When traveling on the highway, it’s common to pass multiple large trucks. While sharing the road with an 18-wheeler can be intimidating, everything is usually fine if both drivers obey the rules of the road. However, while you may drive with caution, this doesn’t mean that the truck driver is as attentive as you. If the trucker drives negligently, they could easily cause a devastating accident. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a truck wreck, you may be able eligible for compensation. Speaking with a Peru truck accident lawyer from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP could help you file a lawsuit that gets you compensation and justice.
You will likely have many questions about the incident and your claim. We can help you find answers to these questions as well as provide information on the steps you should take if you’ve been in a truck collision. We understand that you or a loved one may be struggling with debilitating injuries, piles of medical bills, and mounting lost wages. Our lawyers will do everything we can to get you the answers and compensation you need.
What Types of Errors Can Truckers Make?
Semi-truck drivers can make many mistakes on the road that lead to accidents. These mistakes are avoidable if the driver practices safe driving and stays alert while they’re on the road. Unfortunately, it only takes a moment for a trucker to ignore their duty of care. This can lead to a serious collision. Some of these improper driving mistakes include:
- Dangerous driving. If the truck driver is speeding, texting and driving, eating, or is driving while intoxicated, they’re making reckless driving decisions.
- Failure to check blind spots. Truckers need to be aware of their blind spots as they’re different from an average-size car. The blind spots include 20 feet in front of the truck, 30 feet behind the truck, one lane to the left of the truck, and up to two lanes to the right of the truck. Truckers who don’t check these spots or don’t have an awareness of these areas could swerve into a car.
- Driving while fatigued. Truck drivers often travel long hours over the course of multiple days. While truckers are supposed to follow hours of service regulations, which provides driving limits and times for rest breaks, they may ignore these because of their schedule or because their trucking company is pushing them. A fatigued driver will not be able to make sound driving decisions, react in a timely manner to situations on the road, and is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
When a negligent truck driver has harmed you or a loved one, you can take measures to hold them liable for their actions. Our truck accident attorneys in Peru will do everything we can to show the negligent driver that their actions were unacceptable and caused your injuries.
When Is the Trucking Company at Fault?
After a semi-truck accident, it’s common to think that the truck driver was the one at fault. It’s possible that the parties at the scene of the accident weren’t responsible for the wreck. In some cases, negligent trucking companies are at fault.
The trucking company is responsible for putting safe vehicles on the road. This includes checking the vehicle for any issues with the steering system, engine, brakes, tires, and more. When companies skip over maintenance or knowingly put an unsafe vehicle on the road, they’re putting the truck driver and other motorists at risk. A truck driver’s brakes could fail, a tire could blow out, or the headlights could stop working.
Our attorneys in Peru have experience in holding trucking companies accountable for their actions. We’re not afraid to stand up to negligent companies that have caused your or your loved one’s wrongful injuries. We’ll investigate the trucking company and hold them accountable for their mistakes. We’ll assess the evidence and work to get you the compensation you need.
What Makes Illinois Truck Collisions So Dangerous?
While truck drivers share the same responsibilities as any other driver, they also need to know how to operate a vehicle that’s much larger and heavier than the cars around them. Trucks typically travel on highways, where speeds are around 65 mph or sometimes more. A semi-truck possibly weighing up to 80,000 lbs. will need more time to slow down to safely make a turn or come to a complete stop.
The 2017 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics reported the following data regarding 18-wheeler accidents:
- 11,732 crashes
- 1,949 injuries
- 107 fatalities
Truck crash accident victims are at risk of terrible injuries. The following types of accidents are unique to trucks and can easily become catastrophic.
- Rollover. If a trucker takes a turn too quickly or loses control of the truck, then it’s at risk of rolling over. A rollover accident could affect multiple lanes of traffic. Cars near the truck are at risk of collision.
- Jackknife. This occurs when the trailer swings from behind the truck and comes forward, forming an angle or an L shape. If a trucker slams on the brakes when the truck is traveling at high speeds, they’re at risk of jackknifing. Drivers could get caught in the jackknife and suffer from serious injuries.
- Underride. Smaller cars can get caught underneath the trailer. This usually happens in rear-end accidents, but can also happen if a trucker tries to change lanes and another car is in the lane next to them. When a car is caught in an underride, they lose control of their vehicle and are at risk of sustaining severe injuries.
- Wide turns. Trucks need time to set up turns and they need plenty of space. If they don’t slow down properly, they could lose control of the trailer and collide with another car.
When motorists are involved in these accidents, they could suffer from permanent injuries that could keep them from returning to work such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injury
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
Having injuries that threaten your livelihood can be overwhelming, as well as the heavy emotional toll of not being able to participate in activities you used to enjoy. Our Peru truck accident lawyer will take all of these factors into account in preparing your case for presentation at trial or a settlement conference.
Stand Up for Your Rights
The attorneys at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP understand how intimidating it can be to file a truck accident claim. A trucking company will take measures to limit their liability and the compensation you’re owed. However, our lawyers are prepared to hold the right people accountable for their actions. We have experience in dealing with insurance companies and adjusters in truck crash cases.
Our Illinois attorneys have handled numerous challenging truck cases in the past. Give us a call today if you or a loved one has been injured. We understand you need trusted attorneys to represent you who will protect your rights. We’re ready to meet with you face-to-face and go over your case. After answering your questions and explaining the process, you can rest assured that we’re going to do everything we can for your claim.
