Posted on June 26, 2023 in Blog Post

Commercial trucking is a vital part of the economy of the state of Illinois. However, with the large number of commercial trucks on the roads, truck accidents occur frequently, and the consequences of these accidents can be devastating for victims. The injuries that may occur in a truck accident can lead to a great deal of pain and suffering, as well as financial problems related to medical expenses, lost income, and other factors. Those who have been injured in truck crashes will need to understand what they can do to protect their financial interests as they seek compensation from those who were responsible.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Here are some crucial steps ways that you can protect your rights after you are involved in a truck accident:

1. Seek immediate medical care - Whether you need emergency medical attention for devastating injuries, or you do not believe you were seriously injured, it is important to get medical attention right after an accident. Even if you do not receive emergency treatment, you can visit a general practitioner or a physician to evaluate your injuries and determine the appropriate forms of treatment. This will provide documentation of your condition, which will play a role in determining the types of compensation that may be available.

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 Posted on June 02, 2023 in Blog Post

 Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, lengthy recuperation periods, and exorbitant medical expenses. As per Illinois law, slip and fall victims can acquire compensation for their injuries if they can prove another party's negligence led to their condition. 

Premises Liability Cases in Illinois 

Slip and fall injury claims fall under the umbrella of premises liability. As per Illinois law, a valid premises liability claim has to meet specific criteria. This includes the following:

• The individual was injured because of an unsafe condition on the defendant’s  property 

• The injury was caused by the defendant’s failure to mantain a reasonable safe premises

• The injuries led to damages such as medical expenses or lost inome 

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 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Blog Post

In Illinois, truck accidents involving large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers can cause devastating accidents. Occupants of smaller vehicles in their path stand little to no chance of survival. The difference in size means that they face serious injuries or fatalities. Knowing your legal options is vital if you are involved in an accident with these behemoths.

Tractor Trailer Laws and Regulations in Illinois 

As per Illinois law, all tractor-trailers must follow strict state and federal regulations to protect the public. Failure to follow these is considered illegal and immoral since violations place other motorists at risk of serious injuries.

For example, all tractor-trailer drivers must log a specific number of hours of sleep each day on the road. Since this law affects transport times, most companies and drivers don't follow it to make timely shipments. This information is critical for anyone who wishes to file a lawsuit against a trucking company for negligence.

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 Posted on May 04, 2023 in Blog Post

When you go out to dinner, shopping, or anywhere else, you expect the facilities to be hazard-free. Property owners must ensure the people entering their facility remain safe from avoidable injuries. As such, they must ensure that surfaces aren't slippery and the property is free of debris that may otherwise cause a slip-and-fall accident. 

If you slip and fall in a commercial space in Illinois, you have the right to ask for compensation from the property owner whose negligence caused the accident. Here are a few crucial steps you should take to protect your claim:

Seek Medical Aid

Call an ambulance or have someone else call one for you if you cannot. Do not decline medical aid even if your injuries seem minor or you think you are unhurt. Some injuries take days and even weeks to manifest after an accident and usually do so intensely. 

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 Posted on April 17, 2023 in Blog Post

Commercial truck crashes in Illinois are not as uncommon as you may think and many are caused by distracted driving. Unfortunately, many truck drivers engage in distracting activities behind the wheel, such as using their cell phones or eating while driving.Such actions can cause serious truck accidents that result in severe damages, injuries or even fatalities.

Truck accident victims should consider pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim against the trucking company.

Investigation

The first step in pursuing compensation is to investigate and collect evidence to determine the cause of the accident. In many cases, distracted driving is a key factor, which means that the truck driver or the trucking company may be held liable for your injuries and losses.

Your lawyer will investigate the accident to collect evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, camera footage, electronic data, and photographic evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

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 Posted on April 06, 2023 in Blog Post

 Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, or property and leaves the accident scene without identifying themselves or assisting the injured parties.

Insurance data suggests that Illinois ranks fourth among the U.S. states with the most hit-and-runs. Such accidents often leave victims with significant physical injuries and property damage, leaving them to wonder how they can recover financial compensation for their losses.

Uninsured Motorists Coverage

If the hit and run driver is never caught, there may still be a way to recover compensation. In Illinois, victims of hit-and-run accidents may pursue financial compensation through their own insurance company's uninsured motorists coverage.

This is a type of coverage that is mandatory in Illinois and it is designed to provide protection to drivers who are injured in accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.

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 Posted on March 23, 2023 in Blog Post

The Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that 841 people 65 years of age and older died because of falls during the most recent reporting year and more than 100,000 people had to be treated for injuries suffered because of falls. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reported that nearly 20 percent of fatal occupational injuries were the results of falls, slips, or trips.

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, including brain and spine injuries. Any person who does sustain a severe injury in a slip and fall accident will want to be sure they retain legal counsel because insurance companies are rarely willing to pay victims appropriate compensation without a fight.

How Slip and Fall Cases Work

When a person suffers injuries in a slip and fall accident, they should immediately report their fall to whoever is in charge of the property they fell on, such a manager at a store. Victims should also be quick to seek medical attention so they can be sure their injuries are properly treated and they have a medical record created as soon as possible. An individual harmed in a slip and fall accident can also strengthen their case by immediately taking pictures of whatever caused the fall before a property owner has the chance to correct the condition and the evidence disappears.

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 Posted on March 07, 2023 in Blog Post

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that there were 3,129 pedestrian accidents in 2020 which included 160 fatal accidents and 2,879 injuries. Crash data for 2023 indicates there have already been 34 pedestrian fatalities thus far this year. 

The bottom line remains that pedestrians are constantly placed at risk in towns and cities throughout the state. Unfortunately, negligent drivers in these cases sometimes flee the scene of the accident to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. If you or a loved one were hurt in a hit-and-run accident, read on to learn about your legal options. 

Options for Hit-and-Run Victims

In most pedestrian accident cases, the victim will be able to file a claim against the negligent driver. In a hit-and-run accident case, however, there can be concerns about whether an offender will be apprehended and what a hit-and-run victim can do if they are not located.

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 Posted on February 23, 2023 in Blog Post

Driving while impaired due to the use of drugs or alcohol increases the likelihood of a car accident by 36 times. Even with the sobering statistics that demonstrate the dangers of drunk driving, people continue to risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while they are intoxicated. In Illinois, more than 20,000 people are arrested for drunk driving each year. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, a skilled attorney can help you establish liability and take steps to get the compensation you deserve.

BAC and Negligence

Drunk driving is associated with negligent behavior that could have been avoided. Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered reckless behavior, because willingly got behind the wheel of a vehicle when they knew they were too intoxicated to drive safely. The legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) in Illinois is .08 percent, and driving with a BAC above this limit can result in serious legal ramifications, including jail time, fines, and the suspension of a person's driver's license.

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 Posted on February 06, 2023 in Blog Post

If you have been injured in a truck accident in the Chicago area, the medical bills may be piling up, you have lost your stable income, and are trying to recover from severe injuries. According to federal estimates, some 107,000 truck accidents resulted in life-altering injuries in 2020. Truck accidents are among the most dangerous vehicle accidents. Semi-trucks are simply heavier and more difficult to handle than your average car. So who is liable for the injuries that you suffered?

Potentially Liable Parties in a Truck Accident

In many cases, truck accidents are caused by a negligent driver due to various factors including driver fatigue, drunk driving, improperly secured loads, and defective truck parts. These are some of the potential parties you may be able to sue following a truck accident depending on the cause of the accident:

• Truck Driver – If the driver was speeding, driving drunk, or being negligent in any way and caused the accident, you could sue the driver for your losses.

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