Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer

There Are Many Truck Accidents In Illinois

Large trucks and commercial vehicles are used to transport equipment and products across the country. Truck accidents in Illinois constitute about five percent of vehicle collisions in the state, but each wreck can be particularly dangerous for those involved. There are about 12,000 truck accidents in Illinois every year, and truck driver accident statistics illustrate the dangers of these collisions. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that about 100 people are killed in fatal truck accidents each year. This accounts for approximately 10 percent of all traffic deaths. However, it is reported that there are about 2,500 people who survive but are left with serious injuries.

As truck accident attorneys with decades of experience, we have helped many families devastated by a terrible truck accident. Every one of these cases is complex and unique. Our trucking accident attorneys know that a terrible wreck can happen anywhere.

Dangerous locations for Illinois truck accidents include:

• Busy highways – Particularly dangerous highways in our area include the Kennedy Expressway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and the Chicago Skyway.
• Industrial or recreation areas – Large trucks often haul equipment to places that are not accessible by large or well-maintained roads. These dangerous roads often lead to waterways, warehouses, and factories.
• Neighborhood and city streets – Trucks have to deliver goods to locations only accessible by smaller roads that may have slow-moving vehicles and pedestrian traffic. People often let their guard down in these areas, causing serious – even fatal truck accidents.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are not only common but are very complex from a legal standpoint. It can be hard to know what happened and who was responsible. There are many parties involved, and many ways things can go wrong when a truck is driving near you on the highway or a city street. Your truck accident can be caused by the negligence of the truck driver, the trucking company who owns the vehicle, or even a third party.

Your truck injury lawyer must understand how to investigate these highly involved and technical accidents. There are federal guidelines that govern the trucking industry and by knowing exactly what happened to cause your accident is essential if you are to recover the compensation you need from the responsible parties.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue – Truck drivers are often pushing themselves to cover significant distances without stopping for rest.
• Distracted driving – A driver can be easily distracted by their phone, equipment, or even a passenger in their vehicle.
• Driver intoxication – Many truck drivers are found to have been consuming drugs or alcohol at the time of a crash. This often includes strong prescription medication or excessive use of over-the-counter drugs.
• Improperly trained drivers – Driving a large truck requires special training. Many poorly trained drivers make mistakes that can result in things such as wide turn accidents or override and underride accidents.
• Improper loading – A truck that is overloaded, or loaded in an unbalanced fashion, can tip over causing a serious and even deadly wreck.
• Equipment malfunction – Trucks have thousands of important and unique parts that must be operating to avoid disaster. A defective part can easily result in an accident.

How A Trucking Accident Lawyer Can Help You

A devastating accident can make your life extremely difficult. You or a loved one can be badly injured, and you may not know how long it will take to recover. Furthermore, you may not be able to return to work or school for a long time. Many families affected by serious truck accidents experience financial hardship due to mounting medical bills and lost wages.

Do not hesitate to contact a skilled truck accident lawyer. You have the right to seek recovery, but truck accident cases are usually hard fought by teams of aggressive lawyers and large insurance companies dedicated to paying out as little as possible. You need a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident lawyer working just as hard for you.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that large trucks have higher insurance coverage since accidents involving these vehicles can be especially destructive. Trucks over 10,000 lbs must have coverage of at least $750,000, and $5,000,000 if they are hauling hazardous materials. These insurance policies are meant to help you if you are injured in an accident due to the negligence of the truck driver or trucking company. However, the insurance companies will aggressively fight to pay out a little as possible. Your injury lawyer must understand how to conduct truck accident investigations. Unlike normal car accident cases, these will involve both federal and state regulations, and will likely require expert witnesses.

At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., our skilled truck accident lawyers will:

• Work closely with your doctors – Your recovery is the most important thing, and clearly demonstrating your injuries is necessary if you are to recover adequate compensation.
• Investigate fault in your accident case – Determining who holds responsibility requires collecting and studying all of the evidence available. This includes driver logs, background checks, vehicle maintenance records, accident reconstruction data, and witness statements.
• Negotiate with all parties involved – We have decades of experience negotiating with insurance companies after a vehicle accident. By building a strong case, we can seek a fair financial settlement offer for you and your family.
• Take your case to court if necessary – Your lawyer will fight for what you deserve in court if no acceptable settlement offer is given by the other side. Our lawyers have a formidable reputation in court and considerable trial experience, which insurers take note of.