Plainfield, IL Truck Accident Attorneys

Attorney Gary Newland has been incredible to work with. Ultra responsive, caring, and a master of his craft! He puts the time and effort into making the most of your case and is compassionate throughout the whole experience.

The roads in and around Plainfield carry a steady stream of commercial truck traffic. When a massive 18-wheeler is involved in a collision, the outcome can be devastating. The difference in weight between a large truck and a passenger vehicle is so large that even a low-speed impact can cause severe injuries.

Commercial truck accidents can be especially difficult for victims because of the physical harm they may suffer and the complex legal issues that may need to be addressed. Trucking companies and insurance companies will begin taking steps to protect their interests almost immediately after a truck accident. Victims will need to protect themselves as well, and they can do so with the help of a skilled lawyer.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we represent people who have been injured in 18-wheeler and commercial truck accidents in Plainfield and the surrounding Will County area. Our attorneys understand the legal concerns that can arise in these cases, and we know how to hold drivers, carriers, and other responsible parties accountable.

Mechanical Failures That Can Turn Trucks Into Hazards

A commercial truck traveling at highway speed can be incredibly dangerous if maintenance and inspections were not performed correctly. Trucking companies will need to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles, and truck drivers are required to conduct inspections as well to identify potential safety issues. When inspections are performed carelessly or a truck is not maintained correctly, mechanical failures can occur, leading to truck accidents.

Brake System Failures

Of all the mechanical systems on a large commercial truck, the brakes are some of the most critical. Air brake systems are complex, and problems can develop due to worn brake shoes, air leaks, faulty valves, or overheating. When a truck has faulty brakes, a driver may not be able to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.

Tire Blowouts and Tread Separation

Truck tires bear heavy loads, and they can break down over thousands of miles. When tires are underinflated or worn, the risk of a blowout can increase. A tire blowout can cause a truck to swerve across multiple lanes of traffic. Tread separation can send debris flying at other vehicles with enough force to cause serious accidents.

Steering and Suspension Defects

Worn steering components and failing suspension systems will reduce a truck driver's ability to control a large vehicle. These failures may occur because of inadequate maintenance or because substandard replacement parts were used.

Lighting and Visibility Equipment

Commercial trucks must maintain functioning headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and reflective markings. A truck operating at night or in harsh weather without proper lighting may be nearly invisible to other drivers until it is too late to react. Lighting failures that go unrepaired are violations of safety standards that can lead to accidents.

Traffic Violations by Truck Drivers

A driver who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL) is expected to operate their vehicle with a high level of care and skill. When truck drivers commit traffic violations, the consequences can be catastrophic. Speeding is an ongoing problem in the trucking industry. Delivery schedules put pressure on drivers to cover ground as quickly as possible, which may lead them to exceed speed limits. A loaded truck traveling above the speed limit will require more distance to stop, and the impact of a collision will be much more severe at higher speeds.

Tailgating is especially dangerous when a truck weighs much more than the vehicle ahead of it. A truck driver who does not maintain enough distance may be unable to stop before hitting a vehicle that brakes or slows down unexpectedly.

Unsafe lane changes are another frequent cause of serious truck accidents. The blind spots on a large commercial truck are much larger than those of a passenger vehicle. A driver who changes lanes without properly checking their mirrors or signaling may not notice a vehicle before they collide with it. Wide turns are another common cause of accidents in which cyclists, pedestrians, or other vehicles may suffer harm when caught in the path of a swinging trailer.

How Driver Fatigue Compounds the Risks of Truck Driving

Federal laws regulate truck drivers and place limits on the number of hours they may operate. A driver who has been behind the wheel for many hours without receiving enough rest can experience impairments that are similar to being drunk. They will have longer reaction times and a decreased ability to fully pay attention to the road. Their ability to respond to changing road conditions and maintain control of their vehicle will be affected. In the most dangerous cases, drivers may completely fall asleep, which can lead them to crash into other vehicles at high speeds.

Cargo Issues That Can Lead to Serious Accidents

The freight a commercial truck carries will directly affect how the truck handles, steers, and stops. Cargo-related issues can lead to serious truck accidents. Cargo can shift when loads are not properly secured. This can alter a truck's center of gravity, making the vehicle more difficult to control or leading to a rollover accident.

Falling cargo is another serious hazard. Improperly secured loads may spill onto the road, creating sudden obstacles for other drivers who may have no time to react. Lumber, construction materials, and other large items can cause fatal accidents when they fall from a moving truck.

Overloaded trucks are dangerous as well. Cargo that exceeds weight limits can place excessive stress on a truck's brakes, tires, and suspension. More time and distance will be needed to stop, and a driver may have trouble maintaining control. Weigh station records, cargo manifests, and other evidence can help establish whether overloading played a role in causing an accident.

How Our Legal Team Investigates Truck Accident Cases

A full investigation of a commercial truck accident can be crucial, but the window to act may be small. Our lawyers will take action to gather evidence that may play a role in a truck accident case. We will move quickly to send spoliation letters to the trucking company and its insurer, ensuring that all records related to the accident and the vehicle will be preserved. We can take steps to obtain black box data, truck driver logs, employment records, information about drug and alcohol testing, maintenance and inspection logs, cargo loading documentation, and other evidence.

We work with accident reconstruction professionals to analyze physical evidence from the scene and determine how a truck accident occurred. If an accident may have been caused by mechanical failures, we can work with engineers to examine a vehicle and determine whether neglected maintenance or a defective component contributed to the crash.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Cases in Plainfield

Contact Our Plainfield Truck Accident Lawyers

A collision with an 18-wheeler or another commercial truck can change the course of your life. The road to recovery can be hard enough, but dealing with legal issues as you take steps to recover compensation can make the situation even more difficult. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we will work to ease your burdens and fight to obtain full compensation for all of your damages. Contact our Plainfield, IL 18-wheeler accident attorneys at 815-620-0546 to arrange a free consultation.