Belleville Truck Accident Lawyer
Semi-trucks fill major roadways each day as they may their deliveries. The sheer size of these commercial vehicles makes them more dangerous when involved in accidents. The damage these vehicles can cause in a motor vehicle accident may be catastrophic. Even at low speeds, a trucking accident can have a devastating impact on your life.
Trucking companies understand this risk, and that’s why truckers carry large insurance policies. However, insurers can be stingy when it comes to paying out a personal injury claim. That’s why personal injury attorneys can be useful in negotiations with the insurance company.
Belleville truck accident specialists suggest working with the personal injury attorneys at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC if you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident. Our attorneys can help you hold negligent drivers and trucking companies liable.
Belleville Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck drivers are required to have special licensing and certifications. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in addition to a range of other specific requirements is necessary by law depending on the type and size of the commercial vehicle and the type of cargo the truck driver is transporting.
Most truck drivers are reliable, responsible, and experienced, but no driver is ever guaranteed not to cause an accident. The Belleville truck accident attorneys at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC have experience negotiating with trucking companies. Consider working with an attorney if you believe you’ve been injured because of driver fatigue or truck driver inexperience.
Contact Hipskind & McAninch, LLC To Request a Free Consultation Today
Since each semi-truck crash is a unique situation, the legal processes surrounding them can confuse accident victims, especially when they are suffering from serious injuries. Insurance companies understand this and use it to their advantage by trying to convince victims to accept a low payment.
Sit down for a free consultation with a Belleville truck accident lawyer today. Victims of commercial truck accidents and their loved ones can speak directly with an attorney about the specifics of their accident. Our semi-truck accident lawyers can provide the advice necessary to move forward with your insurance claim.
A free consultation is a perfect way to learn how a personal injury legal firm can help you move forward. Read more below to get a better sense of how a Belleville, Illinois, personal injury lawyer can help you get the money you deserve.
Belleville Truck Accident Causes
Commercial truck accidents are typically more dangerous than the average car accident because of the size and weight of the larger vehicles. Negligent operation of commercial trucks can cause severe injury.
Commercial trucks carry heavy items such as machinery and equipment, which adds to their greater weight. They also have large blind spots. Trucks can be more challenging to maneuver, increasing the likelihood of a car accident when driven improperly. Injury victims may suffer catastrophic injuries when involved in a Belleville accident with large trucks. The most common reasons for truck crashes include the following.
Dangerous Roadways
The roadways between metropolitan St. Louis and Southwest Illinois can be treacherous. These are some of the busiest highways in the country—filled with smaller vehicles and oversized trucks. Since these highways run along major metropolitan and urban communities, passenger vehicles can likely be involved in large truck accidents when drivers behave negligently.
Sometimes, roads are not properly maintained or are notoriously difficult for larger trucks to navigate. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or wrongful death from trucking accidents or collisions with other commercial vehicles, Hipskind & McAninch, LLC trucking lawyers can help.
Mechanical Failure
Trucking companies are legally responsible for maintaining their vehicles. If a driver is injured or killed while on the road because of a truck’s mechanical failure, then personal injury lawyers can determine exactly who’s responsible. Fair compensation for your medical expenses will depend on your ability to identify the liable parties and provide evidence of their negligence.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
If a trucking company or driver mismanages the cargo they’re carrying and it leads to accidents with others on the road, then they can be held liable. The trucking company or driver is responsible for moving cargo safely and properly securing their cargo. Improperly loaded cargo can lead to underride accidents and catastrophic injuries. Belleville truck accident lawyers can offer assistance if you’ve been involved in an accident due to improperly loaded cargo.
Fatigued Truck Drivers
Trucking accidents can occur when drivers work long hours. The Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a strict time limit to regulate how long drivers can go without a break. The effects of fatigue can be as serious as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Belleville truck accident lawyers can help you recover compensation if you were harmed because of truck driver fatigue.
