While trucking companies and their drivers transport necessary goods throughout the country, serious injuries and emotional trauma can result if an accident occurs. Tractor-trailer crashes are among the deadliest, often because of the sheer size and weight difference between a commercial vehicle and a standard passenger car. If you’ve been involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler or another large commercial vehicle, a Joliet truck accident lawyer can help.
The majority of truck accidents in Illinois are the result of human error. Our law firm, Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, understands the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a wreck, which is why we believe it’s important to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
You deserve the compensation you need to recover, and our truck accident attorneys in Joliet are prepared to help you file a claim to get you maximum compensation for your injuries. Get in touch with our law firm to discuss how your wreck with a truck occurred, and we’ll share more about the rights you have to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Tractor-Trailer Collision Statistics for Illinois and Will and Kendall Counties
With Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 running through Joliet, there are always tractor-trailers on the road. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, thousands of truck accidents happen every year in our state. As a result, hundreds of injuries and a significant number of fatalities are reported.
The city of Joliet is located in Will and Kendall Counties—both of which have seen their fair share of truck crashes. According to state data for both Will County and Kendall County, there were almost 2,000 crashes involving tractor-trailers and trucks without trailers in 2022 between both areas.
Understanding the Causes of Truck Accidents in Joliet
If you’ve been injured in a Joliet truck crash, or you’ve lost a loved one in a wreck with a tractor-trailer, you have the right to pursue a claim to seek compensation for the related losses. Part of pursuing a successful claim includes determining the cause of the collision.
To determine who is responsible for your truck accident, we need to start by figuring out the cause. In general, there are three factors that can potentially cause an accident:
Driver-Related Factors
Truck drivers are often on the road for long hours. Because of that, they may get bored, distracted, tired, or anxious. When a driver isn’t focused on the road in front of them 100% of the time, there’s the chance a trucking accident can occur.
Your car Joliet truck accident attorney will review the company logbooks and data recorder or black box information to determine what happened if you believe that a trucker’s actions caused your crash. In doing so, they’ll be able to determine if the driver was fatigued, focused on their phone or GPS, or otherwise disobeyed the law when the collision that harmed you occurred. Your legal counsel will also attempt to obtain any dashcam footage or videorecordings that may more clearly explain what happened.
Environmental-Related Factors
The larger a vehicle is, the higher its center of gravity. This makes a tractor-trailer harder to control in inclement weather or other less-than-ideal road conditions. If, for example, a trucker is speeding on the highway when they hit a patch of black ice, they may lose control of the vehicle. Depending on the direction the truck goes in, there’s a chance the vehicle could roll over.
In addition to snow and ice, other environmental factors include wet roads, loose gravel, potholes, road debris, and fog. All of those conditions have the potential of making it harder for a trucker to see or control their vehicle.
Vehicle-Related Factors
Tractor-trailers require regular maintenance. This means that prior to being driven, a truck should be inspected for potential issues with the tires, brakes, steering mechanism, windshield wipers, lights, and more. In the event something is wrong, the trucker or trucking company needs to ensure the vehicle is fixed so it’s roadworthy. Semis also need to be inspected once a trip is complete to determine if anything happened over the course of the trip that needs to be repaired.
Sometimes, the vehicle-related factors that contribute to an accident are not due to negligence on the part of the trucker or the trucking company. It’s possible a mistake could have been made during the manufacturing process. If an auto part is defective, it’s possible it won’t be found until after a truck accident has already happened.
To determine the cause of your tractor-trailer wreck, we’ll consult accident reconstructionists and other truck accident experts. Your Joliet truck accident lawyer and those other credentialed professionals will be able to use the evidence compiled to determine the primary factor that contributed to your crash.
Once we know the cause of your accident, your Joliet truck accident attorney can begin connecting that to the legal concept of negligence and value your claim.
Am I Entitled to Compensation If I’m Hurt in a Joliet Truck Crash?
If you have been involved in a truck accident in Joliet, and you can prove that the driver or trucking company acted recklessly, you could be entitled to compensation such as:
Economic Damages
Recovering compensation for actual financial losses suffered as a result of the injury, such as the following, is a possibility:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses related to the injury, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and therapy
- Compensation for the income lost due to taking time off work to recover
- If the injury has long-term or permanent effects on your earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for the reduction in your wages
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages may be recoverable for losses that do not have a direct financial impact but affect your quality of life. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Damage awards for the physical pain and emotional suffering as a result of the incident
- Recoverable expenses for the psychological harm resulting from the crash, including anxiety, depression, and other emotional struggles
Punitive Damages
While rarely awarded, when they are, punitive damages can punish a negligent party for their misconduct or recklessness.
You may not be eligible for all of the above-referenced types of monetary awards. That’s why it’s best to consult with our legal team at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP to find out what type of compensation you may specifically qualify for in your case. When you reach out to our law firm, we’ll put you in contact with a Joliet truck accident attorney who will evaluate evidence in your case to determine how much in damages you may be entitled to.
Steps To Take After a Semi-Truck Wreck in Illinois
The steps you take immediately following a truck accident play a crucial role in your personal injury claim. It’s important to know what to do to protect yourself and anyone else involved in the trucking accident. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and shocked once you realize you’ve been hit by a tractor-trailer in Joliet, but you’ll want to do what you can to remain calm so you can properly evaluate the situation.
Remember to stay at the crash scene. Examine yourself and any other passengers for injuries and, if possible, call 911. While it’s likely someone else who witnessed the crash will call for emergency responders, you should still attempt to call 911 if you’re able to.
Injuries individuals sustain after a truck accident vary, so remain immobile if you believe that you’ve sustained a head injury or spinal cord injury. If you are able to move, try to take photos or videos of your Joliet accident scene. Your lawyer will be able to use that evidence to help re-create what happened.
You’ll also need to exchange information with the truck driver. In addition to getting his information, which includes his name, address, employer, and insurance policy number, you’ll want to get information about the trucking company that employs the trucker, owns the big rig, or both.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. You’ll want to be fully evaluated by a medical professional for injuries. Not only will this put you on the best path to recovering physically, but it will also create an official record of the trauma you suffered in the Joliet tractor-trailer crash.
Once things have settled, you’ll want to contact a truck collision attorney in Joliet. When you contact us, we’ll begin reviewing your situation and explaining your legal options and rights to you.
Secure Your Future With the Help of a Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer
With offices in multiple locations in Illinois, we strive to help truck accident victims recover full and fair compensation for their losses. We understand that truck accident claims can be challenging, especially when it comes to proving fault and negligence in truck crash cases. Fortunately, our attorneys have access to the knowledge and resources needed to build the strongest possible claims for our clients.
Filing a claim does take time, which is why it’s important to take care of that as soon as possible after a crash. You may be feeling overwhelmed with everything you’re dealing with, but our attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for your right to a financially secure future.
