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You may have seen a truck on the highway at some point in your life, but how often do you think about how dangerous it is for the people who drive them? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 4,000 deaths each year in accidents involving large trucks. If you’ve or a loved one has been involved in one of these tragic accidents, contact our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois today for a consultation at 312-622-2900.
The numbers of accidents are especially high considering that most trucks are driven by one person rather than two or three people like passenger vehicles. There are many types of trucking accidents and causes; however, most of them involve head-on collisions or an underride by another vehicle due to a lack of adequate safety measures taken by both drivers involved.
Underride & override accidents
The most common type of trucking accident is an underride or override collision. In these types of crashes, the truck’s frame passes over the passenger vehicle and crushes it. These accidents are especially dangerous because they can result in severe injuries or death for occupants of smaller vehicles.
Overrides happen when a larger vehicle like a tractor trailer (considered “large” at 40 feet) hits another smaller vehicle such as a passenger car (considered “small” under 8 feet). Underrides occur when a larger vehicle, usually 40 feet or longer, hits a smaller one like an SUV or pickup truck.
If you’ve been involved in an accident like this, our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois can help. At Carlson Bier, we work to achieve the most favorable results for our clients. Contact us today for a consultation.
Speeding or reckless driving
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, it’s important to know take the appropriate steps. You may need to seek medical attention immediately. In addition, you will likely need a trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois to pursue your personal injury claim. Our experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation that you need and that you deserve.
Truck drivers are responsible for the safety of their cargo, and they’re also responsible for their own safety on the road. If a driver is overworking or otherwise operating his or her vehicle in an unsafe manner, they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
Speeding and reckless driving are illegal. In fact, these types of accidents are some of the most common causes of trucking accidents due to road conditions (like potholes) or interruptions (like pedestrians) that can lead to an accident if not taken into account by a driver who is paying attention while on the road. When one factor combines with another, such as speeding along with bad weather conditions, the potential for trouble increases exponentially.
Overloaded trucks
Overloaded trucks are dangerous because they’re more likely to tip over. A truck that is too full can be more unstable, and therefore more likely to tip over in an accident. Overloading also puts the driver at risk because it increases the chance of not being able to see traffic lights or road signs along the way. It also puts extra strain on brakes and tires.
Overloaded trucks are often involved in head-on collisions due to their increased instability, which can lead to a higher number of fatalities for both drivers and passengers alike. In addition, if an overloaded truck pulls out from behind another vehicle at a stoplight or intersection and smashes into another vehicle, even if that other vehicle had stopped completely, the impact will always be much greater than with a vehicle that is not overloaded.
If an override or underride occurs when this happens (where either one or both vehicles hit each other slightly off center), there’s no doubt that injuries would occur from all sides: passengers could suffer whiplash, broken bones, or drivers might hit their heads and suffer from a head injury. If this has happened to you, contact our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois today for help.
Jackknifes and rollovers
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck becomes unstable and flips over. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The driver may not have enough experience to handle the truck safely. The driver may make errors while operating their vehicle due to inexperience or being overworked/tired from working too many hours without breaks. This causes them not being able to concentrate properly while driving down the highway causing accidents like jackknifes and rollovers.
Rollover accidents are a common type of trucking accident. These accidents often occur when a driver is fatigued or driving too fast. They can also be caused by a jackknife accident or cargo falling off the truck.
These accidents result in injuries making lawsuits possible against companies. If you want to pursue legal action, contact our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois today at 312-622-2900. We will get you fair compensation that will improve your current and future situations.
Contact Carlson Bier for a consultation. Our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois will pursue justice for you.
If you’ve been involved in a serious trucking accident then it’s important that you speak with an experienced attorney right away so that they can guide you through the process of filing claims against any responsible parties involved. At Carlson Bier Associates, our trucking accident lawyer Joliet Illinois has the experience and passion to get you a favorable result.
All types of trucking accidents are serious and can result in life-altering injuries. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle, contact a personal injury lawyer today to discuss your case.
