Westmont Truck Accident Lawyers

When large commercial trucks are involved in accidents, the people involved are likely to suffer injuries that will be more severe than those that would typically occur in car accidents. Because of the massive size of commercial trucks, smaller vehicles can be severely damaged or destroyed in these collisions. A person in a vehicle struck by an 18-wheeler can suffer multiple types of catastrophic injuries.

In addition to the potential for serious injuries or wrongful death, truck accidents will often involve complex legal issues related to the rules that apply to truck drivers, the practices followed by trucking companies, and the different parties who may share responsibility. At Schwartz Injury Law, our lawyers work with people who have been injured in collisions with commercial trucks to determine who may be held liable for the injuries they have suffered. We will fight to secure compensation that will fully address the damages our clients have suffered in these situations.

How Our Firm Approaches Truck Accident Cases

After a truck accident, a comprehensive investigation will often need to be performed to determine who was responsible. Records such as driver qualification files, hours of service logs, and information related to inspections and maintenance can reveal issues that led to a truck accident. Details from the scene of an accident can also be important, and they may include electronic data captured by a truck's systems.

Our attorneys can take steps to gather the evidence needed to prove liability for a truck accident. We can request and analyze documentation and electronic data before this information is lost or destroyed. We can also work with accident reconstruction professionals to determine exactly how a collision occurred. By identifying all parties who played a role in an accident, we can take steps to secure compensation for our clients.

When Trucking Companies May Be Held Responsible for Truck Accidents

Trucking companies have a legal duty to operate their fleets safely. A trucking company may be liable for an accident if it engaged in negligence that put people's safety at risk. This may include negligence in hiring truck drivers. A trucking company may fail to verify a driver's qualifications, including failing to confirm that they have a valid commercial driver's license, meet the minimum requirements for experience, and pass required medical examinations and drug tests. A company that is negligent when screening truck drivers or that ignores red flags related to safety issues may be held liable for a crash caused by an unsafe driver.

Inadequate training is another area of concern for trucking companies. Operating a commercial vehicle requires specific skills, and truck drivers need to understand how to judge stopping distances, handle vehicles in adverse weather, and maintain control of trucks at all times. A company that has not provided drivers with proper training before allowing them to operate commercial trucks may be held liable for truck accidents caused by unqualified drivers.

Poor supervision can also contribute to truck accidents. To reduce the risks of driver fatigue, truck drivers are required to follow rules for how long they can drive during a shift and when they are required to take breaks. Trucking companies that do not track truck drivers and ensure that they follow these rules may be responsible for crashes caused by fatigued truck drivers. In some cases, trucking companies may even pressure drivers to continue working when they are too tired to drive safely, and they may be held liable for accidents that occur because of these practices

A trucking company is also responsible for ensuring that vehicles are properly maintained. Regular inspections are required, and maintenance must be performed to ensure that all systems are functioning correctly. A company that skips required inspections, delays maintenance, or allows a truck to continue operating when it is unsafe may be liable for a truck accident caused by a mechanical failure.