Orland Park Truck Accident Attorney
When dealing with a truck accident, the last thing you need is the added stress of handling a complex legal case alone. The compassionate and experienced Orland Park truck accident attorneys at Michael J. Brennan Injury & Accident Lawyer are here to help you.
We manage all the legal aspects of the process, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your health and recovery. In other words, we’re here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the legal support you need during this challenging time.
Orland Park Truck Accident Guide
- What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents in Orland Park, IL?
- The Role of Speed in Large Truck Accidents
- Serious Injuries and Associated Costs in Orland Park Truck Accidents
- What Is the Legal Process in an Orland Park Truck Accident?
- What Evidence Do You Need in an Orland Park Truck Accident Claim?
- How Our Orland Park Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You with Your Case
- Understanding Contingency Fees: The Cost of Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney
- Speak to an Orland Park Truck Accident Lawyer about Your Case Today
What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents in Orland Park, IL?
In recent years, Illinois has witnessed a rise in the occurrence of semi-truck accidents due to busier roads and the growing demand for online sales and product transportation. We see more trucks on the roads and denser traffic at all times.
The Role of Speed in Large Truck Accidents
Excessive speed is one of the most significant contributing factors to semi-truck accidents in Orland Park. A truck needs more time and space to stop than a typical vehicle’s, making it much more challenging for truck drivers to avoid collisions.
Moreover, the weight of a truck’s cargo can significantly alter its handling characteristics, further compounding the issue.
Other factors that can increase the likelihood of a truck accident include:
- Driver fatigue
- Close proximity to other vehicles on the roads (especially during heavy traffic)
- Mechanical failures involving the engine or brakes
- Irresponsible driving by other motorists around the truck
- Improperly secured cargo due to inadequate loading techniques
Given the complex nature of truck accidents, which involve numerous contributing factors, determining liability requires more legal experience than a typical road incident.
You need a professional analysis of the accident, and this is where our skilled Orland Park truck accident lawyers come in.
The Importance of Legal Representation
By working with an experienced Orland Park truck accident attorney, you can protect your rights and receive the compensation you need for your injuries and losses.
Serious Injuries and Associated Costs in Orland Park Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can lead to many life-altering injuries and significant financial burdens.
Here are some of the most common injuries and their estimated costs:
1.Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Estimated costs: $85,000 to $3 million
- Severity can vary, and treatment may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation
2.Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Estimated costs: $500,000 to $3 million
- This may result in permanent disability and the need for lifelong care and assistance
3.Broken Bones and Fractures
- Estimated costs: $2,500 to $50,000 per fracture
- Treatment may involve surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery times
4.Neck and Back Injuries
- Estimated costs: $10,000 to $100,000
- Can cause chronic pain and limit mobility, affecting the ability to work and perform daily tasks
5.Internal Injuries
- Estimated costs: $20,000 to $200,000
- May require emergency surgery and extensive medical treatment
6.Burns and Disfigurement
- Estimated costs: $50,000 to $1 million
- Treatment can involve multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and ongoing care for physical and emotional trauma
7.Amputations and Loss of Limb
- Estimated costs: $30,000 to $200,000
- Requires prosthetics, rehabilitation, and adjustments to daily life
8.Emotional and Psychological Trauma
- Estimated costs: $5,000 to $50,000
- May necessitate therapy and counseling to address mental health issues stemming from the accident
As you can see, the costs associated with these injuries can range from thousands to millions of dollars, encompassing medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Given the potentially substantial financial impact, you need an experienced truck accident attorney who can pursue the compensation that will cover these costs and support your recovery process.
What Is the Legal Process in an Orland Park Truck Accident?
As your legal representatives, we help you exercise your right to file a personal injury claim for damages.
Our Orland Park truck accident lawyers understand the daunting process of gathering critical information and evidence.
Step 1: Establishing Liability
Every truck accident is different, and determining liability will depend on the cause and circumstances of your accident.
Whoever acted negligently and caused the accident will need to pay for your injuries.
In a truck accident, typical liable parties include:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The truck manufacturer
- The company responsible for truck maintenance
- The company that loaded the truck’s cargo
- The owner or lessor of the truck
- The manufacturer of specific truck parts in cases of equipment failure
Again, the specifics of the accident dictate liability. Negligence on the truck driver’s part, such as speeding or driving under the influence, could place responsibility on them or their employer.
Conversely, a tire blowout or improper loading might shift responsibility to the part manufacturer or cargo-loading company.
Step 2: Filing a Claim and Damages
Once you can establish liability, pursuing support and benefits through an injury claim becomes crucial.
This can be accomplished through either:
- An insurance claim
- A personal injury lawsuit
The claim process aims to secure financial support, termed damages.
Depending on the accident’s specifics, these damages may cover:
- Medical bills and expenses—These damages cover doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and related medical costs.
- Ongoing treatment and therapy expenses are for continuing care and rehabilitation, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, counseling, or other necessary treatments.
