How do truck accidents differ from automobile accidents?
A loaded commercial truck can weigh upwards of 80,000 lbs., whereas an average passenger vehicle only weighs about 3,000 lbs. The sheer size and weight of an eighteen-wheeler mean the result almost always produces serious injuries or fatalities. Cars, small trucks and even SUVs are no match for these dangerous 80,000 lb trucks. And depending on the nature of hauled materials, hazardous or flammable cargo can significantly increase the danger. Federal and State regulations specify specific licensing, training and safety requirements for commercial truck drivers and trucking companies, so these cases can be a lot more complicated than automobile litigation.
