Chicago Black Ice Truck Accident Lawyers

Chicago winters bring plenty of driving hazards. Of the many winter weather dangers in the Midwest, black ice is one of the very worst, especially when it causes a commercial truck to crash.

Black ice truck accidents are often devastating. Multi-ton vehicles, suddenly made unable to brake, can smash into passenger cars at high rates of speed, causing severe injuries and even death.

What’s worse is that many insurance companies won’t pay accident victims the money they’re owed. Instead, they chalk the accident up to weather alone and determine that you’re only entitled to standard coverage amounts.

If you’re dealing with this situation, Lane Brown, LLC is here to help. Our team of experienced black ice truck accident lawyers has spent years helping Chicagoans recover maximum compensation for their damages. Call us today at (312) 332-1400 to schedule a free consultation and start fighting for compensation before the Illinois statute of limitations runs out.

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Read on to learn more about these accidents and how Lane Brown, LLC can help hold the responsible party accountable:

• Why Black Ice Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
• Common Causes of Black Ice Accidents
• Who Can Be Held Liable for a Black Ice Truck Accident?
• What Are Your Legal Options After a Black Ice Truck Crash?
• What Kind of Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Crash?
• Why Choose Lane Brown, LLC for My Truck Accident Case?
• Black Ice Truck Accident FAQ

Why Black Ice Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

Black ice is virtually impossible to see and regularly catches drivers off guard. Without warning, drivers can suddenly start skidding out of control after hitting a patch of black ice. Unfortunately, because the ice is invisible, people don’t slow down for it like they might for a large area of visible ice. As a result, black ice truck accidents occur at higher speeds than most truck crashes.

Jackknife and rollover risks for big rigs escalate sharply when black ice is involved. Drivers instinctively try to brake or steer away, but on black ice, the trailer can swing wildly or tip, creating multi-car pileups or blocking entire lanes.

Common Causes of Black Ice Accidents

Commercial truck drivers going through Illinois and the Chicagoland area can get involved in black ice accidents for one or more of the following reasons:

• Unfamiliar or poorly salted roads: Out-of-state truckers who don’t know about black ice hotspots drive over them quickly without understanding the risks. When road crews don’t properly salt these areas, it can lead to disastrous accidents.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Truckers who drive fast during winter conditions put everyone at risk. If a driver was speeding when they hit black ice, it’s an act of negligence.
• Delivery deadlines: Trucking companies often impose strict schedules, pressuring drivers to push ahead, even when roads are perilous. These economic motivations can override safety, leading to preventable crashes.
• Lack of training and experience: Not all big rig drivers receive winter driving training. Inexperienced drivers may not know how to respond to black ice or mitigate skids.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Bald tires, worn brakes, and neglected safety systems leave trucks even more vulnerable when they run over a patch of ice. If poor maintenance causes the crash, the party responsible for maintaining the vehicle may be at fault.

The commercial truck accident attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC, will work to determine exactly what caused your accident. By identifying the cause, we can quickly find the liable party and hold them accountable.

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Who Can Be Held Liable for a Black Ice Truck Accident?

After a black ice truck accident in Illinois, liability can rest with several parties depending on how the crash occurred. Truck drivers are the most likely to be responsible, as state law requires them to account for road conditions. Failure to take precautions, such as slowing down or increasing following distance, can be considered negligence. But drivers aren’t the only ones who can be held accountable. Some other potentially liable parties include:

• Trucking companies: Employers are usually liable if the accident was caused by poor vehicle maintenance or an untrained driver.
• Third-party maintenance companies: Poor loading practices can make third-party cargo loading companies liable for any injuries caused during an accident.
• Cities and landowners: In rare cases, municipalities or private landowners may share liability if they failed to address known ice risks or maintain roads.

Every black ice truck accident case varies based on the facts. To determine the liable party, enlist the help of a truck accident lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC.

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What Are Your Legal Options After a Black Ice Truck Crash?