- Lost income – This is a big one in truck accidents. Lost wages damages cover income lost due to injuries preventing work, including wages or salary during recovery.
- Emotional distress – Because they’re so traumatic, these damages address emotional pain and suffering, spanning a range of negative emotions affecting well-being, such as sadness, grief, humiliation, or anguish that the truck accident caused.
Your damages depend on the extent of your medical bills and the emotional impact of the accident. Given the significant damages in many truck accidents, remember the statute of limitations sets a two-year time limit to file a lawsuit in Illinois.
Missing this deadline could mean you lose the opportunity to seek the damages needed to aid your recovery.
What Evidence Do You Need in an Orland Park Truck Accident Claim?
Given that your potential recovery in a truck accident claim will depend on the extent of your damages, it becomes readily apparent that you’ll need to present the best case possible. To do that, you’re going to need compelling evidence.
So, depending on the specifics, here’s some of the usual evidence that’s used in a truck accident claim in Orland Park:
- Photographs and videos—Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damages, road conditions, and any relevant signage. Visual evidence can be compelling in demonstrating the severity of the collision.
- Driver information – Gather contact and insurance information from the truck driver involved in the accident. If applicable, this includes their name, license number, insurance details, and employer information.
- Medical records – If you sustained injuries, keep detailed medical treatment records. This includes medical bills, prescriptions, and any documentation from your doctors.
- Truck inspection or maintenance records – If concerns about the truck’s maintenance contribute to the accident, obtaining records of the truck’s maintenance and inspection history can be crucial.
- Black box data – Commercial trucks often have electronic control modules (ECMs) or “black boxes” that record important data about the vehicle’s performance. This data can include speed, brake usage, and other details relevant to the accident.
- Accident reports – Obtain the official report from the accident. This document typically includes important details about the incident, statements from involved parties, and the police officer’s scene assessment.
- Witness statements – Gather statements from anyone who witnessed the accident. Their statements can offer supplementary viewpoints and bolster the strength of your case.
- Cell phone records – If distracted driving is suspected, obtaining cell phone records for the truck driver may provide evidence of phone use during the accident.
- Expert opinions – In some cases, consulting with accident reconstruction experts or other relevant professionals can help provide expert opinions regarding the cause and specifics of the accident.
How Our Orland Park Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You with Your Case
Trying to gather all this evidence on your own can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re hurt.
We’re here to provide the legal support you need during this challenging time.
Aside from helping you collect and present the above evidence, we can help in other ways:
- Legal assistance – Our team is experienced in dealing with truck accidents and understands Illinois’ truck-related laws. We’re dedicated to clarifying your rights and exploring the available legal avenues on your behalf.
- Accident investigation – Leveraging our experience and resources, we thoroughly investigate the accident. This involves compiling evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the accident scene to determine liability.
- Managing communications – Our team assumes responsibility for talking with insurance companies, other involved parties, and their legal representatives on your behalf. This protects your rights and prevents inadvertently making statements that could harm your case.
- Skilled negotiations – Our experienced team excels at negotiating insurance claims or potential settlements with insurance companies. We fight to secure a fair result covering medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Dealing with a truck accident claim, any health complications, and emotional damage can be a lot for you on your own. That’s why our team takes pride in our approach. We’re happy to ease the burden on you and your family so that you can get the treatment you deserve after a truck accident.
Understanding Contingency Fees: The Cost of Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney
Many truck accident victims may hesitate to seek legal representation due to concerns about the potential costs involved. However, most truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which offers several advantages for clients, such as:
- No Upfront Costs. When hiring a truck accident attorney who works on a contingency basis, clients are not required to pay any upfront legal fees.
- Payment Contingent on Success. The truck accident lawyer will only collect a legal fee if they successfully recover compensation on behalf of the client, either through a settlement or a court award.
- Attorney’s Fee as a Percentage of Recovery. If the case is successful, the truck accident attorney will receive a percentage of the total compensation awarded to the client as their fee.
- Complimentary Initial Consultation. Many truck accident attorneys provide a free initial consultation, allowing prospective clients to discuss their case and explore their legal options without incurring any costs or obligations.
The contingency fee arrangement significantly benefits truck accident victims, enabling them to access high-quality legal representation without the burden of upfront costs.
This levels the playing field and allows clients to focus on their recovery. At the same time, their attorney works diligently to secure the compensation they deserve and need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Speak to an Orland Park Truck Accident Lawyer about Your Case Today
Beyond serious injuries, a truck accident in Orland Park may force you to confront substantial medical bills and expenses.
All these elements play a role in determining your potential legal options, and Michael J. Brennan Injury & Accident Lawyer is here to assist you.
When you work with an Orland Park truck accident lawyer from our team, they will make sure you receive the necessary treatment and support by Illinois law.
Don’t hesitate to seek our help from our Orland Park personal injury lawyers—contact us today at (708) 460-9300 for your free consultation.
Michael J. Brennan Accident & Injury Lawyer – Orland Park Office
16521 S 106th Ct
Orland Park, IL 60467
P: (708) 809-2211