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Serving Clients Across 8 Illinois Locations
Lake Zurich Truck Accident Attorneys
Case Spotlight
$1.5M
Side swipe auto crash back injury $45,000.00 in specials no surgery. Could not be a union piper fitter any further.
Newland and Newland were very attentive and transparent with my case. They were readily available and cared for my well being after my accident. They really have the best interest of their clients.
Lawyers for Injuries in Collisions With Commercial Trucks in Lake Zurich, IL
Contact Us Today
When large commercial trucks are involved in collisions, the injuries that can occur may be much more serious than those that may affect victims of other types of car accidents. Truck accidents may also involve complex issues that may affect a victim's ability to recover financial compensation. Multiple parties may share responsibility. Steps may need to be taken to determine whether federal or state trucking regulations were violated. Evidence can disappear quickly.
After a truck accident, a trucking company and its insurer may take steps to protect their financial interests, and injury victims will need to determine how to respond. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our lawyers understand how to handle commercial truck accident cases, and we have the experience needed to address the complex legal issues that may arise while protecting our clients' rights. With our help, injury victims can take steps to obtain the full compensation they deserve.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Other Motor Vehicle Accidents
The stakes in truck accident cases can be high. Injuries are likely to be severe, and victims may experience significant financial losses. At the same time, the legal issues that may need to be addressed can be complicated. The factors that may affect these cases include:
Federal and State Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established detailed rules for how trucks must be maintained, how long truck drivers may work and how often they are required to get rest, what loads may be carried and how they must be secured, and the licenses drivers must obtain. State laws will also apply to truck drivers and companies that operate commercial vehicles.
When a truck accident has occurred, our attorneys can take steps to determine whether regulations have been violated. These violations can serve as evidence of negligence, allowing a truck driver, trucking company, or another party who committed a violation to be held liable.
Multiple Potentially Liable Parties
In a car accident, one or both drivers may be at fault. However, in a truck accident, there may be several parties who share responsibility. Each of these parties may have their own insurance policies, and they may take steps to defend against truck accident claims. Our lawyers can identify every party that may be held liable, and we will work to ensure that our clients can recover compensation from all available sources.
Gary A. Newland
Partner
- Elite Lawyer, 2019-present
- Super Lawyers, 2020-present
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Successfully won hundreds of cases at trial
- Appeared in USA Today, NBC, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Herald, and The Oprah Winfrey Show
Parties That May Be Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident
Depending on the circumstances of a truck crash, the parties that may share liability may include:
The Truck Driver
Negligence by truck drivers may play a role in a truck accident. A truck driver who has violated hours-of-service regulations may experience fatigue that can cause them to make mistakes or fall asleep at the wheel. Other forms of driver negligence may include speeding, distracted driving, failure to check blind spots, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or failure to account for weather and road conditions.
The Trucking Company
Motor carriers are responsible for ensuring that commercial trucks are operated safely. An employer can be held liable for the negligence of a truck driver, or a trucking company may be responsible for other forms of negligence, such as hiring unqualified drivers, inadequate training, pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or failure to properly supervise drivers.
Cargo Loading Companies
Improperly loaded cargo can be a serious safety issue. Overloaded trailers can lead to issues such as brake failures or tire blowouts. Unbalanced loads can affect the handling of a truck, leading to rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, or other types of truck accidents. Cargo that is not properly secured may shift or fall onto the roadway. A loading company that failed to load cargo correctly may be responsible for a truck accident caused by these types of issues.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers
When mechanical issues cause a truck crash, the manufacturer of the truck or parts that were defective may be held liable. Product liability claims may address brake system failures, tire defects, steering malfunctions, or faulty trailer coupling systems.
Maintenance and Repair Companies
Commercial vehicles will need to be inspected regularly, and ongoing maintenance will be needed to ensure that all parts are operating correctly. When a maintenance provider fails to identify a brake problem, does not replace worn tires, or overlooks other issues that could affect a truck driver's ability to operate their vehicle safely, they may be held liable for a truck accident involving the breakdown of equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Truck Accidents
As long as your share of fault for a truck accident does not exceed 50 percent, you may still be able to secure financial compensation. Your total damages may be lower based on the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, in a case involving total damages of $500,000 in which you shared 30 percent of the fault, you would be able to receive $350,000. Our attorneys will work to address claims that you were at fault for a truck crash and help you to maximize the amount of compensation you can receive.
The compensation you can receive may include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may cover your past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and long-term care costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages may address your pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and other ways you and your family have been personally affected.
What if a Truck Driver Who Caused a Truck Accident Was an Independent Contractor Rather Than an Employee?
Trucking companies may classify their drivers as independent contractors in order to avoid being held liable for an accident caused by a truck driver's negligence. Our lawyers can examine the actual nature of the relationship between a trucking company and truck driver. We can take steps to make sure a company will be held responsible for the acts of drivers who operate under their authority. We can also identify forms of negligence by a trucking company that led to an accident and determine whether other parties may be held liable.
Contact Our Lake Zurich, Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers
To address the injuries and damages that have occurred in a commercial truck accident, legal representation is essential. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we can investigate what happened, identify the parties who may be held liable, preserve evidence, and work to recover compensation for an injury victim. Contact our Lake Zurich commercial truck accident attorneys at 847-797-8000 to set up a free consultation.
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