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​Experienced ILLINOIS Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
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Tanker Truck Accidents

Chicago Lawyers Helping Victims of Devastating Motor Vehicle Collisions

Tanker trucks refer to commercial semis or big rigs that transport liquefied loads, including those that are flammable and hazardous. Tanker trucks pose hazards to others on the road, since they have been known to spontaneously combust or spill chemicals on highways. People hurt in a tanker truck accident have a legal right to pursue compensation from all of the parties that caused it. Victims can rely on the Chicago truck accident attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca to protect their legal rights and pursue compensation on their behalf.

Understanding Your Legal Options Following a Tanker Truck Accident

When a collision occurs involving a tanker truck, victims may suffer catastrophic injuries. Since these trucks typically carry hazardous cargo, insurance coverage is higher than for other tractor-trailers. Additionally, truck drivers are required to undergo specific training and receive endorsements before operating these massive vehicles. Federal regulations also mandate that drivers carrying hazardous materials, including fuels and flammable liquids, undergo security threat assessments. These regulations help protect people sharing the road with tractor-trailers moving hazardous materials.

Victims suffering from injuries following a crash not only face the harm caused by a collision with a massive truck, but also they may be exposed to dangerous chemicals that require immediate medical attention. In some cases, victims may suffer years of pain and debilitating injuries. The potentially severe extent of harm following a tanker truck accident cannot be understated. In order to set forth a true calculation of future medical needs, it is often necessary to rely on expert medical opinions.

Causes of tanker truck accidents range from fatigued drivers to reckless speeding. Truck drivers must meet delivery deadlines, and despite moving dangerous cargo, they may rush in order to reach their destination. Driver exhaustion, speeding, and distracted driving are some of the more common causes of truck collisions. To show a driver’s negligence, an accident victim would aim to prove that the driver owed a duty of care, the driver breached this duty, and the breach caused actual damages.

Tanker truck accidents may also be caused by the negligent conduct of a trucking company. Failing to conduct necessary vehicle inspections or neglecting to abide by standards set forth for transporting materials may lead to dire consequences. Failing to adequately train drivers subjects a company to potential legal liability as well. Drivers must demonstrate technical competence and meet both state and federal guidelines. In the event that a trucking company has not met its duty of care, it may be held legally at fault for harm caused by its conduct.

After a truck accident victim has established the legal fault of a driver, trucking company, or manufacturer, they will set forth their damages. Damages include both economic and non-economic harm caused by the accident. Medical expenses and ongoing treatment costs will likely be covered, as will property damage and missed wages from work due to the accident. Often, claims for recovery are strengthened by relying on vocational rehabilitation experts, medical experts, and other professionals who help present a complete picture of the total impact of the collision. Victims may also set forth evidence of the emotional impact of an accident and the associated decrease in their quality of life, such as an inability to enjoy hobbies and activities following an accident.

Retain an Experienced Chicago Attorney to Advocate on Your Behalf

After a tanker truck accident, the Chicago attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation for all of your past, present, and future harm. As tractor-trailer crash lawyers, we understand the complex nature of tanker truck collisions and have experience negotiating with insurance companies that are seeking to minimize payments. When a driver’s negligence or a trucking company’s careless conduct causes harm, we can aggressively advocate for your right to full recovery. Contact us at 312-724-5846 or use our online form to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. We also help victims in Springfield, Quincy, Rockford, Aurora, and Champaign, as well as other communities in Cook, Sangamon, Winnebago, Champaign, Kane, and Adams Counties.