Construction zones can wreak havoc for motorists on the road. Some accidents that occur in or near construction zones even prove fatal for some victims. If you suffered injuries in an accident in a construction zone or with a construction truck, our construction truck accident attorneys may help. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for help handling your injury case.
Insurance Requirements for Construction Zones and Trucks
Construction vehicles in Illinois must carry insurance that covers usage on public roadways, but this kind of motor vehicle liability differs from that of regular cars and trucks. According to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, construction trucks fall under “mobile equipment.”
That means all of the following “mobile equipment” used in a construction site may not qualify you for compensation under your current insurance policy:
- Power Cranes
- Shovels
- Loaders
- Diggers and Drills
- Concrete Mixers
- Graders
- Scrapers
- Rollers
- Air Compressors
- Pumps and Generators
- Spraying, Welding, or Building Cleaning Equipment
Other pieces of equipment may also classify as uninsured or underinsured in a construction zone. The law does not even require the drivers of these types of equipment to have a Commercial Driver’s License for Non-CDL vehicles as long as they display warning signs around the construction site.
Some contracting companies may carry at least the minimum amount of personal liability insurance since construction involves more risk of injury than other fields of work. Generally, the policies for most business insurances will cover bodily injury and property damages. Of course, the circumstances of your wreck may help a Joliet construction truck accident lawyer determine your best legal course of action.
Pursuing Liability in an Accident with a Construction Truck
Although people do not drive construction trucks on the road, accidents involving construction trucks may still occur. If you were driving through a construction zone when your accident happened, traffic patterns may have routed you around or through the construction zone.
Determining Defendants in the Personal Injury Accident
As the plaintiff of a construction truck accident, you will need to serve the defendants in your case with a legal summons to begin the legal process. Our personal injury attorneys understand the summons and serving process. When you work with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we may ease the burden of filing and pursuing a personal injury case.
Two potential defendants that may bear financial responsibilities for your damages and losses include:
- Subcontractors of the contractor: A subcontractor may operate machinery that the construction company does not typically use to ensure the safe operation of an atypical process for the construction company. Either way, when an accident happens, specialized subcontractors must complete a specific task on behalf of the construction company.
- Construction company: Construction companies do not only have an obligation to manage a business but also to ensure that all of their projects follow industry regulations. Even smaller construction companies may have a form of business insurance to cover their workers and general liability for events like construction vehicle accidents.
Consulting the legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, may help you secure evidence like police reports, security footage, witnesses, and more to determine potentially liable parties.
For a free legal consultation with a Construction Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Joliet, call (800) 794-0444
Contact a Construction Truck Accident Attorney Serving Joliet Today
When you find yourself involved in an accident with a construction truck, you want to consider all current and future problems it may cause you. Every construction truck accident proves unique, but most people will look to file a personal injury or property damage claim in the event of an accident.
- Personal injury claims: Personal injuries can cost you your financial stability, and negligent parties in the accident may bear the responsibility to pay for them. Personal injury claims may cover the cost of medical expenses, from emergency visits to long-term care follow-up visits. You may seek compensation for the cost of your prescription drugs and the treatment of injuries related to the accident. Additionally, you may seek compensation for loss of work and loss of your potential to work due to the accident. You must file a personal injury claim within two years of the date of the accident.
- Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims apply to the cost of replacing damage to physical assets as a result of the accident. You may need to cover serious damage to your car or replace it entirely. Property damage claims have a statute of limitations of up to five years from the date of the accident.
- Wrongful Death Claims: You can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who died in an accident. If this is the case, you will want to assess any financial beneficiaries of the deceased, the loss of companionship that the accident caused your family, and any sudden funeral costs you had to pay as a result of your loved one’s death. Wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations of as little as one year to as much as two years from the date of the accident, depending on the details of your claim.
You may benefit from discussing the case in a free consultation with a Joliet construction truck accident lawyer. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so we only collect a service fee if we successfully secure a settlement or court-awarded recovery on your behalf.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form