Illinois Trucking Regulations
Dedicated Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers for People Injured in Crashes in Chicago
Illinois maintains state regulations for operating motor vehicles, and trucking companies as well as drivers are required to follow these laws, which protect the safety of drivers and others on the road. When drivers or companies fail to follow Illinois trucking regulations, severe injuries can occur. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our Chicago truck accident lawyers provide knowledgeable, skilled legal representation to people hurt in a collision. We investigate all of the potential causes of a vehicle crash, and we guide accident victims and their families through the legal process of securing compensation for their harm.
Illinois Trucking Regulations and Violations that May Support a Legal Claim
Illinois has enacted trucking regulations that follow national guidelines, particularly regarding braking requirements, inspection and maintenance of vehicles, and driver drug testing. Commercial trucks that often operate within state borders include garbage trucks, dump trucks, and delivery trucks. Interstate truckers are to abide by federal trucking regulations, provided by the United States Department of Transportation.
State trucking regulations cover a range of matters, from driver qualifications to how a truck must operate and secure its cargo. For example, weight load limits, which include towed cargo, are not to be exceeded on Illinois roads. Load tie-down requirements must also be met by drivers and their trucking companies. To lawfully operate a commercial truck within the state of Illinois, trucking companies must comply with these regulations and ensure that their drivers are also cognizant of state trucking laws.
A trucker or trucking company that violates state trucking regulations and causes an accident may be held liable for damages. For example, if a driver failed to properly secure their load, and falling debris or cargo affected the trucker’s ability to maneuver the truck, ultimately causing the driver to lose control and crash, this violation may be found to have caused the crash. Under a negligence claim, an injured party can hold the driver and often the trucking company liable.
When an accident victim suffers injuries caused by a violation of an Illinois trucking regulation, evidence of the violation may be used to support a claim of negligent conduct. Negligence is a breached duty of care that directly leads to harm, such as injuries and property damage. Victims must demonstrate causation by showing that the breach directly caused their harm. Truck drivers may violate more than one law, such as failing to properly secure their cargo and driving beyond the required hours of service. These violations can combine to cause an accident.
The types of damages that may be recovered in a successful truck accident claim are extensive. This is because truck collisions often result in devastating injuries, such as permanent brain damage, loss of use of body parts, and scarring. Accident victims who successfully prove the legal fault of the company or driver will then be able to recover the full extent of their damages incurred from the collision. Medical expenses, missed wages from work, and any decrease in a future ability to earn are potential costs that can be secured in a legal claim. Often, injured individuals experience a decreased quality of life, and while their emotional pain caused by the accident may be difficult to quantify, these are damages that can be recovered in a legal claim for compensation.
Contact Chicago Attorneys Familiar with Illinois Truck Laws
The dedicated attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca understand the importance of financial security following a truck collision, when victims face mounting medical costs and significant wage losses from missed work. Whether it was a trucking company’s failure to maintain its vehicle or another violation of an Illinois or federal trucking regulation, the driver and possibly the company may be held liable for the resulting harm. To better understand your legal rights and obligations, call our Chicago office and discuss your claim with a skilled injury lawyer. We help people throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas, including in Rockford, Springfield, Aurora, Quincy, Champaign, and other cities in Sangamon, Cook, Winnebago, Adams, and Champaign Counties. Call our office at 312-724-5846 or reach us online today.