A serious truck accident can change an accident victim’s entire life. Colliding with, or being rear-ended by a massive vehicle such as a tractor-trailer can leave you with debilitating injuries and fatalities. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), almost 5,000 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2017.
The question that typically arises in these cases is, who will pay for my medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses?
The driver or company at fault in your accident are generally responsible for your damages, and you may be covered by their insurances. You might also be able to file a claim with your own car insurance. If your damages are considerable and you cannot obtain an adequate settlement from an insurer, you may have to take legal action against a truck driver and/or company.
Before accepting any settlement from an insurer or signing any documents, you should contact your Bartlett truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer can protect you and help you negotiate a fair settlement with insurers. If this proves tricky, we can take the case to court and fight for your rights. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for your free consultation to find out how we could help you get compensation. You can reach us at (800) 794-0444.
Truck Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, accidents with a truck can result in horrific and fatal injuries to the occupants of other motor vehicles. Some of the injuries suffered in truck accidents can include:
- Fractures
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and cuts
- Severed limbs
- Seat belt injuries
Since accidents with trucks can be serious, injuries suffered can be permanent, disabling, and demand costly as well as lengthy treatments. If you have suffered extensive injuries in an accident with a truck that was not your fault, you should not be left with all the costs.
We understand that health is your first priority now, and you may wish to heal before pursuing compensation; however, timely action can be important for your case. The Illinois statute of limitations, as established in 735 ILCS 5/13-202, generally prohibits you from filing a lawsuit after two years.
The time for filing suit starts ticking down from the day of your injury, or the day that your loved one died. Your Bartlett truck accident lawyer can help you find out if you have legal recourse.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
If you suffered serious injuries, or your loved one died in a truck accident, you could potentially receive compensation such as:
Medical Bills
This can include all past, present, and future expenses that relate to the truck accident, such as hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and medical transportation, among others.
Lost Wages
If you were badly hurt, you were most likely away from work for a considerable time. You also may not be able to return to work for a while, if ever. In this case, you could receive any lost wages and future lost wages related to your injuries from the accident.
Pain and Suffering
If you suffered any permanent and disabling injuries, you could potentially receive considerable amounts of compensation for emotional as well as physical pain and suffering.
Loss of Companionship
In a wrongful death case, a spouse may be entitled to an award for loss of companionship.
You could also receive other compensation like out-of-pocket costs relating to the accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Bartlett, call (800) 794-0444
Liability in Truck Accidents
In order to receive compensation, you will need to prove that the at-fault party is responsible for your accident and your losses. Unfortunately, a truck accident can be anything but clear-cut, and proving liability in a truck accident can be tough. Potentially, there could be several liable parties. A driver could be liable, especially if they are guilty of reckless driving.
A truck company could also be responsible for your accident. The company is generally responsible for its drivers as well as the vehicles. The trucking company has to ensure that they hire drivers responsibly and maintain vehicles adequately. Some ways in which a company could be responsible for your damages include:
- Inadequate servicing and repair of trucks
- Negligent hiring
- Failing to train drivers
- Loading cargo incorrectly
- Encouraging drivers to skip rest periods
Apart from the driver and trucking company, you could also potentially hold others to account for your losses. A third-party may have been negligent and responsible for your accident, for example, the company servicing the trucks, the company loading cargo, or the truck manufacturer.
Proving liability can be extremely complex in truck accident cases and can feel like an uphill battle. Having a Bartlett truck accident lawyer can help you focus on your health and recovery while also pursuing the legal process.
Bartlett Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Evidence for a Truck Accident Claim
Even if an accident seems clear-cut, in a court of law, you will need to prove that the defendant was at fault. You and your lawyer will have to present evidence that proves your claim. The evidence required for a personal injury lawsuit can include:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Expert witness testimony
- Photographs of the scene and vehicles involved
- Medical reports
Any other evidence that you can obtain could also be useful for your case.
Proving your case can be a lot of work and effort, but you do not have to do this on your own. Your Bartlett truck accident lawyer can help with gathering the evidence needed to prove fault.
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We can help you seek justice and compensation, so do not wait and get in touch with us today. You do not have to worry about any upfront attorney’s fees. We work on contingency, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for you, and we can start working with you immediately if we determine you have a case.
Find out if you have a case and call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for a free consultation by dialing (800) 794-0444.
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