When potential Illinois clients contact Stein & Shulman, LLC, about their truck accident cases, they usually have several questions on their minds. In the blog below, our skilled truck accident attorneys have compiled a list of questions we often hear, along with our answers.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents in Illinois?
Truck accidents in Illinois typically occur because of some form of negligent conduct by the truck driver. This can include the following types of carelessness:
- Driving while fatigued or overly tired (driving without taking frequent or long enough breaks)
- Consuming drugs or alcohol prior to or while driving
- Failure to properly maintain the truck (brake failure, loose fittings, etc.)
- Improper or unbalanced cargo loads on the truck
- Failure to use appropriate care during inclement weather
- Engaging in distracted driving on the road (cell phone, reading a map, eating, etc.)
This type of trucker negligence can result in serious injuries to other motorists. Our attorneys help victims of these truck accidents recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
Are laws in place to prevent truck driver negligence?
Yes, both federal and Illinois state laws have been implemented with the intent of protecting motorists from unsafe trucking practices. These include regulations regarding truck maintenance, cargo loading, and mandatory periods of rest for truck drivers. However, many truckers and trucking companies do not follow the laws and thereby place motorists at extreme risk.
Who can I sue in an Illinois truck accident case?
Depending on the circumstances of your case and the laws that apply, you can potentially sue the individual truck driver who injured you, the trucking company for which he/she was working at the time, and/or the insurance carriers. Your attorney will work with you to identify all potential defendants to be named in a lawsuit.
What types of damages can I recover in an Illinois truck accident case?
In Illinois, you can recover damages for all of the ways you have been harmed because of the truck accident. This will likely include compensation for your medical treatment, your lost time and income at work, and your physical and mental pain and suffering. Your truck accident lawyer will be sure to capture the full extent of your damages and seek the highest compensation possible.
What insurance issues do Illinois truck accident cases involve?
Illinois law sets mandatory insurance minimums for trucking companies and also governs how those insurance policies are written and interpreted. Your truck accident case will inevitably entail several questions of insurance law and will be defended by fierce insurance attorneys. This is why hiring an experienced Illinois truck accident lawyer is vital to your claim’s success.
For more information about truck accidents, or to speak to a skilled truck accident attorney about your own case, call Stein & Shulman, LLC, today at 312.422.0500. Our office is open 24 hours a day, and our attorneys are prepared to quickly review your case.
Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St, #820
Chicago, IL 60602
312.422.0500
Hours: We are Open 24/7
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