Burr Ridge Truck Accident Lawyers

Why Truck Accident Claims Require a Thorough Investigation

In a standard car accident case, the central question is usually which driver was at fault. In a truck accident case, that question may only be the beginning of establishing liability and recovering compensation. Our legal team can investigate truck accidents to determine how they occurred and why. We can look at factors such as the condition of the vehicle, the status of the cargo, the trucking company's hiring and training practices, and violations of federal or state regulations.

Truck accidents may involve questions about a driver's qualifications, their hours of service, the inspection and maintenance of a truck, cargo loading procedures, and more. Our attorneys can obtain driver logs, maintenance records, and other documentation, and a close review of these records can identify negligence that led to an accident. We will work to ensure that all parties who played a role in a truck crash will be held liable for the damages suffered by an injury victim.

Trucking Company Negligence

Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing adequate training, following safe policies, and monitoring driver performance. When a company has failed to meet its responsibilities, it may be held liable for its negligence. Truck accidents may involve issues such as:

Negligent Hiring

Commercial drivers must meet certain qualification standards, including requirements related to licensing, driving history, and medical fitness. A trucking company that failed to verify a driver's qualifications, did not check a person's record, or did not confirm that a person had a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) may be found negligent if that driver causes an accident.

Inadequate Training

Truck drivers will need to know how to handle a large vehicle in harsh weather, how to operate a vehicle safely, how to properly inspect their trucks, and how to navigate roads, highways, and loading docks. A company that rushes new drivers through training or fails to test drivers' skills may be responsible for accidents caused by untrained drivers.

Hours of Service Violations

Driver fatigue is one of the most dangerous issues affecting truck drivers. The hours of service regulations that apply to truck drivers are meant to limit the possibility of driver fatigue by preventing them from driving for too long and requiring them to get rest between shifts. When trucking companies pressure drivers to meet delivery schedules, they may encourage drivers to drive while they are drowsy or fatigued.

Inadequate Supervision

Trucking companies are required to monitor the performance of drivers, address complaints, respond to safety violations, and take action to address any problems that may arise. A company that receives reports of a driver's dangerous behavior, such as speeding, driving aggressively, or driving while fatigued, may be responsible if it fails to correct these issues and a driver goes on to cause a truck accident.

Cargo-Related Issues in Truck Accidents

The way freight is loaded, secured, and distributed on a commercial truck can affect its handling. Cargo problems may be a factor in truck crashes, and a trucking company, a third-party loading crew, a shipper, or others may be held liable for failing to address these issues.

Overloaded Trucks

Federal law limits the weight of commercial vehicles. An overloaded truck will need more time and distance to stop. It can also place strain on brakes and tires, potentially causing them to fail. Trucks that are overloaded may be more likely to roll over when a driver loses control.

Improperly Secured Freight

When cargo is loaded on a truck, it must be secured correctly to prevent it from moving or shifting. If cargo is not tied down using the appropriate equipment, it can shift when a truck brakes or turns. A truck's balance and center of gravity may change when cargo moves, and this may cause the driver to lose control. Unsecured cargo may also fall onto the roadway, creating hazards for other vehicles.

Contact Our Burr Ridge, Illinois Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accident cases will often move quickly. Evidence may be gathered at the scene of an accident, and it will need to be preserved. Records held by a trucking company may need to be obtained before they are altered or destroyed. At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys can take the right steps to obtain the evidence needed to show that a trucking company, cargo loading company, maintenance provider, or other party is responsible for a truck crash. We will make sure our clients take the right steps to obtain the compensation they need and deserve. Contact our Burr Ridge 18-wheeler accident lawyers at 708-888-2160 to set up a free consultation today.