Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are one of the most dangerous auto accidents a person can be involved in. This is because commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which can easily cause devastation. People in passenger cars and motorcycles are the most at risk during a truck accident. During 2017, nearly 5,000 people were killed in truck accidents, and only 18% of those deaths were occupants of a truck.
When someone is involved in a truck accident more questions arise than answers. Many variables can contribute to any auto accident, but what makes truck accidents unique is that a company is behind a truck instead of another private party. A truck driver on the road is at work, and are required to follow rules like any other workplace. When these rules are broken by either the truck driver or the supporting company, the consequences are large. A victim of a truck accident may have these questions following the incident.
Do I Need an Attorney?
It is not a requirement for an accident victim to have a lawyer, but if they are seeking compensation, they will be the best resource for a successful settlement. The most important part of any personal injury case is proving negligence. If a driver was overtired or the company was not properly maintaining their fleet, a skilled attorney will know to collect this evidence for a case. Unlike a private party, a trucking company likely has a team of lawyers for this reason, so going at it alone will not likely end in the plaintiff’s favor.
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
In 2017, of the 1,578 fatal crashes in Illinois, 139 involved a large truck. Illinois fell in the middle when it came to the percentage of trucks being involved in fatal accidents at 8.8%. States with higher percentages included Texas, West Virginia, Idaho, and the highest being North Dakota with 16.1%. The involvement of large trucks in accidents went up 10% in 17 states from the year prior. Things that include the likelihood of a truck accident include poor weather, reckless driving, and alcohol use.
Who is Responsible after a Truck Accident?
Who is responsible for an auto accident is dependant on whether a state is a fault state or not. Illinois is an at-fault state, which means the party that caused the accident is responsible for the damages. For example, if a truck driver was speeding or driving recklessly, they would be held liable for the accident.
Contact an Aurora Truck Accident Attorney
After a truck accident, there will be many more questions about what to do after the fact. For answers to these questions, contact an experienced Kane County personal injury attorney today to talk about your options after a truck accident. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812663
