Thousands of big-rig trucks are on the road at any given time, doing their job to deliver critical goods from coast to coast. Given their numbers and size, it’s hardly surprising that some 500,000 truck-related accidents occur each year and in fact, are more common than any other type of road accidents, according to the World Health Organization.
Many of these truck accidents result in serious injury and death. Driver error, mechanical failures, and environmental factors are the common causes. A report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suggests that most large-truck crashes have more than one contributing factor.
To that point, multiple factors figured into a case we handled involving the estate of a deceased truck driver. The driver was stopped on the side of an Interstate because of mechanical problems. Due to a miscommunication, one tow truck arrived, then a second truck showed up an hour later. There were no safety triangles out, and there was also an issue with the location where one of the trucks had pulled off the road.
What should have been a routine towing situation led to a multi-truck, multi-fatality collision in September 2011 that resulted in the death of our client and three others. The estate of the truck driver we represented sued the other two truck companies. After a weeklong jury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, the victim’s family was awarded $19 million.
Truck accidents differ from other vehicle accidents and personal injury claims. Truck drivers and the big-rigs they drive are subject to specific rules and regulations. Further, truck accidents can be extremely complex due to the number of people who could contribute to or are involved in the accident.
Deciding whether to file a lawsuit after a truck accident can be difficult. Our accident lawyers can meet with you and discuss your options, allowing you to make an informed decision. If you do move ahead, you’ll need a legal team on your side who understands your goals and what it will take to achieve them. Experienced attorneys will collect and review your documentation, work with witnesses and experts, determine who is at fault, and help you plan for the future.
Lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP believe that when a truck accidents results in the injury or death, the responsible parties should be held accountable for damages. If you think you may have a case, contact us today at [email protected] or call (312) 509-8900.
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