Box truck accidents – collisions involving large commercial vehicles that have a box-like body attached to the frame – are a serious problem in Chicago and the surrounding areas, and are sadly on the rise. These large vehicles can cause significant damage to property, as well as severe injuries to those involved. It is important for drivers and passengers alike to understand the factors that contribute to box truck accidents so they can be better prepared if an accident occurs.
Common Causes of Box Truck Accidents
Box truck accidents occur when a box truck collides with another vehicle, object, or person, and are mostly commonly attributable to the following:
- Driver Fatigue – Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of box truck accidents. When drivers become overly tired due to long hours on the road without proper rest periods in between trips, they may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid an accident. Additionally, if drivers are not taking regular breaks throughout their shift, it can lead to drowsiness which further increases their risk for an accident.
- Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is another major factor in many box truck collisions. Drivers who take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds can miss important visual cues that could help them avoid an accident, such as pedestrians crossing the street or other vehicles making sudden lane changes ahead of them. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous as it requires both hands off the wheel and eyes away from the roadway for extended periods of time, which greatly increases the risk of a crash.
- Improper Loading and Unloading Procedures – Improper loading and unloading procedures are a significant cause of box truck collisions each year. Imbalances within cargo loads can make steering more difficult for drivers, leading to crashes at intersections or curves in the roadways where they have less control over their vehicles than normal due to weight distribution issues caused by incorrect packing techniques used during transport operations prior to delivery attempts being made at customer locations. This is done according to job requirements given from dispatchers overseeing fleet operations, with clockwork schedules designed specifically for maximum efficiency purposes, so that customers receive packages as quickly as possible.
Common Injuries from Box Truck Accidents
Box truck accidents can be devastating and cause serious injuries. While some people may walk away with minor cuts and bruises, others may suffer more severe injuries that require medical attention. Common box truck accident injuries include:
- Broken Bones – Broken bones are one of the most common types of injury sustained in a box truck accident. The force of impact from a collision can easily fracture or break bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or other parts of the body. These fractures can take weeks to heal properly, depending on their severity.
- Head Trauma – Head trauma is another type of injury that is commonly seen after a box truck accident due to the violent nature of these collisions. Even if someone was wearing a seatbelt at the time of impact, they could still suffer from head trauma such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms associated with TBIs range from mild headaches to loss of consciousness and memory problems, which often require extensive medical treatment for recovery.
- Spinal Cord Damage – Spinal cord damage is also possible when involved in an accident involving a box truck due to its large size and weight in comparison to smaller vehicles on the roadways today. This type of injury can result in paralysis below where it occurred, along with chronic pain throughout your body, which requires long-term care management plans for those affected by it.
- Internal Organ Damage – Internal organ damage is another potential consequence following an accident involving a box truck. More often than not, in accidents this severe, internal organs are crushed, and the long-term prognosis of accident victims is grim.
Unfortunately, death is possible when involved in any type of vehicle crash, but there is
a much higher probability of occurrence when larger trucks like those used by delivery companies are involved.
Who Is Liable for a Box Truck Accident?
When a box truck is involved in an accident, determining who is liable can be complicated. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, liability may fall on the driver of the box truck or the company that owns it. In some cases, both parties may be held responsible for damages incurred in an accident.
If another party was responsible for causing the accident (such as another driver), they too may be held liable for any damages resulting from their negligence or recklessness. For example, if a car rear-ends a box truck and causes damage to property or injury to someone inside, then both drivers could potentially be found at fault and therefore liable for the financial outlay associated with repairs and medical bills.
In addition to other drivers being at fault, sometimes mechanical failure can cause box truck accidents. If this happens, then liability will likely rest with either the manufacturer of parts used in the vehicle or with maintenance personnel who failed to properly inspect and maintain them before use.
It is important to note that even if one party is primarily at fault for an accident involving a box truck, this does not mean that all parties are absolved from responsibility.
Pursuing Compensation
When you have been injured in a box truck accident, the first step is to seek medical attention. Once your health has stabilized, it is important to understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation.
The Role of an Attorney
To pursue compensation for a box truck accident injury, you will need the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accidents. Your attorney will be able to assess the facts surrounding your case and determine who may be liable for any damages or losses suffered as a result of the crash. They will also work with insurance companies on your behalf to negotiate fair settlements that cover all necessary costs associated with the incident, such as medical bills, property damage repairs and lost wages due to missed work time, as well as pain and suffering expenses.
Common Challenges
There are many common challenges when it comes to pursuing compensation after being involved in a box truck accident.
- For instance, determining liability can be difficult if there were multiple vehicles involved or if one party was not insured at the time of the crash.
- Additionally, proving negligence on behalf of another driver can be complicated depending on how much evidence is available from witnesses or surveillance footage captured at the scene of the incident.
- Lastly, insurance companies often attempt to minimize their payout by offering low settlement amounts or denying claims altogether, which is something that an experienced attorney is well-versed in handling.
No matter how severe the injuries, an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your damages and losses. By understanding the complexities of such cases, they can provide the necessary guidance to ensure that you receive justice.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a box truck accident, an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer can help guide you through this process and ensure that all your needs are met. Do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Drake and Collopy are experienced Chicago truck accident lawyers who can provide quality representation and work hard to ensure that your rights are protected. We will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with all your legal needs related to a trucking accident injury case.
