Why Are Truck Accidents Different Than Car Accidents?

The aftermath of any collision can be devastating, but when it comes to truck accidents, the stakes are significantly higher. While car accidents are more common, trucking accidents differ in several key ways, including the extent of damages, the complexity of legal claims, and the unique regulatory framework surrounding commercial trucks.

Understanding these differences is critical for anyone involved in a truck crash or working to prevent these catastrophic collisions. At John J. Malm & Associates, our accomplished team of Naperville truck accident attorneys, led by John J. Malm’s 30 years of experience, has built a reputation as one of Illinois’ top truck accident law firms. With over 90 years of combined experience and more than $90 million recovered for our clients, we have seen firsthand how truck accidents require a specialized approach.

The Physical Reality of Truck Accidents

The most immediate and obvious difference between truck accidents and car accidents is the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the average 3,000 to 4,000 pounds of a passenger car. This disparity in weight and momentum makes truck accidents far more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks were involved in 5,788 fatal crashes in 2021, a 13% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that truck accidents disproportionately impact occupants of smaller vehicles, accounting for 72% of deaths in such crashes.

Unique Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often occur due to factors unique to the trucking industry:

Driver Fatigue: Federal regulations allow truck drivers to work up to 11 hours in a 14-hour window. Despite hours-of-service restrictions set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue remains a significant issue. Long hours on monotonous highways can lead to slowed reaction times and poor decision-making.
Improper Cargo Loading: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) notes that improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers or jackknife accidents. These incidents are particularly devastating due to the sudden loss of control over the vehicle.
Maintenance Failures: Commercial trucks require frequent maintenance to ensure safety. Issues like worn brakes, defective tires, or neglected inspections can lead to catastrophic failures on the road. The FMCSA mandates regular maintenance schedules, but lapses are still common.
Inadequate Training: Truck drivers need specialized training to operate these massive vehicles. Inadequate training can lead to errors, especially in handling emergencies or navigating tight turns.

The Role of Federal Regulations in Semi-Truck Collisions

One of the defining features of truck accidents is the extensive web of federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry. The FMCSA sets strict rules for everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance and hours of service. Violations of these regulations can serve as evidence of negligence in a truck accident case.

For example, truck drivers are required to maintain detailed logs of their driving hours, rest breaks, and vehicle inspections. In car accidents, these types of regulations and need for documentation is rarely a factor. These logs, along with black box data (which records the truck’s speed, braking, and engine performance), are often critical pieces of evidence in determining fault in truck accidents.

Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Accidents

In a typical car accident, liability usually falls on one or both drivers involved in the collision. Truck accidents, however, often involve multiple parties, making the process of determining fault far more complex. Potentially liable parties include:

The Truck Driver: Driver negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, is a common cause of truck accidents.
The Trucking Company: Employers may be held accountable if they fail to enforce safety standards, pressure drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or neglect vehicle maintenance. Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, trucking companies can also be held responsible for their employees’ actions while on the job.
Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause accidents, particularly in cases of rollovers or jackknife incidents.
Manufacturers: Defective truck parts, such as brakes or tires, may contribute to a crash. In these cases, the manufacturer or distributor of the faulty component may share liability.

This web of potential defendants highlights the need for thorough investigations and an experienced Illinois truck accident attorney to help you after a truck accident.

The Evidence Game: Truck Accidents vs. Car Accidents

Another major difference between truck and car accidents is the type of evidence required to build a strong case. In car accidents, evidence typically includes police reports, witness statements, and photographs of the scene. Truck accidents, however, require additional, specialized evidence, such as:

Black Box Data: Most commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices or “black boxes” that record crucial data, including speed, braking, and hours of service leading up to the crash.
Maintenance Logs: Detailed records of the truck’s maintenance history can reveal whether a mechanical failure was due to negligence.
Driver Logs: As mandated by the FMCSA, truck drivers must maintain logs of their hours of service. Falsified or incomplete logs can be a red flag for negligence.
Cargo Records: Documents showing how and when the truck was loaded can help determine whether improper loading contributed to the accident.

This wealth of evidence provides a clearer picture of how the accident occurred but also underscores the complexity of litigating truck accident cases.

The Insurance Battle in Semi-Truck Accidents

The insurance dynamics in truck accidents also differ significantly from car accidents. Commercial trucking companies typically carry much higher insurance limits, reflecting the potential for large damages resulting from catastrophic injuries. According to the FMCSA, trucks carrying non-hazardous cargo are required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage, while those transporting hazardous materials may need up to $5 million in coverage.

While this higher coverage may seem great for victims, it often means facing aggressive insurance adjusters and legal teams determined to minimize payouts. Trucking companies and their insurers frequently employ tactics such as disputing liability, downplaying the severity of injuries, or shifting blame onto the victim. Without experienced legal representation, victims may struggle to secure the compensation they deserve.

Common Injuries in Truck Crashes

Due to the sheer force of truck accidents, injuries tend to be far more severe than those seen in typical car accidents. Common injuries in truck crashes include:

Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord damage can result in paralysis, chronic pain, and a lifetime of medical care. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, spinal cord injuries often require expensive rehabilitation and adaptive equipment.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The Mayo Clinic highlights the long-term effects of TBIs, which can range from cognitive impairments to emotional and behavioral changes, greatly impacting a victim’s life.
Internal Injuries: The impact of a truck collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs, which may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening.

These injuries often result in significant economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.

Preventing Truck Accidents: A Shared Responsibility Between Drivers and Truckers

While truck drivers and trucking companies bear much of the responsibility for preventing accidents, passenger vehicle drivers can also play a role. Sharing the road with large trucks requires understanding their limitations, such as blind spots, longer stopping distances, and reduced maneuverability.

The NHTSA recommends several safety tips for drivers, including:

Avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spots.
Allow ample space when merging in front of a truck.
Be patient when trucks make wide turns or drive at reduced speeds.

On a broader scale, the FMCSA continues to enforce regulations and promote technological advancements, such as collision avoidance systems and electronic stability control, to reduce the risk of accidents.

How John J. Malm & Associates Can Help with your Truck Accident Case

Truck accident cases demand a level of experience that goes beyond standard car accident claims. At John J. Malm & Associates, our award-winning team has the knowledge, resources, and track record to handle these complex cases. With offices in Naperville and St. Charles, our Illinois trucking accident lawyers have recovered over $90 million for clients across Illinois, earning a reputation as one of the state’s top truck accident law firms.

“Truck accidents involve more than just injuries—they involve navigating a labyrinth of federal regulations, complex liability issues, and aggressive insurance tactics. Our team is dedicated to uncovering the truth, holding negligent parties accountable, and ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.” – Naperville truck accident attorney John J. Malm

We work tirelessly to investigate every angle of a truck accident, from analyzing black box data to negotiating with insurers, to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

Contact the Illinois Truck Accident Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates

Truck accidents are fundamentally different from car accidents in almost every way—from the magnitude of damages to the complexity of liability and the regulatory landscape. For victims, understanding these distinctions is crucial to navigating the legal process and obtaining justice.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, trust the experienced injury attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates to guide you through the challenges ahead. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you rebuild your life with the support and compensation you deserve.