If you’ve been in a crash involving a semi-truck, you might think it’s just a bigger version of a car accident. It’s not. Truck accidents are a completely different beast, with different rules, different players, and much higher stakes.
Understanding these differences is key to protecting yourself and getting the compensation you actually deserve. Let’s break it down.
1. Trucks Follow a Whole Different Set of Rules
When two cars collide, state traffic laws apply. But when an 18-wheeler is involved? Federal regulations kick in.
The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which has strict rules on:
- Driver hours (to prevent fatigue)
- Truck maintenance
- Load limits
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Training requirements
If a truck driver—or their company—violates any of these regulations, it can completely change the outcome of a claim. But you need someone who knows how to prove it.
2. The Damage (and Costs) Are Much Higher
A standard car weighs about 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck? Up to 80,000 pounds.
That means:
- More severe injuries (often life-changing or fatal)
- Longer recovery times
- Bigger medical bills
- More lost wages
- Greater emotional and physical suffering
Insurance companies know this and will do everything possible to reduce the payout. Don’t let them.
3. Trucking Companies Have Teams Ready to Fight You
When two cars crash, it’s usually one person dealing with another’s insurance. Simple.
With trucks? The moment a crash happens, the trucking company, their lawyers, and their insurance team are already working to limit their liability. They may:
- Send investigators to the scene immediately to collect evidence that benefits them
- Pressure you into a low settlement before you know your full damages
- Claim you were at fault to avoid paying out
This is not a fight you want to take on alone.
4. More Than One Party May Be Liable
In a regular car crash, it’s usually one driver’s fault. With a truck accident, multiple parties may be responsible, including:
- The truck driver (if they were reckless or tired)
- The trucking company (if they forced the driver to work beyond legal limits)
- The cargo company (if the load was improperly secured)
- The truck manufacturer (if a mechanical failure caused the crash)
Each of these parties will have separate insurance policies—which means more opportunities to get full compensation, but also more people fighting to deny your claim.
5. The Investigation Needs to Be More Thorough
A fender bender between two cars? Usually, photos, witness statements, and a police report are enough.
A truck accident? You need much more:
- Black box data (trucks record speed, braking, and hours on the road)
- Driver logs (to see if they violated hours-of-service rules)
- Maintenance records (to check if faulty brakes or tires were an issue)
- Dashcam footage (many trucks have cameras that capture accidents)
Without this evidence, trucking companies will twist the story. Getting access to these records isn’t easy, and they won’t hand them over voluntarily.
6. Insurance Coverage Is WAY Bigger (But Harder to Get)
Most personal car insurance policies max out at around $50,000 to $100,000.
But federal law requires commercial trucks to have at least $750,000 in coverage—sometimes millions.
That sounds like great news, but it also means:
- Insurance companies will fight harder to avoid paying
- They’ll delay, deny, and lowball your claim
- They have entire legal teams dedicated to reducing your settlement
This is why you need someone in your corner who knows how to push back.
7. Accepting a Quick Settlement Is a HUGE Mistake
After a truck crash, the insurance company may offer you money fast. It seems tempting—bills are piling up, and you need cash now.
But here’s the trick: once you accept, you can’t ask for more.
If your injuries turn out to be worse than expected (which is common in truck crashes), you could be stuck with:
- Unpaid medical bills
- Lost income you can’t recover
- Ongoing rehab costs you didn’t anticipate
Never accept a settlement before you know the full extent of your damages. Once you sign, the trucking company is off the hook.
8. You Need an Expert Who Knows Truck Accident Cases
Car accident lawyers handle fender benders all the time. But truck accidents?
They require deep knowledge of federal trucking laws, industry loopholes, and aggressive insurance tactics.
A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents knows how to:
- Obtain black box data before it’s erased
- Hold trucking companies accountable for violations
- Negotiate with multiple insurance providers at once
- Fight for every dollar you deserve
Bottom Line: Truck Accidents Are NOT Like Car Accidents
If you’ve been in a truck crash, don’t make the mistake of treating it like a regular car accident.
The rules are different. The stakes are higher. The insurance companies will try to minimize your claim.
Don’t go it alone. Know your rights, understand the process, and make sure you’re fighting for the full compensation you deserve. Call Williams DeLoatche today for a free consultation with an attorney: (540) 385-5555.