Accidents with tractor-trailers and big commercial rigs rarely end well for car drivers and their passengers. Trucks have larger blind spots than cars do, and they are much harder to maneuver because they are longer, heavier, and require more time to brake before coming to a full stop.
In Illinois, “crashes involving tractor-trailers accounted for 3.8% of overall crashes, 11.1% of fatal crashes and 3.1% of injury crashes” in 2018, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Unfortunately, collisions with large and heavy vehicles can cause horrific injuries, fatalities, and considerable property damage.
If you have been in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or large commercial truck and are suffering from injuries, or if your loved one died in the accident, contact the office of a Berwyn truck accident lawyer today to learn what legal recourse you have.
You could potentially receive compensation for your injuries and other financial losses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for your free case review at (800) 794-0444.
Types of Truck Accidents
Many different types of truck and car accidents can occur on the road. Examples include:
Rear-End Accidents
A truck typically takes a long time and distance to come to a halt. If weather conditions are unfavorable, or a driver is speeding or following too closely behind another vehicle, a rear-end accident can easily occur. Rear-end accidents can also happen if there is a fault with the truck, such as when brakes fail or wheels blow out.
Underride Accidents
Underride collisions can cause horrific injuries and fatalities. They typically occur when a smaller car rear-ends a truck and continues to travel underneath the truck carriage. The top of a car may be destroyed in an underride accident.
Head-On Accidents
A head-on accident with a truck traveling at high speed can be fatal for car occupants. These accidents can happen when a truck driver loses control of the vehicle for some reason, such as falling asleep at the wheel or having an emergency medical event.
Cargo-Related Accidents
Maneuvering a truck safely may be difficult or almost impossible in certain road conditions when cargo shifts due to wrong loading or overloading. The cargo itself may also cause injuries and accidents, especially when it is hazardous. For example, gas can spill from a truck in an accident, causing slick roads and the potential for a catastrophic fire or explosion at the accident scene.
One thing that all truck accidents have in common is that the truck driver is relatively well protected and may walk away from an accident. However, any car passengers or other motorists are extremely vulnerable in accidents with large and heavy commercial vehicles.
Establishing Responsibility
It can be a real challenge to establish liability and negligence in a truck accident. If you were recently in an accident with a truck, consulting with your Berwyn truck accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you get clear on your legal options as well as help you build a case against a negligent driver and/or company.
Because truck crashes can happen due to many reasons, you could potentially hold several parties to account for your damages, such as the driver, the trucking company, or a third-party vendor. In some instances, even a manufacturer may be responsible for a defect with the truck.
However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), most truck accidents are driver-related. A truck driver may be responsible for your accident if they were:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving too fast for road and/or weather conditions
- Following cars too closely
Some ways in which a trucking company may have been negligent can include:
- Negligent hiring
- Inadequate training of drivers
- Rushing drivers with unrealistic schedules or forcing them to skip breaks
- Failing to service trucks regularly
A third-party could also be partially or wholly to blame for your crash. If a maintenance mechanic, for example, failed to repair or replace truck parts and an accident occurs, they may be liable. This can happen, for example, when mechanics do not ensure that wheels and brakes are maintained to a good standard.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Berwyn, call (800) 794-0444
Compensation You Could Receive
If you are suffering from any injuries, or your loved one died in a truck accident that was a truck driver or truck company’s fault, you could file a lawsuit to receive compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
You also could be awarded other types of compensation, including punitive damages.
If you are thinking about taking legal action, it is important that you do not delay. Illinois’s statute of limitations, §735 ILCS 5/13-202,sets a two-year deadline on personal injury cases. While there may be exceptions, we recommend you contact your Berwyn truck accident lawyer for help as soon as you can after an accident.
Berwyn Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help You
Truck accidents can be tricky to prove, especially when several parties are potentially at fault. A trucking company will most likely fight any claims vigorously with their lawyers. Hiring a Berwyn truck accident lawyer to handle your case can give you peace of mind and protect you from insurance carriers and defendants taking advantage of you.
Do not let them push you into accepting a lowball settlement offer. Contact us for help before agreeing to a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurances.
It can be daunting to stand up against a trucking company, as proving a case can require extensive research and data analysis from the accident and the truck involved. A truck accident case may involve expert witnesses, technical specialists, and accident reconstruction.
We take on tough cases, know how to handle truck accident claims, and will fight for your rights to compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for your free consultation at (800) 794-0444.
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