All truck accidents can potentially cause severe injuries, especially when they collide with much smaller passenger vehicles. However, some incidents involving these massive vehicles can cause more damage than others. Following a severe accident, you will likely face costly medical bills and lost wages resulting from the incident.
Fortunately, with the help of a skilled truck crash attorney, you could obtain the compensation you need to heal from your injuries. To learn more about the different types of truck accidents in Chicago, reach out to an experienced lawyer.
How do Tractor-Trailer Crashes Occur in Chicago?
Truck crashes can occur for a variety of reasons. Sadly, these incidents often cause a trucker’s reckless or careless actions. The most common types of semi wrecks include:
Jackknife Crashes
Jackknife collisions occur when the trailer of a truck folds into the cab. When road conditions are poor and a trucker is traveling too quickly, these incidents are more likely to happen. These crashes can be extremely dangerous if a heavy truck bed falls on the car. In fact, if a trailer bed lands on a small vehicle, it is often fatal for all passengers in the car.
Chicago Rollover Collisions
Like jackknife crashes, rollover crashes often happen when a truck driver is speeding, causing them to flip on their roof. Unfortunately, these crashes are known to cause catastrophic injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles.
Tire Explosions
Tire explosions occur on freeways when a truck’s tire is overinflated, and another car cannot avoid hitting it in the middle of the road. If a passenger vehicle runs over part of an exploded tire, they will likely lose control of their car. These incidents are common, although semi tires and tread must meet a particular standard.
Wide Turn Wrecks
Because the streets are narrow, wide turn accidents frequently happen in Chicago. These collisions occur when trucks fail to see a vehicle next to them or underestimate how much room they have to turn. Unlike suburbs, cities offer little wiggle room for these large tractor-trailers, making it difficult for drivers make turns safely.
Although trucks usually travel at slow speeds when these incidents occur, the sheer weight and mass of the trucks can still cause significant injuries to other drivers on the road. A knowledgeable attorney could identify what type of truck accident occurred and ensure the correct party is held accountable for their negligence.
Recoverable Damages After a Truck Wreck in Chicago
Truck accidents often result in significant expenses for all victims involved. However, civil lawsuits allow plaintiffs to obtain the compensation they deserve for the harm they suffered. Namely, claimants can recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages
Monetary damages include:
- Lost income
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Medical bills, including hospital visits
These damages consist of any losses that can be measured and verified.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-monetary losses could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Mental pain and anguish
No matter what type of truck crash a plaintiff was involved in, a dedicated local lawyer could help them document their injuries to ensure they receive the maximum benefits.
Reach Out to an Attorney in Chicago About Types of Truck Accidents
It is no secret that tractor-trailer collisions can alter every aspect of a person’s life. These deadly semis can do irreversible damage, leaving a victim with astronomical costs.
Understanding how each type of truck accident in Chicago can impact a person’s claim for damages is crucial, so reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible after a severe collision. Identifying how a crash occurred and who caused it could be vital to recovering the compensation you need to heal from your injuries. Call today to begin pursuing your case.