Speeding
Ignoring the speed limit can increase the risk of accidents for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles alike. If truck drivers speed and their vehicle lose control, this may lead to rear-end collisions, rollover crashes, and serious injuries. Large vehicles moving at high speeds are a recipe for disaster.
Illinois Trucking Regulations
Illinois regulations oversee truck operators. Many truck accidents happen because drivers and employers fail to follow Illinois rules. Driving times is one of the specific regulations that govern truck drivers. Fatigue causes most truck collisions.
The Federal Highway Administration outlines “hours of service” regulations. Hours of service refer to the maximum amount of time commercial drivers are permitted to be on duty, including driving time. It also specifies the number and length of rest periods to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. In general, all carriers and drivers operating commercial motor vehicles must comply with HOS regulations found in 49 CFR 395.
Property carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Passenger carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 10 hours after eight consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must take a 30-minute break when they have driven for eight cumulative hours.
Commercial Truck Accident Liability
Illinois is a fault state. This means that the individual deemed legally liable for a commercial truck accident must take financial responsibility for the damages. During accident claims, it’s imperative to identify the person or party who is responsible for your injuries.
Attorneys can facilitate your claim filing. Since the driver may not be the only responsible party, it’s important to find all entities responsible for your injuries and file a claim against them. Sit down with us and discuss your claim today with a free consultation.
Belleville, IL, Truck Accident Damages
Illinois law allows for financial and personal damages in truck accidents. You can recover the following damages if you’re a victim of an Illinois truck accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the basis for personal injury claims. Economic damages are measurable expenses resulting from the accident. These include your medical costs, lost wages, and lost future earnings.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include the suffering, emotional, and psychological effects of your accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving tractor-trailers in Belleville, Illinois, then your personal injury attorney can help you garner the maximum compensation available for your pain and suffering.
The multiplier method assigns a numerical value along the scale of 1.5-5. This scale shows the severity of your non-economic damages and then multiplies that times your total economic damages for the total amount of damages suffered.
The per diem method assigns a daily rate that the victim is owed and then multiplies it by the number of days until they are fully recovered. Punitive damages punish the at-fault party and do not repay the victim for actions that are deemed particularly egregious.
Semi-trucks were involved in 123 fatal accidents in Illinois in 2020.
Source: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/FatalCrash/historicsnapshot.html
Illinois Statutes of Limitations
In Illinois, personal injury cases are limited under the statutes of limitation. In most cases, a civil lawsuit must be filed within two years. When the time has expired, the court will not grant you compensation. There are a few exceptions, however.
Investigating your claim is a time-consuming task. That’s why truck accident specialists suggest consulting legal counsel immediately for the best legal solutions possible. Your attorney can protect you in court if negotiations do not end in a favorable settlement.
Seeking Compensation After Truck Accidents
Insurance companies want to save as much money as possible. They often make lowball offers while making it difficult for claimants to get access to the full amount their policies provide for. The Belleville truck lawyers of Hipskind and McAninch, LLC take the necessary time to negotiate for all the damages our clients are entitled to.
How Can a Belleville Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Having a lawyer to handle all of the complicated legal issues that arise could change the outcome of your accident. An attorney can help identify the liable parties and fight for your rights.
After a vehicle accident, it is necessary to protect yourself and your family. That’s why Belleville attorneys are ready to investigate your claim, advocate on your behalf, and hold the at-fault party responsible when you suffer damages.
What to Do After a Belleville, IL, Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, you need to get examined for your injuries. It’s important to protect your health and your passengers’ health once involved in an accident with a big rig. Failing to seek medical attention quickly can harm your chances of receiving compensation. Courts may reject your claim if you don’t seek medical attention after a collision.
Contact Hipskind & McAninch, LLC for a Free Consultation
Working with a truck accident lawyer can greatly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. The sooner you contact our Southern Illinois law firm about your accident, the sooner you can start recovering your damages and life.
If your accident took place in Madison County, Monroe County, or elsewhere, we can help you start building a solid case to recover the damages you are rightfully owed. Schedule your free consultation right away.