Steel is 2.5 times more dense than aluminum, and if you are in an accident with a truck carrying steel, you may be suffering from catastrophic injuries and damages. A Chicago steel truck accident lawyer will help you determine your legal rights and how to receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The Chicago steel truck accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 can help you understand your rights.
Steel Truck Accidents
Steel trucks carry some of the heaviest loads on the roadways, and if a steel truck accident occurs, catastrophic injuries and deaths are common. Additionally, the sheer size of these types of trucks can cause complications for other drivers, as they obstruct views, take up a great deal of space on the road, and leave only a little room for other vehicles to maneuver in case of an emergency. Additionally, flatbed trucks are not particularly conducive to precipitation runoff, and therefore can become slippery when wet. This condition can result in serious injuries or even death for anyone walking on the back of the truck.
Oftentimes when a truck is carrying large quantities of steel—including steel beams—they will have large signs indicating that they have an oversized load. Oversize loads cause major safety implications due to the inherently dangerous nature of driving such large cargo on the roadways.
Preserving Evidence in Steel Truck Accidents
Oversized loads such as those carried by steel trucks can increase the risk of several different types of accidents that are already associated with large or commercial trucks—especially when the cargo is not secured correctly. However, no matter the kind of steel truck accident you are involved in, you will need to ensure that the evidence of the accident is preserved.
Trucking companies and insurance companies often rush to the scene of a trucking accident, and critical evidence can be lost if not proactively preserved. Both the physical and electronic evidence will need to remain in its original condition to prove negligence. Some of the evidence you should attempt to obtain includes:
- Standard accident information, such as contact and insurance information for all drivers and witnesses.
- The “black box” of the commercial truck, which will record data such as speed, the braking history, the length of time a driver was driving (for drowsy driving allegations), the GPS, communications between the truck and trucking company, reports filed by the driver, etc.
- Daily inspection records
- Annual inspections, roadside inspections, and daily logs of the truck
- Maintenance repair log of the truck
- Training of the truck driver and employment history
- Complaints filed against the truck driver or trucking company
Evidence can disappear or become inadmissible quickly following a trucking accident. Some trucking companies are known to attempt to destroy evidence of inspection records, maintenance logs, or any information available through the “black box” of the commercial truck. Preserving this evidence is paramount to establishing and building a strong personal injury case following a trucking accident. An attorney can help conduct an independent investigation of the car accident and ensure that evidence related to the accident remains preserved and protected to help build your truck accident case.
For a free legal consultation with a Steel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Determining Liability
Oftentimes in trucking accidents, a victim may have more options to pursue compensation when a large truck is involved. Truck drivers, trucking companies, those who loaded the truck, those who inspected or maintained the truck, or manufacturers may all be liable for any injuries or damages suffered in a trucking accident.
Special purpose vehicles, such as steel trucks, have detailed rules and regulations regarding how to load and secure steel onto trucks. There are specific factors such as the position of anchor points and the minimum number of tie-downs used in order to meet these strict regulations. If any steel load extends beyond the rear of the truck, there must be various colored lights to identify this overhanging material to other drivers.
While drivers and trucking companies may face liability for accidents that occur with respect to steel trucks, there is a non-delegable duty on every party who participated in the loading of a truck. Drivers are responsible for the inspection of this loading before they begin driving, and any other person that assists with the inspection of the loading remains liable for any injuries or damages that may occur due to a steel truck accident. The driver, trucking company, manufacturer, or other parties may be liable for your injuries or damages suffered.
Chicago Steel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Let a Chicago Steel Truck Accident Lawyer Get to Work for You
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident involving a steel truck, you may wonder who is liable for your injuries and how you can receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or property losses. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and get the information you need if you decide to move forward with your claim.
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