Victims and their families have a few legal options after black ice truck accidents. Most often, victims will file a personal injury claim to get compensation for their injuries. However, if the accident killed a family member, they may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek financial compensation and legal accountability for their loss.

Regardless of which path you choose after a black ice truck accident, it’s important to act fast. Illinois law only allows you to bring a claim forward within two years of the accident. Failing to start a claim on time can prevent you from filing one at all.

Quick action is about more than the statute of limitations. The sooner you file, the more likely it is that evidence remains intact. Over time, certain pieces of proof, such as traffic cameras, will be overwritten. This crucial evidence can have a serious impact on your ability to file a successful injury claim. The longer you wait, the more witnesses forget and the more physical proof deteriorates. Your best chance at winning compensation is shortly after the accident happens.

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What Kind of Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Crash?

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a black ice truck accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for:

• Medical bills: This includes current and future treatment costs, surgeries, rehab, and medication.
• Lost wages: If you miss any time at work due to your injuries, you can receive payment that covers those lost wages.
• Reduced earning capacity: Some injuries can cause physical and even mental impairment that prevents you from reaching your previous earning potential. This can be factored into your settlement.
• Pain and suffering: While not necessarily easy to quantify, you can receive financial compensation for physical pain and mental anguish resulting from the crash.
• Disability and disfigurement: Permanent severe scarring can have extreme impacts on your mental health and social life. You are entitled to compensation for these injuries beyond the cost of treatment.
• Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle is typically included in black ice truck accident settlements. In wrongful death cases, families may also recover compensation for funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and support.

Trucking companies and their insurers often fight hard to reduce or deny these damages. That’s why hiring a skilled truck accident lawyer with experience holding commercial carriers accountable is so important. The right legal representation can mean the difference between a lowball settlement and full, fair compensation.

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Why Choose Lane Brown, LLC for My Truck Accident Case?

At Lane Brown, LLC, we’ve spent decades fighting on behalf of badly injured Chicagoans. In that time, we’ve handled some of the most complex truck accidents in the state and recovered millions for our clients. Even in difficult cases that involved black ice, where commercial trucking companies and their insurers attempted to blame the weather, we’ve been able to prove that negligent actions contributed to the crash.

Dedicated to Serving Chicago and Clients Across Illinois

Let Lane Brown, LLC Start Fighting for Your Compensation Today

As soon as you get into a crash, the clock starts ticking on your ability to file a claim. Don’t let a negligent trucking company avoid giving you the compensation you deserve. Call the experienced truck accident attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC today. We’ll gather all the evidence needed to identify the liable party and hold them responsible. Schedule a free consultation today to find out if you’re owed compensation.

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Black Ice Truck Accident FAQ

What should I do immediately after a black ice truck accident to protect my rights and maximize my claim?

After a truck accident involving black ice, there are certain actions you can take to improve your chances of a successful personal injury claim, such as:

• Calling 911: Dialing the emergency line will bring an ambulance to the scene of the crash. It also ensures that a Chicago Police Department officer or Cook County Sheriff’s deputy will come to the scene and create an accident report. The information contained in the report created by the police can help your lawyer find the liable party.
• Get medical attention: Some of the injuries you can sustain during a truck accident aren’t immediately apparent. A doctor can discover these injuries before they worsen. Going to a doctor also ensures that you get a full report of your injuries from a medical professional. Your attorney will use these medical records to support your case.
• Document the accident site: Use your phone to take pictures of the roadway, any involved vehicles, and the weather conditions. You should also write down your recollection of the accident. At this point, your memories are fresh and contain details you’ll likely forget with time.
• Contact an attorney: Commercial trucking companies and their insurers often work quickly to offer accident victims lowball settlements. By working with a lawyer ASAP, you can avoid saying something to these companies that could affect your total compensation.

By taking all of the above actions, you can drastically increase your chances of winning a settlement.