With US Route 41 to the east and Interstate Highway 94 to the west, some of the nation’s heaviest truck traffic is on both sides of Libertyville 24 hours a day. Many of those trucks are semi-trailers that are in excess of 70 feet long. They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In a crash, those gigantic pieces of machinery are going to destroy a passenger car.
Common Causes of Big Rig Crashes
In order to drive a semi-trailer, a person is required to successfully complete special training and licensing requirements. Truck drivers must always be aware of the damage that a semi-trailer can do, so due care and caution should always be exercised. Regardless of that fact, large truck crashes happen every day. According to our truck accident attorney in Libertyville, here are some of the common causes of them:
- Improper maintenance, especially in the context of tires and brakes.
- Distracted driving when talking on a cell phone, texting, or using an infotainment center.
- Fatigued or drowsy driving. Hours of service rules are in effect to help prevent exhaustion.
- Speeding truck drivers who dramatically increase stopping distances by going too fast.
- Following another vehicle too closely.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Given the size and weight of semi-trailers, along with the speeds that they travel at, the likelihood of severe or catastrophic injuries increases when they’re involved in crashes with passenger cars. Injuries can include traumatic brain and spinal cord damage, traumatic or surgically necessary amputations, multiple fractures, organ damage, or even wrongful death. Only experienced and effective truck accident attorneys in Libertyville should handle these cases.
If you or a family member were injured in a large truck accident, don’t give the trucking company’s insurer any type of a statement. Contact our offices instead to arrange for a confidential free consultation and case assessment. You can tell us what happened, and we can answer your questions, too. Then, we can give you our recommendations on how to proceed.
