If you’ve recently been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler in Chicago, Illinois, don’t hesitate to call Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers. You deserve compensation, and our Chicago truck accident lawyers want to help you maximize your recovery. Call us at (312) 635-5400.
It would be best if you weren’t forced to deal with the financial consequences of your truck accident alone. At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we’re award-winning Illinois trial attorneys with decades of combined experience handling complex personal injury disputes. Going head-to-head with some of the most powerful corporations in Illinois, we’ve helped our clients win over $250 million in life-changing financial awards.
Let us take on the trucking company that’s responsible for your devastating accident. You take the time you need to get better. Contact our Chicago, IL, law office today to set a time for a free consultation. Members of our team are available to take your call 24 hours a day.
How Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Helps Victims of Truck Accidents in Chicago, IL
Life after a commercial truck accident can be stressful. It’s easy to get even more overwhelmed when faced with the task of seeking compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and emotional suffering. You know that the trucking company and its insurer will fight you at every turn.
Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this challenging time in your life on your own. Hiring an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can make things easier and help you force the kind of case results you deserve.
When you trust Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, you work with attorneys who’ve been honored for excellence in personal injury law by Elite Lawyers of America, The National Trial Lawyers, Best Attorneys of America, and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. You put decades of collective experience in your corner and benefit from the passionate advocacy you deserve as a victim.
You’ll be able to count on our team to:
- Investigate the 18-wheeler accident
- Determine fault and liability for the crash
- Analyze medical records, accident reports, truck maintenance and inspection records, forensics reports, cell phone records, driver logs, dash cam footage, and other evidence
- Interview eyewitnesses to your truck accident to gain additional insight into your case
- Bring in accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, trucking industry specialists, rehabilitation professionals, and other expert witnesses to consult as we navigate the claims process
- Assess your damages and calculate what your truck accident case is likely worth
- Devise strategies to challenge any claims of comparative negligence that could hurt your ability to recover compensation from a negligent truck driver, a trucking company, or another liable party
- Engage in productive settlement negotiations with the defense
- Bring your truck accident lawsuit to trial if the trucking service won’t make a fair settlement offer
We know times are tough right now, which is why we want to help you make the most of your fight for compensation. Our contingency fee representation means you pay nothing unless we win money for your truck accident case.
Call our law office in Chicago, IL, to learn more. Your first consultation is free.
Why should I Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
Hiring a truck accident lawyer helps you level the playing field against insurance companies and their teams of experts and defense attorneys. While you focus on taking much-needed time to heal, your truck accident attorney can handle the legal aspects of your claim. This support and guidance can help make this challenging process more manageable for you.
Truck accident cases can also be complex, with multiple potentially liable parties involved. You shouldn’t have to face the trucking company and insurance company on your own. Hiring an experienced attorney can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation.
Illinois Truck Accident Statistics
Several major interstates cross the state of Illinois – including I-80, I-90, I-94, I-39, I-55, I-24, I-64, and I-74. Every day, trucks use these roads to transport goods into, out of, and throughout the state. Unfortunately, sharing the road with tractor-trailers carries risks. Every year, thousands of car accidents involving large trucks are reported across the state.
Data published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveals that there were 6,397 truck accidents in Illinois in 2023. As a result of these big rig accidents, 3,203 people were injured, and 172 were killed.
That’s roughly 17.5 truck accidents and 8.8 crash-related injuries every day.
Common Causes of Chicago Truck Accidents
While trucking operations must comply with safety regulations established by state and federal law, sometimes important rules need to be addressed or remembered. This is when truck accidents are most likely to happen.
Some of the leading causes of truck accidents in Chicago include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Wide turns
- Unsafe passing
- Braking errors
- Unsecured cargo
- Lost loads
- Illegal turns
- Tailgating
- Blind spot errors
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
- Inexperienced drivers
- Vehicle defects
- Road defects
Who Could Be Liable in a Truck Accident in Chicago?
In Illinois, anyone who makes a mistake or whose negligence contributes to a truck accident can be liable for resulting damages.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your crash, this might include:
- Truck driver
- The trucking company
- The company that owns the truck
- Truck mechanics
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The driver of a passenger vehicle
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Or a government agency.
Our Chicago truck accident attorneys will carefully investigate your crash to fully understand why it happened and who’s to blame. Then, we’ll craft compelling legal claims that help you recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
How Much Is My Chicago Truck Accident Case Worth?
While every truck accident is different, certain factors will always be relevant when determining the value of a related claim for damages.
- What types of physical injuries have you suffered?
- Are your injuries permanent?
- What kind of medical treatment do you need?
- How long will you require medical care?
- Are you partly to blame for the truck accident?
- What steps did you take to mitigate your damages?
- Can you still work?
- Has your income or ability to earn wages decreased?
- What costs have you paid out of pocket during your recovery?
The more serious your injuries, the more of an impact they’ll have on your life. As a result, you can expect to be able to recover more in compensation when you file an insurance claim or truck accident lawsuit.
Working with an experienced truck accident attorney in Chicago won’t just help you win your case – it will also maximize your financial recovery.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped injury victims and families win hundreds of millions in damages. Call our Chicago personal injury attorneys to discuss your truck accident case and discover how we might be able to make a difference in your fight for compensation, too.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Truck Accident Victims in Chicago?
