Chicago Bobtail Truck Accident Lawyer
A semi-truck without a trailer, also known as a bobtail truck, can seem less intimidating on the road due to its smaller size. However, in certain conditions, these vehicles can be more dangerous than full tractor-trailers because semis are specifically designed to be at their most stable when they’re towing the additional bulk of a trailer.
If you have been injured in a bobtail truck accident, contact an experienced bobtail truck accident attorney in Chicago at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today. For over 40 years, our attorneys have sought justice for our clients and pursued the maximum compensation for their injuries. Our firm has recovered more than $2.5 billion in settlements and verdicts to date, including tens of millions for truck accident victims. Contact us today to speak with a Chicago bobtail truck accident lawyer about the collision and how we can help you demand the compensation you deserve.
What Is a “Bobtail” Truck?
Typically, when you see a semi-truck on the road in Illinois, it is towing a trailer. A semi-truck that is not towing a trailer is often called a bobtail truck, a nickname derived from the term for an animal whose tail has been clipped or removed altogether. The term can also refer to a truck transporting something above its rear wheels but without a trailer and where the cargo does not extend beyond the truck’s wheels. A common example is a fuel truck.
Often, a bobtail truck is on its way to pick up cargo to make a delivery. Once a trailer is attached, the truck is no longer a bobtail truck. Keep in mind that “bobtailing” is not the same as “deadheading,” which is a term for towing an empty trailer.
How Does Bobtailing Change the Way a Truck Handles?
Semi-trucks are designed to be driven with a trailer attached, which means a bobtail truck handles differently than a truck with an attached trailer. This can lead to certain challenges for its driver, including:
- Needing more time to stop the truck – As counterintuitive as it may seem, a truck without a trailer needs more distance to come to a complete stop because it has very little weight over its rear axle. A semi-truck with a trailer attached doesn’t have this issue, even if the trailer is empty. Without the weight of a trailer over the rear axle, a bobtail truck requires more time to slow down and stop. This could lead to a rear-end collision, especially if the bobtail truck’s driver is following another vehicle too closely.
- Difficulty steering – Not having a trailer attached can significantly throw off a truck’s weight balance. With a bobtail truck, the vehicle’s weight is concentrated over the front axle. Because the front axle is designed for steering rather than supporting the truck, a bobtail truck might skid while navigating sharp turns or in poor weather conditions. A driver having trouble steering a bobtail truck may also drive through a stop sign or intersection, which can result in serious accidents.
- Trouble staying in a lane – Bobtail trucks are less stable than tractor-trailers and are more susceptible to small or sudden movements. Drivers of bobtail trucks might have difficulty staying within their lane. Even a slight drift off the road could cause an accident.
Are Bobtail Trucks More Likely to be Involved in an Accident?
Bobtail trucks are more likely than trucks with attached trailers to be involved in an accident because they are less stable on the road. As a result, they can be challenging to control, particularly in poor weather or road conditions. An inexperienced truck driver unfamiliar with how a bobtail truck handles is more likely to get into an accident.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Bobtail Truck Accidents?
Despite weighing less than trucks towing trailers, bobtail trucks still weigh much more than passenger cars. A collision between a passenger vehicle and a bobtail truck can result in severe injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle, including:
- Neck and back injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological injuries
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bobtail Truck Accident?
There may be multiple parties who are liable in a bobtail truck accident, including:
- The bobtail truck driver – A negligent driver can be liable for the crash. Examples of negligent behaviors include impaired driving, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, speeding, and aggressive driving.
- The trucking company – Trucking companies can be liable for bobtail truck accidents if a driver the company employed was unqualified or poorly trained or if the company failed to monitor the truck driver for dangerous behaviors like impaired driving.
- The company that made the truck – If a bobtail truck accident is caused by a mechanical defect, the company that made the truck or the defective part can be liable for the collision.
Do Truckers Have to Carry Bobtailing Insurance?
Whether a truck driver is required to have bobtailing insurance depends on the circumstances of their employment. Owner-operators who own the trucks they drive are usually not required to have bobtail insurance. However, truck drivers leasing a truck from a motor carrier may be required to carry bobtail insurance. The truck driver’s lease agreement will typically contain details about insurance requirements.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Bobtail Truck Accident?
You should speak to a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after a bobtail truck accident. Hiring an experienced bobtail truck accident lawyer in Chicago means you can focus on healing from your injuries while the lawyer builds a strong case on your behalf. A Chicago bobtail truck accident attorney can investigate the accident to determine who’s liable, how much you’ve suffered in losses, and how much you could receive in compensation. They can then negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and take your case to trial if settlement negotiations are not successful.
The Chicago bobtail truck accident lawyers of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are ready to help you demand the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us about your experience.
