Since trucks are so much larger and heavier than cars, a collision between a truck and a car often results in serious injuries to people in the smaller vehicle. Victims in a car may experience head trauma, back and neck injuries, and broken bones, and they may even lose limbs or become paralyzed.
If you were traveling in a car that was hit by a truck, you may be suffering from devastating injuries that have left you in severe pain, unable to work, and worried about how you and your family will make ends meet.
In addition to the physical impact of your injuries, you may be dealing with overwhelming financial stress. You may have received bills for initial treatment in an emergency room, plus surgery and medication. You may be expecting to undergo more procedures in the future, as well as chiropractic treatments and physical or occupational therapy several times a week. All of that may be taking an emotional toll on your entire family.
Although it might take months or years to recover from your injuries and you might never have the same quality of life you had before the accident, a financial settlement could cover your medical bills and lost wages and give your family peace of mind. Then you could stop worrying about paying for basic necessities and focus on your physical recovery.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to discuss the injuries you suffered in a truck accident and what we may be able to do to help you.
How a Naperville Truck Accident Lawyer May Determine Liability in Your Case
Truck accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, and finding out what happened and who is responsible is sometimes difficult. If you hire Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to represent you in a personal injury case, our team can investigate to figure out what caused the truck accident and who is liable for the injuries you suffered as a result.
We can review the police report, statements from you and any eyewitnesses to the crash, and internal trucking company documents to identify any factors that may have contributed to the collision.
State Regulations for Trucks
Truck drivers are required to follow state and local traffic laws, such as the weight restrictions for trucks set by Illinois Statutes Chapter 625, Vehicles §-201. During the course of our investigation, we may discover that the accident occurred as a result of the driver’s actions.
Along with failing to follow weight restrictions, the truck operator may have been speeding, driving recklessly, texting, or talking on a cellphone. Our investigation may also turn up evidence that the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Additionally, the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel or reacted too slowly to road or traffic conditions because of fatigue. Trucking companies may set strict timetables for long-haul truckers to follow, and drivers may worry about the consequences they could face if they failed to arrive at their destination on schedule. They may feel pressured to keep traveling through the night, even though they are tired and are having trouble focusing and driving safely.
Federal Regulations for Trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has imposed regulations addressing many issues related to trucking in order to protect drivers and the general public. Trucking companies are required to hire drivers who are qualified and to routinely inspect, maintain, and repair the vehicles in their fleets.
Trucking companies must give drivers minimum amounts of time to rest to prevent fatigue that could cause accidents. A trucking company may bear liability for a collision and resulting injuries if the business failed to hire qualified drivers or created unsafe conditions through its actions, policies, or negligence.
Deadlines for Your Case
Our team may attempt to reach a settlement with the trucking company’s insurer, but we may not be able to agree on a figure that we believe would fairly compensate you for the injuries you have suffered and for the long-term physical and emotional toll they will take on you and your family.
If the insurance company does not offer fair compensation, we may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. We do not hesitate to take a case to trial. Keep in mind that if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must abide by a statute of limitations, or a deadline. In Illinois, 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/13-202 gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
An investigation related to a truck accident may be complex. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we may begin gathering relevant information and developing a legal strategy to handle your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Naperville, call (800) 794-0444
You Can Seek Assistance From a Naperville Truck Accident Lawyer
We understand that you are struggling financially and are probably in no position to pay for a lawyer right now. In order to help victims, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. If you hire a Naperville truck accident lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to represent you in a personal injury case, we will not receive compensation unless we succeed in obtaining a financial award for your injuries.
Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to talk to a member of our staff about the injuries you suffered in a truck accident and how we may be able to help you.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
