Why Trucks Can Be Dangerous?

Trucks are one of the largest on-road vehicles. The sheer size and massive weight they carry are enough to crush other vehicles if they happen to be in a collision. 

Trucks such as semi and 18-wheelers are the leading causes of fatalities and fatal crashes. The Illinois Department of Transportation maintains a record of all the fatal crashes that happen every year. 

So far in 2021, there have been 881 fatal crashes with 981 fatalities.

Below are some more reasons why trucks are highly dangerous for other vehicles on the road:

• They often carry massive loads –

  An 18-wheeler can easily weigh around 700 tons with full cargo. Let’s put this into perspective. Your average car weighs a little over 1 ton; meaning an 18-wheeler weighs 400x more than most cars on the road. In the event of a collision, the massive weight of the truck can lead to major injuries, severing of limbs, property damage, and even deaths.

• Trucks are one of the largest on-road vehicles –

  Cargo trucks can be around 176 feet length-wise. It can have up to 4 trailers. What does it mean? It means that, while on the road, it’s bigger than half the size of a football field. It’s 10 times bigger than an average family car. This enormous length makes it difficult for other drivers to navigate sharp turns on narrow streets, expressway exits, and merges. This huge sizing also increases the odds of roadside negligence like overspeeding.

• They have massive blindspots –
  

  Trucks don’t have a rear window. That’s why they have to rely on the rearview mirror to see who is behind them. But, since trucks and 18-wheelers have huge blind spots; it often leads to misjudgment.

• Trucks Need More Space and Time to Stop –
  

  Trucks need about 40% more time than regular vehicles to come to a complete halt. Most people driving behind trucks don’t realize this. That’s why they don’t leave enough space between the two. That’s another reason which sometimes leads to a collision.

The victims of a truck accident need to find an experienced truck accident lawyer to get the compensation they need.

What To Do If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident

If you’ve been in an accident with an 18-wheeler or a semi-truck, here’s what you need to do immediately –

• Stay in your vehicle (unless you have to come out for safety reasons). Try to remain calm.

• Call 911 if the accident is only minor.

• In case of major injuries, ask for medical attention and wait for first responders to arrive.

• Don’t move the vehicle until the police have arrived. The only exception is when you absolutely need to move it.

• Don’t leave the accident scene.

• Note down the names, contact numbers, and addresses of any witnesses and parties involved.

• Note down the badge numbers and names of the police officers who arrive to investigate the accident.

• Take photos of the scene including the injuries and vehicles involved.

• Avoid admitting fault.

• Notify your insurance company immediately.

• Avoid discussing the accident with anyone except the police and insurance company.

Here’s what you need to do in the days following the accident –

• Ask the police for a copy of the report. Get a copy of the property damage evaluation report from the insurance company.

• Maintain a copy of all medical records and visits to the doctor. Get copies of prescriptions, test results, treatments, and other relevant medical expenses.

• Note down any out-of-pocket expenditure you have to make in the aftermath of the accident.

• Work with a Chicago semi truck accident lawyer like Burnes Libman law firm before you accept any settlement offers.

Determining Liability After a Truck Accident

Most trucking accidents happen due to negligent driving on the part of the truck driver. However, it’s not always the case. You have to look into multiple parties who may be liable for your injuries and property damage.

At times it’s a business or a person that you haven’t even encountered. For instance, if the accident happened due to faulty parts, then the manufacturing company or assembler would be responsible. If it was caused by improper loading or overloading, then the shipper or cargo loader might be liable. If it was caused by driver fatigue, then the trucking company would be liable for overworking the driver.

Sometimes the liability could fall on multiple parties. Below is a list of all the potentially liable parties.

• The truck driver

• Truck owner

• Employer of the driver which is often the trucking company

• Parties responsible for truck maintenance

• Cargo loader or shipper

• Parts manufacturer and/or assembler for a faulty part

• Some other third party

• Other drivers on the road

If you want to get the compensation you deserve, you must work with a qualified and reputed truck accident lawyer. They will look into the investigation and find the responsible parties.

Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have experienced injuries or property damage due to an 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident, it’s your right to seek legal help. That’s where Burnes Libman comes in. We are one of the finest law firms in the Midwest.

With over 30 years of being in business, we have seen it all. Our legal team has helped hundreds of truck accident victims recover millions in a trucking lawsuit.

We know that it’s a logistical nightmare to find liability. There are so many subtleties and nuances involved in such cases. We understand federal laws regulating transportation and what all goes into gathering powerful evidence that will ensure favorable outcomes for our clients.

We will put together all the paperwork and take care of deadlines so you can focus on recovery. The accident was someone’s fault and we will determine that for you. Burnes Libman will assign you the best truck accident lawyer in Chicago. We will find the responsible parties who are liable to pay for your medical expenses, loss of wages, and all the suffering you had to endure.

For information on Burnes Libman, visit us at www.burneslibman.com. Call us today at (312) 726-6500 for a free consultation.