Top-Rated Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers

The first and perhaps most important step to take after a truck accident is to make sure you, the truck driver, and other people involved in the crash are safe. Seek medical care right away for anyone who may be hurt.

Once you’ve had emergency medical treatment, it’s important to report the incident. Filing a police report isn’t optional, so it’s best to do this as soon as possible. When you contact law enforcement, they will likely handle this detail for you. You may want a copy of the report if you plan on filing an insurance claim or personal injury claim.

As soon as these emergency steps have been taken, you can contact a personal injury lawyer for a free case evaluation to start your case.

Any number of factors can result in a semi-truck accident, from driver fatigue, to driver error leading to a rollover, and more. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accident collisions:

• Speeding or other forms of careless driving
• Driver error
• Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or making phone calls
• Aggressive driving, such as fast lane changes or tailgating
• Fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Cargo overload (truck weight issues)
• Lack of maintenance on the truck
• Brake failure
• Dangerous weather conditions
• Road construction
• Clogged highways (heavy traffic)
• Improperly trained or vetted truck driver

When commercial trucks collide with passenger vehicles, some of the most severe injuries can result. This can include broken bones and concussions up to spinal cord injuries and paralysis. The following are some of the more common truck accident injuries:

• Bone fractures
• Neck and back injuries
• Whiplash
• Burns and lacerations
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Seat belt injuries
• Internal bleeding or other internal injuries
• Dismemberment
• Wrongful death

To collect compensation following a truck accident, you will need to file a personal injury claim. The claim will name damages, including your medical costs, lost wages from time missed at work due to recovery, and property damage to your vehicle.

Whether you need to file a claim against the trucker or trucking companies, a lawyer can advise you. Learn more when you connect with a trusted law firm through LegalFinders. The truck accident attorneys in our network are well-versed in Illinois law and can help you maximize your claim.

Even if you were partly at fault for the accident, you may still be able to file a claim after a truck crash. Fault is difficult to determine unless you have legal experience, which is why it is best to contact a lawyer to help you identify the responsible party.

Typically, fault will be determined in a personal injury case in terms of percentages. That is, if you are awarded a settlement, your compensation amount will be determined less the amount of fault you had in the accident. This is a complex area of personal injury law, but a lawyer can help you understand how it may affect your case.

No, Illinois is a traditional, fault-based state. So, if a driver causes a car accident in IIllinois due to driver negligence, they are considered the responsible party and held liable. In other words, you can file a claim against the at-fault party for damages in Illinois.

On the other hand, if you had any fault in the accident, you may receive a reduced compensation amount. In some states, you cannot pursue compensation at all if you were at fault in the accident.

Because Illinois operates on a principle of comparative negligence, you can still file a claim so long as you were at fault for less than 50% of damages. An injury attorney will work hard to ensure you are not assigned more fault than is rightfully yours.

In general, claims are filed against insurance companies to atone for damages. If you experience truck accident injuries, you may file a claim for compensation with the truck driver’s insurance company or the trucking company’s insurance.

However, if the insurance disputes the claim or doesn’t pay, you may need to file a lawsuit to pursue compensation. A personal injury lawsuit could be filed against the trucker, their employer, or other responsible parties, such as the county if the accident were caused by dangerous road conditions.

Both personal injury claims and personal injury lawsuits may be commonly referred to as cases. A personal injury lawyer can break down these terms in ways that are easier to understand. Should your case go to court, they can aid you every step of the way, from explaining complex laws to predicting the possible verdicts, or outcomes, for your case.

All personal injury claims have a statute of limitations. This refers to your time limit for filing an injury claim. In Illinois, this statute of limitations is two years. That means you have two years from the date the truck accident occurs to begin your claim.

This may seem like a long time, but insurance companies may try numerous tactics to delay your claim-filing. For this reason, it’s wise to work with a competent truck accident lawyer, who will ensure your claim is complete, accurate, and filed within the deadline.

Having a lawyer to manage your truck accident case can provide you with several advantages. They can complete difficult tasks related to your claim, like communicating with the insurance companies to ensure you don’t say anything that may affect your case.

If necessary, they can call in expert witnesses, such as medical specialists, to demonstrate why you deserve compensation for your injuries. Finally, they can review your case to determine the responsible party as well as your level of fault, if any.

Working with experienced Chicago truck accident lawyers or trusted truck attorneys elsewhere in Illinois means you have knowledge and experience on your side. This in turn helps ensure you have the best chance at gaining the settlement you deserve.