Truck Accident Lawyer Southern Illinois
Truck Accident Lawyer. If you or a loved one are involved in a truck-related accident, it’s important to contact a local truck accident attorney as soon as possible, It’s our job at Hassakis & Hassakis to protect your rights and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Based in Southern Illinois, our firm has helped this community for close to 75 years and has won millions in case results for our clients. You can call our Southern Illinois truck accident lawyers at (618)-244-5335 or contact us online for more information.
Why Choose Our Firm After an Illinois Truck Accident?
As experienced Southern Illinois truck accident attorneys, our firm is dedicated to helping you get a fair settlement that makes up for any special and general damages caused by negligence.
Choosing the right legal representation after a truck accident can make all the difference in your recovery journey. At Hassakis & Hassakis, we specialize in truck accident cases and understand the unique challenges they present. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized support and expert guidance every step of the way. Here’s why you should consider us to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve:
- Specialized Expertise: Truck accident cases are often more complex than typical car accidents due to regulations, multiple parties involved (driver, trucking company, manufacturer), and commercial trucking insurance policies. Lawyers with experience in this area understand how to navigate these complexities and help you get a fair settlement.
- Determining Liability: Identifying who is at fault in a truck accident can involve the truck driver, the trucking company, or even third parties like cargo loaders or vehicle manufacturers. A skilled attorney helps in determining liability and ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Trucking companies and their insurers often have large legal teams working to minimize payouts. A lawyer experienced in truck accidents can effectively negotiate with insurers and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
- Injury Severity: Truck accidents often result in severe injuries, from spinal cord injuries to traumatic brain injuries. An attorney can help victims seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs.
- Federal Regulations: Truck drivers and companies are subject to strict federal regulations, including hours of service rules, vehicle maintenance, and more. An attorney with experience in this field will investigate whether any violations contributed to the accident.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Illinois
According to Forbes, most accidents involve bad weather, drunk driving, speeding, or happened at intersections. See below for more details:
- Driver Fatigue: Long hours spent on the road can lead to severe exhaustion for truck drivers and there are Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines to support this. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs decision-making abilities that can significantly increase the risk of mistakes and accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions come in many forms like using a phone, eating, or adjusting the radio. When truck drivers divert their attention–even for a moment–they increase the likelihood of a collision or running another driver off the road.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance is critical for any vehicle, especially trucks. Neglecting to properly maintain vital components like brakes, tires, and lights can lead to dangerous mechanical failures. When these failures occur while driving, they can result in serious accidents that could have been avoided with routine checks.
- Overloading: Trucks have specific weight limits put in place for safety and operational reasons. Exceeding these limits not only makes trucks more difficult to maneuver but also increases the stopping distance required to halt the vehicle safely. Overloaded trucks are a common cause of accidents, particularly in busy traffic conditions.
- Speeding: Speed limits are meant to keep everyone safe on the road. When trucks drive too fast, they have a harder time stopping or controlling their movement. Because trucks are much larger and heavier than other vehicles, crashing at high speeds can lead to serious injuries and damage.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even certain prescription medications can severely impair a driver’s judgment and motor skills. Impaired truck drivers pose a significant risk to themselves and others on the road, making it essential for trucking companies to prioritize safety and responsibility.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Weather plays a crucial role in road safety. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can reduce visibility and traction, creating hazardous driving conditions. Truck drivers must adjust their speed and driving behavior during adverse weather, but not all do, increasing the chances of accidents.
- Failure to Account for Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots that can make it difficult for drivers to see smaller vehicles alongside them. Failing to check these blind spots before changing lanes or making turns can lead to dangerous collisions.
- Improper Training: Truck driving is a skilled profession that requires adequate training and experience. Drivers who lack proper training may not understand how to handle large trucks safely or how to react in emergency situations, which can lead to mistakes on the road. Ongoing training and certification is essential for safety in the trucking industry.
In Illinois and most of the United States, semi-trucks cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. The average car weighs next to 4,000 pounds.
According to the FMCSA, there are nearly 6,000 truck-related fatalities per year and more than 100,000 injuries. If you or a family member have been involved with a truck-related accident, don’t wait to contact one of our locations today. We can help you reclaim special and general damages in order make sure you receive fair compensation.
Why Would You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents are usually more complicated than regular car accidents because they involve trucking companies, insurance matters, and government rules. A good lawyer can help you deal with these challenges and make sure you get the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and damage to your property. They can also negotiate with insurance companies, look into what caused the accident, and figure out who is responsible, which is important when there are multiple parties involved. Without a lawyer, you might end up settling for less money than you should or being blamed unfairly for the accident.
There are two types of compensation you can get if you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident. This includes special damages (objectively economic) and general damages (non-economic). See below for more information about truck accident damages in Illinois.
Special Damages for a Truck Accident Case in Illinois
- Medical Expenses: This includes a comprehensive range of costs associated with medical care following the accident. It encompasses not only immediate hospital bills and surgical expenses but also ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical treatments that may be required due to the injuries sustained. Victims may need specialized care or long-term management, which can significantly increase medical expenses over time.
- Lost Wages: If you are unable to work during your recovery, you may be entitled to compensation for the wages you lost. This includes not only the income lost during the initial recovery period but also any potential loss of future earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability. It’s essential to document your earnings and the impact of your injuries on your ability to work.
- Property Damage: This category covers the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident. This can include items like clothing, electronics, or other belongings that were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Assessing property damage accurately ensures you receive fair compensation for your losses.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This includes any costs incurred as a direct result of the accident that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. Examples include transportation to medical appointments, costs for assistive devices (like crutches, wheelchairs, or home modifications), and other necessary expenditures that arise as you navigate your recovery. Keeping detailed records and receipts for these expenses is crucial for substantiating your claims.
General Damages for Truck-Related Crashes in Illinois
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and subsequent injuries. It encompasses not only the immediate pain experienced but also the chronic pain that may persist over time. Factors such as the severity of the injuries, the duration of the pain, and the impact on daily life are considered when determining the amount awarded for pain and suffering. This type of compensation aims to provide some measure of relief for the profound discomfort and anguish the victim endures.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries hinder you from engaging in daily activities, hobbies, or experiences that you once found fulfilling, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss. This can include the inability to participate in recreational activities, social gatherings, or even simple pleasures like spending time with loved ones. Courts recognize that the inability to enjoy life as before can have significant emotional consequences, warranting compensation.
- Emotional Distress: This encompasses a range of psychological challenges that may arise following a traumatic truck accident, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims may experience emotional turmoil that affects their ability to function normally in daily life. Compensation for emotional distress seeks to address the psychological impact of the accident and the long-term effects it can have on the victim’s mental health.
- Loss of Consortium: This type of compensation is awarded to family members of the injured person for the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy due to the victim’s condition. It recognizes that the injuries sustained in a truck accident can affect not only the victim but also their relationships with spouses, children, and other family members. This can manifest in reduced affection, emotional support, or shared experiences, leading to a profound impact on family dynamics.
These damages can vary depending on the severity of the accident and the long-term impact of the injuries.
Your Illinois Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident in Illinois, our lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve and guide you through legal hoops along the way. For more than 70 years, our firm has won millions for victims. You can call us now at 618-244-5335 or fill out our online contact form.