CHICAGO, IL (May 23, 2019)– As more licensed drivers and motor vehicles enter the roadway, it’s no surprise the number of traffic fatalities and injuries will steadily increase over time. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported that tractor-trailers contribute to roughly 11,000 accidents, including 106 accidents being fatalities (2016). Large trucks contribute to a staggering 13 percent of car accidents that occur within Illinois.
Commercial trucks include tractor-trailers hauling freight, construction vehicles, delivery trucks, emergency service vehicles and so forth. As the demand and use of trucks increases, it is important to note that smaller passenger vehicles are simply outweighed by heavy-weighted trucks. Nearly 80 percent of crashes involving trucks take place during the day in clear weather.
Trucks pose an inherent danger to other drivers on the road; in fact, there are specific laws and regulations in place at the federal and state level to ensure truck drivers are properly trained and meet certain standards that qualify them to drive a tractor trailer. Some basic standards all drivers must meet include being tested for drug and alcohol use, how often drivers are driving per day, passing a DOT physical that tests your eyes, ears, overall well-being. Other basic standards include obtaining a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL), all drivers must pass an endorsement test depending on the type of CMV that will be driven, and the truck must pass an air brakes test (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2019).
Due to the pressures to meet company deadlines, trucking companies and drivers violate the safety rules and regulations put in place to protect us all from harm. A study conducted by the FMCSA found that over 66 percent of crashes involving trucks involved regulatory, brake, or marking violations. A trucking company could also be held accountable for “negligently hiring” an unfit driver who was not properly trained or a had bad driving history and caused a crash.
In the event that a loved one is killed in a trucking accident, family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. The Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/0.01) states whenever the death of a person shall be caused as a wrongful act, neglect or default of others, a person can pursue the negligent party at fault to recover any loss or damages due to their loved one’s death. Personal injury lawsuits following a truck collision intend to compensate the victim or their loved ones for harm resulting from the negligent acts of the trucking company providing damage of death, disfigurement, paralysis, burns, loss wages, medical costs and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations limit how long you have to file a lawsuit. As such, it is important that you inquire with an experienced attorney immediately to preserve your legal rights. Our, experienced truck accident attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. will identify the help you need. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our legal team has protected and brought justice to victims and their families throughout Chicago and Illinois. Due to limitations and regulations, trucking accidents differ from car accidents and our attorneys will need to begin working on the case right away. Reach out to us online or by calling 312-384-1920 to further discuss your legal options.
