Our injury attorneys can help you navigate the legal issues that arise in a personal injury case following an accident with a semi-truck or other heavy duty vehicle. While negligence will generally be the claim for this type of accident, federal and state regulations sometimes bring other claims into play as well. Semi-truck operators follow numerous federal and state regulations and are required to carry insurance with higher limits than standard vehicles. Additionally, parties other than semi-truck drivers may share financial responsibility for your injuries. This is where our experience matters.
We work quickly to preserve evidence and reconstruct the accident scene to establish exactly what happened. Our team will conduct a thorough inspection of the heavy-duty vehicle, the maintenance records, black box information and driver logs. We leave no stone unturned to ensure that every responsible party is held liable for your injuries.
We Deal with Insurance Companies So You Don’t Have To
Trucking companies, their attorneys and insurance representatives are quick to respond when an accident is reported, often arriving very quickly after an accident has happened. They will use any means to discredit your claim or persuade you to not file one. It is always your right, and in your best interest, to avoid direct communication with the entities that represent the other driver. Our semi-truck accident lawyers are on your side, and we will handle the necessary negotiations to ensure you obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor. Call Us Today to Discuss Your Trucking Accident Case – (312) 655-7660.
Trucking Companies Can Often Be Held Liable for Chicago Truck Accidents
- To keep with federal compliance, truckers, like all motorists, are obligated to operate their trucks in a careful and safe manner. Trucking companies must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards in every aspect of their operations.
- Truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, to drive a tractor trailer. If a trucking company or truck driver fails to comply with their obligations, they could be liable in a personal injury or wrongful death case.
- Trucking companies carry very comprehensive insurance policies because their vehicles are often involved in severe accidents that cause serious injuries and fatalities due to the massive size of their trucks.
- In cases involving heavy trucks, unsafe equipment is a common issue.
- An action may include a vicarious liability claim against a carrier-lessee of a leased vehicle. Under the public franchise doctrine, a motor carrier engaged in interstate commerce under a certificate issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission leasing a vehicle involved in the accident may be vicariously liable for the negligent operation of the leased vehicle without regard to whether, at the time in question, the leased vehicle was being used in the business of the carrier-lessee if the name and Interstate Commerce Commission number of the carrier-lessee were displayed on the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Fast Action Required to File Trucking Accident Claim in Chicago
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a truck driver’s negligence time is not on your side. There are strict limitations on the amount of time you have to file a claim after an accident in Illinois. Failure to act before these deadlines can result in you being responsible for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses that came about because of an accident you had with a truck- even if the accident wasn’t your fault. It’s important to contact an experienced injury attorney at your first possible convenience. Schedule a free consultation with a trucking accident attorney at 312-655-7660 or fill out our free case review form today. We will get to work immediately to get you the highest award or settlement attainable.
