Practice

Blog

Library

Types of Truck Driver Negligence (Part A)

The operation of a commercial truck is entrusted to only a select few drivers who have gone through additional vehicle training to obtain their commercial trucking license. With all the additional requirements of these drivers, there should be little room for driver negligence. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and negligent truck drivers still cause hundreds of accidents every year.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in an Illinois truck accident because of a negligent driver, you not only have to deal with the pain and suffering after the accident, but also now face the stress of filing an insurance claim to recover damages. A Chicago truck accident attorney can take some of that stress away by helping you prepare your claim and seeing it through to settlement.

Physical Negligence in an Illinois Truck Accident

Just like drivers of normal passenger vehicles, truck drivers have the same responsibility to follow the rules of the road when operating commercial trucks. In many cases, commercial truck drivers have additional safety measures they must follow, such as stopping at railroad crossings.

A negligent truck driver can cause an Illinois truck accident if they fail to follow the basic rules of the road. Failure to properly use turn signals during lane changes or turns often cause cars in their blind spots to be struck by the trailer portion of the truck. Tailgating and speeding are also serious problems, as the truck's large size makes it difficult to stop on short notice.

Personal Negligence in an Illinois Truck Accident

Another duty truck drivers have to uphold for their own safety and that of others around them is to comply with the time limits they are allowed to drive. Drivers who are fatigued or otherwise emotionally compromised can have slowed reaction times or become easily distracted from concentrating on the road.

Commercial truck drivers have specific federal laws to follow in regard to the amount of time they can continuously be driving. Neglecting to follow these rules often results in fatigued drivers who are more likely to cause an Illinois truck accident.

Intoxication by alcohol or drugs is also a serious problem when it comes to the causes of an Illinois truck accident. Any driver operating a vehicle under the influence poses a higher risk to others around them, but a truck driver has a much more powerful vehicle in their hands.

Continue to Next Page >>

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

Offices

FAQ