Associations and Affiliations

• When you’re in an accident with an 18-wheeler, summon law enforcement immediately. They are often the first trained person who investigates the accident scene itself.
• Emergency medical care is also critical for your safety and for your case. Be sure to follow the doctor’s orders.
• If possible, take photos of the crash scene and your injuries.
• Get the names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
• Keep all of the records and other paperwork that you receive from any party.
• The sooner that you make contact with an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney, the sooner they can begin to work to gather evidence and build the case in your favor.

Any negligent act may be the basis of a truck accident claim in Illinois. Some examples of truck accident negligence include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Improper merging or failing to signal
• Failing to stop at a traffic light or stop sign / failure to yield
• Driving under the influence
• Getting too little rest or fatigued driving
• Distracted driving like texting, talking on a radio, or talking on the phone

• Insecure load / heavy load
• Negligent hiring or management of drivers
• Failing to address mechanical problems
• Not taking precautions given weather or road conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Truck malfunction

As long as the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should be able to pursue a personal injury claim for compensation.

Compensation in a truck accident claim should include payment for any losses, financial or otherwise, that you have incurred or will incur as a result of the crash. This may include:

• Medical costs
• Anticipated future treatment expenses
• Lost wages

• Reduced earning capacity for the future
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Any way that you are financially disadvantaged because of the accident can be included in your claim for compensation. The more severe your injuries and the more permanent the impact of the accident, the more you can claim in pain and suffering. Physical pain, changes in your lifestyle, mental distress, and emotional anguish are all very real types of losses. Illinois law allows you to claim compensation for emotional suffering and losses. Your truck accident attorney can help you value these kinds of losses in order to demand the appropriate amounts.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that only the other driver may be held liable for an 18-wheeler accident. There are many parties that may be responsible for a semi-truck accident, including:

• The driver’s employer: A truck driving company must employ only qualified drivers. They must train, supervise, and discipline drivers effectively. If the company negligently employs a driver or fails to dismiss an unqualified driver, the employer may be liable for the accident. Employers may also be responsible for maintaining vehicles, loading goods, and more.
• A company that contracts to transport goods: The company that owns the truck may be different from the company that owns the goods that are in the truck. If the company that owns the goods is negligent in the way that it packed, stored, or secured the load for travel, it may be liable.
• Other drivers on the road: All drivers have the duty to drive carefully for the safety of others. If another driver causes a chain reaction that contributes to a semi-truck crash, the other driver may be liable for the accident.
• The truck driver: Even though third parties may also be liable, the truck driver ultimately bears responsibility for his or her actions on the road. The driver may be responsible for negligent, reckless, or intentionally poor driving.
• Truck parts manufacturer: 18-wheelers are complex machines. If a truck part malfunctions and causes a crash, the manufacturer of the part or the truck as a whole may be liable.

Illinois employs a system of comparative negligence for truck accidents. This means that the truck company may try to blame you for a portion of the accident in order to lower the amount of money it has to pay you. A Illinois truck accident lawyer can investigate who should be held at fault for your crash and craft a strong claim for maximum compensation.