Accidents with large trucks can cause catastrophic injuries or be fatal for car drivers, their passengers, or other road users. Heavy cargo trucks can weigh more than 30 times as much as a passenger car. A cargo truck’s weight distribution, and being higher off the ground compared to passenger vehicles, can make them a dangerous death trap in accidents.
A crash with a large cargo truck can turn your life and the lives of your loved ones upside down. Serious, life-limiting injuries and death can occur when colliding with or being rear-ended by a large truck. Establishing who is responsible for an accident can be challenging. Truck accidents can involve several cars, and accident scenes can be confusing or chaotic. There may be conflicting statements from witnesses, and those involved could be so badly injured that they may not remember much about the accident.
A Joliet cargo truck accident lawyer can review the evidence and help you and your family acquire a fair settlement for your injuries and damages. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today with any questions regarding your truck accident: (800) 794-0444.
Statute of Limitations in Illinois
Recovering from the physical and emotional wounds after an accident can take a considerable amount of time. While it is important to concentrate on healing, time is ticking if you are planning on holding a truck company or driver accountable for their actions.
According to 735 ILCS 5/ Code of Civil Procedure, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Illinois is generally two years. While this may sound like a reasonable time frame, two years can pass quickly when trying to collect evidence, witnesses, and medical reports for your case.
Truck accidents with several vehicles involved can be extremely difficult to interpret, and it is not always immediately obvious who is at fault. There are many variables involved that you may not even think of until you work with a dedicated truck accident lawyer.
An investigation into who is at fault does not end at the scene of the accident. A driver’s logs and other data from the truck itself, such as the black box, may have to be thoroughly checked, as well as any vehicle maintenance records. It may be necessary, especially with cargo trucks, to find out whether cargo loading contributed to an accident. In analyzing the accident, it may even be helpful to consult camera footage from a highway, if available. Complicated truck accidents can also require expert witness testimony.
Collecting all this information and evidence does not only take time; it also takes a thoroughly investigative approach. Every truck accident is different, and some are more complicated than others. A Joliet cargo truck accident lawyer is able to fully investigate all angles of a case and collect important evidence while making sure to file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Time may be of the essence, so call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for your free consultation.
Liability in a Cargo Truck Accident
Accidents with a cargo truck can not only cause more damage and injuries than an ordinary car accident, but they also present some unique problems when trying to establish liability. There are typically multiple parties involved, and each likely has its own insurance policies, lawyers, and procedures when it comes to dealing with accidents.
While a driver might be responsible for an accident, there is also the truck company, the cargo loading company, the truck manufacturer, and others that could potentially be held liable for negligence.
Even when it seems clear-cut that the driver is liable, the company could still be held accountable for negligent hiring or other shortcomings that contributed to an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Cargo Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Joliet, call (800) 794-0444
Compensation You May Receive From a Cargo Truck Accident in Joliet
Since there may be several different parties responsible for causing an accident with a large cargo truck, compensation may be available from several insurance carriers. A Joliet cargo truck accident lawyer is able to advise you on what types of compensation and damages you might be able to claim with a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation in truck accidents can include:
- Medical treatment and equipment
- Home aide
- Transportation costs
- Lost wages and future potential earnings
- Funeral costs
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement and disability
- Mental suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Joliet Cargo Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
A Joliet Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights
Taking a truck driver or company to court may feel like a daunting and overwhelming task, especially if you are still suffering from injuries or are grieving for a loved one who is the victim of a truck accident. However, taking action sooner rather than later can help you recover present and future medical costs and other losses, ultimately helping you to move on from this traumatizing experience.
Not only could you receive a fair settlement, but your actions can also help to keep our roads safer in the future by making sure there is adequate punishment of reckless behavior.
We can offer you a complimentary evaluation of your case today. You have no obligation and nothing to lose as there are no upfront costs for you. We do not charge attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now: (800) 794-0444.
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