Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, and when they are involved in collisions, victims are likely to suffer serious injuries. While there are many reasons that truck accidents occur, driver fatigue is a common factor in these cases. Drivers and passengers who are injured in collisions with semi-trailer trucks can work with an attorney to determine whether the truck driver and the trucking company that employed them can be held liable for the damages they have suffered.

Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is an all-too-common issue for people in the United States, and it is responsible for tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year. Due to the long hours that they spend behind the wheel, truck drivers are especially susceptible to driver fatigue. Even if a driver follows the regulations that limit the amount of time they can drive without taking rests, they may still become drowsy, affecting their ability to control their vehicle and avoid collisions.

Some common reasons for truck driver fatigue include:

Everyone who uses the road has a duty to protect the safety of others. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect this duty and fail to drive as safely as possible. One of the most common ways that drivers endanger themselves and others is by not paying full attention to the road. Distracted driving can lead to car accidents that result in serious injuries and death, and those who are injured by a distracted driver should be sure to understand their options for pursuing compensation for their damages.

The Dangers Posed By Distracted Driving

Driving is such a commonplace activity that many people divide their attention between the road and a variety of other concerns. While multi-tasking may seem to be an effective strategy in many areas of one’s life, driving is not one of them. Drivers should keep their complete attention on the road, since even momentary distractions can have deadly results. In fact, more than 420,000 injuries and 3,100 fatalities occur in the United States every year as the result of distracted driving. 

Using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving is one of the most common types of distracted driving, yet it is also one of the most dangerous. Drivers who interact with their cell phones increase their crash risk by 360%. But even though the dangers of using cell phones while driving is well known, nearly one third of drivers aged 18 to 64 continue to send or read text messages while they are behind the wheel.

A car accident is a frightening experience, whether it is a minor rear-end collision or a major fender bender. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, people are often shaken up and unsure of how to handle the situation. By following these steps, you can not only ensure that you address the legal issues surrounding your accident, but you will be prepared to seek compensation for the injuries you have suffered:

1. Provide assistance - Drivers should always stop their car and, if possible, pull over to the side of the road after an accident, after which they can assess the damage and exchange information with the other driver(s). In Illinois, drivers involved in an accident are required to provide reasonable assistance to anyone who has been injured, including giving medical aid, calling 911, or transporting them to a medical facility.

2. Contact the police - Even if police officers do not come to the scene of the accident, it is important to report the accident to your local police department. This provides a record of the accident, which can be used to demonstrate fault when making an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit.

3. Obtain evidence - Gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident, including taking photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, or any other factors which may have contributed to the collision. Speak to witnesses and write down their contact information. Check to see if any nearby businesses may have security camera footage of the crash.

4. Seek medical attention - Even if you do not believe you have suffered serious injuries, you, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident should see a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of car accident injuries, such as head injuries or neck injuries, may not be immediately apparent, and a thorough examination will help you demonstrate the damages which resulted from the crash.

5. Contact an attorney - An experienced personal injury lawyer can work with you to file a claim with insurance companies, negotiate a settlement that will meet your needs, and advocate for you to receive the compensation that will help you recover from your damages.

Contact a Kane County Car Accident Attorney

At Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C., our skilled attorneys can work with you to protect your rights following a car accident and help you follow the steps that will ensure that you are able to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact an Elgin personal injury lawyer today at 847-695-2400 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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The legal term “damages” refers to harms and losses that a person suffers because of someone else’s actions or negligence. These adverse effects can occur in a variety of situations, and depending on the nature of the damages suffered, an appropriate “measure” of these damages is ascertained and applied, and the party who has suffered losses can seek compensation for their damages from the person who was responsible. 

Following an automobile accident, damages typically include the losses a person experiences due to personal injuries (including medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, ongoing rehabilitation, and pain and suffering), as well as vehicle damage caused by the negligent or intentionally wrongful conduct of a driver. However, in some cases, additional damages may apply. 

When Damages Suffered Go Beyond Personal Injuries and Vehicle Damage 

It is expected that property damage and personal injuries will be suffered in a high-speed collision between vehicles. However, what is under-discussed and seldom forecasted are the potential damages to valuable property or goods being stowed in a vehicle. 

The presence of large trucks on Illinois roads and highways may be a source of anxiety for some drivers, especially in November as thousands travel to and from Chicago to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you are taking I-55 down to St. Louis, driving west on I-80 to the Quad Cities, going about your daily commute, or dealing with increased holiday-related traffic, you may breathe a little less easy when driving alongside a semi, trailer, or other large, sight-limiting truck. When your worst fears about truck-packed lanes are realized, resulting in a truck accident in which you suffer personal injuries, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to assert your legal rights.

Truck Accident-Related Personal Injuries May Be the Result of Negligence

Accidents involving a large truck on the complex network of highways and streets in the Chicago area often involve a variable not present in ordinary car-to-car collisions: the existence of an employer/employee or employer/independent contractor relationship. In simple terms, the driver of a truck may be on the job, transporting goods or en route to receive them for his or her employer. The reason why this added dimension may be of relevance to an accident in which personal injuries result is that it bears on whether the driver, employer, or both parties are liable for financial damages arising from the injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and any lost income due to missed work you have suffered as a result of the accident. 

Negligence, the breach of a duty owed that causes damages, is a common cause of truck-related and other accidents. In truck accidents, the relevant question is who is liable for the negligence which caused the accident. In the case of truck accidents, this is often dependent on whether the driver is an employee working with assent, for the benefit, and under the control of an employer, or if they are an independent contractor.