CHICAGO, IL – More than 1 million delivery trucks are operating on U.S. roads, a number that’s projected to increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the amount of delivery vehicles on the road, accidents are inevitable.
If you suffered injuries in a delivery truck accident, understanding liability can help you pursue compensation from the responsible party. A truck accident lawyer in Chicago, Illinois can help you understand your legal rights and options.
What is Liability in a Delivery Truck Accident?
Liability is the at-fault’s party legal responsibility for a truck accident. Individuals who suffered an injury or injuries in the crash could pursue compensation from the responsible party and/or their insurance company.
Damages You Could Pursue After a Delivery Truck Accident
Delivery truck accidents can cause significant injuries from the size of the vehicle. Injuries may include neck or back injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage or head trauma. These injuries may require hospitalization, physical therapy or surgical intervention. In some cases, injuries can even result in long-term disability or a fatality.
Illinois awards both economic damages and non-economic damages in truck accident cases. Economic damages refer to damages that you can put a price on. For example, this would include any medical expenses or lost wages. Non-economic damages refer to damages that are harder to quantify like pain and suffering, or emotional distress.
Every state has different guidelines for economic and non-economic damages you can pursue in a personal injury claim which is why it’s important to consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately following your accident.
Who is Liable for a Delivery Truck Collision?
Proving liability in a delivery truck accident can be complicated. Companies like Amazon, FedEx, UPS and other delivery services work with direct employees and independent contractors. Commercial vehicle accidents may involve numerous responsible parties which may include the truck driver, truck owner, driver of another vehicle, truck driver’s employer, truck manufacturer or distributor, or another responsible party for truck maintenance and repairs.
A thorough investigation is necessary to determine the cause of the accident and all liable parties. Your attorney will help determine the cause of your accident and gather important evidence to prove fault.
How to Prove Liability for a Delivery Truck Accident
You must provide evidence to prove who was responsible for your crash with a delivery truck. Proving fault must show who caused the accident and establish that the at-fault party was negligent. To establish negligence, you must show that the responsible party had a duty of care, they failed in their duty, their failure directly caused your injuries and you suffered losses because of those injuries.
Every state defines negligence differently so you need to work with an experienced truck accident attorney who is familiar with local laws.
Evidence You Could Use to Prove Liability
You may use witness statements, photos or videos to show how the accident occurred and establish fault. Expert testimony and accident reconstruction may also be useful in establishing the accident timeline. If other parties are involved, you’ll need to collect additional evidence that you can consult with your attorney on.
Options for Pursuing Compensation After a Delivery Truck Accident
To establish liability for a truck delivery crash, you must determine who you are going to pursue for damages. A delivery truck collision can cause severe injuries and monetary losses. If the accident was due to another person’s negligence, you have a right to recover those losses from the at-fault party. You typically will have two options to recover damages from: an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact the Dinizulu Law Group
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a delivery truck accident, the Dinizulu Law Group are here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about liability and pursuing compensation for your delivery truck accident injuries. Call today for a free initial consultation by calling (312) 384-1920 or by filling out this form and we will contact you. Get started today!
