Truck accidents in O’Fallon are not just dangerous, they can be devastating and fatal. Unfortunately, because of the city’s location and its proximity to the Missouri-Illinois border, many trucks routinely pass through and near the city, thus increasing the odds of trucking accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash in St. Clair County and are looking to collect damages, you’ll need the help of an experienced O’Fallon truck accident attorney. At Morelli Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys can help you seek compensation and recover your losses.
Proving Liability in an O’Fallon Truck Crash Case
Before you can seek and recover compensation for the injuries and losses brought on by the big rig accident, your truck wreck lawyer has to first determine who was responsible for the injury.
In all Illinois truck accident cases, proving and establishing liability is crucial. You have to identify the at-fault parties so that you can file your injury claim against them. In most O’Fallon truck wrecks, one or more of the following are typically liable:
The Trucker
Many truck accidents in the state are caused by truckers exceeding speed limits or driving recklessly and without regard for other road users. Every truck driver is required to drive with great care and safety.
So, when they don’t, and their actions lead to accidents that leave victims with catastrophic injuries or lead to their death, the driver should be held liable.
The Owner of the Truck
Sometimes, truck accidents still occur in spite of the truck driver’s adherence to the best roadway practices. If the driver drove safely and with regard to other road users but still got in an accident, the fault may be attributed to the truck itself. And if it happens that the truck is owned by someone else, the truck owner may be considered responsible.
Why? Well, truck owners who lease or rent out their trucks are required to ensure that they are in safe operational conditions. Therefore, they are responsible for the truck’s maintenance, as well as keeping the truck compliant with federal and state laws.
Maintenance and Safety Professionals
Poorly serviced or repaired trucks can easily lead to accidents. Because trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, all their parts need to be in tip-top shape when they are on the road.
So, if a mechanic doesn’t use the right brake discs, the brakes may not work properly, leading to crashes. Either way, if the accident occurs because the maintenance or safety staff didn’t do their jobs correctly, you may be able to hold them responsible.
Government Agencies or Organizations
Sometimes, truck accidents can be indirectly caused by inefficient government entities. For example, if a truck blows a tire after hitting a pothole that shouldn’t have been there in the first place, and the driver loses control, the truck driver and other affected victims can sue the responsible agencies.
Other Road Users
Truck drivers can lose control of their vehicles or get into accidents because of other road users’ reckless driving actions. Reckless driving is defined in Illinois under 625 ILCS § 5/11-503.
For example, some drivers of small passenger vehicles have been known to brake-check fully loaded trucks on the highway, engage in distracted driving, swerve into another lane without warning, sleep off behind the wheels, and more.
Because there can potentially be more than one liable party in a truck collision case, identifying the parties can be time-consuming. This is one of the reasons why truck wreck cases in Illinois tend to be lengthy and complex. So, it’s better to have a very resourceful Illinois truck accident law firm fighting for and defending your right from the get-go.
Damages You Can Recover in an O’Fallon Truck Accident Claim
Victims of truck crashes in Illinois are entitled to certain compensation from liable parties and/or their insurance companies. The compensation can go a long way in helping you pay your medical bills, recover financially, and get your life back on track.
Every truck collision case is different, but most victims may be able to claim some or all of the following damages:
- Loss of income
- Medical treatment costs
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Diminished income-earning capacity
- Travel costs
- Home maintenance costs
- Property damage
- Childcare costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental distress
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Indignity, humiliation, discomfort, and inconvenience
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disfigurement and scarring
Our O’Fallon truck accident attorneys will help determine which damages you can claim and take the necessary steps to recover them for you.
O’Fallon Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
How Much Can You Get as Compensation in an O’Fallon Truck Accident Case?
So, how much can you get as a truck accident settlement in O’Fallon? Well, that depends on many factors. These include:
- How bad the injuries are
- Cost of repairing or replacing damaged properties or lost items
- The number of bad actors who are liable
- How much you spend on treatment cost
- All associated costs brought on by the accident
- How much time you’ll be away from work because of the injuries
- Whether you’ll be disabled and for how long
- Whether there are fatalities
These are just a few of the factors that will help determine your final settlement amount. Also, whatever you do, you need to start the claims process as quickly as possible. This is important as truck crash cases can take anywhere from six months to two years. Therefore, starting the process early will help ensure that you get your money on time.
Ultimately, your personal injury attorney will take a look at the peculiarities of your case and come up with a satisfactory number that they can present to the liable party’s insurance provider. They’ll also be able to give you a timeline within which you can expect to receive your compensation.
Contact an Experienced O’Fallon Truck Accident Attorney
All commercial truck drivers are required to adhere to regulations both at the federal and state levels. And to increase your chances of recovering a fair settlement, you need an O’Fallon truck accident lawyer who is both familiar with federal laws and Illinois’ driving laws.
At Morelli Law Firm, our attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated, and capable of delivering excellent outcomes for our clients. So far, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in settlements for clients like you.
Let us help you get the settlement you deserve today. Contact us for a free case evaluation.