Truck accidents are not uncommon in Illinois, and whenever passenger vehicles are involved, there will likely be serious injuries. There are five common causes of truck accidents, starting with driver error. It should be kept in mind that the majority of crashes between truckers and passenger vehicle drivers are the fault of the latter. Speeding, drowsy or distracted driving and tailgating are just a few examples of driver error.
A second common factor in truck crashes is poor vehicle maintenance. Truckers have a lot more responsibilities in this regard as they are required to inspect their rig before the start of each shift and fill out a maintenance report. From worn brake pads to cracked windshields, a host of issues can make an accident more likely.
Third of all, defective equipment can cause truckers to crash. In these cases, truckers will not be so much to blame; rather, the parts manufacturer, the company that sold the truck and the company that installed or repaired the part may be at fault.
Bad weather contributes to many accidents, especially when the trucker who’s navigating it is inexperienced. Hydroplaning and jackknifing on wet roads are both a real possibility. Lastly, trucks can tip over or spill their cargo because of mistakes made by the cargo loaders.
When truck accidents occur through no fault of passenger vehicle drivers, they may be able to file a claim against the trucking company in an effort to be compensated for their losses. These losses could range from medical bills and rehabilitative care to lost wages and pain and suffering. To see if they have a valid case, victims may see a lawyer. They may want to retain the lawyer for help with gathering evidence and negotiating the settlement.
