What Sets Trucking Accidents Apart From Car Accidents—And Why Holiday Travel Makes Awareness Even More Important

As the holiday season approaches, more people take to the roads to visit friends and family, shop, or travel for year-end events. With this seasonal surge in traffic comes an increased risk of collisions, especially those involving large commercial trucks.

While any motor vehicle crash can be devastating, trucking accidents differ from typical car accidents in several critical ways. Below, Tiemann Law Firm helps you understand these differences so you can protect your rights if you’re ever involved in one.

1. The Size and Weight Difference Creates Catastrophic Impacts

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The average passenger car weighs just 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This massive size and weight disparity means trucking accidents often lead to far more severe injuries, extensive property damage, and a higher likelihood of fatalities. During the holidays, when highways are crowded and stop-and-go traffic is common, the risk of a catastrophic truck collision increases.

2. Trucking Accidents Involve Complex Regulations

Unlike standard car accidents, trucking accidents fall under a web of federal and state regulations. Commercial drivers must follow strict rules related to:

• Hours of service (to prevent fatigue)
• Vehicle maintenance and inspections
• Cargo loading and securement
• Licensing and training requirements

When a crash occurs, investigators must determine whether any of these regulations were violated. A personal injury lawyer familiar with trucking law will know how to secure logbooks, black-box data, maintenance records, and other critical evidence.

3. Multiple Parties May Be Liable

In a typical car accident, there are usually two drivers and two insurance companies involved. Trucking cases, however, often involve:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo loader
• The maintenance provider
• The manufacturer of a defective truck part

With so many potential parties, determining liability becomes far more complex. This is especially important during the holidays, when trucking companies may rush deliveries or push drivers to meet tight schedules.

4. Evidence Disappears Quickly Without Fast Action

Commercial trucks contain electronic control modules and GPS systems that record essential data about speed, braking, hours on the road, and more. However, this data can be overwritten or destroyed if not preserved quickly. Acting fast after a truck accident gives your legal team a better chance of securing the evidence needed to build a strong claim.

Stay Safe During Holiday Travel

With more vehicles on the road this time of year, staying alert around commercial trucks is essential. Keep a safe distance, avoid blind spots, and give trucks plenty of room to maneuver.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, contact the truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm to set up a free, same-day consultation at (916) 999-9000 or toll-free: 855-999-9000.