DuPage County Injury Lawyers
When truck defects or mechanical failures cause accidents in Chicago, the results can be disastrous. As DuPage County injury lawyers know, large commercial vehicles like semis and 18-wheelers can easily cause accidents. Due to their incredible size and weight, such accidents put many individuals’ safety and lives at risk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large truck accidents caused 12 percent of all road fatalities in the United States in 2004, even though only 4 percent of all registered vehicles in the nation were large commercial vehicles. Although distracted driving, driver fatigue and over-weighted truck and load issues contribute to many truck accidents, truck equipment failure is cited as one of the leading causes of these kinds of accidents.
Cicero Truck Accident
A truck accident can result from defects in almost any piece of its equipment. Federal law states that trucks should be inspected each time the driver gets behind the wheel for a haul, no matter how far they are traveling. This simple inspection could discover many defective parts before they become a hazard. Additionally, many truckers or the motor carrier companies that employ them fail to perform proper, routine maintenance. Consequently, they are unaware that these defective parts need replacing in order for the truck to be safe on the roadways. Some common defects and malfunctions include the following:
- Tire defects, such as tread separation and blowouts
- Brake failure
- Defective coupling
- Broken mirrors
- Defective tie-downs or straps that allow loads to shift or fall from the trailer
- Steering mechanism failure
A study performed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 29 percent of semi-tractor trailer accidents occur due to brake failure.
Liability for Improper Maintenance
Truck accidents can leave victims feeling helpless and overwhelmed. At Cary J. Wintroub & Associates, we have the necessary resources to investigate these cases and to prove where negligence occurred. Our injury lawyers aim to hold all negligent truck equipment manufacturers, distributors, trucking companies, mechanics and drivers responsible for the harm these accidents cause. We will fight for your rights to help you receive compensation for your injuries now and aid to help with future medical expenses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to equipment failure, or a drug and alcohol-related truck accident, contact us at (312) 726-1021 as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation with an accident attorney.
