Truck Accident vs. Car Accident: Why Settlements Are Higher

Truck accidents differ from car accidents in several critical ways that directly affect settlement values. Liability: Car accidents typically involve one or two drivers. Truck accidents can involve the driver, the trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, or supervision), the cargo company (for improper loading), the truck manufacturer (for mechanical defects), and the maintenance company. Federal regulations: Commercial trucks are governed by FMCSA regulations covering hours of service, weight limits, drug testing, and maintenance requirements. Violations of these regulations significantly strengthen your case. Insurance coverage: Commercial trucks carry $750,000–$5 million in liability coverage vs. $25,000–$100,000 for personal vehicles. Evidence: Trucks have electronic logging devices (ELDs), dash cameras, GPS tracking, and maintenance records that can prove liability — but this evidence must be preserved immediately through a legal hold letter. Statute of limitations: You typically have 2–3 years to file a truck accident lawsuit, but evidence preservation must begin immediately.