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A Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte Explains the 4 Key Differences

Anyone who has seen a truck or bus knows how much larger and intimidating they are than passenger vehicles. It’s no wonder you need a separate license to drive them! Unsurprisingly, commercial vehicle accidents are handled differently from passenger vehicle accidents. 

Issues regarding liability and compensation tend to become more complex when a commercial company is involved. Injuries are usually more severe as well. A personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina, explains why in our latest blog post. 

Passengers Face a Higher Risk of Sustaining Serious Injuries in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Commercial Vehicle Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries — Even Death

Not all vehicle accidents inflict the same level of damage to each other. A small convertible is likely going to cause less damage to your vehicle than an 18-wheeler. In fact, accidents involving commercial trucks have a higher chance of resulting in death or serious injury than accidents involving two passenger cars.

This is why most truck drivers or commercial vehicle operators carry insurance with high liability limits. The higher the liability, the more money there is available for the injured party. 

Common injuries that result from commercial vehicle accidents may include:

  • Back or neck injuries that could result in paralysis or impaired motor ability
  • Burns ranging in severity
  • Head trauma that could disrupt one’s ability to function independently
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Internal bleeding to vital organs including the liver and the kidney

Many victims of these accidents choose to seek compensation for the negligence of the commercial party that resulted in their injuries. 

Commercial Drivers Have Larger Insurance Policies

Compensation Might Be Higher for Commercial Vehicle Accidents

As we mentioned before, commercial vehicle drivers usually carry higher insurance liability limits than regular drivers. This is due to the higher severity of injuries that can result from accidents involving trucks and other commercial vehicles. Rather than being forced to pay out-of-pocket for their injuries, they can seek compensation from the damaging party. Victims seeking compensation for their injuries need enough assistance and help to get them through their recovery, whether this entails surgery or an extended hospital stay. 

Seeking Compensation for Injuries

As a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb knows that jurors consider the amount of compensation to grant victims according to several factors:

  • The severity and pain levels of the injuries: How severe were the injuries? Burn injuries are considered to be one of the most painful injuries that can result from a car accident. Paralysis and loss of motor functions can also result in chronic pain and interfere with one’s daily life and ability to function independently. 
  • The length of recovery time: Some injuries take years to recover from. Some aren’t even recoverable at all. Jurors must seriously consider the extent to which a victim’s injuries have disrupted their lives. 
  • The emotional trauma caused by the accident: Even after one’s physical injuries have healed, the psychological trauma that resulted from the accident can still remain. Years of therapy and counseling may follow. 

There is Usually More Property Damage to Your Vehicle

Unsurprisingly, Commercial Vehicle Accidents Tend to be More Expensive Than Passenger Accidents

A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This hefty weight, combined with the size of the truck, can inflict some serious damage on a vehicle. While they may be smaller, these commercial vehicles can also cause critical damage requiring expensive repairs:

  • School buses
  • Limousines
  • Shuttles
  • Passenger vans

Determining the Cause and Liability of a Commercial Vehicle Accident is More Complicated

Companies Could be Held Liable for Accidents — This is Why

Most commercial trucks traveling the roadways are performing interstate deliveries. As a result, most drivers operate under state and federal regulations. To become a driver, they must undergo specialized education and training before obtaining a commercial driver’s license. 

You might be wondering “Why does this information matter?” In short, if an accident occurs and authorities discover that the commercial driver did not possess the required qualifications for the job, the trucking company could be found liable for negligence in training their drivers. The company could also be charged for negligence if investigators discover that equipment failure played a role in the accident. However, the driver could still be held partially responsible for the accident as they are expected to conduct thorough vehicle examinations before departing. 

How to Decide Whether or Not You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in North Carolina

Hint: You Probably Do

When it comes to commercial vehicle accidents, these cases tend to be more complex than passenger accidents. Many past victims of commercial vehicle accidents found that they needed help navigating the complex legal process they were required to undergo.  Because a company-owned vehicle was involved in the accident, insurance companies conduct a series of investigations and the defending party will need to follow. Attorneys at The Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb conduct a thorough investigation into the accident — including obtaining relevant evidence from the commercial vehicle company and their insurance company.

Insurance companies might also try to low-ball victims for damages. If accident victims aren’t experienced with how the process of obtaining compensation works, they might end up accepting a lower, and less helpful, offer.

Are you searching for a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina? Contact the team at the Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb to learn how they can help you. Led by William Goldfarb, the firm offers 30 years of legal experience in assisting victims of negligence. 

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