Truck Accident Attorney in Illinois

What Losses Are Recoverable After a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents can lead to serious and catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Fractures
• Soft tissue damage
• Burns and lacerations, which can lead to scarring
• Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis
• Internal organ injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to cognitive, sensory, or motor issues

While injuries are often the most difficult impact of a crash, you’re likely to also deal with financial stress from medical bills and vehicle repairs, and the emotional trauma of the accident. A personal injury attorney considers all those factors when they pursue fair and full compensation for your losses.

You may qualify for compensation that recovers:

Economic Losses

These losses are proven through receipts, repair estimates, and bills. They include things like:

• Medical expenses, such as for surgeries, emergency medical care, diagnostic exams, doctor appointments, and physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity if a permanent disability keeps you from returning to work
• Property damage, for the repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Other expenses, such as travel to and from medical appointments or home modifications needed to accommodate a disability

Non-Economic Losses

These losses aren’t directly financial. They include things like:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How Can an Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

From life-changing injuries to dealing with financial pressures, accidents cause chaos. Having a lawyer by your side for your truck accident claim means not having to worry about complicated paperwork and investigations. Instead, you can focus on recovering.

Your lawyer can:

• Investigate to prove liability
• File paperwork, accurately and on time
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
• Advise you on settlement offers
• Represent you in court if needed

The Goldwater Law Firm has been helping injury victims for over 20 years. By partnering with some of Illinois’s largest and most successful law firms, we can pair you with a truck accident lawyer. You deserve dedicated and compassionate legal representation. We’re here to help you get it.

Who Is Liable for Your Accident?

Accidents happen for many reasons, from road conditions to bad weather. However, when negligence plays a role, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party (or parties).

Depending on your accident, liable parties may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Other motorists
• Parts or vehicle manufacturers

Negligent actions for each party include:

• Truck Drivers and Other Motorists: Speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, failing to yield, and tailgating.
• The Trucking Company: Hiring unqualified drivers, failing to adequately train drivers, not following safety guidelines when loading vehicles, and failing to perform routine maintenance on vehicles.
• Manufacturers: If parts were defective or otherwise unsafe.

Additionally, even when a trucking company is not directly liable, it may still be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees.

How a Lawyer Establishes Negligence

Proving negligence can be complicated, especially when multiple parties were involved. Your Illinois commercial truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence that helps support your case.

They may do so by:

• Interviewing witnesses
• Analyzing physical evidence from the accident scene
• Obtaining surveillance footage and data, such as from security cameras, traffic cams, dash cams, and the truck’s black box data
• Reviewing police reports, driver logs, safety and maintenance records, and other official documents
• Consulting with experts, such as those in the trucking industry, safety standards, or accident reconstruction

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

After an accident, it is vital to ensure your safety and that of anyone around you. Once you have done so, take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights.

• Seek Medical Attention: Whether you go to the emergency room or see your regular doctor, getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is essential.
• Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, as crash reports can be important evidence for your injury claim.
• Document the Accident: When possible, take photos of the accident scene and of any visible injuries you have.
• Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer: Insurance adjusters may use your words against you, so having an attorney by your side can be helpful.
• Don’t Post on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you.

Laws Affecting Your Truck Accident Case

While many laws affect personal injury claims, there are three that you must pay particular attention to in Illinois. These are:

• The Statute of Limitations: In Illinois, you generally have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to do so may bar you from recovering compensation.
• Modified Contributory Negligence: If you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover compensation. However, your percentage of fault reduces your recoverable compensation.
• Federal Trucking Regulations: The trucking industry is federally regulated in terms of hours of service and safety inspections. A driver or company failing to follow these regulations can prove negligence.

Your Illinois 18-wheeler accident lawyer will ensure your case meets legal deadlines.