In the United States, thousands of people are seriously injured or die in truck accidents every year. In Illinois, interstate highways, such as the highways that intersect across the Chicago area, can be extremely deadly, especially if there is a traffic stop causing other traffic to slow down. In addition, other variables, such as construction or even debris on the road, can result in catastrophic accidents. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, you may be at a loss for what to do. The most important thing you can do if you have been injured in a truck accident is to hire a knowledgeable truck accident attorney who can protect your rights and pursue compensation against any negligent parties involved.

The Importance of Hiring an Attorney After a Truck Accident

 Many unique issues must be handled and dealt with in the aftermath of a truck accident. Experienced attorneys know how to work through complex issues and are privy on how to:  

People who suffer injuries on the job can be entitled to workers’ compensation, and workers’ compensation benefits are usually paid regardless of fault. When an employer’s own negligence is the cause of a devastating accident, then people may want to pursue additional legal options beyond just workers’ compensation.

When Third Parties Are Liable for Workplace Accidents

If a person is involved in an accident while they are working, such as another person causing a motor vehicle accident while doing something for work, that person can recover workers’ compensation benefits that will help pay bills. The problem is that the employer is paying for those benefits and the employer did not cause the accident, the negligent driver did.

A third-party claim is a separate lawsuit a person files in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Virtually every claim will involve negligence and require a person to prove that another party had a duty of care, they breached that duty of care, that breach caused injuries, and those injuries have resulted in damages.

A crash involving two tractor-trailers last month closed a portion of southbound Interstate 55 (I-55) near the Interstate 80 (I-80) interchange in Will County near Joliet. Closures were expected to last at least three hours because of the truck accident.

The crash led to soybeans and water bottles covering all lanes of I-55, and the accident is a good reminder of the chaotic scene that can unfold following truck accidents. Major commercial trucks are usually hauling a variety of goods, and collisions can lead to various items being strewn across roadways.

Possible Damages in a Truck Accident Case

When it comes to most commercial truck accident cases, the people who suffer injuries in wrecks are right to wonder what kind of damages they may be entitled to. In most cases that go to trial, a jury award is for compensatory damages that can include both economic damages and noneconomic damages.

A 53-year-old Joliet man landed in the Will County Jail after Joliet police said he was pulled over for improper lane usage. The man had a revoked driver’s license for previous DUI arrests. When you are facing possible repeat DUI charges in Illinois, you absolutely must invest in retaining legal counsel as soon as possible.

Prosecutors handling repeat DUI cases are seeking convictions and want to ensure that alleged offenders will be punished accordingly. You will need proven legal help in defending yourself against what are, in many cases, felony charges.

Repeat DUI Penalties in Illinois

The good news is that, so long as a case does not involve any aggravating factors, first and second DUI convictions in Illinois are usually Class A misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $2,500 and/or up to one year in jail. The problem becomes that a third or fourth DUI offense is a Class 2 felony, a fifth offense is a Class 1 felony, and a sixth or subsequent offense is a Class X felony.

Will County is very friendly towards dogs, and the Forest Preserve District of Will County has six dog parks in the county. As much fun as people can have with their dogs, there are cases in which dogs can defy expectations, act aggressively, and bite innocent people.

Dog bites can be incredibly frightening for people to deal with, and it can be very confusing for victims to know how to recover financial compensation for their medical bills and other costs stemming from dog bites. Even if it is difficult, it is important to take certain steps to protect your legal rights following any dog bite.

Proper Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

When you are bitten by a dog, you will need to first focus on your own medical care. Do not hesitate to visit a hospital so you can be confident that you are getting any wound properly treated. In general, try to wash your wound, slow the bleeding with a clean cloth, wrap the wound, and be mindful of signs of infection.