Belleville Truck Accident Lawyer

If you are involved in an accident with a truck, the damage to person and property is often devastating, catastrophic, or even fatal. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident in Illinois, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights, guide you through the complicated legal process, and help maximize any compensation to which you may be entitled. Contacting a Belleville truck accident lawyer is your best defense against unscrupulous insurance companies, whose goal is to ensure that they pay out as little as possible.

There are over 15,000,000 trucks operating in the United States. Is it any wonder that accidents involving trucks can and do happen every hour of the day, every day of the week, every week of the year? According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), trucks are involved in over 40,000 accidents yearly. Although large trucks account for only 4 percent of the 268 million vehicles on the road, they are involved in about 1 in 10 highway deaths

What Should You Do After Being Involved In A Truck Accident In Illinois?

Understandably, you will be extremely rattled after being involved in a truck accident. It may be hard to think straight, and you may be at a loss as to what you should do. The following steps should be taken to protect yourself and any potential case that might arise:

What Should I Do If I Am Involved In A Traffic Accident?

• If you have been injured in a traffic accident, the first thing to do is to seek medical attention. If paramedics appear on the scene, let them look at you. It is very possible that you may have injuries that are not immediately apparent, such as soft tissue injuries or internal injuries. Sometimes injuries do not show up immediately after the accident, and may take days or even weeks before becoming a problem or causing pain.
• See your doctor. Not only will this ensure that your care is being medically supervised by a licensed physician; it will also provide you with necessary medical documentation should you decide to file a claim.
• It is always a good idea to call the police and get a written police report. This will be very useful to submit to your insurance company and will independently corroborate your version of what happened. It will also be useful in the event an insurance claim — either by you or by another party against you.
• Take pictures of the accident scene and anything surrounding that you think might be useful.
• Exchange information with the other driver(s), if there is one.
• Contact a Belleville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

What Are The Most Common Injuries In A Truck Accident?

• back and neck injuries
• spine injuries, including disc and spinal cord damage
• head injuries
• broken bones
• lacerations and abrasions
• internal injuries
• amputations

What Factors Contribute To Truck Accidents?

Most commercial trucks operate on highways and travel at speeds of at least 60 mph, usually carrying heavy loads. A fully loaded truck traveling under good conditions at highway speeds requires a distance of nearly 200 yards—almost two football fields— to stop. That’s much more than the distance required to bring a passenger vehicle to a stop. The tonnage of a large truck can easily demolish a passenger car.

There are many factors that can contribute to a truck accident, such as:

• Speeding
• Not obeying traffic signals, signs or rules of the road, such as failure to yield right of way
• Careless driving
• Extended distance required to stop, which another driver might not take into account
• Fatigue, monotony; long-distance truck drivers travel thousands of miles, often at night, and their reaction times and alertness can be affected by fatigue and the monotony of driving
• Distracted driving; could be the result of texting, , dialing a phone number, reading a map, writing something down, eating or drinking
• Impaired driving from alcohol, drugs or over-the-counter prescriptions
• Significant blind spots in large trucks that make it difficult or the driver to see
• High winds, inclement weather; this is especially dangerous for the operation of long trucks
• Improper roadway markings, work zones with very narrow lanes, confusing signage about traffic pattern changes
• Very wide area needed to make a turn; surrounding drivers may be unaware of this or miscalculate the amount of space needed

It should be noted that motor vehicle accidents are complex events; rarely is the accident attributed to one factor alone.

Who Is Liable In A Truck Accident?

Determining liability for an accident is a key component of any case or possible settlement arising from the accident; however, in motor vehicle accidents, including truck accidents, this is not always straightforward. There may be one or multiple parties responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck; the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident; the owner of the truck; persons responsible for mechanical maintenance of the truck; the owner of the cargo; or a federal or state agency responsible for maintaining safe roadways.

Illinois law contains a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, in which an employer can be held responsible for injuries that are caused unintentionally by an employee during the performance of his duties. In many cases, this law can be used by a truck accident personal injury lawyer to claim damages from the employer or trucking company.

A truck accident involves many factors. Filing an insurance claim can be an exhausting process. Obtaining proper and detailed medical documentation may be difficult. The insurance companies are knowledgeable and skilled at arguing these cases; an inexperienced individual is no match to successfully stand up to them.

TOP-RATED BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

Choosing a truck accident lawyer to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve is an important decision. The Law Office of Jason B Going is experienced and proven when it comes to truck accidents and other personal injury cases, and they will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your case.

If you have been injured due to the negligent acts or omissions of someone else, we can help get you the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.