CMV Accidents vs Car Accidents

Being involved in a road accident is never a positive event. However, there are significant differences between being struck by a passenger car or an SUV and being struck by a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). It is a good idea to consult an attorney after a crash to determine what your legal options are, particularly if you have a commercial entity as a defendant as opposed to a private individual.

Significant Differences

While the outer trappings of an accident case will look the same regardless of the other vehicles involved, there are significant differences between a car accident case and a crash involving a commercial motor vehicle. First, as one might imagine, injuries in a CMV-related crash are likely to be much more severe than those sustained in a crash with a passenger automobile. CMVs are anywhere from 20 to 30 times larger and heavier than an automobile, and between those factors and the longer stopping time a CMV requires, severe injuries and death are much more common.

In addition, CMV crashes are often much more complex than standard accident cases involving private automobiles. The mere fact that CMV accident cases often involve multiple defendants, who will have their own insurance and their own attorneys protecting their interests, can drag a case on for much longer than it would take to try a civil accident case with only private vehicles involved. Filing suit against more than just the driver naturally requires more work.

Some Similarities

While accident cases involving cars or CMVs will diverge from each other in terms of procedure, there are some things that remain the same. For example, Florida has a no-fault auto insurance system, which means that in cases involving minor injuries, an injured driver is encouraged to seek compensation for their medical bills by filing a claim with their personal injury protection insurance (PIP). This is true regardless of the type of vehicle that caused your injuries – if they are not sufficiently serious, you may not file suit in the matter.

Above all else, whether you have been injured in a crash with an ordinary individual or with a commercial motor vehicle, both of these types of cases are too complex and drawn out for most people to handle alone. The right attorney knows what types of evidence to gather to bolster your claim for compensation, and can properly establish negligence if it occurred. A knowledgeable attorney can handle the legal load while you try to focus more on physical and emotional recovery.

Contact A Tampa CMV Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a crash involving a CMV, you need an attorney who has handled these types of cases before. A Tampa CMV accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine the best path forward for you and your family. Contact our office today at (813) 831-9999 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/