Understanding Common Causes of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents
On the interstates, rural roads and residential roads across the nation, collisions between semi trucks, commercial vehicles and other motor vehicles result in approximately 5,000 deaths each year and an even higher number of serious injuries. The causes behind these crashes are many and some common causes are listed below.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a semi or another commercial vehicle, it’s important to reach out to an experienced lawyer who can establish what led to your accident, and properly build a case that maximizes the recovery for your injuries that to which the applicable law entitles you.
Who is Responsible for Causing my Truck Accident?
At Amoni Law Offices, P.C., we have more than 30 years of experience handling auto accident claims on behalf of clients throughout northern Illinois. We understand both the state and federal regulations overseeing commercial trucking companies. We have investigated crashes everywhere from isolated rural roads to busy interstate highways in metropolitan areas. Handling truck crash cases from rural West Virginia to busy interstate highways in all parts of the country equips us with a depth of experience that has taken decades to acquire.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truckers and trucking companies must meet specific standards regulating safety such as: maintaining a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), maintaining the minimum amount of insurance coverage, meeting specific safety regulations concerning the truck and the load it is carrying, performing routine inspections, and the driver must adhere to restrictions on the number of hours he or she remains behind the wheel in a given period of time.
While safety regulations are vitally important, they are often ignored or circumvented in order to get loads delivered on time. When a driver is resting or a truck is down for necessary repairs, the trucking company is not making money. The pressure to keep trucks on the road can lead to:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (including prescription or over-the-counter medication to stay awake)
- Speeding, reckless driving or aggressive driving
- Lack of conspicuity tape so trailers can be seen at night
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone)
- Improperly secured loads or an overloaded truck/trailer
- Equipment failure (defective brakes, tires)
- Driver fatigue and sleep deprivation (one driver told us he was so sleep deprived he was actually hallucinating while driving)
Trust in our Experience to Protect Your Interests After a Truck Crash
To arrange for a free consultation, contact Amoni Law Offices, P.C., by calling 630-473-4008 or send an email by completing our online contact form. The firm’s office is in Aurora, Illinois, and serves clients throughout the Chicago metro area. All motor vehicle accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless our attorney recovers compensation on your behalf.
