What to Do After a Truck Accident in Chicago

Truck accidents are terrifying and traumatic, often with a chaotic aftermath, due to the large size discrepancy between 80,000-pound commercial trucks and average, 4000-pound vehicles. After a truck accident in Chicago, an injury victim may be incapacitated or too gravely injured to take action on their own behalf.

However, if a truck accident victim or an uninjured companion can safely use a cell phone, they can begin taking action to protect themselves at the accident scene and then continue doing so during the days and weeks that follow. In the event you were involved in a truck accident, contact a truck accident lawyer in Chicago today for a free case consultation.

What to Do at the Accident Scene After a Chicago Truck Accident

According to National Safety Council (NSC) statistics, around 70% of injuries in truck collisions occur to motorists in smaller vehicles, rather than to the truck driver. It’s crucial after a truck accident to prioritize safety and use a cell phone to call 911 to request emergency services. Then, apply emergency first aid measures as needed. While waiting for help to arrive, you or an uninjured person can use a cell phone to take the following steps to preserve evidence:

• Take photos of the damaged vehicles, including the truck’s identification information
• Photograph the accident scene, including anything relevant to the cause, such as traffic signs and signals, skid marks, and road hazards
• Take photos of any visible injuries
• Add the contact information of the truck driver, trucking company, and any other involved drivers
• Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident
• Go straight to the hospital from the accident scene

It’s imperative to go directly to a hospital, either by ambulance for severe injury or by arranging transportation from the accident scene. This not only ensures prompt, emergency medical treatment, but also provides evidence that the injuries occurred in the truck accident.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident In Chicago

If you were not responsible for the truck accident, it’s important to protect yourself from common insurance company tactics, such as assigning you a portion of fault for the accident or shifting liability to you. Under the modified comparative negligence system in Illinois, an accident victim can recover compensation only if they are less than 50% at fault.

During the days and weeks after the accident, it’s important to take the following steps:

• Ask the doctor for a complete medical assessment as well as treatment for emergency injuries, potentially identifying underlying injuries with delayed symptoms
• Ask for a detailed medical report listing all of your injuries, the doctor’s treatment recommendations, and your prognosis
• Keep copies of all medical bills and receipts for injury-related expenses
• Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer and direct all communication with the insurance company to your attorney
• Carefully follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, attend every appointment, and fill all prescriptions

It’s also a good idea to avoid posting about the accident on social media until after your claim has been resolved.

Recovering Compensation After a Chicago Truck Accident

Injury damages in truck accident claims are often extensive, involving far more than property damage costs when the accident causes serious injuries. A successful truck accident claim in Chicago recovers compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost earnings, future income loss, and compensation for pain and suffering. In some cases, a truck accident victim with permanent injuries can recover catastrophic injury damages for permanent scarring, organ loss, loss of one of the senses, disability, traumatic amputation, or diminished quality of life.

If a loved one died from truck accident injuries, a Chicago auto accident lawyer can help your family recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.