loss of companionship.
Individuals who are injured in truck accidents may need the assistance of an attorney. An attorney could gather crash investigation reports and other evidence proving that the truck driver and/or the trucking company was responsible for the crash. This evidence could be used to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related damages.
