Causes of Truck Accidents

Pursue Compensation with Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers

It’s not unusual for drivers of passenger cars to feel uncomfortable when sharing the road with commercial trucks and other large vehicles. After all, when passenger vehicles and commercial trucks collide, it typically leads to catastrophic physical injuries and tragic fatalities. In fact, the driver of a passenger vehicle is killed in over 90% of all truck-related collisions. While this is largely due to the size and disproportionate weight difference of commercial motor vehicles, the actual cause of the collision is likely human error.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle, contact McNabola & Associates, LLC. With over 20 years of legal experience, our Chicago truck accident attorneys have the skill and tenacity to methodically investigate your case, effectively prosecute your claim, and negotiate with all insurance companies on your behalf.

Call McNabola & Associates, LLC at (312) 888-8700 if you’re ready to file your claim and pursue maximum damages.

Negligent Beha

viors that Lead to Truck Accidents

The trucking industry is governed by stringent state and federal laws that function to protect all drivers. Truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to follow these laws and may face severe penalties if an act of negligence leads to someone’s death or physical harm.

Liable parties may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The leasing company
• The vehicle or parts manufacturer
• The truck’s maintenance provider/mechanic

Driver Negligence

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic collisions in the United States. Because truck drivers spend long and often excessive hours on the road, they are susceptible to distractions. However, since trucks grant drivers limited spatial awareness by design, any distractions can easily lead to unfortunate and devastating accidents.

Distracted driving behaviors include:

• Using a cell phone
• Typing an address into a GPS device
• Eating or drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Fiddling with a radio
• Daydreaming

Speeding & Aggressive Driving

Federal law mandates the number of hours that commercial drivers can be on the road; in fact, truckers are required to keep log books that document their total driving hours. However, truckers are often pressured to falsify their log books in order to meet difficult company deadlines, particularly when facing delays caused by poor weather or road conditions. As a result, drivers may be tempted to engage in risky behaviors like speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving just to meet their deadlines.

Driver Fatigue

Because drivers are under such strict deadlines, they often skip breaks and drive through the night. As a result, these sleep-deprived drivers may experience fatigue and have difficulty focusing on the road. When a truck driver’s awareness and concentration is compromised, it can often lead to an unfortunate accident.

Drug & Alcohol Abuse

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a dangerous practice for anyone operating a motor vehicle. However, when a trucker is responsible for skillfully navigating an 80,000-pound truck, consuming alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs may severely impact their concentration and overall driving ability placing other motorists at risk. Unfortunately, some truckers resort to taking various drugs to stay awake while driving, placing themselves and other drivers in danger.

Trucking Company Negligence

Improper Training

All trucking companies require their drivers to hold a valid commercial driver’s license. However, even though drivers pass the driving test, it doesn’t mean they received the appropriate training to actively drive such large vehicles safely. Trucking companies need to make sure their drivers are properly trained and certified before allowing them to travel the open road.

Poor Hiring Practices

Realistically, trucking companies should hire employees with clean criminal and driving records. Ideally, this includes rejecting applicants with a history of substance abuse and reckless driving behaviors.

In certain circumstances, a trucking company may be held liable for a truck collision if they knowingly hired an unsafe driver.

Faulty Maintenance

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring the condition of their fleets by performing routine and preventative maintenance and running operational tests. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for companies to forgo their maintenance schedule if it means making more money. However, when trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, it may lead to severe mechanical issues like overheating radiators and brake problems.

In certain circumstances, the equipment manufacturers may be responsible for mechanical malfunctions. If a mechanic replaces an old or damaged mechanical component with a new, defective part, the truck may not operate safely. The unwitting truck driver may not be able to effectively control the vehicle and could experience a catastrophic accident.

Schedule A Consultation

Contact McNabola & Associates, LLC if you require legal representation for a truck accident injury. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers excel in investigating accidents and maximizing claims. Because we don’t want your financial situation to keep you from pursuing justice, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay unless we win!

You don’t have to stand against a trucking company or their insurance provider alone. Contact our Chicago truck accident attorneys at (312) 888-8700 to schedule a free case evaluation.