The impact can be catastrophic for the drivers and occupants of other motor vehicles during a steel truck accident. If you or a close family member has suffered injuries in this type of an accident, contacting an Arlington Heights steel truck accident lawyer may be beneficial.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm offers clients legal representation in personal injury and wrongful death claims, including those arising from steel truck accidents. You pay no fees for our services up front. We only charge you when you receive a settlement from the parties responsible for your injuries. Call (800) 223-5115 and discover more information about your legal rights after a severe truck accident.
Hazards that Steel Trucks Pose
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2017, there were more than 511,000 interstate freight motor carriers, with roughly 4.2 million drivers holding commercial driver licenses (CDLs). Due to these statistics, large commercial trucks nationwide are a common sight, which inevitably leads to accidents, many of which are devastating for the affected persons.
The aim of commercial truck design is durability and strength. As a result, some of these trucks have heavy-duty steel frames.
These frames are denser than other materials, which can cause a greater impact as they are less likely to give way in an accident. Crashes between these massive vehicles and other vehicles that can cause severe injuries.
Like trucks made up of materials other than steel, such as aluminum and carbon fiber, large commercial trucks pose inherent hazards due to their heavy weight and large size. These trucks are typically taller than the largest passenger vehicles, which may put their drivers and occupants at greater risk of injury and death during an accident. Likewise, trucks are so lengthy and weighty that they easily can collide with multiple vehicles, especially on busy interstates and highways.
The size of steel trucks also can be a contributing factor in truck rollovers and sideswipe collisions with other vehicles. The high center of gravity and shifting loads or cargo in steel trucks can lead to easier rollovers. Similarly, large commercial trucks tend to have larger blind spots than regular passenger vehicles. This can lead to truck drivers sideswiping other vehicles when changing lanes or turning.
Truck drivers, like other drivers, also may act negligently in operating their vehicles. When they commit traffic violations like speeding, driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, or failing to yield, these drivers can face liability for their actions, as can their employers.
Regardless of the cause of the accident, you should consider hiring an Arlington Heights steel truck accident lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm about your potential injury claim.
Pursuing a Truck Accident Claim for Compensation
Investigating and pursuing potential claims following a steel truck accident can be a complicated process. One reason for the complexity of these cases is the involvement of the FMCSA, which issues and enforces various safety regulations that impact commercial truck drivers and trucking companies.
For instance, the FMCSA will conduct its own investigation into any crash involving a commercial vehicle that is independent of police or insurance company investigations. Part of this investigation may involve requiring employers of truck drivers involved in accidents to participate in testing for alcohol and controlled substances, depending on the nature of the accident.
Requesting and obtaining historical safety records for the trucking company or truck owner is often a crucial part of a pre-claim investigation. These records might include driver logs of driving and rest hours, vehicle inspections and maintenance, and past citations, fines, or penalties that the company received.
Likewise, legal counsel may look into the driving and criminal records of the truck driver who caused the accident. A history of substance abuse, serious traffic violations, and failed drug or alcohol tests can be relevant in holding both the truck driver and the trucking company liable for your injuries.
Furthermore, as is the case with any vehicle accident, a complete investigation must involve a study of medical records to support your injuries, medical bills to calculate your medical expenses, and police reports. Witness statements also tend to be highly useful in seeking compensation through a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Steel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Arlington Heights, call (800) 223-5115
Time Limitations on Steel Truck Accident Claims
Every state has specific laws about the time limits or statutes of limitations for filing steel truck accident claims. In Illinois, you have two years to file for wrongful death and personal injury under Illinois 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/13-202 and Illinois 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/13-209. Victims may want to contact legal counsel as quickly as they can following an accident.
Some situations merit a longer timeframe for filing truck accident claims. For example, in some states, individuals may have additional time to file these claims if they were minors at the time of their accidents. However, relying on these exceptions can be risky. If you miss filing your claim before the relevant statute of limitations expires, then you risk being unable to seek any compensation for your losses.
Arlington Heights Steel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 223-5115
Fight for Your Rights to Compensation
When you suffer injuries in an accident or lose a loved one due to the negligence of others in an accident, you have a right to seek compensation from those parties. You should not be responsible for paying for the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that resulted from your accident. With the help of an Arlington Heights steel truck accident lawyer, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions may be possible.
Both now and in the future, you may need critical medical care so you can work toward your recovery. An Arlington Heights steel truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can account for your anticipated future expenses and loss of income by pursuing compensation on your behalf. Call (800) 223-5115 to get started on the process of filing a claim.
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