Semi-trucks share the nation’s highways with much smaller passenger vehicles. Although large truck drivers are required to undergo training and to follow laws to keep them and others safe, accidents are, nonetheless, commonplace. A collision between a semi-truck and a car can result in catastrophic injuries to the driver and passengers in the smaller vehicle.
If you were involved in a semi-truck accident, you might be struggling to cope with your physical injuries. You may have needed to undergo surgery and physical therapy. You may be unable to work or care for your children. If you cannot work because of the accident, you may have a growing stack of bills that you are unable to pay, and are worried about what the future holds for your family.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you seek a financial award to compensate you for the injuries you suffered in an accident involving a semi-truck. Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to discuss the injuries you suffered in the accident, and how we may be able to help you seek justice.
Semi-Truck Safety Requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck operators to employ drivers who are qualified and who have received appropriate training. It has regulations in place regarding the use of alcohol and controlled substances before and while operating trucks to protect other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The FMCSA also limits the number of service hours drivers may work each day, and requires them to take breaks at specific intervals and for minimum amounts of time. In addition, semi-truck companies have to maintain and repair their trucks, and have minimum levels of insurance coverage.
Factors That Contribute to Semi-Truck Accidents
Sometimes truck drivers are distracted. Traveling long distances on highways can be tedious, and drivers may talk on a cell phone or change the radio station to keep themselves occupied. Unfortunately, those distractions can prevent them from focusing on driving, and can result in an accident.
Many collisions involving semi-trucks are due to driver fatigue. Long-haul truckers often have to cover thousands of miles in a matter of days, and meet strict deadlines. Drivers may work when they are tired instead of taking breaks as required by law, even though continuing to operate a semi-truck, under those circumstances, endangers other drivers.
Semi-truck drivers may not have received the appropriate training necessary to operate the vehicle they are using safely. In some cases, drivers received the proper training, but they did not have enough on-the-road experience to adequately prepare them before they began making long-distance trips.
Trucking companies may fail to inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles as required by law. Faulty brakes, worn-out tires, and other problems can lead to highway crashes that can have devastating consequences.
Trucking companies must load trailers in a specific way to avoid having weight shift while the truck is moving. If workers load cargo incorrectly, a semi-truck may be difficult for the driver to handle. If a road is slippery or a driver turns too fast, the truck may jackknife, possibly causing serious injuries to people in nearby vehicles.
For a free legal consultation with a Semi Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Tinley Park, call (800) 794-0444
Why It May Be a Good Idea to Talk to a Tinley Park Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement
A collision with a semi-truck can result in severe injuries, including broken bones, and back and neck problems. You may not realize the full extent of your injuries for weeks or months after the accident. In addition, the psychological trauma of being struck by a semi-truck may not be fully apparent at first, but the effects may be long-lasting.
Insurance companies typically try to settle personal injury cases quickly for amounts that are in the company’s best interest. You may be entitled to a higher level of compensation for your injuries. A Tinley Park semi-truck accident lawyer might be able to give you advice based on the specific circumstances surrounding your case. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your semi-truck accident with a member of our staff.
An accident involving a semi-truck can occur for numerous reasons. In many cases, multiple factors contribute to a collision. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can investigate who was responsible for the accident that injured you.
We can look at the driver’s actions, including whether the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or had been driving for too long without a break. We may review internal company documents to find out if the semi-truck involved in the accident was well-maintained. If any problems were noted in inspection reports, we can check to find out if necessary repairs were performed, and whether they were done correctly.
Tinley Park Semi Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How a Tinley Park Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Seek Justice
The attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm do not shy away from tough cases. Our team might be able to help you pursue a fair settlement for the injuries you suffered due to a semi-truck accident.
Our staff can conduct a thorough investigation to figure out what factors contributed to the semi-truck accident, and who was liable for your injuries. If we are unable to reach a fair and reasonable settlement by negotiating with the trucking company’s insurer, we can take the case to trial.
Since the statute of limitations in Illinois only allows victims of personal injuries two years to file a lawsuit, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started. Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to learn about your legal options.
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