Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents

When you’re on the road, commercial vehicles are a common sight. They’re sometimes necessary for transportation, but they also pose a high risk to other cars and motorists, especially when drivers are negligent. Commercial vehicles often carry heavy materials and thus, their weight adds more danger to the road. These vehicles also tend to be bigger than passenger cars, which can be difficult to watch out for.

Accidents involving commercial vehicle accidents can be more complex than other car accidents because they often involve multiple insurance companies and policies. Additionally, a commercial vehicle is likely to cause much more damage than a typical personal vehicle. Thus, you need an experienced commercial vehicle accident law firm on your side in order to get the compensation you deserve.

What are some examples of commercial vehicles?

There are many types of commercial vehicles. Some of them include trucks, vans, buses, and SUV’s. All of these are used for business purposes. For example, if you own a delivery company and you’re driving a truck; then it’s considered a commercial vehicle. Also, say you’re an Uber driver who is using their car as a means to make money; then that would also be considered a commercial vehicle. If the car or truck is being used for business purposes then it is considered commercial. These types of vehicles include taxi cabs, uber cars and more.

Commercial vehicles are used for a variety of purposes, from transporting people to carrying freight. There are many different types of commercial vehicles, but they all have characteristics in common. Because the category encompasses so many different types of vehicles, let’s first clarify what we’re talking about when we say “commercial vehicle.” A commercial vehicle is, basically, any vehicle used in commerce—that means any business or commercial operation.

The most obvious example of a commercial vehicle is a big rig or semi right? Those are the 18 wheelers that you see on the highway long-hauling cargo across the country. But they aren’t the only commercial vehicles you’ll find on the roads and highways. In fact, much of the transportation that takes place within cities is done by large trucks and buses, which are also considered commercial vehicles.

How Are Commercial Vehicle Collisions Different From Car Accidents

Injuries sustained in commercial vehicle collisions tend to be severe. Passengers that are sitting in the front seat or standing on the truck bed are likely to sustain injuries to their heads, necks or chests. In fact, one study found that these types of collisions caused severe injuries in nearly 50% of cases.

What many people don’t realize is that there are different laws regulating commercial vehicles and their drivers than those that apply to passenger cars and drivers. Commercial vehicles aren’t required to have as many safety features as passenger vehicles, which can increase the severity of injuries sustained in an accident–in fact, some trucks lack seat belts for both the driver and passengers. Furthermore, truck drivers are often forced by employers to drive longer hours than is allowed by law; this puts them at risk for fatigue-related accidents, which can also cause serious injury and death.

What Causes Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

We all know that commercial vehicles have the potential to be large and dangerous. That said, it can be hard to imagine why commercial vehicles would be involved in an accident. After all, there are many rules, regulations, and requirements that are enforced to help ensure that commercial vehicles are safe and sound. Commercial vehicle drivers must go through extensive training before they’re even allowed to drive on public roadways.

What Damages Are Available to Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims?

If you were injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the driver or the trucking company. This claim can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries and losses.

A successful personal injury claim will generally cover some combination of:

Medical Bills. This includes coverage for any medical treatment you received because of your accident, including emergency medical care, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment such as physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Lost Wages. If your injuries have prevented you from returning to work or have left you unable to perform your job duties, you may be able to recover lost wages. This can include reimbursement for time off due to your injuries as well as loss of earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to earn an income in the future.

Property Damage. If your car was damaged in the collision, you may be able to recover reimbursement for repairs or replacement costs.

Pain and Suffering. Pain and suffering refer to the emotional trauma caused by an accident and the resulting injuries. You may be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering related to both physical pain as well as emotional anguish following a commercial accident.

Work With An Established Commercial Vehicle Accident Law Firm

When you or someone you love is injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle, it is critical to understand what legal rights you have and the options you have for pursuing financial recovery. Commercial vehicle accidents are different for many reasons, including changes to insurance laws that may affect your case and how long it might take your attorney to secure compensation on your behalf.

Credits to Atty. Ben Dominguez

The past 27 years Ben has successfully litigated high-profile cases resulting in damages paid to his clients and obtained not guilty verdicts and dismissals on behalf of his clients facing serious criminal charges.

Ben has appeared in front of the Texas House and Senate Committees to speak about pending legislation, was a guest on the Texas House Floor for the Governor’s State of the State Address, written the script for a TV commercial for the winning gubernatorial candidate in a governor’s race. Mr. Dominguez has also appeared in industrial commercials filmed in NASA for presentation to the United States Congress.