Victims of semi-truck accidents in Chicago will be able to seek both economic and non-economic damages, which can include money for:
Economic damages in a truck accident claim can include:
- Present and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Lost wages and earnings
- Diminished earning capacity
- Funeral expenses if a truck crash is fatal
Your non-economic damages may include:
- Loss of companionship
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Pain and suffering
Our truck accident lawyers in Chicago won’t let these tactics stand between you and a successful financial recovery. We’ll invest the full force of our law firm’s resources into your case and do everything we can to prove your losses, establish liability, and force the top-dollar settlement you deserve.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident?
Most truck accident cases arise as a result of negligence. This typically means that you must prove the at-fault parties acted negligently in order to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
You must prove the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence to recover damages:
- A duty of care was owed
- The duty of care was breached
- The breach of duty caused the truck accident
- You suffered damages
The following evidence is often used to prove negligence in a truck accident case:
- Photos
- Videos
- Medical records
- Bills
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Surveillance footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
- Accident reports
If you can establish that negligence occurred, you may be entitled to recover compensation.
Can I Still Receive Compensation if I’m Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state that allows accident victims to recover compensation if they are less than 51% to blame for their injuries. However, compensation is reduced in proportion to the level of fault.
Modified comparative fault allows you to still recover compensation if you’re partially at fault. However, you are barred from recovering compensation entirely if you are more than 50% responsible for the truck accident.
Allegations that you are to blame for the collision can hinder your ability to recover compensation. It is crucial to work with a seasoned truck accident lawyer who can combat claims that you’re at fault and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
We Handle All Types of Trucking Accident Cases
Truck accidents occur in a variety of ways, leading to catastrophic injuries and significant property damage.
Common types of truck accidents include the following:
- Jackknife accidents
- Distracted driving crashes
- DUI collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Intersection crashes
- Wide-turn accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Tire blowouts
- T-bone accidents
- Blind spot crashes
Whether your truck accident was caused by a truck driver texting while operating the vehicle or due to improperly loaded cargo, a truck accident attorney can help you seek justice.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Trucks are a lot larger than other vehicles on the road. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and stretch 72 feet long. As a result, trucks create a lot of force. When they’re involved in a collision, the results can be catastrophic as all of that force transfers to other vehicles and their occupants.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we help clients who’ve suffered serious injuries in Chicago truck accidents, including:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a family member
Don’t hesitate to contact our Chicago law office after you’ve reported your truck accident to the police and sought prompt medical care at the closest emergency room. Members of our team are standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Illinois Truck Accident Lawsuits?
If you’ve been injured in an Illinois truck accident, you’ll generally have up to two years to file a legal claim for damages.
A two-year statute of limitations also applies to wrongful death cases that might arise after a fatal Chicago truck accident.
You must file your claim on time if you want to recover compensation. Once the statute of limitations expires, you lose the right to demand accountability from a negligent trucker or another liable party.
Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does A Truck Accident Lawyer Cost in Chicago?
Most truck accident lawyers in Chicago work on a contingency fee basis. This fee arrangement allows you to secure excellent legal help without having to face the additional financial burden of upfront legal fees.
In a contingency fee agreement, you are only responsible for paying your attorney’s fees if they win compensation for you through a settlement agreement or trial award. If you lose your case, you are not required to pay for your lawyer’s work. However, if your case is won, your attorney will receive a specified percentage of your compensation.
To learn more about our contingency fee arrangements for truck accident cases, schedule a free consultation with our law office.
What Should I Do After Being In a Truck Accident?
Being involved in a truck accident can be stressful and overwhelming. However, understanding what to expect in the aftermath of these devastating collisions can make this process easier.
Take the following steps after being in a truck accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Report the accident to law enforcement
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the at-fault driver
- Note the name of the trucking company
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and visible injuries
- Notify the insurance company
- Consult a truck accident attorney
Do not admit fault at the accident scene or when speaking to an insurance adjuster. You should also avoid providing a recorded statement to the insurance company until after speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
How Long Will My Case Take To Settle?
Each truck accident case is different; however, how long your case may take will likely depend on the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether your case goes to trial or is resolved through settlement negotiations immediately
- The extent of your damages
- The medical treatment you require
- How long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement
- The number of at-fault parties
- Willingness to make a fair settlement offer
A skilled attorney can walk you through each step of your truck accident case timeline, from the initial consultation to trial representation.
Dos and Don’ts of Dealing with Insurance After a Crash
Dos and Don’ts when dealing with an insurance company after a crash include the following:
- Do notify your insurance company immediately following a collision
- Do tell the truth when speaking with an insurance adjuster
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Don’t agree to give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first consulting a lawyer
- Do keep track of your out-of-pock expenses, medical bills, repair estimates, and other costs related to the crash
- Do contact a truck accident lawyer before agreeing to accept a settlement offer
Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing accident victims’ damages. Understanding how to navigate the insurance claims process can help maximize your compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to take on a powerful trucking company on your own after an accident with a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler in Chicago. Call Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, and trust our Chicago truck accident lawyers to help you fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
As top-rated Illinois litigators, we’ve helped clients win over $250 million in monetary awards – including dozens of million and multi-million-dollar recoveries. Trust us to help you make the most of your truck accident lawsuit, too.
Get started by calling our Chicago, IL, law office today. Your initial case evaluation is free.
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