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Differences Between Car Accidents and Commercial Truck Accidents

While both car and truck accidents can cause serious injuries, collisions involving large commercial vehicles are far more complex—and often far more devastating. In Washington, D.C., commercial trucks share the roads with thousands of commuters, pedestrians, and cyclists every day. When one of these massive vehicles is involved in a crash, the consequences are often catastrophic.

At Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, we help victims of truck accidents throughout the D.C. area navigate the legal system and pursue the compensation they deserve. Understanding how truck crashes differ from car accidents can significantly affect your recovery and legal outcome.

More information about Truck Accidents is available on this webpage

The most obvious difference between car and truck accidents is the size and weight of the vehicles involved. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This weight disparity significantly increases the impact of a collision and makes injuries far more severe.

In car accidents, common injuries include whiplash, bruises, and broken bones. In truck accidents, victims are much more likely to suffer:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Spinal cord damage and paralysis

Severe internal injuries

Amputations or crush injuries

Multiple fractures requiring surgery

These injuries can be life-altering and often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a truck accident can be overwhelming.

Truck accident cases are more legally complicated than car accidents because they often involve multiple parties. While fault in a typical car crash usually lies with one of the drivers, a truck accident may involve:

The truck driver

The trucking company

A freight loading company

A truck maintenance provider

The truck manufacturer or parts supplier

Each of these parties may bear some responsibility for the crash, and each may have its own insurance policy and legal defense team. Proving fault and securing compensation requires a thorough investigation and the ability to navigate multiple layers of liability.

Unlike standard vehicle crashes, truck accidents are governed by both local traffic laws and federal safety regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations govern:

Hours-of-service limits to prevent driver fatigue

Drug and alcohol testing

Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements

Weight and load securement

Commercial driver licensing and training standards

If a truck driver or company violates any of these rules and causes an accident, it can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim. However, accessing and interpreting these records requires legal experience and resources.

Truck accidents tend to result in much larger settlements and verdicts than car accidents due to the severity of injuries and the higher insurance coverage typically carried by commercial trucking companies. While the minimum liability coverage for passenger vehicles in D.C. is modest, trucking companies are usually required to carry policies worth hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars.

Because of these higher stakes, insurance companies representing truck drivers and companies often take an aggressive stance to minimize payouts. Victims may encounter tactics such as:

Early lowball settlement offers

Efforts to shift blame onto the injured party

Delays in processing claims

Requests for recorded statements used against the victim

Due to the city’s strict contributory negligence rule, truck accident victims in Washington, D.C. must also be especially cautious. Under this standard, if a victim is found even 1% at fault for the crash, they may be barred from recovering any compensation. This makes it essential to have legal counsel from the beginning to protect your claim.

In addition to the legal complexities, truck accidents differ from car crashes in terms of the types of evidence involved. Important evidence in a truck crash may include:

Electronic logging device (ELD) records showing hours of service

Maintenance logs and inspection reports

Truck “black box” data capturing speed, braking, and steering

Dispatch and communication records

Cargo loading documentation

The trucking company often controls this evidence and may destroy or alter it if not requested quickly. At Regan Zambri Long, we act immediately to issue preservation letters and begin our own independent investigation.

Another unique element in truck accident claims is the potential for punitive damages. If a truck driver or company acted with gross negligence—such as allowing a fatigued driver to continue operating a rig, or ignoring known maintenance issues—then the court may award punitive damages to punish the offender and deter similar misconduct in the future.

Successfully litigating a truck accident claim requires more than just legal knowledge—it requires experience handling commercial vehicle cases, access to expert witnesses, and the ability to take on large insurance companies and corporate defendants. At Regan Zambri Long, we bring all of these strengths to every case we handle.

Our team includes attorneys with decades of experience representing truck accident victims in Washington, D.C. We work with accident reconstructionists, forensic analysts, medical professionals, and industry experts to build strong, evidence-based cases and pursue full compensation for our clients.

Truck accidents differ from car accidents in critical ways, including the level of damage, the number of liable parties, and the complexity of the investigation. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck crash in Washington, D.C., it’s important to work with a legal team that understands these differences and knows how to fight for your rights.

Contact Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, preserve key evidence, and help you pursue justice and maximum compensation.