Medical bills can pile up fast after a truck accident. If you were injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, a Joliet personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation.
Postman Law has served over 1.4 million personal injury victims. If you were involved in a collision with a truck, a truck accident lawyer in Joliet can help you file a strong claim and obtain a fair settlement.
The Role of a Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases are typically far more complicated than ordinary car accident cases. A Joliet truck accident lawyer can assist with your case by:
- Collecting evidence: A lawyer can collect police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and other evidence before it disappears.
- Identifying all liable parties: A lawyer can determine who is responsible for the crash.
- Calculating your damages: A lawyer can evaluate your current and future losses and determine the value of your claim.
- Handling insurance companies: A lawyer can communicate with insurance adjusters and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Representing you in court: If negotiations fail, a lawyer can fight for you before a judge or jury.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Joliet, call 844-767-8626
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
You can recover both economic and non-economic damages for a truck accident, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medications, medical equipment, and future healthcare needs related to the accident.
- Lost income: You can seek damages for wages you lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can recover additional compensation if your injuries permanently impact your ability to earn a living.
- Property damage: You can be reimbursed for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can be compensated if your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.
- Loss of consortium: Certain family members of yours may recover damages for the impact serious injuries have had on your relationship with them.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving especially reckless or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to you.
Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 gives you two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If the crash resulted in a wrongful death, the deadline is generally two years from the date of death.
Failing to file on time could result in you losing the right to recover damages, which is why it’s crucial to contact a truck accident attorney in Joliet as soon as possible.
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Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
Unlike many car accidents, several parties may share responsibility for a commercial truck crash. Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck
- A freight broker
- A cargo loading company
- A maintenance or repair company
- A manufacturer of defective truck parts
- Another negligent driver
- A government agency responsible for unsafe road conditions
What Types of Evidence Do You Need?
Strong evidence is essential to proving negligence and recovering compensation for your accident. Helpful types of evidence may include:
- Police accident reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Videos from traffic or security cameras
- Dashcam footage
- Witness statements
- Electronic logging device records
- Black box data
- Driver qualification files
- Drug and alcohol testing results
- Inspection records
- Maintenance records
- Cargo manifests
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
- Employment records showing lost income
- Expert opinions
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Joliet
Most commercial vehicle accidents are preventable.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue caused by exceeding hours-of-service limits
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Following too closely
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Poor truck maintenance
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Steering or suspension failures
- Improperly secured cargo
- Overloaded trailers
- Inadequate driver training
- Dangerous road conditions
- Poor weather
- Mechanical defects
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Because of the tremendous force involved, truck accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Joliet
Everything you do after a truck accident can affect your personal injury claim. It’s important to:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Exchange information with the truck driver.
- If you are able, take photos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Trade contact information with witnesses.
- Visit a doctor.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Avoid posting about the accident on social media.
- Keep track of missed work and financial losses related to the crash.
- Speak with a truck accident attorney before accepting a settlement.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Joliet
After a truck crash, it’s natural to be unsure about what to do next. A Joliet truck accident attorney from Postman Law can evaluate your case, help you put together a strong claim, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Schedule a free case review to learn more about your legal options.