Truck Hitch Failure Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois

Were you involved in a truck accident that was caused by an unhitched trailer or other type of truck failure? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your expenses and losses, including medical costs, lost income, property damage, and more. You deserve a chance to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can help fight for compensation while you focus on your recovery.

The Illinois truck accident lawyers at Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. have the necessary knowledge and skills to thoroughly investigate the truck accident, gather evidence to support your case, identify all possible liable parties, calculate losses you suffered, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

What Is Semi Truck Hitch Failure?

Trailer hitch failure occurs when a truck’s trailer detaches from the cab. The unhitched trailer (also called a “runaway trailer”) may crash into other motorists on the road, motorcyclists, cyclists, or pedestrians. If the trailer is loaded with cargo, the cargo could spill out of the trailer, causing more collisions and further injuries.

Often, semi-truck hitch failure accidents are caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver or another party who is responsible for ensuring the truck hitch works appropriately.

Proving Negligence After a Truck Crash

Proving liability in a truck accident is an uphill battle. Even if it seems evident that the truck driver is at fault, other parties could have contributed to the accident. You will most likely need to hire an attorney to identify all the liable parties (and all potential sources of compensation). Potentially liable parties for a truck accident include:

The truck driver – Truck drivers are obligated to operate their vehicles in a manner that prevents others from harm. Truck drivers must do daily inspections of the entire vehicle, including the trailer hitch. If they neglect to inspect the truck, they could be liable for a trailer hitch failure accident.
The trucking company – The trucking company, which typically owns the truck, could also be responsible for a trailer hitch accident in some circumstances. For example, if the trucking company failed to perform regular maintenance on the vehicle, their negligence could have contributed to the accident.
A third-party maintenance company – Sometimes, trucking companies outsource maintenance duties to third-party maintenance companies. If the maintenance company failed to maintain and inspect the truck, they could also be partly liable.
Cargo loaders – In some cases, negligent cargo loaders could be partly responsible. If the cargo loaders overloaded the trailer beyond its stated weight capacity, the trailer hitch could fail due to the excess weight.
Parts manufacturers – Sometimes, trailer hitch accidents occur due to defective mechanical parts. If the trailer hitch accident occurred due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the trailer hitch manufacturer might be partly responsible.

To prove liability, you’ll need to establish that someone’s negligence caused the accident. For example, if the trucker failed to properly inspect their truck before getting on the road, that might constitute negligence.

You will also need to demonstrate that because the truck driver failed to properly inspect their truck before getting on the road, this negligence caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. If the truck driver had properly inspected the vehicle, they would have noticed that the trailer hitch was not properly attached or otherwise defective.

Finally, you need to show that you suffered compensable losses due to the accident. For instance, if you were injured, you probably incurred hospital bills and other medical expenses. Medical expenses are a compensable loss.

Compensation Recoverable for Semi Truck Hitch Failure

If you sustained injuries due to a truck hitch failure accident, you might be able to recover compensation for expenses and losses you suffered. For example, you might be able to claim compensation for:

Medical expenses related to your injuries – Hospital bills, rehabilitative care, surgeries, tests, scans, X-rays, doctor’s visits, prescription medications, and more.
Lost earnings – if you cannot return to work while you are recovering from your injuries.
Lost earning capacity – if your injuries render you temporarily or permanently disabled, and you cannot perform all aspects of your job.
Property damage – including vehicle repairs or replacement.
Pain and suffering – including physical pain, emotional suffering, mental distress, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological effects of the crash.

A semi-truck hitch failure lawyer can help you document your financial losses and quantify your non-economic losses, including any physical or emotional pain and suffering you endured in the wake of the accident.

Most Common Causes for Hitch and Towing Crashes

Some of the most common causes for trailer hitch failure and towing accidents include:

Rusty parts
Defective locking mechanism
Manufacturing or design flaw
Neglecting to utilize safety chains
Flawed coupler
Overweight trailer
Defective brakes
Inclement weather conditions
Speeding and other reckless driving behaviors

Pinpointing the exact cause of a trailer hitch accident can be challenging. Hiring an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney to handle your case can help in the complex, nuanced aspects of establishing case details.

Contact Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. Today

If you were injured in a trailer hitch accident, contact Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. today. We have the necessary resources to help you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Truck accidents can be complex. You shouldn’t have to go through the claims process on your own, especially if you are recovering from your injuries. Our Illinois attorneys will handle every aspect of your truck hitch failure case for you while you focus on getting better.

Contact our team today for a free consultation.