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Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer

Experienced Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer.

Road accidents of any description can have devastating consequences, both during and after the collision. This is especially true for large truck accidents. The proper legal support is essential for ensuring you receive the settlement you need to move forward with your life.

Let us ease some of the pressure of pursuing a settlement after a large truck accident. We can explain what you deserve and walk you through the more complex areas of the legal process that you need to know.

Whether you need compensation for time off work or funds related to vehicle damage, our personal injury law firm stands ready to help. Contact us today for more information.

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Chicago Truck Accident Guide

What Are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents?

Chicago has seen a significant increase in the number of semi-truck accidents, particularly in the past two decades. There are many theories as to why this is the case.Michael J. Brennan

Busier roads are a prominent cause, in addition to the increasing demand for online sales and product transportation. This means more trucks are on the roads, and there is much denser traffic at any time.

Speed is one of the most significant contributors to both semi-truck accidents in Chicago and large truck accidents. A truck needs significantly more time to stop than the average vehicle. This makes avoiding collisions far more difficult for the truck driver.

Pair this with how significantly a truck’s cargo alters its weight, and you have a perfect storm.

Additional factors that can increase the likelihood of a truck accident include:

  • Driver exhaustion
  • Proximity to other vehicles on the roads, especially during denser periods of traffic
  • Engine or braking failure
  • Irresponsible driving around the truck
  • Insecure cargo due to ineffective loading

Truck accidents are far more complex than the average road incident. Numerous factors are at play, and it’s not as simple as blaming the vehicle that crashed into you or vice-versa. You need adequate legal representation from a Chicago truck accident lawyer for a complete analysis.

How Common Are Truck Accident Cases?

While the rate of truck accidents is lower than the rate of car accidents, they often carry with them a greater risk of severe injury or fatality. This is because a truck is, on average, 20 to 30 times heavier than a car. The impact force is far greater, so the number of casualties is usually more significant.

In a recent year, a total of 4,136 people died in large truck accidents. Of these 4,136, 67% were car passengers. In addition, this figure demonstrates a 31% increase in truck accident fatalities compared to a previous year. These figures are alarming, but you can be given peace of mind with the right legal help.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Chicago

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The day after a truck crash holds just as much importance as the immediate aftermath of the collision. Here are the steps you should take:

  1. Follow-up with Medical Treatment: If you received medical attention at the accident scene or visited the emergency room, follow up with your doctor or specialists as recommended. Attend all scheduled appointments and follow your treatment plan closely.
  2. Rest and Recover: Listen to your body and give yourself time to rest and recover from the accident. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, take it easy, and don’t push yourself too hard.
  3. Contact a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer: If you haven’t already done so, contact an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at our law firm. Your experienced truck accident lawyer can advise you on the next steps in the legal process, help you gather evidence to support your claim, and handle communication with insurance companies on your behalf.
  4. Begin Gathering Evidence: Start collecting any evidence related to the accident, such as the police report, medical records, and any photos or videos you took at the scene. Your commercial truck accident attorney can help you gather additional evidence, such as truck maintenance records or the driver’s logbook.
  5. Be Cautious When Communicating with Insurance Companies: If an insurance adjuster contacts you, be polite but cautious when discussing the accident. Avoid admitting fault, speculating about the cause of the collision, or discussing your injuries in detail. Instead, refer the adjuster to your experienced truck accident attorney, who can handle these conversations.
  6. Avoid Posting on Social Media: Refrain from posting about the accident or your injuries on social media platforms. Insurance companies may use your posts to undermine your claim or argue that your injuries are less severe than you allege.
  7. Continue Documenting Expenses: Keep tracking all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, prescription costs, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. This documentation will be essential when seeking compensation for your damages.

Taking these steps the day after a truck accident in Chicago can help protect your health, gather crucial evidence, and lay the groundwork for a substantial compensation claim.

Common Injuries Sustained in Chicago Truck Accidents

Some of the most common injuries and average costs associated with truck accidents include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): $85,000 to $3 million
  • Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: $500,000 to $3 million
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: $2,500 to $50,000 per fracture
  • Neck and Back Injuries: $10,000 to $100,000
  • Internal Injuries Average: $20,000 to $200,000
  • Burns and Disfigurement: $50,000 to $1 million
  • Amputations and Loss of Limb: $30,000 to $200,000
  • Emotional and Psychological Trauma: $5,000 to $50,000

As you can see, these injuries can result in substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, with costs ranging from thousands to millions of dollars.

Always work with an experienced attorney who can pursue the compensation you need to cover these costs and support your recovery.

Determining Responsibility After a Truck Accident

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This is one of the trickier aspects of any compensation claim following large truck accidents. It is also one of the most frustrating. This is mainly due to the disparity in laws and regulations between federal and state laws.

Different rules on trucking policies can vastly alter who must take responsibility for the accident. Your Chicago accident lawyer can help demystify this process.

Significant truck accidents in Chicago are rarely the driver’s sole responsibility, though this is a popular misconception. Assigning responsibility means reviewing multiple factors related to your specific crash.

