Need an Injury Lawyer for Your Illinois Trucking Accident?
When it comes to semi-truck accidents in the State of Illinois, the statistics are fairly telling. According to a study released in 2014 by the Illinois Department of Transportation, semi-truck accidents accounted for nearly 4% of all vehicle crashes and over 10% of all fatal crashes. In that year alone, there were over 2,000 people who were injured in these crashes and 95 deaths associated with semi-truck accidents.
As you can see by these statistics, semi-truck accidents do occur in Illinois on a regular basis, and when they happen the chances of them being catastrophic or even deadly are quite high. Large trucks are used to transport goods all throughout Illinois from the bigger city areas to the smaller towns. If you are ever driving on a freeway or a highway, you are likely to see semi-trucks around you. These trucks can be intimidating. Sometimes the wind will shake the trailer portion, and you worry about what would happen if a vehicle that large hit your vehicle. Because semi-trucks are so large, when they are involved in accidents, they can cause serious damages and are often more likely to do so.
Are you dealing with serious injuries?
If you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a large truck, you might be asking yourself what the next steps are. Did you know that you might be entitled to monetary compensation for the accident and the damages inflicted on your life because of the accident? If the accident was not your fault, you are likely entitled to compensation, and you might wonder how you can ensure you get the money you are owed.
In many cases, insurance companies might offer less money than you could receive. For minor accidents, reaching a settlement is simpler. But for accidents that result in serious injury, having legal help from a personal injury lawyer in Illinois can make a big difference in the results of your settlement. At Need an Injury Lawyer Illinois, we can provide you with legal counsel and representation. We are experienced with these specific kinds of cases and with the rules and regulations in Illinois.
Who is responsible? The truck driver or the company?
There are two main reasons that semi-truck accidents occur: because of driving error or equipment failure.
- Driver Error: These accidents occur because the driver of the truck wasn’t following traffic laws. Also, they include wrecks that were caused because of fatigued or distracted drivers.
- Equipment Failure: These large trucks have many operating systems, and they also have large parts such as tires. When equipment failure happens, it can cause damage. If a tire pops or the brakes of a big truck go out, a wreck can be the result.
If the accident was caused by driver error, the driver is likely liable. On the other hand, if the accident was caused by equipment failure, the company or manufacturer of the parts could be liable.
At Need an Injury Lawyer Illinois, we can handle the nuances of these cases. Give us a call today to learn more.