In the bustling Chicago suburbs, getting into an accident with a dump truck may cause you serious injuries that result in extensive medical bills and even prevent you from returning to work.
Dump trucks haul massive loads of cargo and equipment for construction companies, landscapers, and more. These load-bearing vehicles require drivers to have a Class A Commercial Driver’s License to legally operate them. Accidents still happen, and the litigation process can prove tricky to navigate. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to determine if a Joliet dump truck accident lawyer may help you pursue compensation. We offer a free consultation, so call us at (800) 223-5115 to begin determining your legal rights.
Insurance and Other Requirements for Dump Trucks
The Code of Federal Regulations stipulates that any vehicle that carries a weight of 10,000 pounds or more classifies as a commercial motor vehicle. Commercial vehicle insurance remains a requirement for a vehicle like a dump truck.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the recommended minimum amount of coverage for commercial vehicle insurance policies reaches $500,000, as the costs and liabilities for small to large businesses can involve equally large financial burdens.
If your accident happens and the driver does not have commercial auto insurance, their personal automobile insurance policy may provide compensation for your injuries. Illinois classifies as an at-fault state, meaning that the party that caused the accident must pay for the damages, up to the limits of the insurance policy.
No Required Truck Tarping
Dump trucks can have restrictions on tarping, but the penalties for debris that tumbles out of the load of a dump truck usually involve simple small penalties. Anyone who has ever driven behind a dump truck knows that debris can easily fall out of the truck, causing an accident on the road. Unfortunately, Illinois does not require vehicles like dump trucks to have coverage on the hauls they carry.
For a free legal consultation with a Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Joliet, call (800) 223-5115
Dump Trucks Have Limited Visibility
Construction trucks and equipment make for bulkier vehicles on the road, which becomes an issue for visibility while driving. Companies and truck drivers should practice highway work zone safety practices to ensure the safety of other motorists on the road. This lack of visibility caused by large trucks may account for part of the reasons a driver makes a negligent judgment call.
Joliet Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 223-5115
Large Haul Weight Poses a Threat
Dump trucks differ from other commercial vehicles due to the incredible amount of weight they can tow. For heavier vehicles like dump trucks, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailer trucks, an increased following distance becomes necessary because stopping requires more room than normal-sized vehicles. This can make packed highways and rush hour zones equally dangerous for truck drivers, pedestrians, and other car drivers.
These characteristics of dump trucks make them naturally more liable to cause an accident than regular cars, and even some other commercial vehicles. Your case may benefit from a Joliet dump truck accident lawyer’s evaluation.
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Legal Options for Dump Truck Accidents in Illinois
After a dump truck accident, you should contact the police and file a police report. Gathering as much evidence as possible may make it easier to build a case that supports your claim. Consider recalling the contact information for any potential witnesses and what legal representation may do for you.
File a personal Injury claim within two years if you suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Please remember that your injuries may take time to show up after an accident, and you may not display obvious symptoms right away. A personal injury claim holds the company liable for some financial compensation covering medical bills, hospital visits, and other unexpected costs. A personal injury claim may also cover your inability to work, and the inability to seek work in the future. You may bolster a personal injury claim with evidence like good bills of health from your doctor, documentation of your pain and suffering after the accident, and more.
File a property damage claim within five years of the date of the accident, if you are seeking compensation to cover repairs to your car or any other physical possessions that suffered damages as a result of the accident. You may hold the liable parties accountable for the long-term damages your family must endure.
If your accident happened as the result of another party’s negligence, our team may embark on a thorough discovery period for your claim, determining if the driver of the vehicle drove illegally, did not carry insurance, or had any former traffic violations. Regardless, our team may handle the litigation process if we determine you have a case for compensation.
The team at Pintas & Mullins cares about defending your rights and wants to see if we may help begin working on your case as soon as possible. After you ensure your own health and safety, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your legal options.
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Our Dump Truck Accident Lawyers May Handle Your Case
If you or a loved one were involved or injured in a dump truck accident, the team of Joliet dump truck accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm wants to help if possible. You may qualify for compensation for your losses and injuries if we can hold the liable parties accountable for their actions.
We want to work on your Joliet dump truck accident case. Call us to receive a free consultation from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 223-5115.
Call or text (800) 223-5115 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form