Accidents with trucks can cause severe damage due to the sheer size and weight of these types of commercial vehicles. They can cause catastrophic injuries, as well.
Sometimes, truck wrecks happen due to a third party’s mistakes. Another motorist may have been following a truck too closely, unaware of large commercial trucks’ inability to come to a stop or maneuver quickly. At other times, the trucker or truck company bears fault.
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a truck, you may have questions about your legal options. You could receive compensation. A Chicago truck accident lawyer can inform you and help you weigh your legal options.
Taking on a trucking company can be daunting. The insurance company representing the truck driver may fight a negligence claim. Truck accidents make for complex cases, sometimes with several parties and plaintiffs involved.
Having a truck accident attorney by your side may put your mind at ease. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444.
Trucking Accidents and Negligence
In Illinois specifically, tractor-trailers factored into more than 10,000 crashes and 96 fatalities in the year 2017, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Truck drivers or a truck company can be responsible for an accident. Drivers can be responsible for various reasons, for example by driving while distracted or suffering from a medically induced event that renders them unable to operate the truck. Some other instances where a driver may be responsible include, among others:
- Driving too fast for road and weather conditions
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Alcohol and/or drug consumption
A trucking company can also be responsible and liable for causing collisions, for example by failing to train their drivers adequately. Other ways in which a truck company could be negligent, include:
- Failure to maintain trucks to a good standard.
- Negligent hiring.
- Encouraging drivers to skip break periods.
A company may bear liability due to irresponsible and negligent behaviors, essentially putting profits over safety and lives.
Occasionally, vehicle defects or issues can contribute to accidents. Typical vehicle-related causes are problems with tires, brakes, and cargo shifting, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Negligence can result from several factors and may involve a mix of driver-related, company-related, and subcontractor-related negligence. Establishing fault can take time, as well as the opinion of expert witnesses and extensive research. A truck accident attorney may interpret complex crash scenes, analyze police reports, and consult with expert witnesses on your behalf.
Compensation Available for Victims of Truck Wrecks
If you suffered personal injuries from an accident with a truck, you may be looking for a way to recover your financial losses, and help is available. Illinois is an at-fault state, which means that the person or company responsible for the trucking accident, and their insurance, are generally liable for your damages.
The at-fault party’s insurance may deny a claim altogether. Moreover, if a defendant does not bear one hundred percent of the fault, a court may take comparative negligence into account, which could result in lower compensation for a plaintiff. The legal context can be confusing, and a truck accident lawyer serving Chicago may help explain the process.
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit, you could receive a settlement for:
- Medical bills and future medical costs.
- Rehabilitation expenses.
- Lost wages and future lost earnings
- Physical and psychological pain and suffering.
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of companionship.
- Loss of guardianship for any children.
- Funeral expenses.
There can be other instances of compensation from truck accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Contact a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer for Help Today
We understand the helplessness and anguish you might feel when suffering from injuries after a truck crash. We know that it can be hard dealing with insurances, financial losses, and trying to get your health back on track. We may help to defend your rights, establish and prove fault, and help you seek compensation for your losses and suffering. We do not shy away from tough and complicated cases.
Do not hesitate to contact our personal injury law firm as soon as you can after an accident with a truck. Consider also the Illinois statute of limitations, which sets a general time limit of two years for wrongful death and personal injury cases. This means that you may lose your rights to legal action if you wait too long to file a wrongful death or personal injury claim. Time is of the essence, and having ample time gives you and your accident lawyer a chance to prepare a personal injury lawsuit effectively. Injuries may not always manifest symptoms immediately, either, and you should not have to suffer more than you already have as a result of someone else’s negligence.
You do not have to take the daunting step to stand up against a truck company by yourself. We can offer you a free no-obligation consultation to help you weigh your options and decide your next steps. There are no attorney’s fees or out-of-pocket costs for you, as we will only collect payment when we win your case.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now to find out how we may help you at (800) 794-0444.
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