Schaumburg Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucks pulled over at the side of the road

If you or a loved one was involved in a large truck accident in Schaumburg, it was likely a devastating physical and emotional experience. These accidents often result in serious injuries, significant property damage, and psychological trauma, in addition to substantial medical costs and lost earnings.

At Vito & Dollenmaier Law, our experienced team of Schaumburg truck accident lawyers is dedicated to seeking the compensation you deserve from negligent truck drivers and corporations. Contact Vito & Dollenmaier Law today at (224) 539-8821 or online to schedule a free truck accident case consultation.

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Table of Contents

The Dangers of I-90 Large Truck Accidents

Litigator of the yearI-90 is a major highway that stretches through Schaumburg and across the United States. As such, it is heavily traveled by large trucks transporting goods from New York to California. However, with the increased presence of 18-wheelers on the road, there is also an increased risk of serious crashes. Large truck accidents on I-90 can have severe consequences due to the size and weight of these vehicles. The impact of a collision involving a semi-truck can cause significant damage to smaller vehicles, resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities.

Tractor-trailers might also cause significant pileup accidents on high-speed, multi-lane highways. For example, a jackknife accident can cause the trailer to shift out of alignment with the tractor, suddenly blocking multiple lanes of traffic. With nowhere to go, smaller vehicles might crash into one another and the trailer while traveling at a high rate of speed. These types of truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries and fatalities. If you suffered an injury in a serious large truck accident on I-90 or I-290 near Schaumburg, contact our attorneys immediately to discuss your claims.

Common Reasons for Tractor-Trailer Crashes

Large truck accidents occur for various reasons, but many result from driver negligence. Common causes of serious semi-truck crashes include the following:

  • Driver fatigue: Trucker fatigue is a significant contributing factor in many truck accidents. Long hours on the road and demanding schedules can lead to drowsy driving and impaired judgment. Truck drivers have even reported feeling pressure to drive while fatigued to meet delivery deadlines and comply with employer demands.
  • Distracted driving: Just like any motorist, truck drivers can be distracted by cellphone use, eating, drinking, or other activities while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. It is often the case when they’ve been on the road for hours and seek forms of entertainment. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents, including large truck crashes, in Schaumburg.
  • Impaired driving: The use of drugs or alcohol by truck drivers is strictly prohibited, but some still engage in this dangerous behavior, putting themselves and others at risk. Long hours on the road at night combined with weeks away from family members increases the prevalence of prescription drug and alcohol use among semi-truck drivers.
  • Speeding: Speeding is a common cause of accidents, and large trucks have specific speed limits that they should adhere to. Truck drivers exceeding these limits can lead to loss of control and accidents. Unfortunately, delivery deadlines often encourage drivers to speed, especially after being delayed by traffic and weather conditions outside Chicago.
  • Improper maintenance: Neglecting to properly maintain trucks can result in mechanical failures, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, which can lead to accidents. With so many tires and axles, large trucks are at an increased risk for mechanical failures.

Understanding the cause of an 18-wheeler crash is essential for proving liability. If our dedicated large truck accident lawyers can demonstrate that the truck driver violated federal or state safety and traffic laws and this contributed to the crash, you might be entitled to substantial personal injury compensation.

Parties Potentially Liable for Truck Accidents in Schaumburg

Determining liability in truck accidents is complex due to the involvement of multiple parties, including individuals, corporations, and independent contractors. The following parties may be potentially liable for Schaumburg truck accidents:

Truck Driver

The truck driver is often the first party considered liable for an accident. If the driver was negligent, such as driving under the influence, speeding, or violating traffic laws, he can be held financially responsible for the crash and resulting injuries. However, most personal injury compensation does not come directly from the truck driver. This would likely result in bankruptcy and a minimal award of damages. Large commercial insurance policies generally cover drivers and will settle viable claims with injured parties. You may rest assured that most claims are covered by insurance, not drivers themselves.

Truck Driver’s Employer

Though some truck drivers are independent contractors, most work for a larger trucking company. These companies are vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees. As such, you can obtain compensation from the trucking company for your injuries. Our dedicated truck accident attorneys might also pull the trucker’s driving record and sue liable employers for negligent hiring if they were aware of certain dangerous behaviors related to the driver.

Truck Owner

Similar to employer liability, state law generally makes vehicle owners liable for any injuries caused by the negligent operation of their vehicles. The corporation, often a large trucking company that owns the semi-truck, may be held accountable for your injuries.

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer

If a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the resulting damages. This is called a products liability lawsuit, which the experienced personal injury lawyers at Vito & Dollenmaier Law might file with your truck accident negligence claims.

Cargo Loaders

Improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck to become unbalanced or create hazardous conditions, often resulting in rollover or jackknifing accidents. Cargo loss accidents resulting in damages are also common if the truck has an open trailer, such as a logging truck or work vehicle. In such cases, the cargo loaders and their employers may be held liable for any accidents that result from their negligence.

In nearly all Schaumburg large truck accident cases, multiple parties bear liability for your injuries. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers can identify these parties to maximize the financial compensation available in your case.

