Franklin Park Truck Accident Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys in Franklin Park, Illinois for Commercial Truck Collisions
As one of the country's largest transportation hubs, the Chicago area sees substantial commercial truck traffic. The Windy City and its suburbs are gateways to multiple major freight routes. More large trucks on the roads mean a higher chance of accidents, often causing serious injuries or fatalities for motorists.
If you are injured in a truck accident, you may qualify for compensation. Truck accident cases are usually more complex than other kinds of motor vehicle collision claims, making it a challenge to obtain fair compensation if you do not have an experienced personal injury lawyer from Kaiser Law on your side.
Collisions: Trucks vs. Cars
With a legal weight of up to 80,000 pounds, a truck weighs around 20 times as much as the average car. Tractor trailers are about 72 feet long and 13.5 feet tall, dwarfing passenger vehicles. An 18-wheeler's massive weight substantially increases the force of impact in a collision with another object. A truck is fully capable of crushing nearby vehicles, which can have devastating results for the occupants.
Operating a large truck is different than driving a car. When traveling at 65 mph, a fully loaded truck needs approximately 525 feet of stopping distance, which is almost twice the distance required by cars at the same speed. To make matters worse, tractor-trailers use air brakes, which cause a momentary delay in the truck's reaction time.
When trucks collide with cars, the truck almost always comes out on top — sometimes literally. A truck accident can leave motorists with life-changing injuries, catastrophic property damage, and lingering effects. In these situations, you deserve the highest amount of compensation possible, but liable insurance companies will likely try to minimize your payout.
Frequent Causes of Franklin Park Truck Accidents
Many factors can combine to cause a truck accident. Frequent contributing factors include:
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Cargo issues
- Dangerous roadways
- Distracted drivers
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk drivers
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Defective brakes or other parts
- Inexperienced or untrained drivers
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Tire blowouts
What do these factors have in common? Most or all of them are usually a result of human error or negligence. If another party's negligence caused the collision that harmed you, you likely have grounds to obtain compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other associated losses.
Liability in Cook County Truck Collisions
Drivers are commonly the at-fault parties for car accidents, but that is not always the case in truck crashes. Several parties can share the blame for a truck's actions, including:
- Cargo loaders
- Maintenance companies
- Parts manufacturers
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
You will need evidence that proves liability to receive compensation from each guilty party. Damages in truck accident cases are usually high, and liable insurers have legal teams that will work to reduce the amount you will receive. Our firm can protect your best interests by ensuring that these companies do not take advantage of you.
Various government agencies are responsible for maintaining roadways and traffic signals. In some cases, you can also hold the appropriate agency accountable. However, these claims are subject to strict protocols and shorter filing deadlines.
If you were partially responsible for your truck accident, you may still qualify for compensation. Request your free consultation with Kaiser Law today for case-specific information. Our truck accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience handling cases similar to yours, and we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Franklin Park Truck Accident Attorneys
Kaiser Law focuses on personal injury cases, so we understand applicable laws and how to overcome insurance company strategies designed to minimize your compensation. Let us use our resources and experience to handle your claim so you can focus on recovering from your truck accident. We understand the financial strain your accident may have caused, so we will not charge you any fees unless we win. Contact us at 630-274-4400 today so we can get to work on your case. Hablamos Español.