A lawsuit that follows a motor vehicle collision will commonly seek compensation for losses. Financial losses may derive from property damage and bodily injury. While there are commonalities among collisions on Oklahoma roads, differences exist when comparing vehicles. A motorcycle accident would be different from a truck collision in Oklahoma. Victims of truck crashes might deal with specific issues in the aftermath.
Truck collision specifics
The main difference between trucks and other vehicles is the commercial vehicle’s massive size. A truck driver must contend with blind spots since not seeing vehicles in the blind spots often contributes to accidents when the truck changes lanes. Another issue with the truck’s size centers on how much damage it might inflict on vehicles it hits. If a tractor-trailer runs over a vehicle in front of it, expect a catastrophic accident.
That leads to another point about truck accidents. The injuries inflicted on victims may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Sometimes, several victims may suffer in the same crash, as trucks may cause multi-car collisions. That means several victims become involved in the same investigations, requiring more work from the investigators. That may add more time to the duration to arrive at a settlement.
Truck collision legal matters
More than one party could be liable in a truck collision. An aggressive driver could cut off a speeding tractor-trailer, leading to another car getting hit in the resulting accident. A commercial shipping company’s management might be at fault for motor vehicle accidents if they don’t maintain their fleet. Sending trucks on the road with dangerous maintenance issues could be negligent behavior.
Substantial injuries or wrongful deaths may lead to claims for significant compensation and punitive damages. Insurance companies negotiate for lower sums, which may add time to conclude settlement discussions.
Ultimately, many more elements are present in truck accident cases than with other vehicles. Victims may need to exercise patience to reach a settlement or jury verdict.