No two motor vehicle accidents are the same. The location, the types of vehicles involved and the severity of damages or injuries varies from one collision to the next. This is never more clear than when the accident involves a commercial truck or bus. Smaller passenger vehicles stand very little chance against a much larger truck or bus, increasing the chance of serious injury for victims of this type of collision.

Recently, four people were injured in Phoenix when a city bus and a passenger car collided. According to news reports, the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on the scene of the accident to find one of the cars completely upside down, resting on its roof.

Four people suffered severe injuries and were taken to the hospital. Two women, ages 19 and 26, and one man, age 22, were in critical condition. But even more tragically, so was a 3-week-old baby girl. What could have been a relatively minor fender bender was made far worse by the sheer mass of the city bus.

Legal differences

When you are the victim of an accident involving a large truck or bus, it’s important to understand that the legal issues involved can be different from those of a simple car-versus-car collision. The truck or bus is often not owned by the individual operating the vehicle. And the actual owner can be held responsible for improper care of the vehicle and the negligence of its driver.

Furthermore, accidents involving commercial or public trucks and buses often implicate state and federal regulations that don’t come into play in a typical car accident. But when those regulations are involved, they can change and even increase the liability of those who own the trucks or busses.

If you are the victim of an accident involving a large truck or bus, talking to a lawyer can help you get through it. The issues and laws involved can be complex. An experienced lawyer can help you understand how the law applies to your unique set of circumstances, and can help you find the best strategies to recover full compensation.