Catastrophic Injuries After an 18-Wheeler Wreck Should be Handled by an Experienced Decatur Trucking Accident Lawyer
Victims of a motor vehicle accident, especially one involving an 18-wheeler, need to call an experienced Decatur trucking accident lawyer for help. That’s because large commercial vehicles can result in catastrophic personal injuries or the wrongful death of an innocent person even in low-speed collisions. Indeed, their size and weight make them particularly dangerous when involved in accidents at any speed. According to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), each year in the United States there are almost 6,000 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses. Another 119,000 people are injured in these traffic crashes too. More locally, statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation reveal that there are almost 12,000 crashes involving tractor-trailers each year in Illinois, of which almost 1,900 of those crashes result in an injury and cause nearly 160 fatalities.
At the Noll Law Office, their experienced legal team handles 18-wheeler wrecks, semi-tractor trailer collisions, and other types of very serious trucking accidents throughout Illinois – including right here in Macon County. Their experienced Decatur trucking accident lawyer knows how to investigate a case by working with law enforcement and leading experts to prove liability, while also working with treating physicians to prove a victim’s injuries and their damages. To learn more about how the Noll Law Office can help you and your family after a truck wreck in Illinois, schedule a free consultation with their legal team by calling (217) 414-8889.
Why Trucking Accidents are Different and Why They Occur Here
Unlike passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles such as box trucks and big rigs are more likely to cause serious personal injuries in a collision. This is because of their heavier weight which generates greater momentum in a crash, therefore resulting in a more powerful force in an impact. As a result, even low-speed crashes are can cause the same significant injuries that a higher speed collision with a smaller car could do.
Although trucking accidents can happen anywhere, Macon County is an important trucking county because I-72 cuts through it, including the northern part of Decatur. Other major state routes come into and through Decatur too, which makes it an important hub – especially considering it is just east of Springfield. As a result, this region has more chances for traffic accidents involving tractor-trailers than other parts of Illinois.
As a result, victims and their families should speak with an experienced Decatur trucking accident lawyer such as one of those at the Noll Law Office. Their legal team is familiar with handling cases in Macon County and in Decatur, as well as having a working rapport with law enforcement and local physicians. Given the complexity of truck crashes in general and the likelihood of serious injuries, victims in their families deserve a lawyer who is not only skilled in the law and medicine, but also the local area.
Types of Trucking Accidents
These accidents can occur in a variety of different ways, each presenting unique dangers and legal challenges for victims, families, and their legal counsel. Understanding these different types of 18-wheeler wrecks can help in prevention and in building a strong legal case if an accident occurs. It can also create awareness for victims and their families who may be unsure whether they have a cause of action.
Some of the most common examples of trucking accidents that the Noll Law Office can handle or victims and their families include the following:
- Rollover – when a truck tips onto its side or roof, or when the trailer completely flips over, it is called a rollover crash. These can be caused by taking turns too quickly, uneven load distribution, or collision avoidance maneuvers – some which may be overreactions. Other times the weather could cause these types of accidents, either due to conditions on the ground or the wind, which further could result in liability to defendants – even for a natural act or “act of God.” Rollovers are not just dangerous when they occur, but also they can present a large and dangerous obstacle on the roadway that could cause motorists to collide into it.
- Rear-end Collisions – due to their size and weight, trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. If a truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance, is distracted, or fails to account for the weather which may increase the stopping distance, they may collide with vehicles in front of them.
- Underride – these particularly scary types of trucking accidents that occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a large truck. They often result in severe injuries or fatalities, especially when a motorcyclist is involved.
- Merging Crashes – collisions caused by turning or merging into lanes is a common cause, and a preventable one because drivers are not permitted to turn into or change lanes when it is not safe to do so under the law. Thus, a truck driver who aggressively merges or turns into a lane which then results in an accident could be liable.
- Jackknife – these occur when the trailer of a large truck swings out at a 90-degree angle from the cab, resembling a traditional folding pocket knife. Jackknifing often happens due to sudden braking or slippery road conditions, and usually is a sign of an inexperienced driver or a negligent decision by the driver.
- Wide Turn Collisions – large trucks need extra space to make turns, sometimes swinging wide or into other lanes. This can lead to collisions with vehicles in blind spots or adjacent lanes when a driver fails to properly gauge the distance that he or she needs but continues with the turn anyway.
- Tire Blowouts – when a truck’s tire fails at high speeds, it can cause the driver to lose control and turning the big rig into an unguided missile. Sadly, many times a tire blowout accident could be avoided with proper inspections of tires, as many blowouts occur after a tire’s tread or sidewall has exhibited some damage.
- Unsecured Cargo – truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with very specific results for securing cargo. The failure to properly secure cargo and to routinely check it could result in catastrophic truck accidents.
- Mechanical Failures – trucks have complicated braking systems and are required to be well-maintained to ensure that they function properly and can handle the weight that they are hauling. Steering columns are also equally as important, and issues with either braking or steering systems could result in a deadly truck wreck.
