After decades of decline, the number of fatal accidents involving large commercial vehicles is on the rise. In 2017, there was a 10 percent jump in truck accidents resulting in death across the United States, with a total of 4,657 people killed in crashes involving commercial trucks. 

There are a number of reasons for the increase in tractor-trailer truck accidents nationwide. Truck drivers are susceptible to many of the same bad driving habits as everyone else on the road, but the potential for disaster is much greater. If you are injured in a trucking accident, after you seek medical treatment, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for help.

Some common reasons for serious truck accident injuries include:

Each year, there are more than 300,000 motor vehicle accidents in Illinois, with approximately 65,000 crashes with injury and 1,000 individual fatalities. With over 9 million registered drivers in the state, many fail to practice safe driving habits, thus endangering other drivers on our roadways.

Driver negligence is a common cause of car accidents in Illinois and nationwide. If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident due to another driver, it is imperative you contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can fight for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Here are some of the most frequent types of negligent driving that a skilled injury attorney can prove in court: 

A car accident is an overwhelming experience for most people. Many accident victims find that it is difficult to maintain rational thought following the crash, or even for days and weeks later. However, taking immediate action can make a difference between winning and losing a personal injury case. That is, the decisions you make can mean the difference between being compensated for your medical costs and being required to pay for them on your own. If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to complete any of the suggested tasks, your attorney can rush to the scene to gather any evidence available.

Why Photos and Videos Are So Important

Today, everyone has the potential to be a photographer due to the availability of camera technology on our smartphones. When it comes to a car accident, the camera may be the last feature you think of on your phone. However, after you contact the authorities and seek any necessary medical attention, use the camera and video function on your phone to capture photographic evidence of the scene. This compelling evidence can be used to demonstrate how the accident happened, who was at fault, any damages incurred, road conditions, and more. Most importantly, photographs can provide details of any injuries sustained and any negligence on the part of the other driver.

Capturing Helpful Evidence

As a general rule of thumb, it is better to have too many pictures than not to have enough, but it is essential to have the right images to build substantial evidence to support your case. Take as many pictures as you can, because you never know what evidence you may capture without realizing it. You should try to capture information about anything related to the accident, including photos from multiple angles. Suggested subjects include: