Truck accidents are among the most devastating motor vehicle collisions on Illinois roads. With their sheer size and weight, commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities, even in low-speed crashes. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you’re likely facing mounting medical bills, emotional trauma, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies and trucking carriers.
In this high-stakes situation, making the wrong move after a truck accident can cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. More importantly, it can impact your ability to heal and move forward with your life. Below, we outline the top five mistakes to avoid after a truck accident in Illinois – and what you should do instead to protect your rights.
1. Speaking to the Trucking Company or Their Insurance Adjuster Without a Lawyer
After a truck crash, you may receive a call from the trucking company’s insurer or legal team. They may act helpful and offer a quick settlement or ask for your version of events ‘just to understand what happened.’ Don’t be fooled. These representatives work for the trucking company and their goal is to protect their client, not you.
Even a casual comment like ‘I may have braked late’ can be twisted and used against you. Before giving a recorded statement or signing any document, speak with a qualified truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will ensure your rights are protected and that you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball settlement.
2. Not Preserving Critical Evidence
Truck accident claims often hinge on evidence that can disappear within days. Examples include skid marks, vehicle damage, debris, driver logs, black box (ECM) data, and video surveillance. Trucking companies are legally required to preserve certain records for only a limited time, sometimes as short as six months.
If you wait too long or don’t send a spoliation letter, vital evidence could be lost. An experienced attorney will move quickly to demand preservation of key documents and data before it’s too late.
3. Delaying Medical Treatment
Truck crashes often cause serious injuries like spinal trauma, traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, or broken bones. But even if you feel ‘okay’ after the crash, some injuries take hours or days to present symptoms.
If you don’t seek medical attention promptly, not only could your injuries worsen, you may also weaken your claim. Insurance companies argue that delays in treatment mean your injuries weren’t that serious. Always go to the ER or urgent care immediately after a crash, and follow all medical recommendations.
4. Assuming the Police Report Will Be Enough
While a police report can provide helpful documentation of the crash, it’s not always accurate or complete. Officers may rely on statements from the truck driver or overlook key details, especially if you were taken away by ambulance or unconscious.
Don’t rely solely on the police report to prove fault. A truck accident attorney can conduct a full investigation, including analyzing ECM data, dash cam footage, driver qualifications, and vehicle maintenance records. These factors often reveal negligence not immediately apparent in the crash report.
5. Waiting Too Long to Contact a Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking companies and their insurers begin building their defense the moment the crash happens. They have teams of investigators, lawyers, and adjusters working to reduce or deny your claim. The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more time they have to shape the narrative, and the harder it becomes to recover full compensation.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer experienced in truck accidents as soon as possible helps level the playing field. Your lawyer can preserve evidence, communicate with the insurer on your behalf, and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Truck accident claims are legally complex and financially high-stakes. From multiple layers of insurance to federal trucking regulations, these cases are not the same as ordinary car accidents. That’s why avoiding the mistakes above, and hiring the right legal team, is so critical to your outcome.
Contact Fabbrini Law Group Today
At Fabbrini Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a truck accident can take. We’ve helped clients across Illinois recover millions for their injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and fight for the justice you deserve. Contact Fabbrini Law Group today for a free consultation.