Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer

The Most Important Things to Do After a Joliet, IL Truck Accident

Getting into an accident with commercial trucks can have particularly devastating results because of their size and speed compared to normal personal vehicles. Injuries sustained can be more severe and deadlier. Additionally, a personal injury lawsuit involving truck crashes can be more complex because you’ll have to deal with truck companies and their insurance.

What’s most important to understand, though, is that you don’t have to do it alone. If you’ve suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an accident with a commercial truck, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today. Our law firm has experience with these types of Joliet personal injury cases and will dedicate ourselves to recover compensation that you both need and deserve. Our experienced commercial truck accident lawyers will work with you and examine all the details of your case to determine what legal action is available and help you recover the maximum compensation possible. Call us today.

Steps You Can Take to Help Your Truck Accident Case

If you’ve been in a serious accident with a commercial vehicle in Joliet, there are several important steps for you to follow.

Create a Police Report

First, make sure to report the accident to the police and file a police report. This accident report will be an important piece of evidence in your case.

Get Medical Treatment

Next, it’s crucial that you seek out medical treatment for your injuries. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor. Injuries that seem small right after the truck accident may end up causing lifelong suffering.

Document the Accident Scene and Gather Information From Witnesses

If you’re able, take photos or videos of the accident scene. This will be helpful evidence to have as your case moves forward.

If there were any witnesses to the accident, make sure to get their contact information. Their testimony could be vital to your case.

Talk to a Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer

Finally, it’s important to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Kryder Law Group, LLC has represented many victims of catastrophic trucking accidents in Joliet, and we’re ready to help you too. Schedule a free consultation today.

Truck Accidents Are Devastating

There is no limit to the severity of injuries and emotional trauma that ensues after colliding with a truck. And, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, these types of serious accidents are all too common. In 2020, there were 9,296 crashes involving tractor-trailers, which account for 3.8% of total crashes. Tragically, the fatalities resulting from semi-truck accidents increased from 2019 to 2020 by 2.6%.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, The Kryder Law Group, LLC is here to help. We understand the devastation that these accidents cause and we’re ready to fight for you.

Common Types of Injuries from Semi-Truck Accidents in Joliet, IL

Due to the size of a semi-truck, serious injuries are often the result of truck accidents. Car accidents between two passenger cars can result in some serious injuries, but when a truck that’s over 8,000 pounds collides with a smaller car, the injuries tend to be catastrophic or even fatal.

Some of the most common injuries our clients suffer after Joliet truck accidents include:

Traumatic brain injuries – These types of head injuries, also known as TBIs, can result in long-term cognitive problems, paralysis, and even death. This is one type of injury that may not be immediately apparent at the scene of an accident and will require extensive medical care in order to diagnose and treat correctly. Left untreated, a TBI can have lifelong consequences.

Spinal cord injuries – A spinal cord injury can also cause paralysis, either partial or full. These types of injuries often require lifelong care and can have a major impact on the victim’s ability to work and live independently.

Broken bones – While broken bones may seem like a less serious injury, they can still result in a great deal of pain and suffering. In some cases, a broken bone may puncture the skin and put the victim at risk for infection.

Internal bleeding – Internal bleeding can be extremely dangerous and may require emergency surgery to correct. If not treated quickly, internal bleeding can lead to death.

Burns – Severe burns can cause disfigurement, scarring, and a great deal of pain. In some cases, burns may require skin grafts or other types of surgery.

Amputations – In some cases, an accident may result in the need for an amputation. This can be a life-changing injury that requires extensive rehabilitation and may make it difficult or impossible to return to work.

Wrongful death – Tragically, severe truck accident injuries can lead to death of a loved one. If you lost a family member due to the catastrophic injuries they suffered in a trucking accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

These types of injuries can have a lifelong impact on your health, your ability to work, and your overall quality of life. If you’ve been seriously injured in a collision with a commercial truck, The Kryder Law Group, LLC is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free case evaluation.

What Causes Semi-Truck Accidents in Joliet?

