Edwardsville Truck Accident Lawyers
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1,000 trucks were involved in crashes across the United States in 2006 every day. An 18-wheeler has a size and weight advantage in a collision with a car, injuring or killing car drivers and passengers 75 percent of the time. Negligence is one of the most common causes of truck accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a semi, you have the right to pursue money damages for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Our investigators look for causes of truck accidents so that we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. For a free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney at Walton Telken, contact our Edwardsville office today. Appointments are also available for our offices in Edwardsville and St. Louis.
Why Should I Hire Edwardsville Truck Wreck Lawyer?
Our attorneys have recovered more than $31 million for clients. Some of our notable case results include:
- $31 million recovered from a Medical Malpractice.
- $7 million recovered from a Product Liability.
- $5.7 million recovered from a Product Liability.
- $3.2 million recovered from a Helicopter Crash.
- $3 million recovered from a Coal Mining Accident.
While the outcome of one case does not affect the result in another, these results matter. Walton Talken Injury Lawyers have secured substantial client compensation, even when liable parties did everything possible to avoid paying. We will fight for the entire financial recovery you deserve.
Why Choose Walton Telken Law Firm to Represent Your Truck Accident Case?
Walton Telken Injury Attorneys in Edwardsville is an excellent choice for handling truck accident cases for several compelling reasons:
- They have extensive knowledge of truck accident laws and regulations.
- They’ve successfully helped numerous clients win significant settlements.
- They are dedicated to working tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation possible for your case.
- They genuinely care about their clients, offering a personalized approach and treating them like family.
- They operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless they win your case.
- Their commitment to client success and legal experience makes Walton Telken Law Firim a trusted partner in truck accident cases.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Illinois interstate highways are crowded and becoming even more congested. Many truckers are expected to deliver goods on a very tight schedule, making it tempting for truckers to cut corners on safety and speed to their delivery destinations.
Rest breaks may be skipped or shortened in order to get to St. Louis on time. Some drivers take over-the-counter caffeine tablets to avoid driver fatigue, while others rely on illicit drugs such as cocaine to stay alert.
Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- – Fatigued truck drivers who have been on the road for too long
- – Poorly maintained trucks that aren’t properly serviced
- – Truck drivers distracted by phones or other devices
- – Hazardous weather conditions
- – Trucks carrying loads that exceed safe weight limits
- – Truck drivers speeding or driving recklessly
Identifying the cause of the accident is vital for building a strong case.
Driver Errors
The accident investigators at Walton Telken examine many causes of driver negligence, including:
- Failing to look out for motorists
- Crossing into another lane
- Failing to maintain brakes and other safety equipment
- Driving aggressively, including speeding and cutting people off
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Overloading the tractor trailer
- Failing to secure cargo
Our attorneys are familiar with Department of Transportation restrictions and regulations. As we investigate causes of truck accidents, we request a copy of the driver’s log book and his or her GPS unit, also called the black box. This will tell our investigators how many hours and how many miles the driver spent over the road that day.
The Basis For Establishing Liability In Edwardsville, IL
In Edwardsville, IL, you must show there was negligence. Negligence means someone wasn’t being as careful as they should have been.
To show negligence, you need to prove:
- The truck driver or company had a duty to be careful
- They didn’t do their duty
- Their failure caused the accident
- You got hurt because of the accident
Sometimes, more than one person or company might be responsible. Our lawyers at Walton Telken know how to figure out who should pay for your injuries.
Proving Liability In An Edwardsville Truck Wreck
Truck accidents can happen for several reasons, such as:
- Truck drivers who are fatigued from driving too many hours
- Trucks that are not properly maintained or serviced
- Drivers who are distracted by their phones or other distractions
- Dangerous weather conditions impacting road safety
- Trucks that are overloaded with excess weight
- Drivers who are speeding or driving recklessly
Factors Affecting the Value of Your Truck Accident Claim
How much money you can get from your case depends on many things, such as:
- How bad your injuries were
- How much your medical bills are
- If you missed work because of your injuries
- If you’ll need more medical care in the future
- How the accident has affected your daily life
- If the truck driver or company did something really bad
Damages You Can Recover From An Edwardsville Truck Accident Claim
If you win your truck accident case in Edwardsville, the compensation you may receive can cover various types of damages, including:
- Medical bills (past and future), including all the money you spent on doctors, hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and any therapy you might need to recover from your injuries. It can also cover any future medical treatments needed.
