Lombard Truck Accident Lawyers

Frequent Causes of Route 88 and Lombard Area Road Truck Accidents

Tire Blowouts

Tire failures can cause sudden and unpredictable movements in a truck, often leading to rollovers or multi-vehicle collisions. A blowout may be due to worn treads, improper inflation, or manufacturing defects. Trucking companies have a legal responsibility to maintain their fleet, and failure to replace defective or damaged tires may constitute negligence.

Blind Spot Accidents

Large commercial trucks have significant blind spots on all sides, particularly on the right side and directly behind the trailer. If a driver fails to check these areas before changing lanes or turning, a smaller vehicle may be sideswiped or forced off the road. These accidents often occur on multi-lane highways like Route 88, where frequent lane changes are common.

Rear-End Collisions

Due to their weight and braking limitations, trucks require significantly more time and distance to come to a full stop. If a driver is distracted or following too closely, they may be unable to prevent a rear-end crash. These types of accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when a truck strikes a smaller passenger car.

Wide Turn Accidents

When making right turns, trucks often swing wide to the left, encroaching into adjacent lanes or trapping nearby vehicles. If a driver misjudges the space or fails to use proper signaling, nearby drivers can be caught between the truck and a curb or median, leading to crushing injuries and extensive damage.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknifing occurs when a truck's trailer swings out from behind the cab at an angle, often resulting in the truck blocking multiple lanes of traffic. These incidents are usually caused by sudden braking, slippery roads, or improper weight distribution. A jackknife accident on a busy road like I-88 can cause chain-reaction collisions that affect numerous vehicles.

Underride Accidents

Underride crashes happen when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a truck, often leading to catastrophic or fatal injuries. These accidents frequently result from sudden stops or poor visibility and may be exacerbated by a lack of underride guards, which are required by federal law in certain circumstances.

Determining Negligence and Liability in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident claims involve complex legal and factual issues that require a detailed analysis of who is at fault and why. Unlike standard car collisions, liability in truck accidents may extend beyond the driver to include multiple parties such as:

• Truck drivers may be liable for reckless driving, fatigue, or failure to follow safety protocols.
• Trucking companies can be held responsible for poor vehicle maintenance, negligent hiring, or violations of federal hours-of-service rules.
• Cargo loaders may be accountable if improperly secured freight contributed to a loss of control.