Waukegan Trucking Accident Attorneys
Truck accidents have the potential to cause life-altering injuries and even death. The large size and heavy weight of commercial trucks put passenger cars and other motor vehicles sharing Waukegan roads at risk. If you have sustained injuries in a truck accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for all your crash-related losses.
The experienced Waukegan truck accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you recover damages to cover your medical expenses, lost income, loss of earning potential and other costs. We will identify the parties responsible for the truck accident and hold them accountable. With nearly 40 years of experience, our law firm has a successful track record of helping clients back on their feet after a devasting accident.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Waukegan?
In 2020, 10.2 percent of large trucks in Illinois were involved in fatal crashes, compared to 8.9 percent nationwide. As the most populous city in Lake County, Illinois, Waukegan is home to major highways and interstates where truck accidents can occur. They can happen on Route 41, Route 43 and I-94, among other roadways.
No matter where they occur, truck accidents can be devastating for those involved. In 2018, 12,267 truck accidents accounted for 3.8 percent of all crashes in the state. Common causes of Waukegan truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to undergo adequate training
- Driving long hours without taking proper breaks
- Violating traffic laws
- Overloading trucks
Driver negligence is a broad term used to describe careless driving behaviors such as speeding and fatigued driving. While poor weather or dangerous road conditions may be contributing factors in a crash, some form of driver negligence is often responsible for truck accidents.
In 2019, speeding was the top driver-related cause of fatal accidents, accounting for 7.6 percent of collisions. Distracted driving came second with 5.3 percent, followed by impaired driving with 4.7 percent. One study has shown that staying awake for 18 hours straight can have the same effects as driving impaired with a blood alcohol concentration measuring 0.05 percent.
Truck drivers, however, are not the only ones to blame for truck accidents. Trucking companies must follow federal and state trucking regulations. Any safety lapses can put other motorists who share the road in danger.
Overloading a truck, forcing truck drivers to work long shifts without breaks and failing to maintain trucks properly are just some of the ways trucking companies may behave negligently. A Waukegan truck accident attorney can help you determine who is liable for your injuries and hold them accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Truck Accident Injuries
Waukegan truck accidents have the potential to cause debilitating injuries, some of which can even be fatal. In 2018, around 2,075 Illinois truck accidents resulted in injuries, including 405 incapacitating injuries. Types of injuries a victim may sustain include:
- Lacerations
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Burns
During large truck accidents in 2020, most of the injuries were sustained by occupants of other vehicles, with 68 percent. This was followed by truck occupants, who accounted for 30 percent of injured individuals.
Truck accident injuries can prevent victims from living full lives and engaging in daily activities. The simple act of walking from one location to another can suddenly become challenging, and it can take a long time to heal from the emotional trauma of being involved in a crash. No matter what kind of injuries you suffer in a Waukegan truck accident, you deserve to be compensated for all your medical expenses and future treatment.
Types of Damages
If your truck accident claim is successful, you can obtain several different types of economic damages and non-economic damages. The Waukegan truck accident lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can provide you with an estimate of what to expect based on the details of your case.
- Medical expenses: The settlement can cover the cost of your past and future medical treatment, hospital stays, physical therapy, diagnostic testing and more.
- Lost wages: Severe injuries may require you to take time off work to recover. The lost income has the potential to affect your family’s financial future and your career advancement. You can also get damages for loss of future earning potential due to disfigurement or disabilities.
- Property damage: Along with causing debilitating injuries, truck accidents can also cause devastating property damage. The size and weight of a loaded semi can destroy your vehicle beyond repair.
- Pain and suffering: Going through a truck accident is likely to be a traumatic event. Your settlement should cover the mental toll and emotional distress you experience because of the crash.
When determining the value of your truck accident claim, we will consider factors such as how severe your injuries are, whether you suffered disabilities and what long-term treatment you may need. We will negotiate with the other parties to obtain the most favorable settlement for you. If the other side fails to provide a satisfactory offer, we are willing to take your case to trial.
What To Do After a Truck Accident
A truck accident is likely to leave you feeling shaken up and confused about what to do. While it may be difficult to think straight after a collision, there are important steps you need to take to protect your rights.
If you decide to file a personal injury claim in the future, the at-fault party may try to dispute your version of events. The evidence you preserve in the aftermath of a truck accident can help support your case.
- Get medical treatment. Emergency responders may take you to the hospital right away if you have sustained severe injuries. If not, you should still see a doctor to make sure there is no internal damage. Additionally, seeing a doctor will help establish the extent and nature of the injuries you suffered due to the truck accident.
- Document the incident. File an accident report with the police and obtain a copy for your records. Take down the names and phone numbers of witnesses who saw the truck accident. Be sure to obtain the contact, insurance and license information from the other parties involved in the crash.
- Notify your insurance company. Depending on the terms of your policy, you may be required to inform your insurance company about the truck accident. While you should state the facts, do not give more details than necessary. Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company before you speak to a truck accident lawyer.
- Contact a truck accident attorney. A Waukegan truck accident lawyer can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg offers free initial consultations during which you can ask questions and get advice about your claim.
How Can an Attorney Help with My Truck Accident Claim?
Truck accidents involve dealing with the complex laws that govern the trucking industry. Additionally, things can quickly get complicated if multiple parties are involved in the collision, particularly a commercial trucker. A skilled Waukegan truck accident lawyer can handle the entire legal process for you, including determining liability in your case.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg understands the unique legal matters that emerge in truck accident claims. We have a deep knowledge of Illinois trucking industry regulations and the personal injury laws relevant to such cases.
With an experienced attorney in charge of your case, you increase your chances of receiving a settlement that covers all your truck accident-related expenses. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we can help you understand the damages you can expect to recover in your case. Your Waukegan truck accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your crash and collect evidence to build a strong claim, including consulting experts when necessary.
Trucking businesses have teams of lawyers who go to great lengths to protect the company from liability. Without skilled legal representation, you risk getting a lowball settlement or having your truck accident claim dismissed entirely.
When you hire an attorney, you can devote your attention to recovering from your truck accident injuries. The lawyer will take care of everything from filing legal documents to negotiating with insurance companies and trucking companies. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is dedicated to helping you get your life back on track after a debilitating truck accident.
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Claim
Under Illinois law, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years. This means you have two years from the date of your truck accident in which to file a claim. If you miss the deadline, you lose your opportunity to pursue damages from the at-fault party. A truck accident attorney can ensure you do not give up your right to compensation.
Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
If you have been injured in a truck accident, do not hesitate to reach out to a lawyer for advice about the possibility of pursuing compensation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has decades of experience providing legal representation in truck accident cases. A Waukegan truck accident attorney will help you understand your legal options.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation. There is no cost to speak to an attorney about your case.