Truck Accident Lawyers in Kane County
Truck accidents have the potential to be immeasurably catastrophic. The sheer size and weight of the vehicle can cause untold damage if involved in an accident. Your life can change in the blink of an eye if you are involved in an accident with a large commercial truck. If you survive the accident, you will likely want to pursue compensation and make sure the responsible party is held accountable. Reach out to a Kane County truck accident attorney today.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
In Illinois, there are hundreds of truck accidents every year that result in injury or death. Trucks crash all the time for many different reasons. Sometimes, it is a user error. Sometimes, it is an act of nature. It is important to be aware of the most common causes of truck accidents so you can do what you can to avoid them should you find yourself in a similar situation:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving continuously ranks among the most common causes of vehicular accidents, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks. However, a distracted truck driver can cause a considerably higher degree of damage than a distracted car or motorcycle driver. Any distracted driver has the potential to cause an accident, but a distracted truck driver can cause catastrophic damage to the road and its drivers.It is paramount to limit distractions while you are driving. Common distractions include eating and drinking, playing with the radio, texting, talking on the phone, talking to other passengers, and engaging in road rage. Do whatever you can to stay focused on the road ahead of you.
- Fatigued Driving: Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Fatigue impairs your judgment and reflexes, limiting your reaction time and causing more accidents to occur. Truck drivers often drive for prolonged periods of time without breaks and time to rest. This can be due to approaching deadlines or required road coverage.If you are feeling tired for whatever reason, do not continue to drive. Pull over and find some reasonable lodging or sleep in your vehicle if you must. It is better than risking your life or someone else’s life by driving while fatigued.
- Reckless Driving: When you drive for as long as many truck drivers do, you may start to take the road for granted. Operating your vehicle in a reckless or otherwise dangerous fashion can cause a serious accident.It is important to practice defensive driving skills and be aware of the way your vehicle affects the other drivers. Drive the speed limit, use your turn signals, and brake appropriately so you do not smack into any other driver’s bumper.
- Poorly Maintained Vehicle: A truck is, at its core, a giant machine full of various mechanical parts that all must work together for the vehicle itself to function effectively and properly. If just one of those elements fails, it can cause serious damage to the entire system, which can, in turn, be the direct cause of a giant accident.It is vital that truck drivers have their vehicles properly maintained and examined for any possible equipment failure. Better to know beforehand than to find out when something fails on the highway.
- Proper Training: Truck drivers have to go through specific training in order to be effective drivers. Failure to complete this training can result in ineffective drivers who may not be completely aware of how their vehicle works, how to deal with sudden changes in equipment, and how to handle the possibility of an accident. If you are a truck driver, be sure to complete your training before getting behind the wheel of your vehicle.
What To Do If There Is a Truck Accident?
The sheer damage that a truck accident in Kane County has the potential to cause can be nothing short of catastrophic to the drivers around the truck, as well as any pedestrians or property in the immediate area. The vehicle is massive, which means the damage it causes can be just as massive. If you are ever involved in a truck accident, if you survive, there are certain steps you should take to protect yourself legally and ensure you receive proper medical attention:
- Don’t Panic: In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, you may feel a surge of adrenaline and an overwhelming need to panic. Try your hardest to stay calm. You have just been through a seriously traumatic event. Take some deep breaths and assess your situation before trying to leave the vehicle.
- Check for Injuries: Once you have regained your composure, check yourself for any immediate injuries. If there are passengers in the vehicle, check them for any injuries as well. If you are not visibly injured and are able to move, try to exit your vehicle. If you are unable to do so, remain in the vehicle and call 911.
- Call 911: If you have not already done so, call the authorities. Once the police and EMTs have shown up, have yourself examined. You will want to go see a doctor later to be examined for any possible internal injuries you may have.
- Document the Scene: If you are physically well enough, you can start to document the accident scene. Take photos of the damage done to both vehicles, any injuries you have sustained, any property damage, the road conditions, and every pertinent driver’s insurance information. Be sure to gather witness statements as well.
- Contact a Lawyer: After you have gathered evidence and checked yourself out medically, you should reach out to a truck accident lawyer to start working on building a case and preparing to reach out to insurance companies.
Reach Out to Our Injury Lawyers Today
Being involved in a truck accident can be a life-altering, traumatizing event. You may be dealing with serious injuries and significant damage to your vehicle. You may want to seek compensatory damages, and we can certainly help you with that. The legal team at Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley can help you gather evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and advocate on your behalf in court if it comes to that.
Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.
