Galesburg, Illinois Truck Accident Attorneys

The injuries that a person may suffer in a collision with a commercial truck can permanently change the course of their life. In Galesburg, commercial traffic regularly passes through the area on major roadways such as U.S. Route 34 and Interstate 74, and drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or others may be involved in dangerous truck accidents. In these situations, injury victims will need to understand their legal options.

Truck accidents are often far more catastrophic than other types of collisions due to the size, weight, and speed of commercial vehicles. Passenger cars and motorcycles stand little chance in a collision with an 80,000-pound semi-truck. Survivors may face debilitating injuries and extensive financial losses. To address these issues, victims can take steps to recover financial compensation from the parties who were responsible for a truck accident.

At Kanoski Bresney, our attorneys have the experience needed to handle complex truck accident claims. We can conduct a thorough analysis of a crash, working to determine how the incident occurred and who may be held liable. Our team provides attentive, compassionate legal representation with the goal of protecting the rights and futures of people who have been affected by commercial truck accidents.

Call 309-836-1002 Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

The Risks and Consequences of Truck Accidents

While any traffic accident can be dangerous, collisions with 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles have a higher chance of causing life-altering injuries or fatalities. Victims may suffer injuries such as:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A high-speed impact with a large truck can lead to concussions or other types of head injuries that may cause damage to the brain.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: When the nerves in the spinal cord are crushed, damaged, or completely severed in a collision, a victim may experience paralysis or reduced mobility.
• Crush Injuries: The sheer force of a truck can crush other vehicles. People inside may experience injuries such as internal organ damage, broken bones, and amputations.
• Burns and Chemical Exposure: When tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials are involved in collisions, people may be exposed to toxic chemicals. If a truck catches fire or explodes following a collision, victims may suffer serious burn injuries.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Many truck accidents are preventable, and they can often be traced back to acts of negligence or oversight. Some of the contributing factors in commercial truck crashes may include:

• Driver Fatigue: Long-haul truck drivers often work extended shifts, spending long days or nights on the road and driving across the country multiple times each week. Despite federal regulations requiring rest breaks, drivers may attempt to continue driving even when they are fatigued, which can increase the risks of accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Actions such as checking a cell phone, reading and sending text messages, looking up directions on a GPS device, using the radio, or eating while driving can lead to fatal misjudgments by truck drivers.
• Improper Loading: Unbalanced or overloaded trailers can affect a truck's handling. This could lead to jackknife accidents or rollovers. Cargo that is not secured correctly may fall from a truck, and dropped cargo loads can damage other vehicles or create obstacles in the road that may lead to accidents.
• Mechanical Failure: When brake systems do not function correctly, truck drivers may be unable to slow down or stop correctly, making it impossible to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Tire blowouts, steering issues, or other mechanical problems may also lead to a loss of control that could result in a collision.
• Driving Under the Influence: Some truck drivers may use drugs or alcohol, which can greatly increase the chances that they will engage in dangerous behavior or be unable to maintain control of their vehicles, resulting in devastating accidents.
• Inadequate Driver Training: Commercial drivers need to be able to operate their vehicles safely in various weather and traffic conditions. When a driver has received insufficient training, they may make critical errors that could lead to accidents.

Complex Liability Issues in Truck Accident Cases

There are multiple people or entities that may share responsibility for commercial truck accidents. It is not always clear at first glance who should be held accountable. At Kanoski Bresney, our skilled truck accident attorneys can take steps to identify the liable parties, which may include:

• The Truck Driver: If a driver caused an accident by violating traffic laws, driving recklessly, or ignoring safety regulations, they may be liable for the damages suffered by victims.
• The Trucking Company: Employers may be held accountable when issues such as negligent hiring, poor training practices, or failure to maintain a fleet of trucks lead to truck accidents.
• Maintenance Contractors: Third-party vendors who service commercial trucks may be responsible if inadequate repairs or inspections contributed to an accident.
• Cargo Loading Companies: When improperly loaded or unsecured cargo is the cause of an accident, the company responsible for loading the truck may be held liable.
• Manufacturers: When an accident is caused by defective truck parts, such as tires or brakes, manufacturers may be held liable through product liability claims.