Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois

What Are the Requirements for Reporting a Crash in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, you are legally required to report a truck crash or any traffic accident. In fact, failing to report an accident in a timely manner can lead to legal and financial consequences. You never know when an accident might happen, so it is important that you are prepared. You should be aware of the following laws and policies governing the reporting of traffic accidents in Illinois:

• Statutory Duty to Report: According to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/), drivers involved in a traffic accident must immediately stop their vehicles at the scene of the accident or as close as possible and report the accident to the nearest police department or law enforcement agency. Failure to report a traffic accident is considered a hit and run, which is a criminal offense in Illinois.
• Timely Reporting: Illinois law requires that a driver involved in a traffic accident must report the accident to the police within ten days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage of $1,500 or more. Ten days is not long at all, especially when dealing with injuries, so do not put off reporting your truck crash.
• Federal Regulations: In addition to Illinois state law, there are federal regulations that pertain to accidents involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are required to keep a record of all crashes for three years. CMV operators must report crashes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if the accident results in a fatality, an injury requiring immediate medical attention away from the scene such as via ambulance or airlift, or a disabled vehicle that has to be towed away from the scene. The operator has only twenty-four hours to file the accident report with the FMCSA.
• Consequences of Failing to Report: Reporting an accident to the authorities is the law. A driver can face serious legal consequences, including criminal charges and civil penalties, if they fail to report the accent. Failure to report an accident can also result in higher insurance premiums and a tarnished driving record.

If you were involved in a traffic accident in Illinois, it is critical to seek legal help from an experienced personal injury attorney in Illinois. An experienced truck accident attorney from Burger Law will help you navigate the legal requirements for reporting the accident and handle all the paperwork. Contact us right away so that we can protect your legal rights and demand compensation from the responsible parties for the damages you have suffered as a result of your truck accident.

Evidence in Illinois Truck Crash Cases

When it comes to truck accident cases, evidence is crucial. We use it to build your case, ensure that you have a legal claim for a recovery, prove the truck driver's liability and the negligence of any other liable parties, demonstrate the degree to which the accident has impacted your life and demand the total compensation you deserve. As a top Chicago, Illinois truck accident law firm, we have extensive experience in gathering and presenting evidence to build a strong case for our clients. We leverage our expertise and connections to obtain all necessary and available evidence in your truck crash case, which could include the following:

• Black box data: Commercial trucks are equipped with an electronic control module, also known as a black box, which records important data about the truck's speed, braking, and other actions leading up to the accident.
• Driver logs: Truck drivers are required by law to keep detailed logs of their driving hours and rest breaks. These logs can be used to determine whether the driver was fatigued or even in violation of commercial vehicle operation regulations at the time of the accident.
• Maintenance records: Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles to a certain standard. Maintenance records can reveal whether the owner properly maintained the truck and whether any mechanical issues may have contributed to the accident.
• Witness statements: Eyewitnesses to the accident can provide valuable testimony about what they saw and heard leading up to the collision. These statements can help establish liability, corroborate other evidence and lead us to discover other valuable sources of evidence.
• Police reports: Law enforcement officers who respond to the accident scene will create an accident report. The report will include details such as the time and location of the crash, the parties involved, evidence collected at the scene and any citations or charges that were issued.
• Medical records: Your medical records can help establish the extent of your injuries and the treatment you received. Medical files may also contain physician notes and observations about your prognosis or need for ongoing care. This information shows how seriously you were injured and how much compensation you should receive due to your injuries.
• Expert testimony: In some cases, it may be necessary to bring in an expert witness to provide specialized testimony about a particular aspect of the accident, such as the mechanics of the vehicles involved, the nature of the injuries sustained or the degree to which these factors will affect aspects of your life.

At Burger Law, our Illinois truck crash lawyers expertly gather and present compelling evidence in truck accident cases. We work tirelessly to obtain all relevant evidence and use it to build a strong case on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation.

What Kind of Injuries Do Truck Crashes Cause?

Truck crash injuries can range in severity from minor bumps and bruises to significant injuries, including broken bones, severe internal injuries and even death. These are some of the most common types of injuries we see from Chicago, Illinois truck accidents:

• Whiplash: Whiplash Injuries are one of the most common types of car accident injuries, and involve the head and neck. When a vehicle is struck, inertia forces the head and neck to move abruptly — typically "whipping" the head and neck forward and backward. These types of injuries can lead to neck pain, back issues, spinal issues, shoulder tenderness and other medical issues.
• Concussions: Concussions are caused by the forceful motion of the brain inside the skull, to the point that bruising or swelling can occur. Concussions can lead to loss of motor functions, loss of memory, and can even be paralyzing.
• Broken Bones: Broken bones, or fractures, are caused by either blunt force or an amount of weight or pressure so extreme that it causes the bone to bend and break. Auto accidents can easily lead to broken bones due to the force involved in the accidents. Broken bones often require surgery and months of rehabilitation before they completely heal.
• Internal Bleeding: Internal bleeding, while not immediately apparent after an injury, can quickly lead to more serious medical issues and even death. Internal bleeding occurs when the organs inside your body are either punctured or rupture from the force of an accident.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Whenever the spine is subject to enough force or torque, there can be dire consequences. The spinal cord is the critical highway of your nervous system, sending sensory information from the limbs and the rest of the body to your brain, and sending commands from the brain to the rest of the body. Spinal vertebrae help you sit and stand upright, twist, bend and perform other actions while protecting the nervous system. Often, any injuries to your spine can result in a significant loss of motor function in your limbs.

While these are the most common injuries we see, there is virtually no limit to the physical and psychological injuries you can suffer if struck by a semi-truck. If you have any discomfort or medical complaints whatsoever after being in a truck crash in Illinois, speak with our Chicago truck crash lawyers to best protect your health and your recovery.

Remember to seek medical attention following the accident and follow up with all necessary medical exams and treatments. Some injuries are not apparent immediately after the accident or get more extreme over time. All of these factors must be taken into account when negotiating your recovery.