The Differences Between Car Accidents and 18-Wheeler Accidents From a McAllen Accident Attorney
Car and truck accidents both have the potential to leave us with lifelong scars and expenses. However, there are some important differences between these two types of crashes.
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between car and truck accidents from the team at Villalobos Law Firm, McAllen 18-wheeler accident attorneys.
Car and Truck Accidents: Which Are More Deadly?
It should come as no surprise that truck accidents are more deadly than car accidents. Trucks are simply much larger and heavier than other vehicles, and this makes them both harder to control and more dangerous when they collide with cars and people.
However, while you might figure that the number of people killed in truck accidents in Texas would be higher than the number killed in car accidents, the statistics may surprise you.
Every year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) releases data covering the number of auto accidents involving different types of vehicles. In 2022, there were about 5,000 fatal accidents involving non-semis, including passenger vehicles, pickups, and SUVs. Semi-trucks, meanwhile, were involved in roughly 700 deadly crashes. Semis make up a surprisingly small number of all deadly accidents, but this doesn’t paint the full picture.
We can get a clearer idea of the relative deadliness of car and truck accidents by calculating what percentage of each kind of accident resulted in a fatality. Out of all non-semi-trucks involved in Texas auto accidents last year, half of one percent were involved in deadly accidents. In comparison, out of ALL semis involved in crashes, 1.4% were involved in deadly crashes.
This means semi-trucks are about three times deadlier than the average non-semi accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Texas Truck Accidents?
The deadliness of the accident may be the biggest difference between car and truck crashes, but who can be held liable will play an equally important role in getting financial relief.
After a car accident, there are usually only a few people that may be held liable: any drivers involved, car manufacturers, or road maintenance authorities. However, after a truck accident, there are many more parties that may be involved:
- The driver or drivers
- The trucker
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company
- The truck maintenance and repair crews
- The truck manufacturer
- Vendors and trucking clients
If you’re unsure who is responsible for your Texas truck accident, you can reach out to a truck accident lawyer for help investigating your case. While you may be able to make a claim for car accident compensation without help from an attorney, truck accident cases are often more challenging.
Your McAllen 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer: Villalobos Law Firm
Being involved in a McAllen truck accident can result in mountains of medical debt and a serious dent in your income. Whether your truck accident was caused by the trucker or one of the companies they work with, the team here at Villalobos Law Firm can help you fight for compensation.
If you’ve been involved in a Texas 18-wheeler accident, don’t put your settlement at risk by trying to face the trucking company’s high-powered legal team on your own. Get help from the experienced and compassionate McAllen 18-wheeler accident attorneys at Villalobos Law Firm.
