A large red semi-truck hauling a cargo trailer drives down a rural highway with green trees and a blue sky in the background.

Trucking Accidents vs. Car Accidents: Key Differences in Legal Claims

John Richards

May 16, 2025

trucking accidents

18 wheeler collisions

FMCSA regulations

personal injury

truck accident liability

I'll revise this blog to improve readability to around 60 while maintaining proper heading hierarchy starting with H2.

When it comes to vehicle accidents on Louisiana roads, collisions involving commercial trucks are different from standard car accidents. As a personal injury attorney who has handled many trucking accident cases, I've seen how these differences significantly impact the legal process and potential compensation.

More Severe Injuries and Damages

The most obvious difference is the severity of damages. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Compare that to the average passenger car at about 4,000 pounds. This enormous weight difference means truck accidents typically cause more catastrophic injuries, including:

Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord damage and paralysis
Multiple fractures and crush injuries
Severe internal organ damage
Fatal injuries

The medical costs, long-term care needs, and life impacts are much higher. This makes proper valuation of these claims essential.

Complex Liability Issues

In a typical car accident, liability usually rests with one or more drivers. Trucking accidents may involve multiple responsible parties:

The truck driver
The trucking company (employer)
The truck owner (if different from the company)
The cargo loading company
Truck manufacturers or maintenance providers
Third-party leasing companies

Identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial. This maximizes compensation and ensures accountability.

Federal Regulations Add Complexity

Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations govern:

Hours of service and mandatory rest periods
Driver qualification and training requirements
Vehicle inspection and maintenance standards
Cargo loading and securement rules
Drug and alcohol testing protocols

Violations of these regulations can be powerful evidence of negligence. But understanding and properly applying these complex rules requires specialized legal knowledge.

More Extensive Evidence Collection

Trucking accident cases involve unique types of evidence. These aren't typically available in car accident cases:

Electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track driving time
"Black box" data recorders with speed, braking, and other metrics
Driver qualification files and training records
Post-accident drug and alcohol testing results
Maintenance and inspection records
Corporate safety policies and compliance history

This evidence can be critical. But it's often difficult to obtain without prompt legal intervention. Trucking companies may legally destroy certain records after specific time periods if not properly requested.

Insurance Complexities

Commercial trucks typically carry much higher insurance coverage than passenger vehicles. Often it's $750,000 to $1,000,000 or more. Compare that to Louisiana's minimum of $15,000 per person for cars.

However, this higher coverage means insurance companies fight these claims aggressively. They often send investigators to the scene immediately. They deploy teams of attorneys to minimize liability.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

The trucking company's response team may arrive at an accident scene within hours. They immediately begin collecting evidence and building their defense. To level the playing field, victims need equally prompt legal representation.

At Richards Law LLC, we take immediate action. We send preservation of evidence letters to prevent the destruction of crucial records. We deploy our own investigators and experts to document the scene and collect time-sensitive evidence.

Expert Witnesses Are Essential

Successful trucking accident cases typically require specialized expert witnesses:

Accident reconstructionists with commercial vehicle expertise
Trucking safety compliance experts
Medical specialists for catastrophic injuries
Life care planners for long-term care needs
Economic experts for future earnings losses

These experts help establish liability. They accurately value the full extent of damages. Both are critical elements for maximizing compensation.

Conclusion

Trucking accident cases require a fundamentally different approach than standard car accidents. The stakes are higher. The legal issues are more complex. And the opposition is more formidable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Louisiana, get an attorney with specific experience in commercial vehicle litigation. This can make a crucial difference in your case outcome. At Richards Law LLC, we have the expertise, resources, and determination to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We'll secure the compensation you deserve.