East St. Louis, IL

Truck Accident Lawyer East St. Louis, IL

Truck Accident Lawyer East St. Louis, IL. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck-related accident, don’t hesitate to contact a local truck accident lawyer. At Hassakis & Hassakis, we fight to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation. With nearly 75 years of experience serving Southern Illinois, we’ve recovered millions in case results for our clients. Call us today at (618)-244-5335 or contact us online to learn more.

Why Choose Our Firm for East St. Louis, IL, Truck Accident Legal Support?

With our experts as East St. Louis, IL, truck accident attorneys, we are dedicated to obtaining fair settlements for any negligence or accident that covers both special and general damages.

When recovering from a truck accident, having the right legal representation is vital. At Hassakis & Hassakis, our focus on truck accident cases ensures that we fully understand the complexities involved. We offer personalized support and skilled legal counsel to help you through this challenging time. Here’s why you should consider Hassakis & Hassakis if to fight for your rights if you need a East St. Louis, IL, truck accident lawyer. This includes:

• Specialized Expertise: Truck accident cases can be significantly more complex than typical car accidents due to the involvement of various regulations, multiple parties (such as the driver, trucking company, and manufacturer), and commercial trucking insurance policies. Lawyers with expertise in this area can effectively navigate these complexities to help you secure a just settlement.
• Determining Liability: Figuring out who is responsible for a truck accident may involve the truck driver, the trucking company, or even third parties such as cargo loaders or vehicle manufacturers. An experienced attorney can assist in establishing liability and ensuring that all parties at fault are held accountable.
• Handling Insurance Companies: Insurance companies associated with trucking firms often have extensive legal teams focused on reducing payouts. An attorney with experience in truck accidents can skillfully negotiate with these insurers and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Injury Severity: Truck accidents frequently lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. A skilled attorney can assist victims in obtaining compensation for medical bills, lost income, and future healthcare requirements.
• Federal Regulations: Federal laws govern truck drivers and companies, covering areas like service hours and vehicle upkeep. A knowledgeable attorney can investigate whether violations of these regulations contributed to the accident.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in East St. Louis, IL

According to Forbes, common causes of truck accidents include severe weather, impaired driving, excessive speed, or incidents at intersections. See more details below:

• Driver Fatigue: Spending extended periods on the road can lead to extreme exhaustion among truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration outlines regulations aimed at preventing this. Fatigue can slow reaction times and hinder sound judgment, substantially raising the risk of accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Truck drivers face various distractions, including phone use, eating, and adjusting the radio. Even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to a serious collision. To ensure the safety of everyone on the road, trucking companies need to have stringent policies against distracted driving. Other drivers are at risk of being run off the road or put into even more dangerous situations.
• Maintenance: Routine maintenance is vital for any vehicle, but it’s especially important for trucks. Ignoring regular upkeep of crucial parts like brakes, tires, and lights can result in dangerous mechanical breakdowns. If these failures happen while driving, they can lead to severe accidents that could have been avoided with proper maintenance.
• 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 set to ensure the safety of all road users. Trucks driving too fast face greater difficulties in stopping and controlling their movements. Given their significant size and weight, a high-speed collision with a truck can have catastrophic consequences for everyone involved.
• Impaired Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or certain prescription medications can greatly hinder a driver’s judgment and coordination. Truck drivers who are impaired create serious dangers for themselves and others on the road. It’s crucial for trucking companies to emphasize safety and responsibility in their operations.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions are critical factors in road safety. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can limit visibility and make roads slippery, posing serious challenges for truck drivers. It’s essential for them to modify their speed and driving habits in these conditions, but not all comply, raising the likelihood of collisions.
• Failure to Account for Blind Spots: Due to their size, trucks have extensive blind spots, making it hard for drivers to see adjacent smaller vehicles. Neglecting to look in these blind spots before altering lanes or making turns can lead to hazardous collisions.
• Improper Training: The profession of truck driving demands significant skills and experience. When drivers lack sufficient training, they may not be equipped to handle large trucks safely or respond effectively in emergencies, leading to potential mistakes on the road. Ongoing education and certification is crucial for ensuring safety in the trucking sector.

Here are a few of our other services:

• Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Car Accident Lawyer
• Personal Injury Lawyers

In Illinois and much of the United States, the maximum allowable weight for semi-trucks is 80,000 pounds. To give you an idea, the average car typically weighs around 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 Should You Get a Truck Accident Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL?

Truck accidents are typically more complex than regular car accidents because they involve trucking companies, insurance issues, and federal laws. An experienced lawyer can help you tackle these challenges and ensure you receive the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. They can also negotiate with insurance companies, investigate the accident’s cause, and determine liability, which is important when there are several parties involved. Without legal representation, you could end up settling for less than you deserve or being wrongly blamed for the accident.

After a truck accident, you or your loved ones may qualify for two main types of compensation: special damages and general damages. Special damages are objective economic losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and damage to your vehicle. In contrast, general damages refer to non-economic losses, like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and the loss of companionship. It’s important to recognize both types of damages to ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover. See below for more details on truck accident damages in Illinois.

Special Damages for a Truck Accident Cases in East St. Louis, IL

• 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 East St. Louis, IL

• 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 restrict your ability to engage in daily activities, hobbies, or experiences that you once found fulfilling, you may be eligible for compensation. This can include losing the ability to participate in recreational pursuits, social gatherings, or enjoy everyday pleasures like spending time with family. Courts acknowledge that this loss can carry significant emotional weight, warranting appropriate compensation.
• Emotional Distress: This refers to the psychological difficulties that can emerge after experiencing a traumatic truck accident, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims may struggle with emotional instability that disrupts their daily functioning. Compensation for emotional distress aims to address the psychological consequences of the accident and the lasting impact it can have on the victim’s mental well-being.
• Loss of Consortium: This compensation is provided to family members of an injured individual for the loss of companionship and intimacy resulting from the victim’s injuries. It emphasizes that truck accident injuries can disrupt relationships with spouses, children, and other family members. The resulting effects may include diminished emotional support and fewer opportunities for shared experiences, profoundly impacting family connections.

These damages can vary depending on the severity of the accident and the long-term impact of the injuries.

Your East St. Louis, IL, Truck Accident Lawyers

In the aftermath of a truck accident in East St. Louis, IL, our lawyers are here to help you and your loved ones secure the compensation you deserve while guiding you through the legal intricacies. For over 70 years, our firm has successfully won millions for victims. Don’t hesitate to call us at 618-244-5335 or fill out our online contact form.