A semi truck transporting goods to a business can cause catastrophic injuries if it collides with a car or another passenger vehicle. The occupants of a smaller vehicle may experience head trauma, back and neck injuries, broken bones, and serious cuts. In some cases, an accident can cause the loss of limbs or paralysis.
Even a minor accident at a relatively low speed involving a semi truck can result in serious injuries because of the size and weight differences between a semi truck and a car. The full extent of a victim’s injuries may not be immediately apparent. In motor vehicle accidents in general, back and neck injuries often only become obvious days or weeks after a collision.
Laws are in place to make sure that semi trucks are safe and that the drivers who operate them are qualified and act responsibly. Nevertheless, sometimes drivers and the trucking companies they work for fail to follow those rules and put others at risk.
If you were hurt in an accident involving a semi truck, you may be suffering physically, emotionally, and financially. Your injuries may make it difficult or impossible for you to work and care for your family. You may be feeling overwhelmed because you are unable to pay your bills and provide for your loved ones. The stress and physical pain may be making it difficult or impossible for you to get a good night’s sleep.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you seek a financial award to compensate you for your injuries, pain, and suffering. Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to talk to a member of our staff about the accident and how it has affected you and your family.
Figuring Out Who Is Liable for Your Injuries May Be Complicated
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules regarding the qualifications of commercial drivers. Individuals who operate commercial vehicles must meet age, physical fitness, and training requirements, and may not be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances while on the job. The FMCSA also restricts the number of hours drivers may work without a break since driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of semi truck accidents.
Despite those regulations, companies sometimes hire or retain unqualified employees or impose unrealistic deadlines that force truckers to work more hours and get less rest than required. Truckers may also drive too fast or travel in hazardous weather conditions to meet deadlines. Drivers sometimes work while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or talk on a phone or text to distract themselves on long, tedious drives. Those actions can put the safety and lives of other people sharing the road at risk.
Trucking companies are required to inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles to keep their drivers and the general public safe. Sometimes, companies get lax and fail to meet those requirements in order to save money or meet deadlines, thus putting others in danger.
Semi trucks carry goods that often weigh several tons. Cargo needs to be loaded in specific ways to prevent the weight from shifting while the truck is in motion. If the goods the driver was hauling were not loaded correctly, a driver could lose control of the vehicle, resulting in the accident that caused your injuries.
How an Evanston Semi Truck Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can investigate the circumstances that led to the collision and find out if the driver’s actions, the trucking company’s negligence, or other factors were responsible for the collision. We can review the accident report, statements from the driver and eyewitnesses, cell phone records, and company inspection, maintenance, and repair records to figure out what happened and why.
In some cases, an investigation reveals that multiple factors contributed to a semi truck accident. No matter what we learn, our team can work to hold the party or parties responsible for your injuries accountable and seek fair financial compensation on your behalf.
Insurance companies try to settle claims for the smallest amount possible. Victims often accept significantly less than they are entitled to from insurance companies. You might benefit from consulting a law firm to give you an estimate of what you deserve and even negotiate with the company on your behalf.
An Evanston semi truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can work to help you get a fair settlement. If the insurance company is unwilling to agree to a figure that we consider reasonable, we can take the case to court to seek justice for you and your family.
For a free legal consultation with a Semi Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Evanston, call (800) 794-0444
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has been helping clients pursue financial compensation in personal injury cases for over 30 years. Since our firm works on a contingency basis, you will not have to pay a fee unless we recover financial damages on your behalf through an insurance settlement or a successful personal injury lawsuit.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years. Investigating a semi truck accident and building a strong case may be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we will be able to begin gathering evidence.
Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to speak to a member of our staff about what happened, the situation you are in now, and what you would like to accomplish.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
