If you or a loved one has been in either a car or truck accident, you’re well aware that these accidents can cause extensive pain and suffering, anguish, emotional distress, and, sometimes, life-long health concerns.
Injured in Oklahoma City? Call Warhawk Legal at (405) 397-1717 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
But you may not be aware of how the average car accident differs from the average truck accident, not just regarding the injuries experienced in the aftermath but also how to get the compensation you’re rightfully owed.
So, in this guide, we’ll examine the key differences between truck and car accidents and what to do if you’ve experienced one.
If you have any questions about the information we’ve provided in this blog, you can call us at (405) 397-1717 for a free consultation with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident attorney.
Key Differences Between Truck and Car Accidents
The outcomes of car and truck accidents differ significantly due to the larger size and weight of trucks, which can result in more severe damages, injuries, and legal complexities than car collisions.
Let’s explore each of these topics in greater detail.
Truck Accidents Yield More Severe Injuries, Fatalities And Property Damage
A similar accident between two similarly sized passenger cars (such as two sedans) yields significantly different outcomes than a truck and a car. For instance, if a sedan collides with a pickup truck, the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) found that they are 2.5 times as likely to kill the person in the other vehicle.
Considering that a pickup truck can tow anywhere between 6,000 to 14,000 pounds versus a semi that can tow 33,000 pounds and greater, the size and shape of these vehicles (and any payload they’re towing) inherently makes them more dangerous to the drivers of smaller vehicles. Most crashes between trucks and cars result in the car becoming totaled in the accident.
Truck Accidents Have More Complicated Liability
When you get in an accident with a citizen who doesn’t drive for their job, liability for the accident is simpler – you either caused the accident, or they did. It’s very uncommon (unless multiple people were involved in the accident) for liability to be much more complex than that.
This is not the case for commercial truck accidents. As semi-trucks are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), they have to abide by very specific regulations, one of which directly affects truck accident liability.
If the truck driver is not an owner-operator and leases the truck from the parent organization, that organization is responsible for maintaining the truck. If it was discovered that the lack of maintenance or even the way the organization runs the trucking operation played a role in the accident, the parent trucking company could also be held liable.
Additionally, dealing with insurance adjusters and lawyers who potentially support a multi-national trucking operation is a much more difficult feat and should not be attempted on your own.
Contact An Experienced Oklahoma City Trucking Lawyer For Help
If you’re facing the extensive complexity of a trucking accident, just know you’re not alone. At Warhawk Legal, we’re always happy to lend a helping hand to hardworking Oklahomans who are suffering after a truck accident.
If you need to ask any questions, give us a call at (405) 397-1717 or book your free, no-obligation case review online today.
Federal Regulations That Apply Only to Truck Accident Cases
Commercial trucks operating across state lines are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations — a framework with no equivalent in ordinary car crash cases. Hours-of-service limits cap how many hours a driver can operate before mandatory rest. Drug and alcohol testing rules require pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing. Vehicle inspection and maintenance records must be kept and are subject to audit. When these federal rules are violated — an overworked driver pushed past legal hours, skipped brake inspections, improper cargo securement — the violation is powerful evidence of negligence that simply does not exist in a typical car crash claim. Attorneys handling truck cases know how to subpoena and analyze these records before the carrier is allowed to destroy them.
Preserving Critical Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
The evidence advantage in a truck case is real, but it expires fast. Electronic control module (“black box”) data recording speed, braking, and throttle input may be preserved for only weeks or overwritten on new trip cycles. Dash-camera footage loops. Driver qualification files and drug testing records are only required to be kept for limited periods under federal regulations. A spoliation letter from an attorney — sent within days of the crash — legally obligates the carrier and its insurer to preserve all relevant records. Without that letter, the most useful evidence disappears lawfully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Truck Accident Claims
Can I sue the trucking company, not just the driver? Yes — employers are typically liable for their employees’ negligent acts under respondeat superior, and the motor carrier’s commercial policy covers both. What if the truck driver was listed as an independent contractor? Courts look at the actual control the carrier exercised — the “independent contractor” label is often a liability-avoidance strategy that does not hold up under scrutiny. How do I know if a federal regulation was violated? Your attorney requests the carrier’s compliance records and often retains a trucking safety expert to identify specific regulatory violations. Reach out to Warhawk Legal for a free case evaluation.
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If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Oklahoma City truck accident attorney at Warhawk Legal. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.