Common Injuries from Trucking Accidents
Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents involving semi-tractor trailers, big rigs, box trucks, tankers, flatbeds, and other large commercial trucks could result in catastrophic, life-changing, and life-threatening injuries. Indeed, many trucking accident injuries are life-altering even at a low speed, but high-speed crashes are almost guaranteed to result in significant injuries.
Some of the most common injuries that one of the Decatur trucking accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office could handle for you include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Internal organ injuries
- Blindness
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Nerve damage
- Neck injuries or back injuries
- Dislocations or separations
- Crushing injuries
- Loss of a limb or digit
- Burn injuries due to fires or explosions
- Concussions, also referred to as mild TBIs or mTBIs
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Extreme emotional harm, including PTSD, anxiety, and fear
- Torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments
- Wrongful death, and
- Any other personal injury caused by a truck wreck in Illinois.
These injuries can have long-lasting effects on victims, often requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. In turn, these injuries also have a direct impact on their families – oftentimes leading to other damages for them such as loss of consortium. It is crucial for accident victims to seek immediate medical attention and consult with an experienced Decatur trucking accident lawyer to ensure they receive proper compensation for their injuries.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents Under Illinois Law and FMCSA Regulations
There are many causes of 18-wheeler wrecks in Illinois. Many of these types of truck accidents are due to the reckless or careless conduct of a truck driver, trucking company, maintenance company, or another third-party. This often means that a defendant was negligent in causes a crash, usually leading to serious or fatal injuries that were preventable. Unfortunately, many victims and their families do not realize that they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries in truck crashes. This is because defendants and their insurance adjusters often blame victims for crashes.
Thus, it is important that victims and their families know what the common causes of truck wrecks are so that they can protect their rights under Illinois law. This might be through the statutory law, or legislatively-made law, or through the common law, which is judge-made law. In addition to state law, there are also rules and regulations created by the FMCSA, a federal agency responsible for the oversight of commercial vehicles. Their rules and regulations focus primarily on safety, meaning that violations often are due to unsafe practices by defendants.
The top three common violations of Illinois state law and violations of FMCSA regulations that result in serious truck accidents include the following:
1. Driver Fatigue
Despite regulations limiting driving hours, many truck drivers operate their vehicles while exhausted. The FMCSA statistics reveal that driver fatigue contributes to approximately 13% of all trucking accidents. Illinois state law prohibits this type of driving, both under statutory law as a possible example of reckless driving, but more significantly under the common law as not exercising reasonable care when operating a vehicle.
In addition, the FMCSA regulations also have what are called “hours of service” rules, which prohibit drivers from operating a commercial vehicle for a long period of time without a rest break or for too many hours in a day, 7-day period, 8-day period, and other timeframes. These are hard to prove violations of without an experienced Decatur trucking accident lawyer.
2. Distracted Driving
Like any driver, truck operators can be distracted by cell phones, eating, setting GPS, adjusting the radio, or a multitude of other things that could take a hand off the wheel, eyes off the road, and attention away from driving – sometimes all three. However, due to the size of their vehicles, the consequences of distraction can be much more severe than a smaller passenger vehicle – especially on an interstate or state route. Indeed, distracted driving accounts for over 3,300 fatalities a year, and nearly all of these deaths are completely preventable.
3. Speeding
Truck drivers often face tight deadlines, which can lead to speeding, aggressive driving, and even road rage. The increased weight of a truck makes high-speed collisions particularly dangerous because of the momentum that is quickly generated. Not only is speeding against Illinois state law and common law, by FMCSA regulations also prohibit a trucking company from creating unrealistic delivery schedules that require truckers to speed or violate other traffic laws.
Other Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
In addition to these top three causes, some of the most common other causes of trucking accidents include the following:
- Weather conditions that a driver does not adjust to (i.e., slowing down or stopping in inclement weather)
- Disabled vehicles without hazard lights on or warning cones
- Improper loading or unsecured cargo
- Drunk driving or drugged driving
- Inadequate training, supervision, or monitoring
- Unfamiliarity with routes, roadways, traffic patterns, or areas
- Defective equipment
- Poor maintenance or negligence maintenance of a truck
- Size and weight violations
- Invalid medical certificate or no certificate at all
- Traffic law violations
- Following too closely
- Improperly left turns or merging
- Failure to check blind spots
- Improper or no CDL license for a driver
- Road rage or aggressive driving, and
- Other causes of semi-tractor trailer wrecks that a Decatur trucking accident lawyer could handle for you and your family.
After a Truck Wreck in Illinois, Call a Decatur Trucking Accident Lawyer for Help
If you or a loved one were injured in any trucking accident occurring in Decatur, Macon County, or anywhere else in Illinois, call the Noll Law Office for help. Unlike other personal injury law firms, their compassionate team of fifth-generation lawyers offer a dedicated approach to representing victims and their families. Rather than working with a new associate across the state, victims and their families will work directly with Sarah Noll and Daniel Noll on their case, each who have experience representing clients injured in serious accidents.
To learn more about how the Decatur trucking accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office can help you and your family recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, contact them today to schedule a free case consultation by dialing (217) 414-8889 or by sending a message.