Giacoletto Law Offices knows that truck agencies can sometimes be the cause (or a contributing factor) of a truck accident. Sometimes it is the same company that owns the truck rig (truck cab), sometimes the truck agency owns the truck trailer, sometimes both, and sometimes neither. Liability can stem from the trucking company or agency if they failed to perform an adequate background check on the driver. For example, a driver has been arrested and convicted on several occasions for drunk and disorderly conduct. This driver is employed by a truck agency and sent out to Illinois for a job driving a tractor-trailer from Illinois to San Diego. The driver stops on the way down and has a few drinks, which later results in an accident. If a routine background check would have revealed this truck driver's propensity to drink, it is possible that the truck agency could be held partially responsible for the truck accident. Improper loading or setting schedules that require drivers to drive too long, may be the fault of the truck company. Someone who doesn't understand the truck industry, and the agency relationship, may overlook a vital party to a potential lawsuit. Because our attorneys know how to litigate truck accident cases, we will do the proper investigation and include the proper parties to any lawsuit.
Employers of truck drivers can be liable for damaged caused by their drivers due to improper truck driver training, as well as imposing unrealistic schedules and goals on their truck drivers. Truck agencies are responsible for ensuring their drivers receive the proper driving training and safety training. If a truck accident occurs because of a lack of truck driving training or a lack of truck driving safety, then the trucking company or agency may be responsible. To assist in making this determination, you need to contact an experienced Illinois truck company liability lawyer. We offer free consultations.
Illinois Truck Accidents - Improper Loading
Improper loading can be a cause of Illinois truck accidents. Load can affect a truck's ability to handle the road. For example, the heavier the load, the heavier the truck. The heavier the truck, the longer the distance to required to stop. This means that heavier trucks are more likely to be involved in rear-end collisions. If trucks are overloaded, this may cause a serious hazard to other vehicles is items are falling off the truck and get in the way of other drivers. As experienced lawyers, we also know that improper loading can be a contributing factor to truck rollovers. As a truck changes lanes, or makes a turn, if the load shifts, it can change the g-force required for a truck rollover. Many attorneys who specialize in car accident cases will overlook the truck load as being a contributing cause of a truck accident. That is why when you are involved in an Illinois truck accident, you will want to hire an experienced Illinois truck accident attorney to represent you. Contact us today for a free consultation, and learn how our Illinois truck experience can benefit you.
Illinois Truck Loading Accident Lawyers
As Illinois truck accident lawyers, we handle truck loading accident cases, including truck loading ramp accidents. Truck loading accidents can happen anywhere. Truck loading accidents can happen at the docks, there can be an accident while loading from the train to the truck, or while unloading. Accidents that occur during the truck loading or truck unloading process, include, falling objects injuring truck loaders, damage to the property being loaded or unloaded, and damage to surrounding property. We handle personal injury claims for those who have been seriously injured, or killed, due to a truck loading accident. If you have suffered serious injury because of truck loading accident, or if a loved one has been killed in a truck loading accident, then you need to contact an experienced Illinois truck loading accident lawyer today. We offer free consultations, and an opportunity to discover how we have obtained numerous multi-million dollar results for many of our satisfied clients.
Illinois Big Rig Accident Attorneys
As Illinois tractor trailer accident attorneys, we know that sometimes the tractor trailer owner can be responsible for tractor trailer accidents. Regardless of whether the tractor trailer owner drives the truck or not, the owner is still responsible for the safety of the truck. Tractor trailer wrecks can occur from a variety of causes, including, from improper lighting or poor braking. With tractor trailers, owners have a responsibility for the safety of the people who will come into contact with the tractor trailer, including the drivers of the truck, and other drives who share the roadways with the tractor trailer. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires the presence of specific safety equipment on all commercial vehicles, including commercial trucks. If you have been injured in an I-5 big rig accident, or any other highway or roadway tractor trailer accident, then you need to contact an experienced Illinois tractor trailer accident attorney. The consultation is free, and we work on a contingent fee basis (we don't get paid unless you win), so there is no reason you should not have a premier Illinois big rig truck accident attorney representing you.
