At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact of commercial truck accidents on your life. Our experienced team in Oak Lawn, IL is experienced in handling trucking accidents and accident cases, working diligently to ensure victims receive rightful compensation. With a personalized and strategic approach, we consider the unique details of the truck accident case and complexities of dealing with the trucking company and the insurance company.
Distracted Driving: This involves any activity that diverts attention from driving, like talking or texting on your phone.
Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions.
Impaired Driving: This includes driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including prescription medications).
Fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can lead to fatigue.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Failure to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain a truck.
Common Places for Commercial Truck Accidents in Oak Lawn
Commercial truck accidents in Oak Lawn are most likely to occur on major highways and intersections due to high traffic volumes and complex navigation. Motor vehicle accidents occur in key accident-prone areas like the intersections around 95th Street and the areas near Interstate 294 (I-294) and Route 50.
These areas are particularly hazardous for truck drivers due to the confluence of high-speed traffic, heavy trucking routes, and the city’s urban layout.
Common Injuries from Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles compared with a passenger car. Below are the six most common injuries automobile accident victims of commercial trucks may suffer:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These can range from concussions to severe brain damage, often resulting in long-term cognitive issues and personality changes.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs): These can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting the victim’s mobility and quality of life.
Broken Bones: Victims may suffer from fractures in different parts of the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and more.
Internal Injuries: These injuries may affect organs, blood vessels, or the abdominal cavity, and they can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Burns: Due to the potential for fuel fires in a truck collision, victims often suffer from varying degrees of burns.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Apart from physical injuries, victims may also experience psychological trauma that can manifest as PTSD.
What to Do After a Trucking Accident in Oak Lawn
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Oak Lawn, there are important steps to take to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Seek Medical Attention: Your health is always the primary concern after any kind of accident or injury. If possible, seek emergency medical attention at the site of the accident or have someone take you to a nearby hospital.
Collect Evidence: If you are physically able, document as much evidence at the scene as possible in photos and video. Obtain contact information of any witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
File An Insurance Claim: You should file an insurance claim with the trucking company as soon as possible. You may also be eligible to receive compensation from your own insurance policy.
Contact A Truck Accident Lawyer: The best way to ensure that you are fully compensated for your losses is to hire an experienced Oak Lawn truck accident lawyer who can handle all aspects of your case, from filing paperwork to negotiating with insurance companies.
What NOT to Do After a Trucking Accident in Oak Lawn, IL
Don’t Accept Fault: Even if it seems the accident was your fault, it’s important to never admit guilt as this can significantly weaken your chances of obtaining full compensation for your losses.
Don’t Delay Documentation: It is crucial to start the documentation process as soon as possible by taking photos and videos of the scene, writing down any details you can remember, and collecting witness information.
Don’t Sign Anything: Before signing any legal documents, make sure to contact an experienced truck accident attorney who can explain the terms of the agreement and guide you through the process.
Don’t Settle Too Soon: Insurance companies may try to settle your case quickly in order to minimize their losses. Make sure to consult with an Oak Lawn truck accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offers.
Don’t post on Social Media: Avoid posting any information related to the truck accident on social media as this can be used against you in a court of law.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Trucking Accident?
Hiring a truck accident injury lawyer can greatly improve truck accident victims’ chances of receiving fair compensation for their losses.
An experienced attorney understands the complexities of truck accident cases, including potential negligent truck drivers, trucking industry regulations, and evidence needed to prove at fault parties who may be held liable.
They can investigate, gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and negotiate with insurance companies. They can also guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and advocate for you in court if needed.
Legal representation from personal injury lawyer is crucial in severe injury cases with high financial stakes and complex proceedings.
Types of Compensation for Truck Crash Injuries
Truck accident victims in Oak Lawn, IL can seek compensation for a range of losses. These include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
In cases of egregious negligence or wrongful death, punitive damages may also be awarded. The exact amount of compensation will depend on the extent of the injuries and the specific circumstances of the truck accident claim itself.
Who May Be Held Financially Liable for Trucking Accidents?
In an Oak Lawn truck accident, financial liability can potentially fall on multiple parties, not just the truck driver. These may include the trucking company, vehicle owner, truck leaser, vehicle or parts manufacturer if a defect contributed to the accident, and the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo if improper loading played a part.
What Is My Case Worth?
Several factors determine the value of a truck accident lawsuit. These contributing factors include the severity of your physical injuries, the cost of medical treatment (both present and future), the impact of personal injury on your ability to work and earn income, and your pain and suffering. Your attorney will gather evidence and work with experts to calculate these damages accurately.
The circumstances at fault driver of the accident are also crucial. If the truck driver or company was egregiously negligent, you may be eligible for punitive damages. These are meant to punish the negligent driver and deter similar behavior.
Additionally, the strength of your legal representation affects your case’s value to the insurance company. An experienced truck accident attorney can negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies, present a compelling case, and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Contact a Oak Lawn Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At law firm The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents in Oak Lawn, IL secure the compensation they deserve after suffering serious injuries in trucking accidents.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let our experienced lawyers fight for your rights and guide you through this challenging time.
Get help from an Oak Lawn truck accident lawyer when you've been injured in a crash because of someone else's negligence.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700