According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 11,585 tractor trailer crashes in the state alone in 2014. Truck accidents can be particularly deadly and injurious to the people involved. Because of a truck’s sheer size, individuals in passenger vehicles may face more serious injuries, higher medical expenses, may need to miss more time from work, or may suffer more pain and suffering. Truck accident cases, while similar to car accident law, can sometimes be more complicated than a typical car accident personal injury case. After a truck accident, families may need to deal with truck insurance adjusters. Truck companies may carry insurance policies with higher-limits. In some cases, truck drivers carry insurance policies with limits as high as $1 million. There may also be more stakeholders involved in a truck accident case. For example, after a truck accident in Chicago, the driver may not be the only responsible party involved. The truck may be owned by another entity or company. The truck company may be responsible for vetting and overseeing drivers. And, in some cases, accidents occur due to illegal loads, improperly maintained vehicles, or due to a driver’s failure to obey hours of service laws.
Because so many factors must be considered after a truck accident, if you or a loved one has been hurt, it may be wise to speak to the Chicago truck accident lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Our firm will take the time to understand your family’s unique circumstances, calculate the value of your claim, and fight to help you seek justice under the law. We can protect your rights inside or outside of court to help you get the maximum possible recovery under the law.
Free consultations are for injury cases only. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. for a consultation at 312-384-1920.
What Is My Semi-Truck Accident Case Worth in Chicago?
The Chicago semi-truck accident lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. understand that the aftermath of a crash can be confusing and stressful for families and victims. This is why we take the time to understand the factors leading up to your accident and also review all relevant facts to determine the value of your claim. How much your case is worth will depend on the severity of your injuries and the percentage of fault of the other driver. Every case is unique. What evidence will the Dinizulu Law Group review to determine the value of your semi-truck accident claim in Chicago?
- Medical expenses. Truck accidents can be more serious than accidents involving passenger vehicles. Your truck accident lawyer in Chicago, Illinois will review your medical bills and will speak to experts, if necessary, to estimate the value of future medical costs.
- Lost wages. If you have had to miss time from work due to your accident, the Dinizulu Law Group can review your paystubs to determine how much money you may be entitled to receive under the law. If you have to miss time from work in the future, or if your accident has led to permanent disability, you may be able to seek damages for future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering. A truck accident can place immense burdens on you and your family. You may be worried about paying bills. You may be in pain as you recover from your injuries. You may not be able to enjoy former life activities. While pain and suffering damages are more complicated to calculate than lost wages and medical bills, they are an important component of a truck accident personal injury claim. The Chicago semi-truck accident lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd will take the time to understand the ways in which the accident affected your life. Our firm will then use special formulas to calculate your pain and suffering damages.
- Degree of fault of the truck driver or company. Once the damages have been calculated, your lawyer will also review the legal facts of your accident. Our firm will review police reports and other evidence to determine how much the truck company or driver is at fault. You will be able to collect a percentage of damages relative to the degree of fault of the truck driver. So, if the other driver was 90% at fault for your accident, you may be able to seek 90% of the value of your claim. It is important to seek the advice of a truck accident attorney in Chicago, Illinois like the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.: Attorneys at Law because many factors may go into determining the degree of fault of a truck company or driver.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.: Attorneys at Law. Our Chicago, Illinois truck accident lawyers are here for you. You don’t have to navigate the personal injury claims process alone.
Protect Your Rights in Chicago, Illinois
Strict federal and local laws govern the operation of trucks in the state. Drivers are required to abide by hours of service laws that ensure that they are well rested. Companies are required to properly vet drivers to ensure that they are healthy, drug free, and are qualified to drive a truck in Chicago, Illinois. Truck companies are required to keep their trucks in proper working order, and to perform regular maintenance on their vehicles. When truck companies, drivers, or shippers fail to honor these duties and obligations, innocent people can get hurt. Truck accidents can be caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Overloaded trucks
- Defective equipment
- Reckless driving
- And other factors
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Chicago, Illinois, you may be entitled to seek damages for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. You may have the right to seek legal action against the truck driver, truck company, or other stakeholders responsible for your accident. Take legal action today. Speak to the qualified semi-truck accident lawyers in Chicago, Illinois at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.: Attorneys at Law.
For more information on Semi-truck accident law, click here.
Free consultations are for injury cases only. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. for a consultation at 312-384-1920.
How can I help insurance processing go smoothly, or support my legal case in Chicago Illinois?
A person may receive damages and compensation for losses incurred through all types of tractor trailer accidents. There are simple steps to take for the smooth processing of a complete and accurate claim for damages. If another party’s negligent acts were the cause of an injury, making a claim to cover costs above the insurance settlement amounts paid out for tractor trailer accidents should be considered through an additional legal claim in court. Commercial vehicle accident lawyers may guide victims’ actions toward building a case against the negligent party to secure compensation for any negative changes and fiscal losses to the accident victim’s life by requesting they:
- Write down as much as you can about the truck accident itself, describe physical and psychological injuries, any monetary losses (such as wages) you’ve suffered because of the accident.
- Make notes of conversations that you had with people from the scene of the tractor trailer accident and throughout the reporting process, including law enforcement personnel, medical personnel, mechanics and body shop personnel and lawyers who may have insight on your specific case.
- Preserve evidence, making note of who caused the accident and what damage was done, through the collection of physical evidence and photographs from the scene.
- Locate people who witnessed the semi-tractor trailer accident who may be able to help you prove your case,
- Notify insurance companies, and parties to the truck accident, of your intention to file a claim for your injuries.
- Be mindful of the two year personal injury/accident statute of limitations in Illinois, which are the periods of time a person must file a case against another party, for an injury or accident that they have suffered. The statute of limitations formally begins at the point in the case when the cause of the injury is discovered. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be paused for a period, if the plaintiff was a minor, or mentally incompetent at the time of the accident.
How does Illinois law affect my truck accident claim in Chicago?
Commercial truck accident attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group can explain actions initiated to seek damage compensation, but must work within the framework of Illinois Laws by adherence to:
- Illinois has a standard statute of limitations (a designated time-period for filing a claim) of two years from the date of the accident for an injury, and five years from the date of the accident for injury or damage to your property
- Illinois has a “Comparative Negligence Law” where the percentage of your fault will determine how much compensation you may be entitled to recover.
- Illinois caps damages in personal injury cases. Illinois courts allow damages for partial fault of less than 50% and imposes a cap on compensatory damages when cases are filed for medical malpractice injury cases and no punitive damages are allowed.
Truck accidents involving city, county, or state entities.
If your injury was caused by a municipal commercial truck driver’s negligence of an Illinois city or state agency, you have one year to file a case for compensation; the time limit to sue the state is two years but you must file a formal claim within one year to sue. Talk to the Chicago Illinois truck accident attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group to get the best information relevant to your unique case.
