Truck accidents have a high rate of catastrophic and fatal injuries due to the size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Tragically, most of these accidents are preventable and can be traced back to negligence.
These collisions frequently result in extensive financial and personal losses to surviving family members. If you lost a loved one in a crash, Illinois law gives you the right to pursue justice through a Geneva, IL wrongful death claim.
Wrongful Death and Truck Crashes
Under Illinois law, a wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken because of another party’s wrongful act or negligence. In a truck crash, negligence may involve reckless driving, improper training, overloaded cargo, or violations of federal trucking regulations.
A Geneva wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of surviving family members, such as a spouse and children (or potentially other next of kin). The purpose of the claim is to recover compensation for the financial and emotional consequences of the untimely death.
Types of Truck Crashes Most Likely To Cause Fatal Injuries
Truck accidents tend to be more severe than ordinary car crashes due to the tremendous force involved. Certain types of truck collisions in Geneva, IL are more likely to result in fatal outcomes.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab. These incidents can block multiple lanes of traffic and lead to chain-reaction crashes involving several vehicles, making them more likely to cause fatal accidents.
Underride Collisions
Underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a tractor-trailer. These crashes are frequently catastrophic because of the crushing forces placed on the upper portion of the passenger vehicle.
High-Speed Highway Crashes
Many fatal truck accidents occur on Illinois highways. These accidents typically involve high speeds, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries.
Rollover Accidents
Unbalanced cargo or sharp turns at unsafe speeds can cause a truck to tip over. When a tractor-trailer rolls onto nearby vehicles, passengers may be crushed.
Rear-End Collisions Involving Commercial Trucks
When a large truck strikes a smaller vehicle from behind, it can cause devastating injuries, even at low speeds. These crashes are often connected to distracted driving or driver fatigue.
Types of Compensation Available After a Wrongful Death
Truck accidents are unique since they often involve multiple parties. The truck driver may be directly responsible for the collision. However, the trucking company could be vicariously liable for the accident due to unsafe policies or inadequate supervision. Additionally, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, or even manufacturers may also share partial liability for an accident.
You can seek compensation from any party that contributed to the accident. Your wrongful death claim will provide full compensation for your financial and personal losses related to the crash.
You may be able to recover damages for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the final injury
- Loss of the deceased’s income and financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Grief, sorrow, and mental suffering
In addition to a wrongful death claim, a survival action allows the estate to recover damages the deceased could have pursued if they had survived, including conscious pain and suffering before death.
If you have lost a loved one in an Illinois truck crash caused by negligence, you have legal options. Contact Feagans Law Group today for a free consultation and learn more about your rights.