Illinois Truck Accident Attorney
Nearly 5,000 people are killed in large truck accidents each year in the United States.
Illinois sees its fair share of these tragedies, as the state is crossed by many major interstate highways, including I-55, I-80, I-57, and I-90.
Unfortunately, big trucking companies and their insurance providers often try to deny or minimize compensation to the families of those injured and killed in these accidents. They have local legal teams that work quickly to protect their interests and the interests of their shareholders.
You don’t have to go up against these big trucking companies and their lawyers alone. The experienced Illinois Truck Accident Attorneys at Hess Injury Law will level the playing field and fight for the full and fair compensation that you and your family deserve under the law.
Our Approach to Illinois Truck Accidents
We understand that no two truck accidents are alike. That’s why we take a personalized and hands-on approach to every case we handle.
We will strive to know you and your family in order to understand the unique impact the accident has had on your lives. We will also thoroughly investigate the accident and work with experts in crash reconstruction and other fields to determine how it happened and who is responsible.
Once we have a clear understanding of what happened and who is liable, we will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our goal is to get you the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild your life after a serious truck accident.
Establishing Liability in Illinois Truck Accidents
Liability in a truck accident case can be complicated. There may be multiple parties who are at fault, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the truck, and even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts.
In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for the accident. For example, the truck driver may be liable for speeding or driving while fatigued, while the trucking company may be liable for failing to properly maintain the truck or for forcing the driver to violate hours of service regulations.
In other cases, one party may be solely responsible for the accident. For example, if a defective truck part caused the accident, the manufacturer of that part may be the only party liable.
No matter how complicated the liability picture may be, our experienced Illinois truck accident lawyers will get to the bottom of it. We will work tirelessly to hold all those responsible for your injuries and losses accountable.
Evidence in Illinois Truck Accidents
Evidence is critical in any truck accident case. That’s why it’s important to act quickly after an accident, to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Some of the most important types of evidence in a truck accident case include:
- The police report
- Eyewitness testimony
- Surveillance footage
- Truck driver logbooks
- Maintenance records
- Event data recorder (black box) data
This evidence can help establish what happened and help identify the responsible party. For example, the police report may contain information about the truck driver’s actions just before the accident, while the truck’s event data recorder can provide information about the truck’s speed and braking just before the accident.
This evidence can be critical in establishing liability and damages in a truck accident case. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced Illinois truck accident lawyer who knows how to preserve and use this evidence to your advantage.
Truck Accident Injuries That We Handle
We have successfully represented truck accident victims who have suffered all types of injuries, including:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
These are just some of the injuries that we have experience handling. No matter how serious your injuries are, we are here to help.
Compensation in Illinois Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Illinois truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills: Including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitative care, and more
- Lost income: To take into account wages lost while you recover from your injuries
- Pain and suffering: For the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by the accident
- Loss of companionship: If your spouse or child was killed in the accident
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: If you suffered a catastrophic injury in the accident
- Funeral and burial expenses: If a loved one was killed in the accident
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on the specific facts of your case. Our experienced Illinois truck accident lawyers will fight for maximum compensation in your case.
Punitive Damages from Illinois Trucking Companies
In some cases, an Illinois trucking company may be responsible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the trucking company for particularly reckless or negligent behavior and to discourage future similar behavior.
Punitive damages may be available if the trucking company:
- Intentionally harmed the victim
- Engaged in a pattern of careless or dangerous behavior
- Failed to follow federal trucking regulations
Punitive damages are not available in every case. Whether punitive damages are available will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your case.
Illinois Truck Accident Claim Process
The first step in any truck accident claim is to gather evidence and investigate the accident. This includes talking to eyewitnesses, reviewing the police report, and reviewing surveillance footage. Once we have a clear picture of what happened and who is responsible, we will send a demand letter to the trucking company.
The demand letter will state the facts of the accident and the injuries you have suffered. It will also state the amount of compensation you are seeking. The trucking company will then have a set period of time to respond to the demand letter.
In most cases, the trucking company will deny liability or make a lowball offer in response to the demand letter. If this happens, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf and take the case to court.
At trial, we will present the evidence we have gathered to support your claims. This may include eyewitness testimony, expert testimony, medical records, and more. We will also cross-examine the trucking company’s witnesses and experts in order to expose the weaknesses in their case.
If we are able to prove that the trucking company is liable for your injuries, the jury will award you damages.
When to Hire an Illinois Truck Accident Attorney
While you are not required to have an attorney to file a truck accident claim, it is generally in your best interest to do so. Ask yourself this question: Would you rather have a team of experienced lawyers on your side, or face the trucking company’s team of lawyers by yourself?
The trucking company will have a team of experienced lawyers working on their behalf. They will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation you are entitled to. If you try to go up against them without an attorney, you will be at a severe disadvantage.
An experienced truck accident attorney will level the playing field. They will know how to gather evidence and build a strong case against the trucking company. They will also have the resources to hire experts and investigators to help with your case.
Illinois Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims
The statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a truck accident claim. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the trucking company.
If you do not file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, you will be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
The statute of limitations may be different in some cases. For example, if the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended. It is important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney to determine the applicable statute of limitations in your case.
Get Help from an Experienced Illinois Truck Accident Attorney
Every hour that goes by after a truck accident is another hour that the trucking company has to build their case against you.
At Hess Injury Law Group, we have been helping truck accident victims for over 15 years. We know the ins and outs of the trucking industry, and we know how to build a strong case against them.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions about Illinois Truck Accidents
Yes. You can usually bring a claim against both the truck driver and their employer. In most cases, the employer will be held liable for the actions of their employee. This is because employers are responsible for hiring and training their employees.
It is impossible to say for sure whether your case will go to trial. Most truck accident cases are settled out of court. However, if the trucking company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we may take your case to trial.
The value of your case will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your property damage, the amount of lost wages, and more. An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to give you a better estimate of the value of your case after investigating the facts of your case.
Again, this will depend on the specific facts of your case. Some truck accident cases are resolved quickly, while others may take months or even years to resolve.
Most truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay any upfront costs. Instead, your attorney will take a percentage of your settlement or verdict if they are able to recover compensation for you.
If you are involved in a truck accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to get checked out by a doctor. After you have been seen by a doctor, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your case.
Yes, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim if you were injured in a truck accident. An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and advise you on your legal options.
If the truck driver does not stop after the accident, you should call the police and file a report. You should also try to get the license plate number of the truck. If you are able, you should take pictures of the scene of the accident.
You should not accept any settlement offer from the insurance company without first consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney. The insurance company is likely to lowball you, and you may be entitled to more compensation than they are offering. An experienced attorney will know how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options.