Severe and Fatal Injuries Associated with Schaumburg 18-Wheeler Collisions

Semi-truck accidents in Schaumburg can result in severe and even fatal injuries. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, the impact of a collision often causes catastrophic harm. Common life-altering injuries associated with 18-wheeler collisions include:

  • Top 40Traumatic brain injuries
  • Paralysis and nerve damage
  • Amputations
  • Fractures
  • Crushing injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Burns
  • Death

The force of an 18-wheeler collision often results in traumatic brain injuries, which can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s cognitive and physical abilities. The impact force can also cause spinal cord damage, leading to partial or complete paralysis, nerve pain, numbness, and slipped discs. Underride or undercarriage accidents, which trap smaller vehicles under the trailer, often result in crushing injuries or entrapment, causing severe burns, compression fractures, and amputations. The powerful impact of a collision might also result in hidden internal injuries, such as damage to organs, internal bleeding, or organ rupture, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Do not delay. Contact one of our dedicated truck accident lawyers now if a Schaumburg truck accident injury changed your life.

Financial Damages Potentially Available to Victims of Semi-Truck Accidents

Victims of truck driver negligence in Schaumburg may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. These damages can include:

  • Medical expenses: Money for past, current, and future medical expenses related to injuries sustained in the accident.
  • Lost earnings: Compensation for earnings lost due to the inability to work while recovering from injuries.
  • Pain and suffering: Financial awards the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident.
  • Property damage: Money for the repair or replacement of damaged property, such as your vehicle.
  • Loss of consortium: Compensation for spouses due to any loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy resulting from the accident.
  • Wrongful death: If a fatality occurs, surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional trauma.

Importantly, eligible claimants may seek future anticipated medical expenses and lost earnings. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers work with teams of medical and economic experts to calculate the lifetime value of your truck accident claims before demanding compensation from liable insurers. Do not leave money on the table. Call our experienced truck accident attorneys today.

Special Federal Regulations Applicable to Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are subject to federal regulations designed to uphold safety standards on the road. These regulations are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Proving that a truck driver or trucking company violated one or more of these laws can result in accelerated negligence determinations. Our attorneys consider the following regulations when determining if violations contributed to the truck accident.

Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

HOS regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can work consecutively and mandate resting periods to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Generally, drivers can only drive for 11 hours during a 14-hour window and only after at least 10 hours of rest. They must also take mandatory rest and sleep breaks and keep detailed service logs. Our attorneys will immediately request these logs to determine whether a HOS violation caused truck driver fatigue and the crash.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Truck drivers are required to undergo regular drug and alcohol testing to ensure they are not impaired while operating their vehicles. Not only does impairment violate federal regulations but state DUI laws as well. Attorneys will request a detailed record of these tests to determine whether prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol abuse contributed to the accident.

Vehicle Maintenance Inspections

Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to FMCSA regulations regarding vehicle maintenance to ensure that trucks on the road are in safe working condition. It includes checking tires and brakes after reaching a certain mileage, even if the driver is still on the road. Large truck maintenance is expensive, and you’d be surprised how many vehicle owners cut corners.

If one or more legal violations contributed to a Schaumburg truck accident, our dedicated personal injury team might help obtain substantial financial compensation.

Gathering Evidence to Prove FMCSA Violations

super lawyerWhen seeking compensation for a truck accident, gathering evidence to prove FMCSA violations as soon as possible is important. It prevents drivers from backlogging their HOS or safety records. Our dedicated semi-truck accident attorneys might immediately:

  • Obtain driver logs
  • Collect maintenance records
  • Request drug and alcohol test results
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Obtain police reports
  • Send investigators to take photographs
  • Locate traffic or dash cam footage of the crash

This evidence allows our lawyers to piece together the accident and build a strong demand package to send to liable commercial insurers.

You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer After Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents

After a Schaumburg truck accident, seeking the assistance of our experienced legal team can make all the difference. Personal injury attorneys add value to your injury claims in the following ways.

  • Joseph V. Vito
    Joseph V. Vito, Schaumburg Personal Injury Lawyer

    Knowledge of the law: Truck accident attorneys have in-depth knowledge of the specific laws and regulations regarding commercial motor vehicle crashes. They can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights under federal and state law.

  • Investigation skills: A skilled personal injury lawyer knows how to gather evidence and build a strong case for settlement on your behalf, including obtaining HOS logs and maintenance records.
  • Negotiation skills: Attorneys have the negotiation skills needed to secure fair settlements with commercial insurance companies or pursue litigation if necessary.
  • Experience with complex cases: Commercial motor vehicle accident cases often involve multiple parties and complex legal issues. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know how to handle these complexities to maximize available compensation.

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming. Hiring an experienced truck crash attorney at Vito & Dollenmaier Law lets you focus on your recovery while knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands.

Call Our Dedicated Schaumburg Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one was involved in a commercial motor vehicle crash in Schaumburg, call our trusted and experienced personal injury team today. The Schaumburg personal injury attorneys at Vito & Dollenmaier Law are dedicated to fighting for your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (224) 539-8821 or online to schedule a free and confidential case consultation.

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