312-372-1227 Chicago Snow plow Accident Lawyers
If you’ve ever lived in the Chicago area, you’re likely no stranger to snowy winters. As the snow begins to accumulate on the roads and highways in and around the Chicagoland area, snowplows are deployed to clear the streets. Unfortunately, these large and heavy vehicles also pose a risk to motorists, particularly if the operator or another party fail to exercise adequate care and caution.
Snowplow accidents can result in devastating injuries and significant property damage. If a snowplow hit a vehicle you were in, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Like all truck accidents, injury claims resulting from snowplow accidents can be complex due to the severity of injuries and multiple parties potentially being liable for the crash. The snowplow accident attorneys at Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. have extensive experience handling cases like these. We are ready to put the skills and knowledge we have used to recover over $2.0 billion for clients to date to work for you. If you or a loved one have been hurt, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Snowplow Accidents Caused by Negligence
The Department of Streets & Sanitation (DSS) is responsible for clearing snow and ice on a 9,400 mile route across the city of Chicago. This route covers Lakeshore Drive, city streets, and neighborhoods. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is responsible for the expressway system that runs through the Chicagoland area.
If any person or entity is negligent in their duties – whether it is a snowplow operator, supervisor, third-party maintenance company, or a government entity – serious or fatal injury accidents could occur. If you were injured in a collision involving a snowplow, the first step you should take is to seek medical treatment right away. Once you’ve sought care, contact an experienced injury lawyer for help. Your lawyer will investigate the crash, secure vital evidence that demonstrates the at-fault party’s negligence, and seek fair compensation on your behalf.
Types of Winter Service Vehicle Collisions
Snowplows typically work in extreme weather conditions. Due to their size, snowplows have more prominent blind spots and are more challenging to maneuver than other vehicles. Because of these factors, snowplow operators must pay attention to their surroundings. Accidents in the snow can occur if snowplow drivers (or other parties) are negligent.
Some common types of snowplow accident collisions include:
- Inexperienced driving collisions
- Distracted driving crashes
- Drunk driving accidents
- Poor maintenance
- Drowsy driving crashes
- Driving too fast for conditions/speeding accidents
- Mechanical defects
- Blindspot collisions
- Tailgating accidents
Snowplow accidents can result in debilitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries, and more.
Proving Negligence/Liability
Snowplowing accidents often involve multiple liable parties. Determining who contributed to the accident usually requires the help of an attorney. To prove liability after an accident in the snow, you’ll need to demonstrate that the driver or another party was negligent and that this negligence caused the accident.
For example, if the snowplow driver was texting at the time of the accident, the driver would likely be responsible for the crash. You’ll need to demonstrate that because the driver was distracted by their phone, they caused the collision, which led to your injuries.
Finally, you’ll need to show that you suffered losses due to the accident. For instance, if you were injured and you incurred medical expenses due to the crash, you could seek compensation for the bills and related out-of-pocket expenses you incurred because of the accident.
While you can bring a claim against a government entity, seeking compensation can be challenging. Many cities and municipalities have “sovereign immunity,” which protects them from liability. If you were injured in an accident with a city-owned snowplow, you should speak with an attorney to discuss your options.
Compensation Recoverable in a Snowplow Accident Claim
If you were injured in a snowplow accident, you could be owed significant compensation for the harm you’ve suffered and losses you’ve incurred. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you could be owed payment for:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages if you cannot work while recovering
- Lost earning capacity if you are temporarily or permanently disabled
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional trauma, mental anguish, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life
Types of Snow Removal Vehicle Equipment
Like other areas that commonly see snow in the wintertime, Chicago has various types of snow removal vehicles and equipment on standby to help clear roadways if a storm hits. Some common types of snow removal vehicles include:
- Skid-steer loaders
- Front-end loaders
- Backhoe loaders
- All-wheel loaders
- De-icers
- Salt spreaders
- Snowblowers
These vehicles and equipment are critical to our city’s infrastructure, but they can be hazardous to other motorists.
Tips for Driving Around Winter Service Vehicles
Follow these tips to protect yourself and prevent accidents with winter service vehicles:
- Drive at a safe distance – Many snowplows are too large to fit into a single lane. It’s essential to give the snowplow operator plenty of space to prevent accidents. The driver may not see you because snowplows have large blind spots. If they unexpectedly stop or turn, a collision could occur.
- Remain behind a slow plow if possible – While traveling behind a snowplow can seem tedious due to its low speed, it’s much safer to travel behind the plow. The snowplow’s job is to clear dangerous roadways, so driving ahead of them could be risky.
- Avoid speeding – Snowplows typically only go out when roadways are too dangerous to drive safely, so you should reduce your speed to accommodate the hazardous conditions.
While you are responsible for driving safely around snowplows, snowplow drivers are under the same obligation. If you are injured in a snow plowing accident, you should reach out to a truck accident attorney right away.
Contact Salvi Schostok & Pritchard Today
Were you severely injured in a snowplow accident? If so, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced Illinois snowplow accident lawyers at Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. today to review your case and evaluate your options.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing victims of all types of truck accidents across the Chicagoland area. We will be ready to discuss your case when you call us or reach out to us online for your no-cost consultation.
