To learn more about truck accidents and the victims' legal rights, Illinois residents should contact the semi tractor trailer accident attorneys at The Healy Law Firm in Chicago.
*Required Fields
The Healy Law Firm
111 W. Washington St.
Chicago, Illinois 60602
P / 312-324-0238
F / 312-977-0795
Illinois - Semi Tractor Trailer FAQs - Experienced Accident Attorneys
What is a large truck?
According to federal law, a large truck is any motor vehicle weighing at least 10,000 pounds. The average fully loaded commercial truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds.
Is a truck accident different than an auto accident?
Yes. The average commercial truck weighs 80,000 pounds, which is a considerable weight advantage compared to the average 3,000 pound passenger vehicle. Given this tremendous weight disparity, it is easy to understand how collisions involving large trucks and passenger vehicles often result in greater property damage and more serious injury and fatality rates than collisions between passenger vehicles.
In an effort to keep the nation's freeways and roadways safe for passenger vehicles, the federal government has instituted regulations and safety standards to ensure the safe operation of large trucks. If you are involved in a truck accident, your ability to collect reasonable compensation for the collision depends on prompt investigation and competent legal representation. At The Healy Law Firm in Chicago, Illinois, our semi tractor trailer accident attorneys are knowledgeable concerning federal and state regulations governing the operation of commercial trucks. If you live in Illinois or another state in the U.S. and have been injured in a semi tractor trailer accident, contact one of the qualified attorneys at The Healy Law Firm for a full explanation of your legal rights.
What should I do in the event of a semi tractor trailer accident?
From the moment a trucking company is notified of a semi tractor trailer accident, a network of professional insurance investigators and accident experts start working to reduce the legal and financial responsibility of the trucking company. It is extremely important for accident victims to retain attorneys who will observe certain precautions in order to ensure their ability to seek financial compensation from the truck company. In Illinois, the semi tractor trailer accident attorneys at The Healy Law Firm advocate victims' rights, successfully representing the interests of individuals against multi-million dollar interstate trucking companies.
Truck companies usually dispatch an insurance adjuster to the scene of the accident. This adjuster is responsible for collecting evidence that bolsters the trucking company's defense. The adjuster may cause the injured victim to make a mistake, by giving a statement, answering questions, or signing a medical waiver. All of these common mistakes may limit the ability of a victim to obtain fair financial compensation for injuries sustained.
The injured victim should immediately seek medical treatment from a qualified medical professional or specialist. This doctor will record a detailed account of the injuries and their causes, which will be used by the semi tractor trailer accident attorneys in the presentation of the case against the trucking company. It is crucial that the physician is a knowledgeable medical professional. Any inconsistencies in the doctors notes can be used by the defense in an attempt to mitigate the liability of the trucking company from legal responsibility.
Also, it is imperative that all seriously injured truck accident victims contact a qualified attorney promptly. Past victims have relied on the expertise of the attorneys at The Healy Law Firm. Practicing in Chicago, Illinois, our semi tractor trailer accident attorneys are experienced litigators who have successfully litigated numerous cases in courtrooms throughout the state of Illinois.
Are the hours a driver is allowed to operate a large truck limited?
Yes. Since 1939, the federal government has regulated the hours of service for commercial truck drivers. In response to the startling statistic that driver fatigue accounts for 20 to 40 percent of all serious truck accident collisions, the federal government has revised the rules governing the hours of service. Unfortunately, the pressure on drivers to deliver loads as quickly as possible leads to frequent violations of this regulation. Drivers who do abuse the hours of service code are 77 percent more likely to fall asleep at the wheel than drivers who observe the safety code.
Drivers are required to keep a driver's log that records their hours of service, and according to federal statues, this log must be preserved for six months. This could be a crucial piece of evidence in a lawsuit so it is important that truck accident victims immediately consult an experienced attorney. When Illinois residents contact the semi tractor trailer accident attorneys at The Healy Law Firm, our attorneys promptly petition the courts to preserve these logs, protecting vital data required to satisfy the burden of proof in these cases.
Are trucking companies required to carry insurance?
Yes. As stipulated by federal law, trucking companies are required to carry policies that provide at least $750,000 in coverage of bodily injuries and property damage. The federal government mandates high financial responsibility in order to encourage the safe operation of these large trucks. However, this also means insurance companies have a strong economic incentive to reduce the trucking company's legal responsibility. If you have been injured in a truck accident, many people will work to limit the compensation you can obtain. At The Healy Law Firm in Chicago, Illinois, our semi tractor trailer accident attorneys maintain a record of success in litigating truck accident lawsuits.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, the law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim (the "statute of limitations"). Seriously injured victims from throughout Illinois and the country can contact the semi tractor trailer accident attorneys at The Healy Law Firm in Chicago for an explanation of their legal rights. We combine aggressive representation with extensive legal knowledge in order to obtain maximum compensation for truck accident victims.