Bensenville Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Helping People Injured in Collisions With Commercial Trucks in Bensenville, IL

Client-Centered Personal Injury Representation

Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices provided exceptional legal representation during my personal injury case.

Mr. Mevorah and his team were professional, compassionate, and incredibly responsive from start to finish.

Read More Testimonials

Other traffic violations may also lead to truck accidents. Truck drivers may run red lights and collide with other vehicles in an intersection. A truck driver may make an illegal turn, trapping another vehicle between their trailer and barriers or objects on the side of the road. When accidents and injuries occur because truck drivers commit violations, people who are injured will need to understand how they can hold a truck driver liable for the harm they have suffered.

One of the most dangerous things that truck drivers can do is get behind the wheel while they are drowsy or fatigued. Driver fatigue is an ongoing issue in the trucking industry as truck drivers spend dozens of hours behind the wheel each week, work irregular shifts, and drive during the nighttime. Some truck drivers may become exhausted, or they may experience sleep disorders that prevent them from getting enough rest and cause them to become drowsy while driving. Fatigue can affect a truck driver's reaction times and their ability to notice and respond to traffic, and in the most serious cases, drivers may fall asleep and crash into other vehicles at high speeds.

Mechanical Failures on Commercial Trucks

18-wheelers and other types of large trucks are complex machines with many parts that must all be working correctly to ensure that truck drivers can operate their vehicles safely. When trucking companies or maintenance providers cut corners and do not inspect trucks, replace worn parts, or perform other types of repairs, mechanical failures can occur, and they can cause devastating truck accidents.

Brake failures are some of the most dangerous mechanical problems that may affect large trucks. When brakes do not work correctly, it may be impossible for a driver to stop in time to avoid a collision. Tire blowouts are another common cause of truck accidents, and they can occur when worn tires have not been replaced or when tires are underinflated. A blowout while a truck is on a highway or other road may cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to a dangerous collision.

Mechanical issues can often be traced to a trucking company's failure to follow the required schedules for inspections and maintenance. A trucking company may be held liable for accidents caused by the failure to perform repairs or maintenance, or a part manufacturer may be held liable for a truck accident caused by a defective component.

Improperly Loaded Cargo and Overloaded Trucks

The way cargo is loaded onto a commercial truck will affect a driver's ability to maintain control while driving. Failure to load and secure cargo correctly can lead to truck accidents. Cargo may shift when it has not been properly secured within a trailer. It may move suddenly during turns, sudden stops, or other movements by a truck. This can throw off a truck's balance and lead to a rollover accident or a loss of control.

Falling cargo can also be a serious hazard. When loads have not been properly secured using chains or straps, cargo can fall onto the roadway and strike other vehicles. Because the cargo carried by commercial trucks is often very heavy, it can crush a smaller vehicle and seriously injure the people inside. Spilled cargo can also block lanes of traffic or force drivers to slam on their brakes or swerve, which can lead to additional collisions.

Overloaded trucks can also be dangerous. When cargo exceeds a truck's maximum weight, this will affect the vehicle's braking, handling, and tires. An overloaded truck will take longer to stop, and tires or other components will wear down more quickly. A truck driver will be more likely to lose control and cause an accident. A shipping company or loading company may be responsible for improperly loaded or overloaded cargo, and a truck driver or trucking company may also share responsibility for their failure to ensure that a truck could operate safely.