- If your injuries prevented you from working, you can be compensated for the money you couldn’t earn during recovery. This includes the paychecks missed and any future wages you might lose if you’re unable to return to your job.
- Pain and suffering suffered. You can be compensated for how much you suffered because of your injuries. This includes any ongoing pain that affects your daily life.
- Emotional distress. Accidents can also leave you feeling anxious, scared, or depressed. Emotional distress compensation helps cover the impact the accident has had on your mental health.
- Property damage (like fixing or replacing your car). If your vehicle or other belongings were damaged in the accident, you can be compensated to cover the costs of repairing or replacing them.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. If the accident has made it hard or impossible for you to do the activities you used to enjoy, you may be compensated for the negative impact on your quality of life. This could include things like sports, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends.
In some cases, you might also be able to get punitive damages. This is extra money to punish the truck driver or company if they did something really bad.
Statute of Limitations for Edwardsville Truck Accident Lawsuits
In Illinois, you have two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. However, for property damage, the statute of limitations extends to five years.
These deadlines can seem generous, but it’s important to begin working on your case as soon as possible to maximize your chances of success.
Delaying can have serious consequences, such as:
- Key evidence being lost or deteriorating over time
- Witnesses forgetting key details that could impact the strength of your case
- Missing critical deadlines imposed by insurers, which may affect your ability to recover compensation
Injured in a Commercial Trucking Accident? We can help.
After being injured in an accident with a commercial semi-tractor trailer, it is critical that you get an attorney on your side as soon as possible. Large freight companies are often self-insured and employ their own accident investigators. When notified that one of their trucks was involved in a wreck, they are often at the scene, removing evidence and putting their unique spin on the facts.
Free Consultation ▪ We Don’t Get Paid Until You Do
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle, don’t wait for the insurance company to come to you. The attorneys of Walton Telken have extensive experience standing up against the largest insurance and trucking companies in the nation.
Contact us to discuss your truck accident injury or wrongful death claim. We serve clients in Edwardsville, IL, as well as the Metro-East and throughout Southwestern and Southern Illinois, and Eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis metropolitan area.
We know the key factors that often lead to a negligent trucking accident:
- Drunk Truck Driver, DUI Driver
- Driver Fatigue
- Truck Log Book Violations
- Improperly Trained Driver
- Unsafe Load
- Improper Stopping Procedures
- Improper Maintenance
- Other Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) or other Federal or State Guidelines
“Highways such as I-70, I-55 I-64, I-44, I-40 and Missouri Highway 21 are among the most dangerous roadways in the nation for trucking accidents. Every year people are killed or seriously injured in major accidents involving large trucks. We know the key legal points to trucking ligation and we move quickly to collect and secure the evidence we need. We’re not afraid to go toe to toe with big insurance companies and large trucking corporations.” – Walton Telken Injury Attorneys
Our personal injury law firm features experienced injury and wrongful death litigation attorneys. We are energetic and responsive — and ready to work hard to pursue maximum compensation for your injury or death claim.
Contact an 18-wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Edwardsville
Contact us at one of our Illinois locations to learn more about our firm and how we can help you. We offer a free consultation and you won’t pay attorney’s fees unless we recover money damages for you.
Our Personal Injury Lawyer Near Edwardsville at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys-Edwardsville Personal Injury Lawyer helps victims from Illinois. Our firm is conveniently located near you. We have an office at 241 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.81379824909018, -89.9588032621428.
Other Personal Injury Cases We Handle:
- Car Accident Lawyer
- Truck Accident Lawyer
- Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer
- Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer
- Catastrophic Body Injury Lawyer
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
Blogs Related To Truck Accidents:
- Trucking Safety Regulations You Should Know
- Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Edwardsville, MO
- Who is Really to Blame for More Truck Drivers Falling Asleep at the Wheel?
- Are Drivers’ Health Problems Causing More Truck Accidents?
- How a Driver Shortage Could Be Causing More Truck Accidents
- Walton Telken recover $2.3 million for parents of child killed in trucking accident.