Following a collision with an 18-wheeler truck, it can be difficult to determine whether to hold the trucker, their employer, or the truck’s manufacturer responsible for your accident-related expenses. Immediate and ongoing costs can include medical bills, property loss, and reduced earning capacity.
Get started building a case and compiling the evidence you need to prove your claim with a lawyer’s help. Your legal team can obtain copies of the accident-related police report, medical records, and other paperwork that supports your claim for financial recovery.
Learn more about your options today by calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation. For more information, call (800) 794-0444.
A Passenger Vehicle is no Match For an 18-Wheeler
An 18-wheeler truck can weigh 30 times more than a passenger vehicle, making a collision between these trucks and another car extremely dangerous. The 2018 Fatality Facts on large trucks from the Insurance Institute of Motor Vehicles (IIHS) report that when these accidents occur, the motorists operating the passenger vehicle suffer a greater number of injuries than the other driver. The unique design of an 18-wheeler can also cause accidents that typically do not occur in your everyday fender bender.
These can include:
- Truck rollovers
- Underride accidents, where the passenger car becomes trapped under the 18-wheeler’s undercarriage
- Explosions, especially if the truck is carrying chemical cargo
- Tire blowout
- Jackknifing, where the trailer folds at a 90-degree angle against the truck’s cab
- Lost load, where the shipment falls out of the truck and poses a danger to drivers behind the vehicle
Our legal team understands how devastating an accident with an 18-wheeler can be. With over 50 years of combined experience, our experts can examine your collision from all angles to determine liability and build your case. A Skokie 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer can help you recover your medical expenses and the cost of repairing your vehicle. During this challenging time, our job is to handle the legal proceedings. Your job is to recover from your injuries.
A lawyer can help you understand, evaluate, and accurately value your physical injuries, property losses, and the financial compensation you may be able to receive.
Regulations Bar Drivers from Performing Certain Actions
The federal government imposes strict regulations on driver actions and behaviors to ensure roads, highways, and work zones across the country are safe for vehicles of all sizes. Motorists can face severe penalties and the possibility of losing their license to operate a commercial vehicle when found in violation of these laws.
Motorists cannot legally drive a large truck under the following conditions that alter their ability to remain alert and drive safely, according to the Code of Federal Regulations.
These are:
- Serious illness
- Exhaustion
- Drug or alcohol use
- Overdemanding delivery schedules
To cut down on the amount of traffic, the state of Illinois has designated roads for 18-wheeler routes. If your accident occurred outside of these specific areas, then this information can bolster your claim.
When you choose to work with one of our legal professionals, we can investigate the circumstances that contributed to your collision. This can include interviewing the driver, checking logbooks for details regarding the truck’s maintenance, and reviewing the police report made at the scene of the accident. After surviving such a traumatic event, the last thing you want to do is be your own investigator while recovering from your injuries.
Determine Who to Pursue for a Monetary Award
An accident with an 18-wheeler truck can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and damaged or destroyed property. It can also leave you unsure of who to pursue for financial compensation.
You might have as many as three different avenues of financial compensation, including:
- The driver: The driver or his insurance carrier may be liable if negligence on the part of the driver caused the accident.
- The driver’s employer: The company that employs the driver might be liable if the driver was acting within the realm of their employment.
- The 18-wheeler’s manufacturer: The company that built the 18-wheeler may be liable if a flaw or defect in the truck itself led to the accident.
Determining liability can be challenging on your own. A Skokie 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer can help you assign responsibility and decide who to pursue for your related expenses.
Potential Monetary Awards in a Semi-Truck Accident
When seeking financial recovery after your accident, you have some options regarding what sort of claim to file. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may be able to submit multiple claims.
These include:
- A personal injury claim can help you recover the costs of your physical injuries, medical bills, and any assistive medical devices you require
- A property damage claim can compensate you for repairing or replacing your vehicle or other personal property damaged in the accident
- A wrongful death claim can be filed by immediate family members of the deceased should an accident lead to the unexpected passing of a loved one.
A legal professional can provide you with additional information regarding the value of your claim.
For a free legal consultation with a 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Skokie, call (800) 794-0444
Our Legal Team Seeks Justice for Our Clients
Let your lawyer negotiate on your behalf to ensure your accident-related expenses are covered. The insurance company representing the other party may approach you shortly after the accident and offer you a quick settlement. While this may be tempting, agreeing to a set amount will prevent you from seeking additional funds should other costs arise in the future.
Your lawyer can help to ensure that you do not endure undue financial hardships due to an accident that was not your fault. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to fight for your right to compensation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form