What Happens When a Trucker Causes a Multi-Car Accident?

 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Personal Injury

In early October, a truck driver caused a four-vehicle crash on IL Route 59. The truck driver later died at Northwestern Medicine, Central DuPage Hospital. Witnesses said the semi-tractor trailer was traveling south when it veered to the left, striking a vehicle. The semi then rolled, striking a commercial vehicle and a passenger car. Lane closures were necessary to remove collision debris from the road and begin a crash investigation.

The drivers of the other three vehicles suffered injuries, although none were life-threatening. What happens when a semi-truck driver is responsible for a multi-car accident? It can be difficult enough to be involved in a truck accident between the truck and one vehicle. Trucking companies tend to "circle the wagons" immediately to prevent injured parties from getting the settlement they need and deserve.

Trucking companies and their insurers rarely consider the best interests of truck accident victims. When a semi-truck is involved in a multi-car accident caused by the truck driver’s negligence, it is extremely important that all those involved have an experienced Lombard, IL trucking accident attorney to ensure their rights are protected and that they receive a fair settlement for their damages.

Are Truck Accidents Common in Illinois?

In 2022, there were 11,022 collisions involving semi-trucks across the state of Illinois, accounting for about 4 percent of the total number of crashes. Fatalities from semi-truck crashes increased by 31.4 percent from 2021 to 2022. With its central location, Illinois is a pivotal junction for trucks, and busy interchanges around big cities like Chicago increase the likelihood of truck accidents. In Illinois, fatal crashes between semi-trucks and other vehicles occur most often in the following situations:

• Between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. between Tuesday and Friday
• As a result of excess speed or improper lane changing
• As a result of the truck driver falling asleep or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

How Does a Multi-Vehicle Crash Complicate the Situation?

The circumstances of each crash will dictate how it is handled. Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state when considering damages recovery. The injured party may only recover damages following an accident if he or she is less than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

If a truck driver falls asleep and hits a car while the car's driver is driving 20 miles over the speed limit, a jury might find the truck driver 70 percent responsible and the car's driver 30 percent responsible. Under modified comparative law, if the car's driver was awarded $300,000, that amount would be reduced by 30 percent.

 When additional vehicles are hit during an accident, they would likely bear no responsibility for the accident unless they were driving recklessly or carelessly. The primary reasons a multi-vehicle truck accident can be so complex include:

• In any truck accident, multiple parties may be held liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the loading company, the truck maintenance company, or even the manufacturer of the truck or trailer manufacturer. Each driver’s potential contribution to the accident must also be considered in a multi-vehicle accident.    
• Every truck accident involves federal trucking regulations that govern the maintenance of the truck, hours of service, cargo handling, and driver qualifications.
• Commercial trucks do tend to have higher policy limits, but when multiple people and entities are liable, shifting blame will almost certainly occur.  
• Truck accident investigations can be extremely complex, requiring scene reconstruction, analysis of the truck's black box data, and review of driver hours of service records.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Truck Accident Lawyer

Following any truck accident, the victims will absolutely benefit from having a skilled truck accident lawyer. After a truck accident involving multiple vehicles, an experienced attorney can be crucial. When you hire a Naperville, IL truck accident attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, you have taken an important step toward safeguarding your future.

Our attorneys have extensive experience helping those injured in semi-truck accidents. We have three offices—Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville—and offer Saturday and evening appointments for your convenience. Contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices at 630-932-9100 to schedule your free consultation.