Semi trucks are commonly seen hauling freight along Illinois highways. These heavy-duty vehicles are very difficult to maneuver, and their sheer size presents a challenge to any motorist who ends up in an adjacent lane or behind them. Unfortunately, semi-trucks are involved in many accidents across Illinois each year.
If you were injured in a semi-truck accident in Illinois, please reach out to Michael J. Lichner for assistance with your legal claim. Our Joliet truck accident lawyer has helped many victims negotiate a settlement or take other legal action, such as filing a lawsuit. Our consultations are free for anyone who calls or submits their information online.
Accidents Happen All the Time
Large trucks like semis are unavoidable on any of the nation’s highways. Carrying more than 70% of the country’s total freight, semi-trucks are an indispensable part of the modern economy. We see semi-trucks at all hours of the day in Will County as they haul furniture, food, clothing, and other goods.
With a trailer attached, a semi can weigh around 20 tons. When fully loaded, the weight jumps to a staggering 40 tons or more. These are major, dangerous vehicles, and a lighter car or pickup truck caught in the way can get flattened.
Accidents don’t only happen on the highway. Semi-trucks must pull into warehouses to pick up freight and back up to stores in every town in Illinois to offload. Even pedestrians are endangered. It’s no surprise that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that more than 100,000 trucks are involved in injury accidents each year.
An Illinois Truck Accident is Not Like a Car Crash
Some injury victims wrongly believe their semi-truck accident is legally the same as a car crash. It’s true that they share some similarities. Both car and truck accidents lead to serious bodily injuries, and fault is a major consideration. An accident victim can request compensation if they prove the other driver was at fault.
But truck accidents are legally and factually more complicated:
Additional Possible Defendants
In a car crash, the other driver is usually the defendant. With truck accidents, any number of entities could be to blame, including the trucker, the trucking company, or the manufacturer. If you were struck near a loading bay, then the warehouse or other property owner could share fault for the wreck. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer to comb through the facts and identify fault.
Complex State and Federal Regulations
Both state and federal laws regulate the trucking industry. Everything from the weight of the vehicle to the number of hours a trucker can haul is set by law. Other regulations apply to drug testing, mandatory physical exams, and other aspects of employee hiring and retention. These laws might prove pivotal in your case—especially if the trucker broke a regulation, such as driving all night.
Inaccessible Evidence
Some of the most important pieces of evidence in an Illinois semi-truck accident are hard to access. For example, the truck probably has an electronic logging device that downloads critical information about the truck. Few motor vehicles have this type of evidence, but it might make or break your case.
Imagine if a trucker fell asleep because he drove 18 straight hours. That’s over the federal regulation for maximum hours in one shift. Although a trucker can fudge hand-written logbooks, it’s harder to manipulate or tamper with electronic data. Our legal team can gain access to this important evidence and analyze it to see if it helps your case.
More Serious Injuries
Any motor vehicle collision can lead to serious injuries, but truck accidents are especially catastrophic. Victims end up in the emergency room with brain injuries, cervical fractures, chest wall injuries, and more. The time and effort to recover are enormous.
Because they are so consequential, truck accidents are worth more money than the typical car wreck. Victims have less capacity to handle their claims because they are in so much pain, but the trucking company or other defendant fights vigorously to avoid paying a hefty settlement. You deserve a seasoned legal advocate on your team. Call Michael J. Lichner.
Trucking Companies Defend Themselves Aggressively
This is a critical fact that many accident victims are not aware of. A trucking company is often on the other side of an injury case as the defendant. They were either negligent because they failed to maintain their truck, or Illinois law makes them automatically liable because they employed a negligent trucker.
Trucking companies leave little to chance. Once they hear about a crash involving one of their vehicles, they immediately swing into action. Often, a trucking company sends a fleet of investigators to the scene within an hour or two to begin collecting evidence.
Negotiating with a trucking company is difficult. Backed up by powerful insurance companies, these corporations have developed a reputation for being tough negotiators.
Compensation is Possible
Despite the odds stacked against truck accident victims, a fair settlement is a definite possibility. If a trucking company or other entity is liable for your accident, then you can seek damages for:
- Lost wages
- Damage to your own vehicle
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation and pain management
- Mental distress
- Pain and suffering
Get the legal help you need. Not every personal injury attorney is prepared to find all critical pieces of evidence for a truck accident case or adopt an aggressive negotiation posture. You will benefit from hiring our firm to represent you.
Speak with a Lawyer after a Semi-Truck Accident in Illinois
Michael J. Lichner is not afraid of trucking companies or their insurance companies, and he believes all accident victims deserve fair compensation. The days and weeks following a crash are critical, so we encourage injured victims to avoid delaying their search for an attorney. Your case will be stronger if your legal team can start gathering evidence to use on your behalf. To learn more about how we can help, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.