Some of the most common factors that can contribute to a semi-truck accident in Joliet, IL include:

Driver fatigue – Truck drivers often work long hours and may be pressured by their employer to meet unrealistic deadlines. This can lead to a truck driver experiencing fatigue, which increases the risk of an accident due to driver error.

Distracted driving – Distracted driving is a major problem for all drivers, but it can be especially dangerous for truck drivers. Distracted driving includes activities such as talking on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, and even talking to passengers.

Impaired driving – Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never safe, but it’s especially dangerous when operating a large commercial truck.

Poor vehicle maintenance – If a truck isn’t properly maintained, it can lead to mechanical problems that increase the risk of an accident. This may be one reason trucking companies are also at fault in your accident.

Weather conditions – Poor weather conditions can make it more difficult for a truck driver to see the road and stop in time to avoid an accident.

Road hazards – If the road is in poor condition, it can increase the risk of an accident.

If you’ve been injured in a collision with a semi-truck, it’s important to contact an experienced Joliet truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Kryder Law Group, LLC has extensive experience handling these types of cases and we’re ready to put our knowledge and resources to work for you.

Filing a Claim After Your Joliet Truck Accident

After you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure your safety and well-being, it’s time to start thinking about your legal options. If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be wondering if you can file a personal injury claim.

The answer is: maybe. Whether or not you have a valid claim will depend on the specific facts of your case. But, in general, you may be able to file a personal injury claim if the accident was caused by the negligence of the truck driver or trucking company.

Proving Negligence in Your Truck Accident Case

Negligence is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care, and it can take many forms. For example, truck drivers may be guilty of negligence if they:

• Drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Drive while fatigued
• Fail to properly inspect their vehicle
• Fail to properly maintain their vehicle
• Load their truck in an unsafe manner
• Fail to signal when changing lanes
• Tailgate other vehicles
• Speeding

If you’ve been injured in a Joliet truck accident, be sure to talk to an experienced Joliet truck accident lawyer. The Kryder Law Group, LLC has represented many victims of these types of accidents, and we’re ready to help you too. Schedule a free case evaluation with our Joliet truck accident attorneys today.

Services Our Truck Accident Lawyers Provide

Your interests are at the forefront of our minds when our truck accident lawyers begin examining how we can help you. One of our first steps will involve determining who is responsible for your accident. At the onset of our partnership, we encourage you to speak freely about your collision, as even the smallest detail can be a gamechanger when it comes to fighting for financial recovery.

Questions About Your Truck Accident

Questions we may ask include:

• At the scene of the accident, was there any debris or external hazards that may have caused your collision?
• Did you see the truck driver engaged in distracted driving practices or risky behaviors?
• What actions did law enforcement take upon arriving at the scene of the accident?
• How has your insurance company handled your case?
• Have you been contacted by the negligent party’s representatives or their insurance company? If so, what did they ask?

How Multiple Parties May be Liable

While some of these inquiries may seem simple, they will allow us to paint a picture of the circumstances that caused your accident and to prove liability. For example, if your accident was caused by poorly paved roads, we may be able to pursue damages from the other driver and the municipality overseeing that roadway.

How a Trucking Company May Also Be a Liable Party

There may also be circumstances where both trucking companies and their drivers were negligent. If the trucker was clearly engaging in negligent driving practices, we can hold them and their employer responsible under respondeat superior. The doctrine of vicarious liability allows us to hold the trucking company accountable for the actions of their workers.

We Can Collect Evidence by Conducting an Investigation

Every detail of your collision will factor into your potential for compensation. To prove that another party is responsible for your semi-truck accident, our Joliet truck accident lawyers will need to collect relevant evidence that illustrates negligence, including:

• The police report made at the scene
• Photographs showcasing your injuries and property damage
• Medical documents listing what treatments you needed
• Any available traffic surveillance footage
• Information from the trucker’s logbook
• Expert testimony from a medical professional or accident reconstruction specialist

We may be able to collect other evidence, aside from the items we have listed here. When you speak with an attorney experienced in truck accident cases, they can explain what other documents may prove helpful in asserting your claim.

