Belleville Truck Accident Lawyer: Your Legal Guide to Belleville, Illinois
Belleville, the largest city south of Springfield, has a population of 41,641 (as of 2017).
This French city was established in 1814.
A wonderful translation of the name to “beautiful city” graces the town, along with activities around the area that keep people coming back.
Located just 30 minutes southeast of St. Louis, this growing city is home to a stop on the St. Louis Metrolink, along with 5 major highways and 2 adjacent highways.
Scott AirForce Base, MidAmerica St.
Louis Airport, and Lambert International Airport are all within a short drive.
Large highways, airports, and plenty of fun activities sometimes make travel difficult, especially for large trucks and buses.
TorHoerman Law is here to help with all of your truck accident needs.
Motor vehicle accidents, truck and bus accidents, commercial truck accidents, and tractor-trailer accidents are common in Illinois. Legal representation and a good attorney-client relationship are key.
Having an experienced truck accident lawyer can make a big difference for you emotionally and financially.
5 Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Belleville, IL
Driving under the influence is still problematic among truck drivers.
Alcohol and drugs cause severe impairment among drivers, making lines on the road hard to see, exit signs and construction signs difficult to see, and speeding and reckless driving more common.
Driving under the influence also leads to criminal charges and loss of work for drivers involved, as well as being incredibly dangerous to yourself and others on the road.
Distracted or fatigued driving is common not only for truck and bus drivers but for common drivers as well.
Talking on the phone or texting, smoking, eating, messing with music, ac, or other equipment can take valuable attention off the road and cause extreme problems.
Simply keeping your attention on the road may save lives in the long run.
Speeding and reckless driving cause dangerous situations on a busy roads.
Drivers making up for a lost time, tailgating, passing and weaving through groups of smaller cars, or simply cutting off other drivers is never safe, especially in a large, heavy vehicle.
Due to the sheer size and weight of commercialized trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses, slowing and stopping quickly can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible.
Sharp turns may also be very difficult, meaning weaving around smaller cars may not be possible, especially at high speeds.
For fatal crashes, consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit alongside a Belleville truck accident lawyer.
Poor training in drivers and companies can also be unsafe.
Training gives drivers the necessary skills to react efficiently on the road to various conditions, such as rain, construction, and other drivers.
Most companies and training exercises require a certain amount of driving time and practice to be officially licensed as a truck or bus driver.
Almost all trucks and buses have a number to call on the back of the vehicle, so if a driver is driving unsafely, call the number there.
Poor vehicle maintenance may also cause severe problems on the road.
Regular oil checks, tire maintenance, and equipment updates keep the driver and their vehicle in tip-top shape to be safe around others.
If a truck or bus has a problem that causes an accident, the company, truck or bus driver, and insurance may have another possible lawsuit on their hands.
Many companies have active logs of maintenance to ensure all their trucks and buses receive proper care.
For accidents that happen on someone else’s property, read about premises liability.
What To Do If You Are Involved In A Truck Accident in Belleville, IL
Stay put. Never leave the scene of an accident. Medical attention, if necessary, should be the only reason to leave.
Call for help. Call the police and medical care immediately, no matter how small the accident may seem. Illinois State Law requires an accident to be reported if an injury or death has occurred. If the accident or injury resulted in more than $1,500 in property damage, it must be reported within 10 days. Otherwise, it is considered a felony. With commercialized trucks, most accidents will be severe.
Take pictures. Everything- injuries, vehicles, road conditions, weather conditions, anything that shows how and why the accident occurred will help you and your attorney. Write names and license numbers of everyone involved, including corresponding officers and medical teams. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.
Don’t admit fault to anyone. Telling another driver and/or their insurance company something was “all your fault” may lead to a possible lawsuit on your hands, which could lead to more cost and valuable time.
Keep track of everything. If you are injured, keep all your information in a safe place to use later on in your case.
Contact a lawyer. Contact a Belleville Truck Accident Lawyer lawyer ASAP. A team of people who know the legal system in and out will help you on your way to compensation.
How Does Car Insurance Work in Belleville, Illinois?
Illinois Secretary of State requires all motorists to carry license and registration at all times.
New cards are sent when a driver registers for a policy or a policy is renewed.
If you are stopped for a traffic violation and do not have the necessary cards or proof of insurance, law enforcement may also cite you for a traffic violation.
Minimum requirements for insurance policies in the state of Illinois as stated by the Illinois Secretary of State are as follows:
$25,000 for the injury or death of one person in an accident
$50,000 for the injury or death of one or more people in an accident
$20,000 for damage to the property of another person in an accident
Computers also send out random questionnaires for verification purposes. If the information filled out online during the questionnaire cannot be verified by the state or the insurance company, a suspension may be put on your license. If you have been uninsured, some companies may refuse to sell you insurance when you try to purchase a policy. Making sure all the requirements for insurance are met is important to driving safely and legally. For information on mass tort cases, read about bellwether trials and multidistrict litigation from the perspective of a Belleville truck accident lawyer.
Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
Legally Reviewed
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
Fact-Checked
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
Have you or a loved one been injured in
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TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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