Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Attorneys in DuPage County
Lawyers in Bensenville and Addison for Truck Crashes Caused by Drowsy Drivers
The immense size and weight of a commercial truck make it extremely dangerous when such a vehicle is involved in an accident. In addition, it is usually the drivers and passengers in other vehicles on the road who suffer the worst injuries.
At Kaiser Law, we know that large truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and truck driver fatigue is a common contributor to such crashes. Our experienced and knowledgeable truck crash lawyers aggressively represent those who have suffered injuries in accidents involving commercial trucks. By holding negligent truck drivers and transportation companies accountable for their dangerous behavior, we work hard to make the highways and roadways of Northern Illinois safer for all drivers.
Tired Operators Cause Accidents
Recent estimates released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration indicate that driver fatigue is a contributing factor in no less than 13 percent of all large truck crashes. Fatigue or drowsiness can affect truck drivers in many different ways, and all of them are dangerous. The most obvious way in which fatigue can contribute to an accident is by causing the driver to fall asleep at the wheel. However, a driver does not need to actually fall asleep for fatigue to create dangers. For example, a driver who is overly tired is likely to have much slower decision-making abilities than a driver who is awake and alert. Slowed reaction time can also lead to a crash that was otherwise preventable.
The Department of Transportation and other state and federal agencies provide rules and regulations regarding the number of hours a driver can be driving, mandatory rest periods, and other considerations that affect fatigue levels. However, it is always up to the individual driver and the transport company to ensure that such rules are followed. Keep in mind that a driver could be completely compliant with all applicable regulations and still experience dangerous levels of fatigue while operating his or her truck.
Helping You Protect Your Rights in Wood Dale and Itasca
Truck drivers cover hundreds of miles in a typical day, which often means they are on the road for many consecutive hours at a time. As anyone who spends a great deal of time behind the wheel can attest, drowsiness and fatigue can come on quickly, often without warning. One moment, the driver is cruising along just fine, and suddenly it is nearly impossible to stay alert. When an accident occurs due to truck driver fatigue, both the driver and the trucking company could be held liable for any resulting injuries.
At Kaiser Law, we know that a tired driver does not automatically mean that recovering compensation will be easy. With more than 100 years of combined personal injury experience, we realize that getting you full compensation will depend on our ability to show that the driver or trucking company was negligent—not just that the driver was fatigued. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the details of your accident so that we can determine how the crash happened and which party or parties should be held financially responsible.
Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients since we opened our doors in 1990, including many who were injured because of fatigued truck drivers. We are not afraid of trucking companies, their insurers, or their attorneys, and we are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you.
Call 630-233-9946 for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash in which truck driver fatigue played a role, contact our office to get the help you need today. Call 630-233-9946 and schedule a free, no-obligation at Kaiser Law. From our office in Bensenville, we serve clients in Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Addison, Wood Dale, Melrose Park, Franklin Park, Park Ridge, DuPage County, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.