South Elgin, Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Victims of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Kane County

Semi-trailer trucks are very large and heavy, particularly when they are loaded with cargo. People in smaller, personal vehicles are likely to suffer serious harm in accidents that involve these large trucks, in part because 18-wheelers often weigh 20 times more than an average car.

The required space needed for commercial trucks to brake to a stop can be much longer than for other vehicles, and factors such as rain or snow can increase these distances even more. Truck drivers may be susceptible to fatigue after long periods of repetitive driving. Even though federal laws place limits on the number of hours truck drivers can work, these laws are not always followed. When unforeseen delays occur and delivery deadlines are tight, many drivers choose to operate when they are tired or fatigued.

Determining who is responsible for a truck accident is not always easy. These situations can involve multiple complex issues, and truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties may share liability. If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, the attorneys at Ariano Hardy Ritt Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. are here to help. We have decades of experience helping clients with truck accident claims and other personal injury matters, and we are ready to fight for you and make sure you will be fully compensated for your injuries and damages.

Semi-Truck Rollover and Jackknife Accidents

Commercial trucks sit high off the ground, and they are very tall. Because of these factors, they have high centers of gravity, which can result in dangerous situations that may lead to accidents. These may include both rollover and jackknife accidents.

Sudden braking or abrupt collisions can cause massive shifts in weight that can cause a truck to roll over. A "jackknife" may occur when the cabin of a truck is positioned one way, and the trailer it is pulling shifts into the opposite direction. While advancements in technology may help to prevent these accidents, they are not always adopted by trucking companies, even when legal requirements have been put in place. Unsafe driving by truck drivers or other factors may lead to jackknife or rollover accidents. Our attorneys can perform an investigation to determine the causes of a collision and identify the liable parties.

Commercial Truck Training, Reporting, and Insurance Requirements

Trucking companies and their drivers are regulated at the federal level. Inspections and on-the-road enforcement of safety standards may be handled locally. Some of the requirements that apply to truck drivers and trucking companies include:

• Drivers must obtain and retain a commercial driver's license (CDL), which will require them to complete enhanced training and testing.
• Minimum liability coverage of $750,000 must be maintained when operating a commercial vehicle.
• Truck operators are subject to restrictions on daily and weekly hours behind the wheel, and regular rest breaks are required.
• Logs must be maintained documenting inspections and other safety procedures.

Causes for Truck Crashes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration classifies the causes of truck accidents into four categories:

• Non-performance: Truck drivers may encounter issues that could lead to accidents. Examples include falling asleep, sudden health concerns, and physical impairments.
• Recognition: Negligence by truck drivers, such as inattentiveness, distractions, or failures to recognize potentially dangerous circumstances, can lead to collisions.
• Decision: Truck drivers may engage in dangerous behaviors, such as excessive speed, delayed braking, or failure to use signals.
• Performance: Mistakes by truck drivers that can lead to accidents include poor assessment of distance, wide turning, or sudden panic.

Truck drivers are required to complete daily inspection reports for any vehicles that they operate. These reports will account for equipment and identify concerns associated with brakes, steering, signals, tires, emergency devices, and much more. A truck driver or trucking company may be held liable for failing to perform maintenance, conduct inspections, or address safety concerns.

Contact Our Kane County Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you can consult with an experienced attorney to determine your legal options. Your lawyer can focus on the accident's details while you tend to your physical and emotional recovery. The team at Ariano Hardy Ritt Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. employs the legal knowledge we have built over more than three decades of representing people who have been injured in truck accidents or other situations. We can advocate on your behalf to make sure you will be fully compensated for your damages. Contact our South Elgin 18-wheeler accident attorneys and set up a free consultation by calling 847-695-2400 today.