Arlington Heights Truck Accident Lawyer

Attorney for Clients Injured in Semi-Truck Collisions in Cook County

In Illinois, large semi-trucks account for only about 3 percent of all injuries from motor vehicle accidents. However, almost 20 percent of truck accident injuries are severe and incapacitating, and the large majority of the injury victims are the occupants of other vehicles. Additionally, over 10 percent of Illinois accident fatalities come from collisions involving large trucks. If you or a family member has been injured in a truck crash, it is important that you get the compensation you deserve.

Personal injury cases involving semi-truck accidents are often complicated due to the severity of the injuries and the potential for multiple liable parties. However, Attorney Charles Adler has the knowledge and experience necessary to navigate these cases and achieve a favorable result. He will strive to help you recover as much compensation possible for all of the damages you have suffered, without charging an attorney fee unless he is able to collect compensation for you.

Common Causes of Chicago Truck Accidents

Because of their large size and heavy cargo, commercial trucks are far more difficult to control than the average passenger vehicle. Even a minor operation error or a brief moment of inattention or carelessness can have catastrophic consequences. Some factors that often contribute to truck crashes include:

• Driver fatigue - Even with federal regulations limiting on-duty hours, truck drivers often spend long hours on the road and drive through the night to complete their shipments. Drowsy truck drivers may be less alert and more prone to error, and they may even fall asleep behind the wheel.
• Driver error - Even the most experienced truck drivers can make costly mistakes that lead to accidents. The risk of error often increases when a driver is traveling at higher speeds, in inclement weather, or over difficult terrain.
• Improperly secured cargo - When truck cargo is not properly loaded and secured, it can shift in transit and cause the truck to become unbalanced, often leading to rollovers. Loose cargo can also fall onto the roadway and endanger other drivers in the area.
• Inadequate maintenance - Trucks that have not been properly inspected and maintained can experience equipment failure on the road, such as ruptured tires, failed brakes, and non-functioning lights, all of which can contribute to accidents in different ways.
• Distracted driving - Federal rules and Illinois laws prohibit truck drivers from using handheld phones and similar electronic devices while driving, but some drivers flout these restrictions or become distracted by other environmental factors that take their attention away from the road.
• Impaired driving - Despite drug testing requirements and strict penalties for CDL holders who are convicted of driving under the influence, impairment due to alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs is still a factor in a number of semi-truck accidents.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim for a Truck Crash

Depending on the circumstances of your truck accident injuries, your case may be worth a significant amount. First of all, the catastrophic injuries commonly associated with semi-truck crashes, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and broken bones, tend to result in high medical expenses. You can pursue compensation for all such expenses, as well as other damages related to the long-term impact of your injuries, including pain and suffering and lost wages.

Additionally, commercial truck accidents often involve multiple negligent parties from whom it is possible to pursue compensation. Usually, this includes the truck driver, but it can also include loading crews, parts manufacturers, maintenance professionals, and the trucking industry companies that employ them. Identifying all negligent parties can be a challenge, but your attorney will help you seek out all possible sources of evidence from the scene of the crash, as well as driver and trucking company records that may indicate violations of safety regulations. Your attorney can then use this evidence to aggressively pursue a fair outcome through a settlement or trial.

Contact a Mount Prospect Truck Crash Attorney

After a severe truck accident, you do not have to stand up to a trucking company or insurance provider on your own. Contact us today at 847-394-0100 or 312-236-2700 for a free consultation to learn how we can help. We serve clients in Arlington Heights, Chicago, and throughout Cook County and the surrounding areas, including Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows.