Truck Accident Lawyers Belleville

The thoroughfare where metropolitan St. Louis meets southwestern Illinois has some of the busiest highways in the United States for freight and trucking. Because these highways are near major cities, it is likely accidents involve people in cars and other vehicles just going about their day. Major injuries, including death, can result from serious accidents with semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, so having a trusted personal injury attorney that can help guide you through the complex legal process is essential.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious trucking accident, the Belleville truck accident lawyers at Nelson & Nelson can help. With experience serving clients in Illinois and Missouri, our team will dedicate the time and resources you need to see that you receive the right compensation after your accident injury.

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How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

In many cases, truck accidents happen because of negligence, and there may be many possible factors involved. You might think that your insurance company will take on the task of determining the cause of the crash, but the chances are that it won’t. If there is any doubt about the cause of the accident, you might end up shouldering the responsibility — and your financial burden. Between your insurer and the trucker’s insurance companies, you could have a big fight on your hands.

Pinpointing the cause of the crash yourself after the fact can be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. That’s why it’s essential to contact the truck accident attorneys at Nelson & Nelson as soon as possible. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side. Our team of seasoned professionals understands the intricacies of federal laws, state laws, municipal laws, the records and certifications of the driver and the truck, and the policies of the shipping and trucking companies.

Our truck accident lawyers can investigate the collision and gather evidence to support your claim, including:

  • Review police and accident reports
  • Analyze vehicle damage
  • Interview witnesses and those involved in the accident
  • Determine all the responsible parties
  • Examine the truck driver’s maintenance records and logs to ensure they were not falsified
  • Discover all the insurance policies available to provide compensation

We can handle settlement negotiations and demand fair compensation for your injuries. If a just settlement cannot be reached in negotiation, we are more than prepared to represent you in court and fight for what you deserve!

Truck Accident Compensation

Being involved in a large truck crash often results in serious or life-altering injuries. The time after a truck accident can be uncertain and overwhelming both financially and emotionally. If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation including:

  • Reimbursement for medical bills, prescription medications, and physical therapy
  • The estimated cost of future medical treatment
  • Current and future lost wages
  • The cost to replace or fix your vehicle
  • The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is undergoing repair
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability
  • Scarring or disfigurement
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Common Truck Accident Causes

Driver Fatigue

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), you are three times more likely to be in a car crash if you are fatigued. Because truck drivers often go several hundred miles a day with few stops to rest, they are more likely to suffer from fatigue compared to other drivers.

Signs of driver fatigue may include:

  • Frequent yawning
  • Inability to keep your eyes open
  • Trouble keeping your head up while driving (“nodding off”)
  • Difficulty remembering the last few miles you drove
  • Missing road signs or turns you need to make to get to your destination
  • Difficulty maintaining the correct speed
  • Drifting out of your lane to either side

Taking plenty of breaks and get enough sleep is integral, so if you notice a truck driver doing any of these things on the road, stay as far away as possible and call the police. You may just safe your life, their life, and the lives of other drivers.

Driver Alcohol/Drug Use

While most of us likely hope that professional semi-truck drivers play it safe on the roads and avoid taking substances that might impair their driving, it can happen. Accidents as a result of impaired driving can lead to both criminal and civil penalties, and truck drivers are likely to lose their jobs as a result of making the mistake of getting behind the wheel of a big rig while impaired.

Poor Driver Training

A driver’s ability to react quickly and practice defensive driving often boils down to their past training. Unfortunately, that can mean that, should they lack the adequate training necessary to operate their truck, the possibility of an accident increases. Most licensed trucking companies require certain licensing in order for their employees to operate their vehicles. Continuing education courses and training can also help them avoid accidents and reduce hazards.

Poor Truck Maintenance

The state of the truck can be a linchpin of safety in certain circumstances. Regular tire maintenance, oil level checks, and other equipment inspections can ensure the vehicle is in proper working order before drivers hit the road. Trucks with over or under-inflated tires; worn-out tires; poor fluid levels; and worn down internal mechanisms are a hazard to the driver and others around them. If this equipment fails, the driver, the manufacturer, and the company that owns the equipment may be subject to personal injury lawsuits, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Distracted Driving

Trucking companies have high standards for their drivers, and this includes safety rules such as avoiding distracted driving practices like talking on the phone or texting while driving. However, other things can also distract drivers such as:

  • Wandering thoughts
  • Loud music
  • Eating while driving
  • Moving objects inside the vehicle, such as pets or insects
  • Lighting or putting out a cigarette, or actively smoking
  • Adjusting something in the vehicle such as temperature controls, mirrors, seat belts, and other controls or devices

Overtaking/Overspeeding Drivers

Drivers that suddenly speed up on other vehicles and either tailgate them or cause others to move over can increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. All drivers should follow the posted speed limit signs, but truck drivers may not if they are trying to make up for lost time and drive too fast. Because of these large trucks’ delayed ability to stop, driving at a high speed can lead to severe accidents.

Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Belleville, IL

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a truck accident and needs help, you don’t have to go it alone. Contact Nelson and Nelson today at (618) 277-4000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our truck accident lawyers can expertly navigate the investigation and help you receive the justice you deserve.

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