The accident took you completely by surprise, and in the immediate aftermath of the crash it can be impossible to know what caused the truck accident. At that moment, you might not care about the cause because you are overwhelmed by the effects. However, in order to recover from the effects of the crash, you are eventually going to have to know why the crash happened; only then can you pursue legal action against the party or parties who were truly responsible for causing the injuries that you’ve suffered.
Determining the cause of the crash will take a full investigation. Experienced truck accident lawyers have the ability to do a thorough investigation on your behalf and to protect your rights as you pursue a fair and just recovery.
Common Truck Crash Causes That Should Be Considered
While every truck crash is unique, our attorneys often investigate whether any of the following causes were relevant in our clients’ truck accident cases:
- Distracted driving. Any distracted driver can cause an accident. However, when a trucker takes his hands off of the wheel, his eyes off of the road, or his attention away from driving safely the results can be particularly catastrophic because of the size and weight of the truck.
- Drunk or drugged driving. A trucker who is under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or some legal drugs may have slower reaction time and delayed reflexes. This may make it impossible for the trucker to avoid a serious crash and to cause injuries or fatalities because of his mistakes.
- Speeding. Truckers have jobs to do, and some trucking companies reward truckers for getting to their destinations more quickly. Other truckers may be motivated by having additional time off if they finish their shift early. However, driving over the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions can be dangerous and cause a trucker to lose control of his vehicle.
- Medical conditions of truckers. Truckers must undergo medical examinations as a condition of employment. These medical examinations are intended to identify any health conditions that could make an individual trucker dangerous behind the wheel. However, not all health conditions can be caught in periodic medical exams, and a trucker who does suffer a medical emergency behind the wheel puts himself and other motorists at risk.
- Drowsy driving. Tired drivers can have some of the same problems as drunk drivers. Their reaction times may be slower and their reflexes may be delayed. Some truckers battle fatigue because of their jobs and the lifestyles that they lead on the road.
- Unbalanced or unsecured cargo. Cargo that is not properly distributed or that is not properly secured can be dangerous. A truck that is unbalanced or has unsecured cargo may overturn, may jackknife, or may spill cargo on to the road. Improper cargo storage is dangerous not only for the trucker, but also for other motorists traveling nearby.
- Failing to account for blind spots. Most vehicles have blind spots. The size of the blind spots increases with the size of the vehicle. Truckers should be taught how to account for blind spots and how to avoid collisions with any vehicles that may be in their blind spots.
- Maintenance issues. Trucking companies have a duty to maintain their vehicles and regular inspections should be done to ensure that trucks are in safe working order. An engine, tire, brakes, or other truck part that malfunctions could cause a devastating accident.
Sometimes more than one of these causes are found to be relevant to our clients’ claims.
Our Lawyers Are Committed To Your Truck Accident Recovery
You have to be able to prove the cause of the accident in order to prove that someone else is liable for your accident injuries. Our Illinois truck accident attorneys can conduct a full investigation and look into all potential causes of the truck crash that left you hurt. Then we can use that information to fight for your fair and just recovery.
For more information about how we can help, please contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678. We would be pleased to provide you with a free and confidential consultation about your rights.