If you were recently involved in a commercial truck accident, you may be dealing with very painful injuries and a complex legal battle if you want to file a lawsuit. Our Wheaton personal injury lawyer at Therman Law has represented victims of various types of accidents, including collisions involving commercial trucks.

These vehicles are so large and carry so much weight that, in the event of a crash, it is often the people in the other vehicle who suffer the most.

Our Wheaton truck accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss what has happened, calculate a potential monetary award that you are eligible for, and address any other concerns you may have. We have more than 75 years of combined experience.

Why Choose Therman Law for Your Truck Accident Claim

Wheaton is a city located in the state of Illinois. It boasts a lively downtown with many shops, restaurants, and services. The Downtown Wheaton Association hosts a number of events throughout the year to promote local businesses. Some of these events include The Chili Cookoff, The French Market, and the Wheaton Wine & Cultural Arts Festival.

Wheaton is situated near I-355 and I-88, offering access to Illinois State Routes 38 and 56, as well as several other major thoroughfares. This means there are always many trucks on the road.

While some are just passing through the area, others stop to pick up and deliver goods. Sadly, not everything always goes according to plan, and truck accidents are quite common.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer crash caused by someone else’s carelessness or error, you might be able to recover compensation.

At Therman Law, our Wheaton truck accident attorney can take a detailed look at your case and help you decide what legal steps may be appropriate for you.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wheaton

Victims of a truck accident face a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. As difficult as it may be, our legal team knows that there is a lot at stake for you in recovering damages.

That is why we explore all potential causes of your accident so we can assign fault properly. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

Distracted truck drivers
Fatigued drivers
Speeding or other reckless behavior behind the wheel
Inexperienced drivers
Drivers who are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any other substance
Mechanical failures and breakdowns
Improperly loaded cargo
Poorly manufactured trucks and components of trucks
City and state failures in road conditions

By uncovering all evidence to document what caused the accident, our Wheaton truck accident lawyer can build a stronger case for you. That could include claims against truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loading companies, and many others who are responsible.

This could increase your compensation recovery and help you get back to your life once the ordeal is over.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules and regulations are established for all truck drivers and trucking companies to abide by. These rules state the speed limits, how many hours a driver can work, and other laws that are intended to prevent accidents and uphold public safety. Drivers and trucking companies who do not follow these regulations could be guilty of acting negligently.

Violations of FMCSA Rules and Regulations

In fact, negligence is a key factor in many truck accident cases. After we investigate the accident you are involved in further, we can let you know if the driver or the trucking company has, in fact, violated any of these governing rules. As our knowledgeable truck accident attorney explains, examples of rules set forth by the FMCSR include, but are not limited to, the following:

Truck drivers must carry a commercial driver’s license.
Truck drivers must be 21 years old to participate in interstate commerce.
Truck drivers are not permitted to drive more than eight hours a day without taking a half-hour break.
Truck drivers can drive for eleven hours only after being off duty for ten.
Truck drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing after certain accidents.
Federal employees must perform routine inspections of trucks.
Truck drivers must conduct inspections of the vehicle every day. If there is a problem, that information has to be written down in their report.

For the state of Illinois, these FMCSA rules must be followed, and anyone who breaches them may be found negligent, no matter what road they were driving on at the time. Our team can assess how these guidelines apply to your truck accident case.

Truck Accident Injuries: What You Need To Know

At Therman Law, we have years of experience representing individuals who have been injured in truck accidents. Our team is dedicated to helping victims recover the compensation they need to move forward after a serious accident. Contact a Wheaton truck accident lawyer from our firm today for assistance.

Head and brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when the head is impacted during the collision, leading to concussions, memory loss, or long-term cognitive impairment. These injuries often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal injuries may not always be immediately apparent after a truck accident, making it crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Broken bones: Fractures are common in truck accidents, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries can require surgery and long recovery periods, affecting the victim’s ability to work and carry out daily activities.
Internal injuries: The force of a truck accident can cause internal injuries to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. These injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Whiplash and neck injuries: Whiplash occurs when the neck is jerked suddenly in a collision, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Neck injuries can range from mild discomfort to long-term chronic pain.

These are just a few examples of the types of injuries that can result from a truck accident. Every case is different, and the severity of the injuries will depend on factors such as the speed of the vehicles involved and the angle of impact.

Your Wheaton truck accident lawyer can fill you in more on compensation and coverage for injuries.

Impact Injuries Can Have on Your Life

Suffering an injury in a truck accident can have a significant impact on your life, both physically and financially. Many victims face long recovery times, during which they may be unable to work or participate in activities they once enjoyed. The medical costs associated with treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care can also be overwhelming.

In addition to the physical and financial burdens, truck accident injuries can take an emotional toll. The trauma of being involved in a serious accident can lead to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is important to seek not only medical treatment but also emotional support during this difficult time. Contact a truck accident lawyer in Wheaton from our firm today for assistance.

Negligence in Truck Accident Injury Claims

When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the passengers in the smaller vehicle are extremely vulnerable to common injuries in truck accidents and even death.

Being hit by an at-fault truck driver means that you should be fully compensated for things like medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and any other losses stemming from the accident.

Negligence Must be Established to Recover Damages

As a truck accident victim, you may be entitled to these damages and more if you can establish that the accident was the result of negligence, and a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Wheaton can evaluate whether negligence may have occurred in your case.

In the context of truck accidents, negligence takes place when a truck driver causes an accident by failing to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel.

Reasonable care is defined as how a reasonably competent truck driver would have acted under the same circumstances. For example, using ‘reasonable care’ on a foggy day is different than on a sunny day where visibility is not limited.

Potential Liable Parties

It is important to note that in many cases, who can be sued after a truck accident can be challenging to determine, in some cases. You may be able to sue the truck driver’s employer in addition to the truck driver when the accident is the result of a truck driver’s error or wrongdoing, and there is an employment relationship between the driver and the company. In other words, a trucking company may be liable for an accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence.

Wrongful Death After a Truck Accident

The unfortunate outcome for many of these high-impact and devastating truck accidents is the loss of life. If your family member died as a result of the truck accident and the negligence of the owner or driver, our legal team will help you seek wrongful death compensation for your loved one.

Wrongful death may lead to recovery for any of the following:

Your loved one’s pain and suffering prior to the accident
Funeral and burial costs
Medical costs leading up to the death
End-of-life needs
Pain and suffering for the family members
Loss of compensation to family members and contributions to retirement accounts
Emotional trauma for family members

We cannot do anything to bring back your loved one. We can work to build a strong case that allows you to pursue compensation to hold those who hurt your family accountable.

Do not wait to contact us to discuss your loved one’s loss and how we can help. Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/), you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Victims of truck accidents face a long road to recovery. We encourage you to take these steps after your accident to help you document your accident and any evidence that could be helpful later.

Call 911 and get both medical care and police presence on the scene to document the accident.
Take photos of the accident site, your injuries, and the other party’s driver’s license and insurance information.
Ask witnesses for their names and contact information so your attorney can reach out to them later.
Get to the hospital to get all of the medical evaluations you need. Follow up with your doctor and get all of the rehabilitation and therapy you need.

Then contact our Wheaton truck accident lawyer for a free consultation. Tell us what happened so we can begin working on building your case. Your future is dependent on your right to fair compensation. Let us fight for you throughout this legal process and onward.

Talk to a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney in Wheaton

Truck accidents can be life-changing events. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

At Therman Law, our seasoned Wheaton truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options at a free consultation. Read our testimonials to learn more.