Road accidents of any description can lead to devastating consequences, both during and after the collision. This is especially true for large truck accidents. Having the right legal support is essential for ensuring you receive the settlement you deserve. If you are looking for an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer, you’re in the right place.

We can help you to understand precisely what you are entitled to and walk you through some of the more complex areas of the legal process. Pursuing a settlement after large truck accidents can be stressful. Let us ease some pressure.

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

What are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents?

There has been a significant increase in the number of semi-truck accidents in Chicago, particularly in the past two decades. There are many theories for why this is. Busier roads are a prominent cause, in addition to the increasing demand for online sales and product transportation. This means more trucks on the roads and much denser traffic at any given time.

One of the biggest contributors to both semi-truck accidents in Chicago and large truck accidents, in general, relates to speed. The amount of time it takes for a truck to fully stop is significantly longer than the average vehicle. This makes avoiding collisions far more difficult for the truck driver. Pair this with how significantly the cargo of a truck alters the weight of the vehicle, 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. There are numerous factors at play, and it is not as simple as blaming the vehicle that crashed into you or vice-versa. A full analysis is required, which is why you need adequate legal representation from a Chicago truck accident lawyer.

How Common are Truck Accidents?

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, 20-30 times heavier than a car. The force of impact is far greater, so the number of casualties is usually more significant.

In 2018, a total of 4,136 people died as a result of large truck accidents. Of this 4,136, 67% were the passengers of cars. In addition, this 2018 figure demonstrates a 31% increase in truck accident fatalities when compared to 2009. These figures are alarming, but with the right legal advice, you can feel confident you will receive the settlement amount you deserve.

The Different Types of Truck Accidents

When we refer to ‘truck accidents’, there is not just one image that may spring to mind. There are many forms this type of accident can take. From semi-truck accidents in Chicago, to cargo destabilization, to large truck accidents, there is a variety of potential outcomes. Some of the most common types include:

Rear-end Collision: Most often caused when a driver has not left adequate space between the car and the truck to account for the slower braking speeds
Cargo Destabilization: Loss of cargo that results in obstruction of the road can cause severe accidents
Trailer Decoupling: Similar to the above, if the entire trailer of the truck detaches from the vehicle, it can prove disastrous to surrounding vehicles and the truck itself

As you can see, large truck accidents are not as simple to explain as standard collisions. There are multiple factors at play and the responsibility does not always reside on the shoulders of any singular participant. In fact, where cargo and trailer decoupling is concerned, the truly responsible party may not have even been present at the time of the collision.

Determining Responsibility After a Truck Accident

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 largely due to the disparity in laws and regulations between federal and state laws. Different regulations on trucking policies can vastly alter who must take responsibility for the accident. Your Chicago accident lawyer can help demystify this process.

Large truck accidents in Chicago are rarely the sole responsibility of the driver, though this is a popular misconception. The process of assigning responsibility means reviewing multiple factors of your specific crash. Ultimately, responsibility can fall on the shoulders of the following:

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

The multitude of people and organizations potentially responsible for large truck accidents makes these cases particularly complicated. With our expert legal advice, we can help you to navigate these complex waters. Your Chicago truck accident attorney will diligently review each factor of your case to assign responsibility and secure your due compensation.

Damages From a Truck Accident

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

Damages from a large 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. As your Chicago truck accident lawyer, we approach each case with sensitivity and efficiency to provide you with exactly the amount you are entitled to.

Establishing the Settlement Amount Following a Truck Accident

Though large truck accidents often profoundly affect the lives of those involved, many will settle for a lower compensation amount offered by their insurance companies. Why? Well, there are two key reasons.

Most people want the nightmare to just end already. Accepting a lower amount might be counter-intuitive, but at least you can begin the process of moving on once the case is closed
They don’t know any better and don’t believe that they are entitled to a higher amount.

Both of these reasons are completely understandable. Given how drastically large truck accidents can upheave your life, it is natural that you would want to move on as soon as possible. Likewise, not knowing exactly how much you are entitled to is completely normal. In fact, many insurance companies will rely on it, so they can get away with paying less.

This is why you need a Chicago truck accident attorney to handle these matters for you. You should not be settling for less than you deserve, especially at such a difficult time. We can handle all the complicated legal matters while you get back on your feet, whether you are the truck driver or the victim of a collision with a truck.

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

There are a whole array of benefits associated with hiring expert legal assistance, but navigating the frustrating insurance process is perhaps one of the greatest. Listed below are just 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 any of 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 personal injury lawyers, we know what we are looking for when working with insurance companies. We also know the kinds of tricks they may try to implement to avoid paying you what you are duly owed or how they may drag out the case for greater interest payments. Both are easily avoided, with the right attorney.

We can build your case from the ground up to make it the strongest it can possibly be. 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.

Chicago Truck Accident Attorney FAQ

What Should I Do if I am Injured in a Truck Accident?

Of course, seek medical help immediately. If possible, take as many photos and videos as you can of the crash site and gather witness contact information. All of this will help to strengthen your case later.

Won’t Hiring an Attorney Drive Up my Costs?

No. While you do have to pay a retainment fee, the money you make in the long-run will more than make up for it. You are far more likely to earn a significant compensation amount with legal representation.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers are Here to Help

If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact us today to schedule a 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 strengthen your case and get your life back on track!

Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer