Arlington Heights Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Experienced Attorneys for Car, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents

Auto accidents can be traumatic experiences, whether they involve low-speed collisions or large-scale, multi-vehicle pileups. The injuries and other damages that can occur in a car accident can be devastating, and victims will often struggle with financial difficulties, physical pain, and emotional trauma. Understanding how to proceed after a motor vehicle accident is not always easy, but with the help of a personal injury attorney, victims can determine the best steps to take to protect their financial interests and secure the compensation they deserve.

If you have been injured in a car crash, an experienced attorney can meticulously assess the facts of the case, help you understand the types of damages you may be eligible to receive, and advise you on the steps you can take to pursue financial compensation. They can negotiate on your behalf with insurers to make sure you will receive the proper coverage, and they can help you determine whether pursuing a personal injury lawsuit will allow you to hold a negligent driver or other parties responsible for your injuries. It is essential that you understand all of your rights under the law as you determine how to respond following a car accident, and you will also need to take the correct steps to protect your rights to compensation.

At Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd., our team of attorneys has years of experience helping people who have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and other situations. We work to ensure that our clients' rights are protected, and we fight to help them pursue the maximum compensation available under the law. If you have been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident, we can evaluate the evidence in your case, calculate an accurate estimate of the damages you have suffered, and help you develop a strategy to secure the compensation you deserve.

Addressing Liability in Car Accident Cases

The Chicago area experiences some of the busiest traffic in the United States. As people commute in and out of the city and travel throughout the nearby areas, including DuPage County, McHenry County, and Kane County, they are likely to encounter multiple types of risks, including negligent drivers, dangerous roads and highways, and inclement weather. Car crashes occur on a daily basis, and they can result in catastrophic injuries, damage to vehicles and other property, and other issues that can cause significant financial and personal difficulties.

In nearly every case, one driver is primarily responsible for causing a car accident, and they may be held liable for injuries and damages suffered by others who were involved. There are multiple forms of negligence that may lead to car crashes, including:

• Distracted driving - It is all too easy for drivers to fail to fully pay attention to the road. There are numerous distractions that can affect a person, including cell phones and other electronic devices, eating and drinking while behind the wheel, adjusting the radio or other vehicle controls, conversations with passengers, or daydreaming. Drivers who look away from the road, take their hands off the wheel, or attempt to multitask while driving are much more likely to be involved in accidents. By demonstrating that a driver acted negligently by allowing themselves to become distracted, victims can ensure that the person will be held liable for these unsafe actions.
• Intoxicated driving - Drunk driving is one of the most serious forms of negligence a motorist can commit. Under no circumstances should anyone get behind the wheel if they are impaired by drugs or alcohol, as this greatly increases the risk of an accident occurring and causing devastating injuries or death. If a person is arrested or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), it is likely that they will be found to be responsible for causing an accident, and this will allow victims to recover compensation for their injuries and damages.
• Traffic violations - In many cases, motor vehicle accidents are caused by drivers who violate the rules of the road. Drivers who speed, fail to stop at red lights or stop signs, fail to use headlights properly, follow too closely behind other vehicles, drive aggressively, or otherwise demonstrate recklessness may be held liable for any injuries they cause when they act negligently.

There are some situations where other parties may also be liable for a car crash. When roads, highways, or intersections are designed in a way that creates safety risks for drivers, or when damaged roads have not been repaired correctly or properly maintained, a city or state government organization may be liable for accidents that occur as a result. If a crash was caused by defective auto parts, victims may be able to pursue compensation from a manufacturer through a product liability lawsuit.

Accident victims may also need to determine how to proceed in situations where a crash was caused by a driver who did not have insurance. In these cases, a person will usually be able to make a claim under their own auto insurance policy and receive uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. However, insurance companies will often try to devalue a claim, or they may refuse to provide coverage in certain situations. To ensure that claims involving uninsured drivers will be handled properly, an attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of an accident victim and make sure any settlement offered will fully address the person's injuries and damages.

Pursuing Compensation for Truck Accidents

While car crashes can be dangerous, accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can be even more devastating. The size, weight, and speed of these vehicles can cause significant damage to smaller cars and other passenger vehicles. Even when an accident is relatively minor in nature, serious injuries can still occur, and victims may need to pursue compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

In truck crash cases, there are multiple parties who may be liable. When an accident is caused by a truck driver's negligence, both the driver and the trucking company they worked for may be held responsible. Other liable parties may include manufacturers of defective truck parts, shipping companies that loaded items onto a truck, or maintenance companies that failed to ensure that all of a truck's components were in proper working order.

