If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial vehicle accident in Chicago, Illinois, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you should be compensated for all of your losses.
The award-winning team at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers can help you get the money you deserve. Our team has over 35 years of combined personal injury experience, and we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
Call our team at (312) 635-5400 to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago commercial vehicle accident lawyer.
Why Choose Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Chicago, IL?
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’ve been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and we have a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating. We also have a five-star rating from over 400 client reviews.
Commercial vehicle accidents often result in serious injuries. The size and weight of commercial vehicles mean that these accidents are more likely to result in severe injuries and significant property damage.
Unfortunately, commercial vehicle accidents are often more difficult to deal with than other types of accidents. Insurance companies work hard to defend high-value commercial insurance policies, and commercial trucking companies have a team of lawyers and adjusters working for them. Victims need an experienced personal injury lawyer on their side.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims?
Commercial vehicle claims are usually brought under a legal theory of negligence. If a victim successfully brings a negligence claim, the victim can demand compensatory damages from the at-fault party.
The purpose of compensatory damages is to make victims whole after an accident. There are two types of compensatory damages – economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some damages commonly awarded in Illinois personal injury cases are:
- Medical expenses, including hospital visits, surgeries, and doctor visits
- Future medical costs
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Decreased quality of life
In rare cases, punitive damages can also be awarded. In Illinois, punitive damages are only available when the responsible party, or the defendant, acted recklessly, maliciously, or intentionally.
Contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to discuss the damages you’re entitled to recover after a commercial vehicle accident.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault for a Commercial Truck Accident?
It’s common for responsible parties or their insurance companies to blame victims after a commercial vehicle accident. This is stressful for victims, but it’s a strategy that we see all the time.
Keep in mind that even if you’re partly at fault for an accident, you can likely still recover damages. Under Illinois’s modified comparative negligence laws, accident victims can recover damages as long as they’re not more than 50% at fault for an accident.
If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your recovery will be reduced by the proportion of your fault. Don’t panic if you’re being blamed for a commercial vehicle accident. Contact our team as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
What Should I Do After a Chicago Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Being involved in a commercial vehicle accident is stressful and scary. Knowing what to do can make the process go more smoothly.
If you’re involved in an accident:
- Get to a safe place. Your priority is ensuring everyone at the accident site is safe. Move to a safe location to avoid any additional injuries.
- Seek medical attention. Ensure that all injured parties get the medical care needed, and call 911 if anyone needs immediate care. If you don’t need emergency care, visit an urgent care center or your primary care doctor as soon as you leave the scene.
- Take pictures and videos of the accident site before it is cleared.
- Exchange contact information, including insurance information, with everyone involved in the accident.
- Wait for law enforcement to arrive. Don’t leave the scene before a police officer completes an accident report.
- Get the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Report the accident to your insurance company, even if you were not responsible for the crash.
- Contact a commercial vehicle accident lawyer to discuss your rights.
Taking these steps not only protects your health and safety but also strengthens your ability to hold the responsible parties accountable after a Chicago commercial vehicle accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Illinois Commercial Vehicle Accident?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Illinois is two years. In most cases, this means accident victims have two years from the date of a commercial vehicle accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
It takes time to investigate, negotiate, and secure fair compensation after an accident. To ensure your rights are protected, contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
Contact Our Chicago Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers if you were hurt in a Chicago commercial vehicle accident. We’ll use our decades of experience to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible.
Call us today or visit our office to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago commercial vehicle accident attorney.