Chicago Truck Accident Attorney
Legal Assistance for Victims of 18-Wheeler Accidents
There are millions of trucks on the road in the United States and many truck drivers spend the majority of their work hours on our nation's highways. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 2018 saw 12,267 accidents involving big rigs, semi-trucks, and other large vehicles. Of these, 106 accidents resulted in deaths, while 2,075 involved personal injuries, 405 of those being classified as serious and incapacitating. The loss of a loved one due to the negligence of a truck driver can be devastating. The emotional scars will never heal. It becomes crucial you seek out and retain a Chicago truck accident attorney to maximize recovery.
While money damages can never substitute for the loss of a loved one, Illinois has long recognized monetary damages as the means of making person(s) whole following these types of accidents. Leonard Law Group takes pride in how we handle these difficult situations being both advisers and comforters.
Our Team Has the Experience to Hold the Responsible Party Accountable
- Established in 1996
- $750,000,000 Won
- Dedicated team of litigators
- 25,000 Clients Represented
If you have been injured through the negligence of a truck driver, call Leonard Law Group at (312) 487-2513 to discuss your claim. We provide free second opinion case reviews!
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be extremely dangerous and cause serious injuries, or even death. Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife Accidents
- Tire Blowouts
- Wide Turn Accidents
- Blind Spot Accidents
- Lost Load Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are notorious for leading to catastrophic injuries and in the worst cases, death. Passenger vehicles simply can’t stand up to the large size and weight of a truck.
All too often, the following factors cause accidents:
- Driver Fatigue
- Driver Distraction
- Technical Failure
- Unsafe Driving
- Driving Under the Influence
Truckers are under tremendous amounts of pressure to meet deadlines and maximize the value of their time on the road. Although strict rules govern the driving schedules and practices of truck drivers, many accidents occur when corners have been cut. Trucking companies are quick to cover up any incriminating evidence after an accident so it’s important to get an experienced law firm involved in the investigation as soon as possible after the incident.
Common Injuries from a Truck Accident
If you get injured in a truck accident, you can suffer from a wide range of injuries. Knowing the signs and what to look out for can help you catch lingering injuries before they become more serious. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Brain damage or concussions
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises
What to Do After a Truck Accident
After a crash, your health and wellbeing, as well as the health and safety of any passengers, should be your primary concern. Seek medical help, follow your doctor’s instruction, and follow up with any medical appointments and treatment plans. Ensure that your doctor keeps a full and complete record of your injuries, including any worsening symptoms, as your medical report can be used to build your claim for compensation.
While still at the scene of the accident, call the police to file a report and document everything you can about the accident. Take pictures of the scene, if it is safe to do so, as well as the damage to your vehicle and any physical sighs of trauma to your body, such as bruising and breaks. Get the name and phone number of any witnesses, if available, and take down notes about the conditions of the accident before you can forget any details.
Call your insurance company to report the accident but do not admit fault or offer your opinions or conjectures, even if you believe you are being nice in doing so. In addition, avoid posting anything on social media, as anything you say may be used by the trucking company or their insurance agents to devalue or downplay your injuries or to prove you were somehow at fault for the accident.
In any accident, the most important thing you can do is seek the professional help of a skilled truck accident attorney. The trucking company will often have large teams of attorneys themselves, and seeking the full and fair compensation you deserve requires a proven advocate to go against their might in court or when negotiating a settlement.
How to Stay Safe around Trucks
When driving, take steps to prevent a serious accident before it can even occur. Remember that trucks are much larger and heavier, which makes them slower to stop and slow down, especially when going downhill or in bad weather. Trucks also have much larger blind spots than passenger cars, so it is important that other drivers do not ride for prolonged periods where a driver cannot see them.
You should also avoid swerving in front of a truck or brake suddenly when a truck is behind you. Though this may not be possible when trying to avoid an accident, it is important to always remain awake and alert while behind the wheel and give yourself plenty of room between vehicles.
When an accident was inevitable, you do not have to go through the legal process alone. Call on our attorneys to help you through these difficult times.
Since 1996, Leonard Law Group has recovered more than $750,000,000 for our clients! Contact us today to learn more about your legal options. Spanish-speaking services available.
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Attorney J. Leonard and his team were a pleasure to work with.
“Attorney J. Leonard and his team were a pleasure to work with. They were highly professional and excellent communicators. They were also extremely knowledgeable about my case. I wouldn't hesitate to refer him to others.”