Top 5 Differences Between Truck and Car Accident Claims

Think a truck crash is just a bigger car accident? Think again. These five differences could make or break your truck accident case—and your recovery.

Not Just a Bigger Crash—A Bigger Legal Fight

You’ve been hit by a commercial truck in Colorado. 

The damage is massive. Your injuries are life-altering. And you’re starting to realize something critical:

This isn’t like a typical car accident. Not even close.

Truck accident claims involve more parties, more evidence, more money at stake—and a legal playbook that’s designed to protect the trucking company, not you.

At Fisher and Associates, we’ve handled both types of cases—and we know exactly what separates them. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck crash, here are the five biggest differences you need to know.

1. Bigger Vehicle. Bigger Impact. Bigger Injuries.

Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When they collide with a standard car, the results are often catastrophic:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Crushed limbs
• Internal bleeding
• Permanent disability

Because the injuries are so severe, truck crash claims typically involve much higher compensation—sometimes in the six- or seven-figure range.

That also means the trucking company’s insurance team will fight harder to limit your payout. They know what’s at stake, and they’re ready to push back at every turn. 

You need a law firm that’s ready to do the same.

2. Who’s Liable? Not Just the Driver—It Could Be the Company, Loader, or Mechanic

In a typical car crash, it’s usually one driver versus another. But in commercial truck accidents, liability often extends far beyond the person behind the wheel.

Possible liable parties include:

• The Trucking Company — For negligent hiring, training, or forcing unsafe schedules
  
• The Cargo Loader — If improperly loaded freight caused the crash
  
• The Maintenance Contractor — If faulty brakes or tires were missed
  
• The Manufacturer — If a defect caused the accident
  
• Other Drivers — If a third party’s behavior triggered the collision
  

Uncovering these connections requires a thorough investigation and legal experience with commercial transport law. At Fisher and Associates, we follow the evidence until every liable party is found and held accountable.

3. Truck Drivers Answer to the FMCSA—And That Can Help Your Case

Unlike regular drivers, truckers must follow strict federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules are designed to protect everyone on the road—but they’re also a powerful tool in injury claims.

Examples of these rules include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) limits to prevent driver fatigue
  
• Routine vehicle inspections
  
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements
  
• Load weight limits
  

If the trucker or their employer broke these rules, they may be automatically liable. But here’s the catch: you need a legal team that understands how to access driver logs, employment records, and inspection reports to prove it.

4. The Clock Is Ticking on Black Box Data and Driver Logs

Truck accidents involve critical time-sensitive evidence that can disappear fast:

• Black box (ECM) data
  
• GPS logs
  
• ELD (electronic logging device) hours
  
• Pre-trip inspection reports
  
• Dispatch records
  

Trucking companies often erase or overwrite this data within days—unless a legal hold is issued. That’s why calling an attorney immediately isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.

At Fisher and Associates, we send preservation letters within hours to stop the destruction of key evidence and protect your case.

5. Commercial Insurance Teams Are Aggressive—and Highly Skilled at Paying Less

Trucking companies carry commercial liability insurance, often with policies ranging from $750,000 to $5 million or more. But that doesn’t mean they hand over checks easily.

Their insurers hire:

• Specialized defense attorneys
  
• Rapid-response investigators
  
• Medical “experts” who downplay injuries
  
• Adjusters trained to shift blame
  

They know your case is worth a lot—and they’re betting you don’t know how to prove it. That’s why you need an experienced trial attorney on your side who’s ready to take your case to court if needed.

Why Fisher and Associates Is Built for Truck Crash Claims

Truck accident cases aren’t just more intense—they’re built on a different legal foundation.

At Fisher and Associates, we bring:

• A veteran-led legal team that knows how to stay strategic, aggressive, and calm under pressure
  
• Attorney-first service—you work directly with a lawyer, not just a clerk or case manager
  
• Deep knowledge of FMCSA regulations and commercial transport law
  
• Trial-tested results in high-value, high-stakes injury claims
  

We’re not afraid to take on trucking companies, national insurers, or their defense teams. When you hire us, they know they’re in for a fight.

Your 3-Step Plan to Protect Your Rights

1. Call Fisher and Associates for a Free Consultation
   We’ll walk through what happened, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.
   
2. We Launch a Full Investigation
   Our team preserves evidence, secures expert opinions, and identifies every liable party.
   
3. You Focus on Recovery While We Handle the Legal Battle
   We fight for you to get maximum available compensation for medical bills, lost income, future care, and pain and suffering. You focus on healing.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Don’t Treat It Like a Car Wreck.

Truck crashes require a different level of experience, expertise, and legal firepower. Make sure you hire an attorney that can deliver.