Larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, collisions involving them can result in serious injuries. If you’ve been in this situation, you may have come away with substantial injuries that weren’t your fault.
An Illinois truck accident lawyer can help you identify the responsible party so that you can file a compensation claim and get the money you deserve for your losses.
With over 25 years of experience in helping injury victims, Sweet James knows how to handle these types of cases. Our truck accident lawyers will explain your legal options and provide the advice you need to move forward with your claim.
How an Illinois Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Compensation
To get the money you need for your recovery, you may need to jump over several hurdles first. Establishing liability, gathering your evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and filing a claim can take time. And each step requires careful attention to detail and strong legal knowledge.
Here’s how our Illinois personal injury attorneys can support your claim:
- Insightful experience: Our founder and lead attorney once represented insurance carriers in personal injury cases. This gives us valuable information about how claims are handled from the other side of the negotiation table, so we can challenge lowball offers.
- Independent investigation: We fact-check everything, looking at the details of the truck accident to find the at-fault party and estimate the full value of your claim. That way, you get a thorough review of what happened without relying solely on the insurance company’s findings.
- Firm negotiations: Our attorneys hold firm in every conversation with the insurers, making sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
- Holistic legal support: We’ll offer legal guidance throughout every stage of the process, helping you file your claim and attending all hearings to speak on your behalf, even if your case goes to trial.
Our Illinois commercial truck accident lawyers will provide personalized service focused on you. From our initial consultation all the way through to the end result, our team is always available to answer your questions and provide the support you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your claim.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Truck Accident?
The amount of compensation you receive after a truck accident will depend on the circumstances of the crash and the losses you’ve suffered. You may be able to claim economic damages, such as medical costs, vehicle repairs, and lost income, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Here’s an overview of some of the losses you may receive compensation for:
Medical Costs
Truck accident injuries can be severe, and in some circumstances, they may even change your life. Because of this, any treatment you receive for these injuries could form part of your compensation claim. For example:
- Surgeries and other medical procedures
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Prescription medications
- Ambulance transportation
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other ongoing medical needs
- Medical equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs, etc.
- Follow-up appointments
These costs can quickly add up, which is why you should aim to keep a copy of any receipts and medical records, even for minor injuries.
Vehicle Repairs
If your vehicle was damaged during the collision, you may be able to receive compensation to cover the repairs. If it was completely wrecked to the point where it is no longer salvageable, you could potentially hold the liable party responsible and seek compensation to cover the costs of a new vehicle.
Lost Income
The injuries suffered after a truck accident may cause you to miss work for an extended period of time. They could also limit your options for future employment. Under economic damages, you may be able to claim lost income and loss of future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Not every loss after a truck accident is financial. Other losses are more subjective, but are equally as important. These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Whether you can claim non-economic damages will depend on the situation. A truck accident attorney in Illinois can assess your losses and help determine the true value of your claim.
Illinois Laws That Apply to Injury Claims
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you generally have only two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. While there may be some exceptions to this rule, missing the deadline could forfeit your right to a settlement altogether.
The state also follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that responsibility can be shared between multiple parties. Under this law, you can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault for your injuries, though your compensation may be reduced based on your level of liability.
If your percentage of fault sits above the 50% threshold, you could be completely barred from claiming compensation. As such, insurance companies may try to shift responsibility to avoid paying your claim. But a skilled attorney will challenge unfair allegations and settlement offers by building a strong case that protects your rights.
Sweet James: Real Lawyers. Real Results.
At Sweet James, we know how emotionally distressing a truck accident can be. And when you’re already dealing with substantial injuries, trying to handle a legal battle can be hard.
Our Illinois truck accident lawyers will handle the legal process for you. We’ll file your claim, complete all paperwork, manage court proceedings, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.
Get in touch with our team today. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach out and book a free consultation whenever you need our advice.