Types of Compensation for Semi-Truck Accident Victims

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be entitled to a variety of damages. The amount of compensation you may be eligible for will largely depend on the evidence we are able to collect and present to the insurance company or jury. Some of the types of compensation you could be awarded include both economic and noneconomic damages.

Examples of Economic Damages

Economic damages cover losses that have a specific value and can have their worth proven by using receipts, bills, and other records, including:

Current and future medical expenses – this type of compensation can include the costs of surgeries, hospitalization, medication, and any other type of treatment you may need as a result of your injuries.

Lost wages – if you are unable to work or can only work part-time because of your injuries, you could be compensated for the wages you have lost as well as the earning potential you have lost by being unable to return to work or take on a more labor-intensive role.

Examples of Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages extend to items that do not have a price tag and cannot have value so easily assigned to them. Typically, the compensation you receive for these types of losses directly correlates with the extent of your injuries.

Examples of noneconomic damages include:

Pain and suffering – the physical and emotional anguish you have experienced as a result of your injuries.

Loss of consortium – the loss of companionship, love, and support you have suffered from being injured.

Emotional distress – the mental suffering you have endured because of your injuries.

Loss of enjoyment of life – the ways in which your injuries have prevented you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.

Reduced quality of life – the long-term effects your injuries will have on your ability to live a normal life.

These are only some examples of the types of compensation that may be available to you. To learn more about what types of compensation you could be entitled to, speak with a Joliet truck accident lawyer today.

Our attorneys understand the challenges you are facing and will fight tirelessly to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today.

Steps You Can Take to Help Your Case

After a semi-truck crash, there are certain steps you can take to help ensure the success of your case. As your legal team works on your case, there here are some things to keep in mind that you can do to help your case. Consider the following:

Seek Prompt Medical Attention

No matter how minor your injuries may appear, some conditions (such as brain damage or spinal cord injuries) do not manifest right away. Make sure that while speaking with your doctor, you keep all documents relating to your injuries and treatment.

Limit Your Conversations With Insurance Adjusters

Do not share unnecessary information with your insurance company or the other party’s legal team. Even the most harmless comment can be twisted into an admission of fault. Only tell the insurance adjuster the facts and do not engage in small talk.

Take a Social Media Break

Refrain from posting about your accident to social media. Insurance adjusters are known to scroll through the public profiles of claimants, searching for evidence to downplay their injuries. Even if you post a photo from an event that happened a long time ago, it can still complicate legal proceedings.

Hire a Joliet Truck Accident Attorney

While it is not required that you have an attorney represent you, it is in your best interest to do so. An experienced lawyer can handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on healing. A lawyer will also know how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and build a strong case on your behalf.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a semi-truck accident, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today. We will review your case for free and help you understand your legal options. Call us now to get started.

Get Help from an Experienced Joliet Truck Accident Attorney

In the aftermath of a commercial truck crash, you need experienced legal help on your side. The attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients and are ready to help you seek compensation too.

Act Now, You Have Limited Time to File Your Claim

You have a limited time to file your claim, so do not wait to get started on your case. Illinois law, 735 ILCS 5/13-202, imposes a statute of limitations of up to two years following a collision. This means that if you wait too long to file your claim, you could be prevented from ever collecting compensation for your injuries.

Get Started on Your Case Today

If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC are here to help. We understand the challenges you are facing and will work tirelessly to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. Schedule a free legal consultation today.

If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a collision with a commercial semi-truck, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident & Injury Lawyers is ready to help. We represent victims of catastrophic trucking accidents in Joliet, IL.

What You Get in a Free Consultation

When you call The Kryder Law Group, LLC, you will speak with an experienced Joliet truck accident lawyer who can answer your questions and help you understand your legal options. During your free consultation, we will:

• Assess the strength of your case
• Review the facts of your case including who may be at fault, whether the truck driver, truck company, or other party
• Answer your questions
• Discuss the compensation you could be entitled to
• Develop a legal strategy tailored to your unique needs

There is no obligation to hire our firm after your consultation, so you can feel confident that you are getting the information you need to make an informed decision about your case.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, don’t wait to get started on your case. Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. We will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve.