Many devastating crashes involving large trucks occur in Rockford, IL. These accidents often happen as the result of negligent actions committed by truck drivers and trucking companies. Fortunately, victims may obtain payment for their injuries by filing lawsuits against at-fault parties.
A truck accident lawyer can help investigate the cause of your accident and determine the proper course of action. Most defendants are represented by insurers who will attempt to disprove elements of plaintiffs’ cases. An experienced attorney can help deal with insurance companies and recover the full range of compensation available to you.
If you were injured because of a truck accident in Rockford, IL, get help recovering the payment you deserve. Get in touch with our experienced Rockford truck accident lawyers today by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free review of your case.
Common Causes of Rockford, IL Truck Accidents
There are many types of careless and reckless actions that lead to crashes involving large trucks. Our Rockford truck accident lawyers can find out if your crash stems from one of the following causes:
Tired Driving
A great number of truck accidents happen because of tired drivers. Tired drivers are likely to commit careless errors behind the wheel. For instance, a tired truck driver may cause an accident by veering out of his lane or ignoring a traffic signal.
In some cases, tired truck drivers caused accidents because their employers forced them to remain on the road for excessive period of time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets forth hours of service regulations that limit the amount of time a commercial truck driver can stay on the road without a break. Unfortunately, trucking companies may choose to violate these regulations in order to deliver loads on time. Our attorneys can hold trucking companies liable for crashes that occur because they forced their drivers to violate house of service regulations.
Negligent Cargo Securement Practices
Negligent cargo securement practices are another common cause of truck accidents. When cargo is not properly secured, it can cause accidents by shifting and moving during transit. For example, a crash may occur because a trucking company did not store cargo in direct contact with each other. Our Rockford truck accident lawyers can help victims of such accidents build their cases.
Improper Tiedown Usage
Tiedowns are devices like webbings, chains, and straps that are used to secure devices during transit. Many truck accidents occur because truck drivers and trucking companies utilize tiedowns with inadequate weight ratings. Furthermore, accidents can occur because tiedowns were secured into positions where they were likely to unfasten or become worn. Victims of truck accidents caused by improper tiedown usage may be entitled to multiple forms of monetary damages.
Speeding
Additionally, many crashes involving large trucks occur because of drivers travelling at excessive speeds. Most vehicles become difficult to handle at high speeds. However, speeding trucks are especially difficult to control. Further, accidents involving trucks travelling at high speeds are more likely to cause serious harm.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is also a common cause of truck accidents in Rockford. Drunk drivers will have poor decision-making abilities and will be inhibited by blurry vision and poor motor skills. Unfortunately, some truck drivers still choose to operate their vehicles while impaired. Victims of such accidents should contact our attorneys for help holding drunk drivers accountable for the harm they caused.
Distracted Driving
Lastly, many truck accidents happen because of mistakes made by distracted drivers. Drivers can be cognitively, manually, or visually distracted. Some activities, like texting, incorporate all three categories of distraction. The following are examples of other activities that can distract truck drivers in Rockford:
- Talking on the phone
- Viewing social media on a mobile device
- Eating or drinking
- Typing information into a GPS
There are many other activities that can cause distracted driving accidents. If you suspect your crash may have occurred because of a distracted driver, you should contact our experienced Rockford truck accident lawyers for help assessing the strength of your case.
Time Limit to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Rockford, IL
The time limit to file a truck accident in Rockford is established by the Illinois statute of limitations. Under 735 I.L.C.S. 5/13-202, victims will usually have 2 years from the dates of their crashes to file their truck accident lawsuits. Noncompliance with the statute of limitations will cause you to miss out on important compensation.
Even though you may have 2 years to file your case, you should contact our experienced Rockford truck accident lawyers as soon as possible after your collision. Certain evidence is hard to preserve. For example, an eyewitness to your accident may forget a pertinent detail or a piece of physical evidence from the scene may be lost. The sooner you contact our team, the more easily we can gather the evidence required to support your claim.
There are certain exceptions to the statute of limitations. For instance, a parent may bring a truck accident claim on behalf of their injured child at any time until the child reaches the age of 18. After turning 18, according to 735 I.L.C.S. 5/13-211, victims will then have 2 years to file cases stemming from any truck accidents that were suffered while they were minors. You can contact our team for help determining how the Illinois statute of limitations will apply to your case.
Elements of a Rockford, IL Truck Accident Lawsuit
There are several factors that can affect the legal strategies utilized in your case. However, in every truck accident lawsuit, the plaintiff must establish the following four elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant did not adhere to their duty of care
- You were hurt because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You suffered damages because of the injuries you incurred
Our Rockford truck accident lawyers can help analyze the facts of your case to determine if the required elements are present.
If You Suffered a Truck Accident in Rockford, IL, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt because of a truck accident, seek support from our experienced Rockford truck accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free review of your case.