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If you’ve been in a truck accident, you’ve probably heard the words “liability,” “compensation,” and “multiple defendants” thrown around quite a bit. But what does it all mean? An experienced trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois will make sure you understand everything that is going on with your case. Contact us today for a consultation at 312-622-2900.
We pride ourselves on having outstanding and open communication, so you are never left to wonder what things are and what is happening in your case. When it comes to determining who is liable, or responsible, for the accident and the damages incurred from that accident. We will do a thorough investigation and make sure the responsible party or parties are held accountable.
1. The trucking company
The trucking company is liable for any injuries or property damage you sustained in an accident with one of its trucks. The duty of care owed by a trucking company includes:
- Complying with federal regulations regarding hours-of-service limits
- Ensuring that drivers are properly trained
- Providing adequate safety equipment on all vehicles
- Conducting regular inspections on vehicles before they hit the road
In addition to these duties, federal law requires that any commercial motor carrier must carry insurance coverage in amounts ranging between $750,000 and $1 million per incident depending on factors like size of fleet and number of miles driven annually by each vehicle. The state of Illinois also has requirements for liability and collision coverage.
If the company has failed to adhere to the standards set out and that failure has led to the accident in question, the trucking company may be liable. Our trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois will make sure that all information and evidence is evaluated and the appropriate course of action is taken, so you can receive compensation and justice.
2. The truck driver
The truck driver is a human being and may make mistakes. The truck driver must be responsible for their actions and decisions while driving the vehicle. This may include making sure that he/she has been trained properly by an experienced trainer before getting behind the wheel of a commercial truck. The truck driver should also have been issued valid licenses by both state officials as well as federal agencies like FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). In addition, they need to understand all the safety regulations in place and make sure they adhere to those when they are on the road.
Truck drivers have a responsibility to drive without distractions. Of course, they should never drive intoxicated. In addition, they should avoid using their cell phones or electronic devices while driving. They need to make sure they are not tired, as fatigue can lead to serious accidents.
If the driver was negligent, they also need to be held accountable and the trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois will make sure you are fully supported and compensated for your suffering.
3. The truck maintenance company
If a truck maintenance company is liable it is because they did not properly maintain the truck. For example, they may have failed to ensure that safety equipment was working properly. They may not have performed regular inspections on vehicles. If there was something wrong with your vehicle that wasn’t caught during pre-trip inspections or routine maintenance checks, then you may have grounds for holding them accountable and a trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois will help you do so.
At Carlson Bier Associates, our trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois will determine who is responsible
You need to know all of the parties potentially liable in a truck accident case. If you’re not sure, it’s best to consult with a trucking accident lawyer Orland Park Illinois who can help you understand how these cases work.
The first party that should be considered is the trucking company itself. Most often, this will be a national or international corporation that owns or leases many trucks and employs drivers from across the country. The second party may be the driver. This can be either an employee or independent contractor.
The truck maintenance company may also be responsible for your injuries and losses. For example, if a tire blew out because of improper repair work done by a third-party mechanic, then they could also be liable for any resulting damages that occurred when that tire blew out during your accident.
It’s possible that more than one party would be found liable depending on how events transpired leading up to an accident. Contact Carlson Bier Associates today, so we can begin pursuing justice for you.
