Trucking companies are responsible for the safety and security of their vehicles. They must maintain their trucks, secure their loads, and ensure the responsibility of their drivers. The failure to do so can result in a potentially devastating or deadly accident. If safety regulations are not met, then both the trucking company and their driver(s) may be found guilty of trucking company negligence.What constitutes trucking company negligence?Some common causes of trucking company negligence include:
- Failing to provide the proper safety equipment, such as brakes, windshield wipers, underride protection and horn;
- Failing to adequately maintain a vehicle;
- Failing to properly secure a load;
- Sending drivers on schedules that exceed federal regulations; and
- Failing to train and discipline personnel.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident that was caused by any of these negligent acts, you may be able to receive compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.What are the federal regulations regarding trucking schedules? Under federal law, truck companies may not schedule deliveries that require the driver to exceed the speed limit. Nor may a driver exceed the maximum amount of driving time allowed. In order to monitor such activity, drivers are required to keep a detailed log book of their activity.This log book can provide useful evidence in a trucking negligence lawsuit.If you have been in a truck accident in Illinois, you may want to know if trucking company negligence was a factor in your crash. To learn more, you can visit our article Types of Trucking Company Negligence. Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyYou should be able to recover from your trucking accident without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.