Were you injured in a truck accident in Illinois? Large commercial trucks can seriously endanger drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Crashes often lead to severe injuries or even death. If you or a loved one was harmed in a truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers today to discuss your case at (312) 635-5400 with an experienced Illinois truck accident lawyer and explore your legal options.
How Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Illinois
Truck accidents are complicated. They often involve many people, strict federal rules, and tough insurance companies. Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers are equipped to handle these challenges and fight for your rights from day one.
Our team has 35 years of legal experience. We’ve recovered over $250 million for clients. This includes 75 settlements and verdicts over $1 million. We have a strong track record against trucking companies and insurers. We serve injury victims throughout Illinois from our Chicago office and are prepared to take on even the toughest cases.
Our Illinois personal injury lawyers can assist by:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly: Gather black box data, driver logs, crash reports, and vehicle maintenance records.
- Identifying all liable parties: Including the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, and manufacturers of defective parts.
- Handling all insurance negotiations: Push back against insurers who try to minimize your claim.
- Calculating full damages: Work with medical and financial experts to assess the value of your losses.
- Litigating when necessary: File a lawsuit and present your case in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
We focus on clear, aggressive legal strategies tailored to your case. After your case is underway, we ensure you stay informed and supported through every phase.
Our Illinois personal injury attorneys have gained recognition from national legal groups. We’ve also won many multimillion-dollar awards for our clients. We use that experience and reputation to your advantage in negotiations and litigation.
What to Know About Truck Accidents in Illinois
Commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and box trucks, must follow strict rules. These rules come from federal laws and Illinois state law. Even with these rules, careless drivers and companies often take shortcuts. This can result in serious accidents.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance or mechanical failure
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
When a truck crash occurs, multiple parties may share liability. For example, the trucking company may be responsible for negligent hiring or training, while the vehicle manufacturer may face liability for defective equipment. Our attorneys know how to identify all liable parties to maximize your recovery.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Truck Accident in Illinois?
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Potential damages include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, long-term care, and future medical costs.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation for missed work and any future limitations on your ability to earn.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, and diminished quality of life.
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other personal property.
- Disability or disfigurement: Compensation for permanent injuries or loss of function.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or willful misconduct.
We work with respected medical, vocational, and financial experts to fully document your losses and ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your damages.
Can You Still Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages total $500,000 but you are found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $400,000. However, if you are determined to be 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover any compensation.
Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto victims to reduce payouts. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to push back and protect your right to compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This also applies to wrongful death claims arising from fatal truck crashes. Failing to file within this period can result in losing your right to seek compensation.
Acting quickly is critical in truck accident cases. Taking legal action early helps us gather important evidence. This includes black box data, maintenance records, and driver logs. We need to act fast to prevent this evidence from being lost or destroyed.
Contact Our Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Illinois, Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you. We’ve recovered over $250 million for injury victims. Our long track record shows we have the experience and dedication to handle complex trucking accident claims.
Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation with an Illinois truck accident attorney and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.