According to one song, “Life is a Highway.” This is particularly true for the average American. They spend much of their time navigating actual highways and byways throughout the country. Unfortunately, a simple drive along a road in West Chicago may lead to personal injury or even death. In 2012, around 8% of such traffic fatalities occurred in a trucking accident. To help family and friends recover and move on with life, the only recourse was through hiring a trucking accident lawyer.
Causes of Trucking Accidents
It is obvious that, in a collision in West Chicago between a large transport truck and the average car or even mini-van, the only “winner” is going to be the truck. The enormous size differential dictates the outcome. In such incidents, the causal factors, on the truck’s side can vary widely. They may include:
- Aggressive, hazardous or irresponsible driving
- Distracted driving: This includes such things as talking on a cell phone or texting. Eating while driving is also common
- Driving without heeding the pace of traffic, the signs, weather or the road conditions
- Fatigue: Drivers may be overtired through long hours on the road and inadequate rest
- Mechanical failure: This includes brakes and engine. May be from poor maintenance
- Overloaded or poorly loaded truck: Cargo may shift causing unbalance and, therefore may result in capsizing or dumping the load into traffic
- Poor or inadequate training for the job
- Substance abuse: This includes prescription and recreational drugs as well as alcohol
- Unfamiliar with the roadway or the truck
- Weather conditions
These are the most common causes of truck-car accidents. However, according to a trucking accident lawyer, a court looks at them in a more precise or simple fashion. It generally considers trucking accidents to fall into one of two categories: Driver error or Negligence
Fight for Your Rights: Hire a Trucking Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you care about are involved in a trucking accident in West Chicago, you need to prepare for a prolonged battle. You will be going up against not only the trucker, but also his or her employer and their insurers. The manufacturer of the truck may also become involved. Depending upon the origin of the truck and its parent firm, you may be looking at regulations that encompass different states. Federal trucking laws may also come into play.
Different jurisdictions combined with a plethora of defendants can create a morass of epic proportions. To be successful, you will need someone on your side. You will need the support, experience, and knowledge of Illinois law that only a professional truck accident lawyer can bring to the case.
If you are a driver, you are aware of the dangers accidents present. If you find yourself find in need of a West Chicago Trucking Accident Lawyer, do not hesitate. Get in touch with the professionals at Woodruff Johnson & Palermo. Our attorneys have been providing aggressive and effective legal representation since 1999. From medical malpractice to workers’ compensation cases, our skilled attorneys are there to help you through what can be a complex and stressful process. To discover more about whom we are and what we can do to help you win your case, visit us online at www.woodrufflawyers.com.