Ultimately, responsibility can fall on the shoulders of:

  • The driver of the vehicle
  • The organization that leased the truck or trailer
  • The owner of the car or trailer
  • The manufacturer of the vehicle
  • The organization or individual responsible for loading the truck

Many people and organizations potentially responsible for significant truck accidents make these cases particularly complicated. With our legal help, we will diligently review each factor of your case to assign responsibility and secure your due compensation.

What Evidence is Needed to Prove Fault in a Chicago Truck Accident?

To prove fault in a Chicago truck accident, you and your attorney must gather various evidence to support your claim.

This may include:

  • Police Reports: The official police report can provide valuable information about the accident, including the date, time, location, parties involved, and initial observations made by the responding officers.
  • Witness Statements: Accounts from individuals who saw the accident can help corroborate your version of events and provide insight into how the collision happened.
  • Photos and Videos: Visual evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries can help establish the severity of the crash and provide context for how it occurred.
  • Truck Driver Log Books: Commercial truck drivers must maintain detailed logs of their service hours. These records can show if the driver was operating the vehicle violating federal regulations, such as driving for too many hours without rest.
  • Expert Testimony: Accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists can provide valuable insight into how the accident occurred and the extent of your injuries.
  • Medical Records: Documentation of your injuries, treatment, and prognosis can help establish the severity of your damages and the ongoing impact of the accident on your life.

By gathering this evidence like the above, your Chicago truck accident attorney can build a solid case to prove fault and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Damages From a Truck Accident

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Compensation following a significant truck accident takes many forms. It’s highly individualized and depends on how the accident affected your life. The purpose of compensation is to deliver an amount that will help return your life to how it was before the accident, as much as possible.

Damages from a commercial truck accident can relate to:

  • Any lost income incurred from an inability to work following the accident
  • Medical bills, including surgery fees and treatment costs
  • Nursing home care costs, if required
  • Loss of the ability to earn adequate income in the future due to a long-term injury or psychological damage
  • Disfigurement or similar permanent effects from the accident

Essentially, your compensation amount will depend on how severely your life was impacted by the accident. As noted above, this does not solely relate to material funds. It also relates to your mental well-being and the emotional impact of the accident.

Compensation For Chicago Truck Accident Victims

The specific types and amounts of compensation you may be able to receive will depend on the circumstances of your case and the severity of your injuries.

Some common types of compensation available to you as a truck accident victim in Chicago include:

  • Medical Expenses: You may be able to recover compensation for all medical costs related to your accident, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment.
  • Lost Wages: If your injuries have prevented you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income due to the accident. This can include past and future lost wages, benefits, and other forms of compensation.
  • Pain and Suffering: You may be able to recover damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you’ve experienced as a result of the accident.
  • Property Damage: If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for repair or replacement costs.

How Can a Chicago Truck Accident Attorney Help With My Insurance Claim?

A whole array of benefits comes with hiring legal assistance, but navigating the otherwise frustrating insurance process is one of the greatest. Below are some ways you could benefit from our help.

Professional Advice

Dealing with insurance companies on your own is a monumental task. It can be time-consuming, frustrating, and ultimately disappointing.

When you work with a professional, you don’t need to worry about that. Let us handle those unpleasant conversations with insurance companies. All you need to do is sit back and wait for us to deliver your insurance settlement.

Efficient Exploration of all Possible Insurance Payouts

As experienced Chicago truck accident lawyers, we know what we seek when working with insurance companies. We also know the tricks they may implement to avoid paying you what you are duly owed or how they may drag out the case for more outstanding interest payments. Both are easily avoided, with the right attorney.

We can build your case from the ground up to make it the strongest. We will make your claim water-tight, so no insurance company can refute it or attempt to sabotage it.

We compile all the necessary evidence to provide as much validity to your claim as possible. Our diligent approach allows us to earn you the exact settlement amount you deserve.

Contingency Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Chicago Truck Accident Attorney?

Many truck accident victims hesitate to hire an attorney because they’re concerned about the cost.

However, our Chicago truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

  1. No Upfront Costs: You won’t have to pay any upfront legal fees to hire a truck accident attorney.
  2. Pay Only if You Win: Your attorney will only collect a legal fee if they successfully recover your compensation through a settlement or court award.
  3. Percentage of Recovery: If your case succeeds, your attorney will take a percentage of the compensation awarded.
  4. Free Consultation: Most Chicago truck accident attorneys offer a free initial consultation, allowing you to discuss your case and learn about your legal options without any cost or obligation.

In other words, contingency fee arrangements allow truck accident victims to access high-quality legal representation without worrying about upfront costs. This levels the playing field and will enable you to focus on your recovery while your attorney fights for the compensation you deserve and need.

Contact our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident, contact our personal injury attorneys in Chicago today at (312) 379-9270 for your free consultation. We can advise you on your best course of action and answer any questions you may have.

Don’t hesitate. Michael J. Brennan has the experience and knowledge necessary to help strengthen your case and get your life back on track!

Office Address

MICHAEL J. BRENNAN ACCIDENT & INJURY LAWYER

77 W Washington St #705
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-379-9270

Hours: Open 24 hours

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