Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Attorneys Who Are Trial-Tested And Client-Focused

Each day, drivers throughout Illinois must contend with the thousands of large semi trucks traveling on the state’s roads and highways. This can be a nerve-wracking experience in light of how dangerous these vehicles can be. Trucks are so much larger and heavier than standard passenger cars that crashes between the two are likely to result in catastrophic injury or death to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

If you’ve suffered serious injury or lost a loved one in an Illinois trucking accident, contact Theriault Booth in St. Charles. Our practice is primarily dedicated to fighting for the injured across the state, and our lawyers offer more than 40 years of combined legal experience. Just as importantly, we provide personalized attention and advocacy, and we make the well-being of our clients our top priority.

Common Causes Of Trucking Accidents

Many truck accidents can be attributed to negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company or both. Some of the most frequent causes include:

Inclement weather: Slippery roads and poor visibility can make it difficult for truck drivers to maintain control of their larger commercial vehicles.
Poorly maintained equipment: Faulty brakes, worn tires and other neglected truck parts can lead to malfunctions on the road.
Poorly loaded cargo: Improperly secured or unevenly distributed cargo can cause a truck to overturn or lose its cargo, creating serious hazards for other drivers.
Driver error: Mistakes due to misjudging distances, unsafe lane changes or other errors are common causes of commercial vehicle accidents.
Driver fatigue: Sometimes, truck drivers spend long hours on the road in order to meet their delivery schedules. If a driver isn’t getting enough rest, excessive fatigue can impair a driver’s reaction time and judgment.

In most cases, if a truck driver is at fault for the crash, the trucking company that employs them can be held jointly liable. Other defendants may include businesses that were paying to ship freight, manufacturers of faulty truck parts or mechanics who had worked on the vehicle prior to the crash.

At Theriault Booth, we understand that getting to the heart of what caused your truck accident is crucial. Our firm is well-equipped with the necessary resources and experience to thoroughly investigate a truck accident and hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Common Injuries Sustained In An Illinois Truck Accident

Truck accidents in Illinois are common occurrences. These are accidents that also lead to severe consequences for everyone involved. Considering the size and weight of commercial trucks, it’s no surprise that when things go wrong, they can go disastrously wrong.

Victims of truck accidents may suffer from a range of severe injuries, including, but not limited to:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): These can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
Broken bones: The force of impact can break or shatter bones, requiring extensive recovery time.
Internal injuries: Injuries to internal organs can cause life-threatening damage. Internal injuries can be difficult to ascertain and diagnose at first glance and require immediate medical attention.
Lacerations and burns: These can lead to significant scarring and may require surgery or skin grafts.

Dealing with these types of injuries can be both physically and emotionally taxing, often necessitating long-term medical care. An experienced personal injury attorney can be instrumental in helping you secure damages for the pain, suffering and financial burdens that come with such life-altering injuries. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court, our knowledgeable car accident lawyers will fight for your rights, ensuring that you receive the compensation you need for your recovery, now and in the future.

Types Of Damages Available To Truck Accident Victims

As experienced attorneys, we understand that truck accident victims in Illinois may be entitled to various types of compensation depending on the specifics of their case. These damages often fall into two main categories:

Economic damages: These cover tangible financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and future medical care. In severe cases, they may also include costs for long-term rehabilitation or home modifications to accommodate disabilities.
Noneconomic damages: These address intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases of wrongful death, families may also seek compensation for the loss of companionship and support.

At our firm, we have extensive experience in truck accident cases. We can help you understand the full scope of damages you may be entitled to and work tirelessly to pursue fair compensation on your behalf.

How Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents

While both can result in serious injuries, we recognize that truck accidents often involve unique factors that set them apart from typical car crashes:

Severity: Due to their size and weight, trucks can cause more catastrophic damage and severe injuries than passenger vehicles.
Regulations: Commercial trucks are subject to federal and state regulations, including hours-of-service rules and maintenance requirements. Violations of these regulations can play a crucial role in determining liability.
Multiple parties: Truck accidents may involve more potentially liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders and vehicle manufacturers.
Evidence: Critical evidence in truck accident cases can include driver logbooks, black box data and maintenance records, which aren’t typically factors in car accidents.

Our attorneys are well-versed in the complexities of truck accident litigation. We can navigate these unique aspects to build a strong case for you.

What Should You Do After A Serious Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Being involved in a serious truck accident can leave you stunned and unsure of the next steps. In these critical moments, taking the right actions is vital for your health and any future claims you may need to file.

Here’s a list of steps to follow if you find yourself in this situation:

Seek medical help: Prioritize your safety and health. If you or anyone else is injured, call for medical assistance immediately.
Call the police: It’s important to have a legal record of the accident, so ensure that the police are notified and a report is created.
Gather evidence: Take photos of the scene, including the truck, your vehicle, any injuries and road conditions.
Collect information: Obtain the truck driver’s details, the trucking company’s information, insurance details and any witness statements.
Keep records: Document any medical treatments and keep a record of all related expenses.

In the aftermath of such a traumatic event, an experienced attorney can be your greatest ally. A lawyer familiar with truck accident cases will help you gather evidence, deal with insurance companies and ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and losses.

Insurance Companies Have Lawyers Fighting For Their Interests. You Should Too.

Trucking companies are backed by expensive commercial insurance policies, and insurers are quick to respond to the scene of the accident to take control of evidence and create a narrative favorable to their policyholders.

You won’t be able to respond that quickly, but it is critical to seek legal help as soon as reasonably possible. Once our firm is retained, our attorneys will begin an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash to determine why it happened and who was at fault. We will ensure that evidence is not lost or destroyed and that any witnesses have a chance to share what they know.

Once your claim proceeds to negotiation sessions or trial, we will utilize our decades of experience to seek the highest settlement or jury award available. Insurance companies have teams of attorneys on their side. Working with our firm can help you level the playing field.

Explore Your Legal Options With An Attorney At No Cost Or Obligation

From our office in St. Charles, we serve clients throughout Illinois. We offer free initial consultations and take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any legal fees if we don’t help you recover money in a settlement or judgment.

To schedule your first meeting with one of our skilled and caring lawyers at Theriault Booth, call 630-526-4242 or submit an online contact form.