Illinois motorists share the road with large trucks throughout the year. Unfortunately, the reliance on these vehicles by numerous industries could result in truckers working long hours and traveling over the speed limit to meet the growing demand for fast shipment.
Any type of motor vehicle accident can be dangerous, but truck accidents are much more likely to be deadly, simply because trucks are so large and heavy.
Truck accident liability
The devastation, harm and damages involved in a truck accident can be tremendous and life-altering. At the Law office of Stephen P. Rapp, we recognize the complexities often involved in a semi-truck accident, but we don’t let that take the attention away from the needs of our clients. This is why our legal team takes the time to fully understand the matter, the goals of our clients and explore the available strategies to get a favorable result for our clients.
A truck accident is not always caused by the truck driver’s negligence. What makes the matters so complex is the fact that several parties could be held liable. Thus, other parties need to be considered, given the specific facts of the situation. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company they work for, the truck manufacturer, the parts manufacturer used by the truck manufacturer and other motorists that contributed to the accident.
Filing a civil action
In some cases, the cause and liability of a truck accident could be clear and apparent. In other situations, they may require further investigation to uncover this information. While the possible causes could be plentiful, there are common causes that are important to consider and assess. This includes truck driver fatigue, impairment, speeding, reckless driving, pressure from trucking company to go faster, imbalanced loads and defective parts or components of the truck.
Filing a civil action following a truck crash may be the step to take. This not only helps with holding a negligent party liable, but it also helps in the determination of damages and the recovery of compensation. As such, it is important to consider your legal options to protect your rights and interests.