Our team of truck accident attorneys can assist with cases involving:

• Truck driver fatigue - Truckers are often under pressure to meet strict deadlines, and they are expected to drive for multiple hours in a shift with minimal breaks. This can lead to them becoming fatigued while on the road. Other factors can also lead to fatigue, such as sleep disorders, irregular schedules, or the use of certain medications. When a truck driver is overtired, their reaction times will be slowed, and they may not be able to take the correct actions when another driver behaves in an unexpected manner. In some cases, truck drivers may even fall asleep behind the wheel, which can lead to devastating collisions.
• Substandard truck maintenance - In order for a commercial truck to operate safely, it must be properly maintained and regularly inspected for any issues. An accident may occur if brake shoes are worn too thin, air brakes have leaking hoses, tires are bald or underinflated, headlights fail to work adequately, or any other systems fail to perform as intended. Brake failure, engine failure, tire blowouts, decoupled trailers, or other mechanical failures can result in collisions that are likely to cause harm to people in other vehicles.
• Driving under the influence - Truck drivers need to be especially vigilant against the use of alcohol or other substances that may affect their ability to operate their vehicles safely. The legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is lower for truck drivers than for people who drive other vehicles, and any use of alcohol is likely to be very dangerous. Truck drivers may also use other substances, including illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medicines, and this may cause them to be liable for accidents that occur as a result.
• Violations of traffic laws - Truck drivers are expected to obey all of the laws of the road. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting accidents. Violations that can result in truck crashes include speeding, unsafe lane changes, illegal turns, failing to yield, or failing to maintain enough distance from other vehicles.
• Overloaded trucks and unsecured cargo - Commercial trucks are often loaded with large amounts of cargo, and items must be balanced properly and secured in place. If a truck is overloaded, this may affect a driver's ability to maintain control, and they may require more time and distance to slow down, or a truck may become more likely to roll over when a driver negotiates turns or curves in the road. If cargo has not been tied down securely, it may fall from a truck, which can cause serious harm to people in other vehicles.

Following a commercial truck crash, our attorneys can perform an investigation to identify the causes of the accident. We will establish liability on the part of a truck driver, trucking company, or other parties, and we will ensure that victims will be able to take legal action to recover the compensation they need and deserve.

Legal Help for Motorcycle Accident Victims

Motorcyclists often face a higher level of risk than other drivers. When motorcycle accidents occur, motorcycle riders are much more likely to be seriously injured, even if they were wearing helmets and other protective gear. In many cases, drivers of cars, trucks, SUVs, or commercial vehicles are to blame for motorcycle accidents, and they may be held liable for the injuries suffered by a motorcyclist.

Motorcycle crashes may be caused by driver error, including failure to notice motorcycles that are in a vehicle's blind spot, following too closely behind a motorcycle, or refusing to share lanes with motorcycles and give them enough space. Our attorneys work to help injured motorcyclists pursue compensation from negligent drivers, and we fight to ensure that they will have the financial resources they need to recover from these difficult situations.

Representation for People Injured in Pedestrian Accidents

On the busy streets in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, pedestrians are often put at risk of injury because of the unsafe actions of drivers. When pedestrian accidents occur, victims are likely to suffer severe injuries or wrongful death. As with other types of traffic accidents, these situations are typically caused by driver negligence. Drivers who are distracted or intoxicated may fail to notice pedestrians, or they may be unable to respond in time to avoid striking a person who is crossing or walking near the road. These accidents can also occur because drivers violate speed limits, run red lights, or commit other traffic violations. Our attorneys work with pedestrians who are injured by negligent drivers, helping them take action to pursue compensation for their damages.

Contact Our Arlington Heights Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd. can help you take action to pursue financial compensation that will address all forms of harm you have suffered. We will fight to make sure you are compensated for all of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. To learn how we can help with your case, contact us at 847-593-5595 and schedule a free consultation today.

We represent people throughout Illinois and elsewhere in the United States who have been injured in car and truck accidents. We serve clients in Kankakee County, DuPage County, Grundy County, St. Clair County, Rock Island County, McHenry County, Will County, Winnebago County, Boone County, Cook County, Champaign County, and Sangamon County.