Do you know someone who has been seriously injured in a dump truck accident? If so, you can imagine that these are rarely minor fender benders. Dump trucks are often carrying hundreds of pounds of weight extra, and if you are hit with that force along with its momentum, it can cause a serious accident with possibly traumatic injuries for passengers in another vehicle.
Consulting an Elgin dump truck accident lawyer soon after your accident can help you understand your legal rights. An attorney can investigate the details of the crash, find other involved vehicles, collect evidence, negotiate with the insurance companies and others to equitably file a claim, and seek a potential financial settlement.
Every accident is different, and the amount of compensation you could receive as a result varies depending on the case. Contact a member of our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
Accidents with Trucks
The latest truck accident statistics according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2018 nearly 5,000 people died in accidents with large trucks, about one percent higher than the previous year. Nearly three-quarters of those killed in these crashes were drivers or passengers in the other vehicles. Most of the fatal crashes occurred during normal weekday business hours (6 am – 6 pm).
Here are examples of how these statistics play out in the course of a normal traffic day.
January 2020: According to EHSToday.com a driver of a large dump truck in Kentucky died from multiple blunt force trauma in a crash due to faulty truck mechanisms. The truck slid across its lanes, careened through a middle grass divider and across the opposite lanes, finally crashing into an embankment on the other side.
August 2019: As reported in Patch.com, three school buses were hit from behind by a large dump truck near Libertyville, IL. It happened as the buses were slowing down for traffic in front of them, but a large Mack Truck filled with landscaping equipment behind the buses could not slow down in time and plowed into them. Luckily, no one was critically injured in the crash.
How Truck Accidents Happen
Faulty training, poor vision, inebriation, driver distractions – these are all cited as top reasons why dump trucks are involved in accidents.
- Faulty driver training: Trucking firms should provide solid driver training. Some do, others may not. Without good training, driver performance may suffer and accidents will happen. In most states, dump truck drivers are required to have a Class B Commercial Driver’s License. If a driver is operating a larger dump truck or tractor-trailer, and carrying over 10,000 pounds, a Class A CDL is required.
- Weather-related issues: Driving a dump truck means carrying a heavier than normal load. Pulling such weights can make for treacherous driving in poor weather conditions. It is crucial for drivers to know how to drive safely in extreme weather conditions. Again, it comes down to proper driver training and driver experience.
- Driver fatigue: Driving a dump truck for long distances and long hours can lead to driver fatigue, which can cause accidents. Drivers are generally mandated by employers not to exceed driving a certain number of hours per day.
- Distracted Driving: Dump truck drivers use their cell phones too, just like us, and it only takes a bit of distraction from a text or call to cause an accident. Texting and driving is illegal for truck drivers, and other distractions, while not illegal, can also cause highway accidents.
- Alcohol and Drugs – Most dump truck drivers should know that driving under the influence is not only unprofessional, but dangerous. Dump truck drivers in Illinois should know that the legal blood alcohol level for them is .04, which is about half the limit for other drivers.
For a free legal consultation with a Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Elgin, call (800) 794-0444
Filing a Claim Against a Dump Truck Company
A dump truck swerved lanes without looking and plowed your car into the center median. The driver is not injured, but his truck is seriously damaged, and your vehicle is totaled. You believe the accident was 100 percent the fault of the dump truck driver. Plus, you have suffered injuries that will keep you out of work for several weeks at least. You will likely be in the hospital for that amount of time. What can you do?
Your first step should be to recover – mentally, physically, and emotionally. Focus on that healing first. As the weeks go on, speak to family members to reach out to an attorney to learn more about filing a lawsuit against the trucking company and its driver. Understand that you have rights and you may be eligible for a financial settlement for damages incurred in the accident.
One of the major challenges in any kind of lawsuit from a serious accident is the determination of liability. An Elgin dump truck accident lawyer can help determine who is liable and help seek a fair settlement on your behalf based on the facts of your case.
Elgin Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Find Out How an Elgin Dump Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss the details of your dump truck accident in Elgin, IL. Our legal team can help determine if you have the basis for a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver or the trucking company. Call (800) 794-0444 for a free case evaluation. We do not shy away from the tough cases and may be able to secure compensation for damages and losses you have suffered as a result of your accident.
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