At Cullotta Bravo Law, we deal with various types of accidents involving semi-tractor-trailers and other types of heavy commercial trucks, and we have experience negotiating with insurance companies and navigating industry and federal and state law complexities.
Accidents involving multi-ton vehicles are often severe, requiring special assistance from qualified crash attorneys – those with experience securing settlements that car accident victims deserve. At Cullotta Bravo Law, we have dealt with many kinds of accidents that often result from truck driver negligence. If you have been the victim of these kinds of accidents, we can help you.
Blind Spots
Most of us have had the nerve-racking experience of driving in an 18-wheeler’s blind spot. It can be frightening precisely because we know that there is a good chance the driver cannot see us when we are adjacent to them. If they decide to change lanes, we could be hit, forced off the road, or crushed.
Head On Collisions
Head-on collisions with big rigs are often fatal. A driver might drift out of their lane into oncoming traffic, miss a stop sign, fail to stop at a red light, or not observe another vehicle’s right-of-way at an intersection. Whatever the reason – operator fatigue, distraction, or a tire blowout – the outcomes can be devastating.
Jackknife
If a truck driver brakes hard and fast, often in bad weather conditions, causing the weight of the trailer to be thrust forward, they might cause the tractor-trailer to jackknife – or fold itself so that the trailer forms a right angle with the cab. A skidding jackknifed trailer can hit nearby vehicles and cause a pileup as it careens through traffic.
Lost Load
Sometimes, the truck driver is not at fault for an accident. Those responsible for loading freight or securing the truck could also be responsible for loads that fall onto the road, hitting vehicles behind them, or creating dangerous obstacles.
Rear-End Collisions
Because of their weight, large trucks need much more distance and time to slow down and stop. A driver who fails to do so to avoid hazards or crash into vehicles in front of them might be suffering from inattention, speeding, or tailgating.
Rollovers
Tractor-trailers have high centers of gravity, which make tipping over easy when turning too sharply or driving too fast, or as a result of being improperly loaded or having a tire blow out. Rollovers can also be the result of driver inattention or fatigue.
Runaway truck
Those accustomed to driving in the mountains have often seen “runaway truck” signs and ramps on long downhill stretches of roads. A driver who has lost control of an 18-wheeler because of brake failure, shifting load, loss of traction, or any other reason should use these areas to get off the road, slow down, and avoid hitting other vehicles. If a driver misses the chance to do this, the consequences can be severe.
Sideswipe
A truck driver can sideswipe a vehicle traveling next to them in the same direction, causing a crash. This can happen when a driver doesn’t check their blind spot(s) before merging or changing lanes. Other common causes of sideswipes include tire blowouts, road obstacles, intense wind, or other inclement weather.
Tire Blowout
Tire blowouts are just what they sound like, and they are very dangerous. A tire that blows out can cause a truck driver to lose control of the vehicle, causing any number of the accident types listed here.
T-Bone
T-bone accidents, also called side-impact or broadside crashes, can occur when a truck driver runs a red light or stop sign, violates the right-of-way, and hits another vehicle at a right angle. This kind of crash can occur when a driver improperly turns across one or more lanes of traffic or, like many other types of crashes because they are driving at an excessive speed or are driving while distracted or drowsy.
Under Ride
If the operator of a large commercial truck stops too quickly, there is a chance that smaller vehicles behind the truck could get lodged underneath it. Low visibility because of foggy or snowy conditions can set the stage for this dangerous situation, as can a failure to use underride guards or maintain a truck’s brake lights.
Wide Turn
Most of us have seen a tractor-trailer swing left before making a right turn. This is what’s known as a wide turn. Sometimes, the driver isn’t aware of vehicles on the right side or rear of the truck. In these cases, the truck can unintentionally trap vehicles (or even pedestrians) in neighboring lanes.
Chicagoland Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured in an accident and need representation, you need an injury attorney with a proven track record of success. Contact us today at (630) 898-7800 to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Aurora, Naperville, and Chicago, IL, have the knowledge and expertise to help you fight for what’s rightfully yours – lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses included.