18-Wheeler Accident Injury Lawyers
As Illinois18-wheeler accident injury lawyers, we know that federal and state rules and regulations are not the only thing governing truck owners. The owners of these 18-wheelers are also governed by federal and Illinois case law. As experienced truck accident lawyers, we are familiar with not only the rules and regulations, but the case law governing truck accident cases in Illinois. If you have suffered an eighteen-wheeler accident injury, you want a lawyer to represent your legal interests and obtain fair and just compensation for your injuries or loss. At Giacoletto Law Offices, we know the rules, regulations, and case law governing truck accidents. Contact an experienced an Illinois truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation, and find out how to put a winner in your corner.
Illinois Semi Trailer & Blind Spot Accident Lawyers
Giacoletto Law Offices knows that there are many causes of truck accidents:
- Blind Spots
- Squeeze Play
- Braking Ability
- Swinging Turns
- Bald Tires / Tire Blowout
- Overweight / Overloaded Trucks
- Falling Debris
We have classified some of these truck accidents into types (collision and non-collision). We hope the knowledge will empower you to avoid these types of truck accidents, and perhaps even prevent some truck accidents from occurring. Truck drivers and other drivers (including motorcycles and autos) should be aware of these types of truck accidents, take the necessary precautions, and drive accordingly. While we sincerely hope you will never require our services, if you are involved in a truck accident due to one of the following, contact us. The consultation is free, and we have the knowledge and experience to help.
Illinois Truck Blind Spots - No Zone Accident
Trucks have huge blind spots, also referred to as "no zone" areas. Typically, the larger the truck, the larger the blind spot. We all know about blind spots on the sides of our vehicle. The tractor trailer driver has a blind spot in the rear (back) of the truck, as well as in the front of the truck. Be aware of truck blind spots, and avoid these areas if possible. Typically, if you cannot see the truck driver in his mirror, the truck driver probably cannot see you. If you were involved in a blind spot (no zone) truck accident, contact an experienced Illinois blind spot accident lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Squeeze Play and Wide Turns - Illinois Truck Accident Attorney
"Squeeze play" is a term used to describe a truck accident that occurs when a truck driver needs to make a turn. This is also referred to as a "swinging turn" accident. For example, if a tractor trailer needs to make a right turn, it will swing left to negotiate the turn. This can cause a truck accident in two ways: First, when the truck swings left, it can "squeeze" a car between it and the curb. This occurs because truck drivers are often unable to see cars right next to them. Second, cars attempting to pass on the right, or driving on the right, but in the truck driver's blind spot, are also susceptible to truck accidents from the "squeeze play." If you have been involved in a "squeeze play" accident, you need an injury lawyer knowledgeable in this area.
Illinois Sudden Truck Braking and Brake-Failure Accidents
Truck accidents from braking (or lack of braking ability) can occur in several ways, including:
- Brake Failure
- Improper Braking Technique
- Stopping Distance
Brake Failure
Brake failure occurs because of improper installation, age, or maintenance by either the big rig owner (for big rig brakes), or the truck trailer owner (for truck trailer brakes). Also, according to Technical Services (TS), a truck's brakes can dramatically heat up from overuse, for example riding the brakes on a long downgrade, or from sudden stopping (especially at high speeds). The heavier the truck, generally, the more heat generated. In addition, improper loading can make the brakes heat up more during use. If you have been involved in a Illinois truck accident because of defective brakes, or brake failure, then contact Giacoletto Law Offices for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances surrounding your truck accident.
Improper Braking Technique
According to Technical Services, truckers should apply their brakes in a way that will reduce their speed by about 5-6 mph with each application. A runaway truck is very dangerous. Proper braking technique will help preserve a truck's brakes. If you have been injured in a runaway truck accident, let us show you how we earned our excellent reputation.
Stopping Distance / Rear-end Collisions
Trucks require a much greater stopping distance to stop than cars. The heavier the truck, the greater the distance needed to stop. When cars or truck drivers fail to realize the distance needed to stop, the risk of a rear-end collision increases. According to the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course for Professional Truck Drivers, the stopping distance for an 80,000 pound tractor trailer, traveling at 30 mph on a dry, level road, is 100 feet. If we double the speed to 60 mph, the stopping distance for that truck doesn't double, it increases over four-fold to 426 feet. If we increase that speed another 5 mph, to 65 mph, the distance needed to stop increases almost another 100 feet, to 525 feet (compared to 316 feet for a car - more than 200 extra feet). It is no wonder that trucks are involved in many rear-end collisions. Truck drivers and other vehicles need to understand the distance discrepancy between cars and trucks, and drive accordingly. If you have been involved in a truck rear-end collision, don't wait to contact a semi accident attorney...we can help.
