Commercial Trucking And Semi-Truck Collisions In Illinois And Nationwide
Large commercial trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers move much of the food, fuel, construction supplies, equipment, and consumer goods that we use and consume in the United States. But big trucks can mean big injuries when they collide with much smaller passenger vehicles. Fortunately, state and the federal governments both regulate trucking to a greater degree than ordinary passenger vehicles. Commercial truckers must obey:
- Limits on consecutive hours they may drive
- Restrictions on roads they may travel
- Requirements for maintaining logs and records
- Mandates for servicing the trucks and equipment
It takes an experienced personal injury attorney to know all the rules of the road and trucking regulations. At Dripps & Blotevogel LLC, our trial lawyers know what to look for and where to find it when investigating a trucking collision involving a large commercial truck. We also help our clients document their injuries and obtain compensation from all possible sources.
Why are trucking collisions so dangerous for regular drivers?
There’s very little room for debate—trucking collisions are significantly more deadly than car crashes. According to the Department of Transportation, 72% of people killed in large truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles, highlighting the disproportionate impact on smaller vehicles. But why exactly are these encounters so risky?
Trucks have reduced stopping power.
Think you can slam on the brakes and avoid trouble? Not so fast. Trucks need much longer distances to come to a halt, leaving less room for error and raising the risk of rear-end collisions.
Truck drivers face significant pressure at work.
Truck drivers face immense pressure to meet deadlines and arrive to their destination on time, leading to fatigue, distraction, and even speeding. These factors significantly increase the risk of collisions. In the most dangerous cases, truck drivers may be impaired by substances, setting up the conditions for a horrifying tragedy.
Experienced Legal Representation For Seriously Injured Victims Of Trucking Collisions
If you or your family members have been injured as a result of a collision involving a commercial truck, you need aggressive and experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyers to determine the causes and responsible parties. Call 800-917-1529 or contact us online to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.
We offer contingent fee agreements, so you owe no attorney fees or costs unless and until we recover compensation for you.