Naperville Truck Accident Lawyer
Anyone who regularly commutes throughout the Chicago suburbs will also regularly drive past 18-wheelers. These huge semi-trucks are not only several times larger than your average passenger car or truck, but also weigh up to 14 tons. This means that they stop about 40% slower than a standard vehicle. On top of that, when they do not stop in enough time to avoid an accident, their speed and weight exponentially increases the damage done upon collision. Still, driver’s license exams do not question drivers about their understanding of these dangers nor do they instruct on how to drive safely around such large vehicles.
Sadly, accidents involving semi-trucks in Chicago are not uncommon. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact Willens & Baez for help through this traumatizing experience.
Trucks Need Extra Space
A lot of space. Semi trucks take up a lot of space on a standard expressway lane. They take up even more space on side roads which tend to measure an average of 12 feet across. Trucks are legally permitted to weigh up to 80,000 pounds and every ounce of this is placed on the tires. This means that tire blowouts can be a real problem if you are directly next to the tire. On top of that, trucks have such a large surface area that wind gusts will affect them much more than a passenger car. This makes them prone to swerving at unexpected times.
Whose Fault Was the Truck Accident?
In some cases, the at-fault party in a truck accident may not be initially clear. For example, if the driver’s fatigue led to the accident, it may have also been the fault of the trucking company, which incentivized drivers to move quicker and avoid sleep. Or, the tires may have blown out or the cargo may have come loose, placing liability on a tire or equipment manufacturing company.
It may seem impossible to place blame on the correct party and attempt to recover compensation after a devastating truck accident. However, at Willens & Baez it is our mission to ensure you are paid adequately for the injuries you suffered. Call us and let us begin working immediately.
