What Makes Truck Laws Different from Car Laws?

When a collision occurs on Virginia’s highways, the legal path forward depends heavily on what type of vehicle was involved. Accidents involving large commercial vehicles are subject to different regulations and liability standards than those involving passenger cars.

These distinctions affect everything from who can be held responsible to how much compensation victims may recover. For those injured in these crashes, recognizing the truck laws difference from car laws becomes essential to building a strong legal claim. At Kendall Law Firm, our Charlottesville truck accident lawyer has the experience needed to handle the complexities that set truck laws vs car laws apart.

How Kendall Law Firm Helps Truck & Car Accident Victims in Charlottesville

Since 2009, Kendall Law Firm has dedicated 100 percent of its practice to personal injury law, helping accident victims throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Our firm does not represent insurance companies or large corporations. We focus entirely on assisting those harmed by the wrongdoing of others.
When you work with our team, you can expect:

• Direct attorney involvement: You will meet directly with our experienced attorneys, not just paralegals or assistants.
• Personalized attention: We pay close attention to your specific needs and goals throughout your case.
• Rights protection: We protect your interests at every stage, from the initial investigation through settlement or trial.
• Full compensation pursuit: Our goal is to secure fair compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries.
• Consistent communication: We keep you informed and updated as your case progresses.
• No upfront fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid when you recover compensation.

Our legal team takes the stress off you during a difficult time. We handle all communication with insurance companies, investigate your case thoroughly, file all necessary paperwork, and help you navigate vehicle damage and medical treatment issues as your case moves toward resolution.

As one satisfied client said about working with us:

“I am very happy with the way that the Kendall Law Firm handled my personal injury case. They worked hard to achieve a successful settlement for me.” – Dalton, Charlottesville

The Difference Between Truck and Car Accident Laws

Truck accident cases differ significantly from car accidents due to different laws, liability considerations, and evidence requirements. While regular passenger vehicles follow state traffic laws, commercial trucks must comply with both state rules and federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

These standards cover driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and operational limits, complicating truck cases. Liability can extend beyond the truck driver to include the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and parts manufacturers. Investigating fault requires a clear understanding of industry standards.

Evidence in cases involving semi trucks go beyond police reports and witness statements, often involving logbooks, electronic logging devices, maintenance records, GPS data, weigh station reports, and dispatch communications. Federal law mandates these records be maintained, but only for limited periods, so prompt action to preserve evidence is essential for a successful claim.

Federal and State Regulations That Govern Trucking Accidents

Federal trucking regulations exist because commercial trucks cross state lines and affect interstate commerce. They also present greater risks due to their sheer size and weight. If a collision occurs between a regular car and a large commercial motor vehicle, more serious injuries are likely to occur for those in the passenger vehicle. The FMCSA sets nationwide standards to ensure safety and accountability with large commercial trucks.

Hours-of-service regulations limit how long drivers can operate before taking rest breaks, helping prevent fatigue-related accidents.

Trucking companies must maintain vehicles, inspect brakes, tires, and lights, and keep records to prevent mechanical failures.
Commercial truck drivers must hold a valid commercial driver’s license, meet medical standards, and undergo drug and alcohol testing, with companies responsible for monitoring compliance.

Cargo must be properly secured to avoid rollovers or falling debris.

Virginia adds state requirements, including weight limits, permits, and route compliance.

Violations of these federal and state regulations provide strong evidence of negligence, supporting claims and determining liability in truck accident cases.

How Financial Compensation Differs in Truck vs. Car Accident Claims

Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries and higher damages than typical car accidents. Understanding the scope of these damages and the complexities of truck accident claims helps victims pursue fair compensation. Here are some key differences between truck accident damages and those available after car crashes:

• Catastrophic injuries: Collisions with large trucks frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ injuries, and severe burns.
• Extensive medical treatment: Victims in large truck accidents often require emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy, with medical costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
• Lost income and earning capacity: Many truck accident victims cannot return to their previous jobs, may need career retraining, or face permanent disability, making compensation for past and future lost wages critical.
• Pain and suffering damages: Chronic pain, limited mobility, disfigurement, and emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, contribute to significant non-economic damages.
• Higher insurance coverage: Commercial trucks carry insurance policies ranging from $750,000 to over $1 million, with some policies in the multi-million-dollar range, allowing for larger potential settlements.
• Aggressive insurance defense: Insurers often use adjusters and legal teams to minimize payouts, making truck accident claims more contested than standard car accidents.
• Complexity and multiple parties: Truck accidents often involve various parties in the trucking industry, including multiple drivers, vehicles, or businesses, requiring thorough investigation and careful legal strategy.
• Statute of limitations: In Virginia, the two-year statute of limitations makes early action essential to protect your right to compensation and secure a fair settlement.

Contact a Charlottesville Truck Accident Lawyer at Kendall Law Firm

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Virginia, the legal team at Kendall Law Firm is ready to help. Our firm has over 30 years of experience representing accident victims throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. We focus exclusively on personal injury cases and never represent insurance companies or large corporations.

Our truck accident attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of the regulations truck drivers must follow. This level of insight can make a huge difference in your case. We can investigate whether HOS violations, violations of load securing requirements, or speeding beyond posted speed limits contributed to your crash. We seek to hold all parties accountable for their negligent conduct.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal rights. You can meet with us at one of our convenient office locations in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Staunton, or Woodstock. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can meet with you at your home or hospital or arrange a phone or internet consultation.

Contact Kendall Law Firm today to get started on your case. Call us or reach out through our online form to schedule your free case review.