Every car or truck accident is unique; there are differing situational factors and emotion levels in every crash. However, all truck accidents are potentially life threatening and many result in fatalities, especially for those in cars or on motorcycles. Knowledge of these particular categories as well as the factors that could lead to such accidents could greatly affect your Chicago wrongful death lawsuit.
Types of Chicago Truck Accidents
There are essentially 5 main types of Chicago truck accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions. These hardly need to be explained in excessive detail. The head-on collision of two passenger vehicles can be devastating; a head on collision of a passenger vehicle with an 18-wheel tractor-trailer has a low survival rate for those in the passenger vehicle.
- Rear underride accidents. Rear underride accidents occur when a car collides with the rear of a truck and becomes lodged under the truck itself, usually demolishing the car in the process. This can be caused by a sudden stop by the truck when a car is following too close or by a trailer bed unseen in lowlight or darkness.
- Side underride accidents. These are much like rear underride accidents except, as the title would suggest, the car collides with the side of the truck. This type of collision is often the result of a truck attempting to take a left turn, make a u-turn, or cross an intersection. Similarly to rear underride accidents, side underride accidents also often occur in low-lit or night conditions when a trailer bed can be near invisible to other vehicles.
- Override collisions. As you might predict, override collisions are the opposite of underride collisions. Underride collisions involve a car riding under a truck; override collisions involve a truck literally running over a vehicle, motorcycle, or pedestrian.
- Jackknife accidents. Jackknife accidents are the result of the truck driver hitting the brakes suddenly and hard, this causes the trailer to skid until it forms a 90 degree angle with the tractor. A jackknifing truck is completely out of the control of its driver.
- Rollover accidents. Rollover accidents are a major hazard in trucking. A rollover can be caused by jackknife accidents, speeding, speeding around turns, or a wheel slipping from or returning to the pavement. Once a truck begins rolling, there is no way to control or stop it.
Because of the size and weight of trucks, Chicago truck accidents are far more dangerous and have higher fatality rates than an accident involving two passenger cars.
If a family member dies as a result of a trucking accident, especially one that was preventable, your life and the lives of your family can be devastated financially and emotionally forever. While nothing can ever truly right the wrong that has been done, you and your family do have legal options that can help you recover financially. An experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer can help you navigate the legal intricacies of filing an Illinois wrongful claim after a fatal truck accident has claimed the life of your loved one.
Illinois Wrongful Death Claim & Trucking Insurance
The Federal Government regulates how much insurance trucking companies must carry. At the very minimum, trucking companies must have at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and the rates only go up from there. For example, trucking companies that carry hazardous wastes have to carry a higher minimum level of insurance.
Illinois Wrongful Death Claim & Trucking Accidents
Like car accidents, the reasons why a trucking accident occurred can be quite complex. For example, truck drivers are only allowed to drive a specific number of hours per day and per week. Sometimes the driver exceeds these hours in order to complete a job. Working too many hours can make a person tired, leading to driver fatigue and truck accidents.Another factor that can contribute to a fatal truck accident is the weight that the truck is carrying. The amount of weight the truck can safely carry is also strictly limited. If the truck is carrying over its weight limit, the truck can be more dangerous.
Truck Company Liability After a Fatal Truck Accident
Trucking companies are required keep documentation about repairs and maintenance on their vehicles. In addition, trucking companies keep records about individual drivers’ activities. However, there is a time limit that trucking companies are required to maintain these records. In some cases, the trucking company can discard the information after 90 days. A qualified Chicago wrongful death lawyer will know how to find key information regarding your case even if the records have been discarded.
Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one to a tragic and preventable accident carries with it an emotional toll that can quickly become overwhelming when funeral costs and medical bills come pouring in, especially if your family relied on the income of the deceased as your main source of financial support. If you have lost a spouse, parent, or other family member because of neglect, you may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible to help your family get back on its feet after your loss.With so much going on during this emotional time, it’s best to have the help of an experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have been helping the families of accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve to move on with their lives. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080
