Truck Accident FAQ

What is the liability of trucking companies in collision cases?

Trucking companies generally share a portion of the liability in truck accident cases. Although individual drivers are responsible as well, the negligence of their employers can contribute to significant damages.

Trucking companies have a duty to regulate their drivers’ hours, conduct regular maintenance, hire skilled drivers, train new employees, and adhere to legal regulations. Any negligence in completing these responsibilities can cause truck accidents and be evidence of the trucking company’s liability.

In some truck accident cases, third parties are liable. For example, a vehicle manufacturer can be liable for designing and manufacturing a defective vehicle or part of a vehicle. An entity responsible for investigating the safety of a trucking operation could be liable for failing to identify any risks. If an accident is caused by road conditions, those who design and repair the roads could be liable.

What are the most common causes of truck accidents?

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are similar to the common causes of any vehicle collision. Reckless driving, DUI, and vehicle malfunction can contribute to truck accidents.

There are some collision causes that are exclusive to truck accidents. Truck drivers generally drive longer distances than other drivers, and carry heavy loads of cargo. These factors and the negligence of trucking companies can cause accidents.

Truck accidents may be caused by:

• Driver fatigue

• Reckless driving

• Intoxication

• Overweight vehicles

• Vehicle defects and inadequate maintenance

• Hours of service violations

• Road conditions

How are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck accidents are typically more damaging than car accidents, and cause devastating injury and financial expense to victims. The legal process of resolving a truck accident claim can be more complex than car accidents as well. Although car accident cases are usually a dispute between two drivers, trucking companies are usually involved in trucking accident cases in addition to the drivers.

How can a Chicago truck accident lawyer help?

Our legal team can help you recover evidence that is relevant to your case. With the assistance of our attorneys, you may be able to access surveillance footage, black box data, trucking company records, and other pieces of evidence. We are committed to taking on negligent truck drivers and trucking companies, and helping injury victims recover the compensation they deserve.

Contact us online or call (312) 313-2888 if you have more questions. Our legal team is available for free consultations to discuss your truck accident case.