Chicago Improper Truck Maintenance Injury Attorneys

Lawyers Assisting With Truck Accidents Caused by Improper Maintenance in Chicago, IL

Tractor-trailer trucks are large, complex vehicles, and due to their massive size and weight, they present risks to other vehicles on the road. To help avoid the possibility of dangerous and deadly truck accidents, regular maintenance must be performed on semi-trailer trucks. When injuries occur because of improper or inadequate maintenance, victims should work with an attorney to determine how to establish liability and pursue compensation.

At Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC, our personal injury lawyers are highly experienced in truck accident cases, and we have a record of success that demonstrates our ability to achieve justice for our clients. We believe in enhancing public safety by holding negligent parties responsible for the damages they have caused and advocating for public policies, laws, and regulations that help prevent future accidents and injuries.

Forms of Negligent Truck Maintenance

Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial for ensuring that a commercial truck can operate safely. Truck drivers are required to inspect their vehicles on a daily basis and provide inspection reports to trucking companies. Failure to perform these inspections, failure to address reported issues, or failure to properly maintain truck equipment can result in a wide variety of safety issues, including:

• Brake failure - A truck's air brakes must be able to provide the correct amount of braking force that allows the truck to decelerate at the proper rate. Brakes that do not operate correctly due to improper maintenance can cause a driver to be unable to slow down in time to avoid a collision.
• Malfunctioning steering systems - Any issues that affect a driver's ability to steer a truck properly may cause them to be unable to avoid a collision, or they may result in a truck moving erratically and striking other vehicles.
• Tire blowouts or shredding - Failure to replace worn tires or maintain proper tire pressure can result in tire damage that affects a truck driver's ability to control their vehicle.
• Decoupled trailers - Improper maintenance of a truck's "fifth wheel" coupling systems can result in the separation of a trailer from a cab. Drivers and passengers are likely to suffer serious injuries in a collision with a decoupled trailer.
• Shifting or falling cargo - Failure to address issues with the equipment used to secure a truck's cargo can result in a load shifting during travel and causing a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle. Cargo that falls from a truck can cause serious injuries to the occupants of other vehicles.
• Lack of lights or reflective strips - Trucks are required to have the proper lights, signals, and reflective tape that ensure they are visible to other drivers. Broken taillights or missing reflective strips can affect drivers' ability to see and respond to trucks, resulting in dangerous collisions.

Contact a DuPage County Commercial Truck Accident Attorney

When a vehicle is involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer truck, its occupants are likely to experience serious injuries. In many cases, these accidents occur because of the negligence of truck drivers, trucking companies, or maintenance personnel. If you are injured in a truck accident, the attorneys of TKK can examine evidence such as inspection reports and maintenance logs to determine whether the accident was caused by improper truck maintenance. We will work to hold the negligent parties responsible for your injuries and secure financial compensation that fully addresses the damages you have suffered. To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn about your legal options, contact us at 312-605-8800.