If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a trucking accident caused by someone else’s negligence, seek help from a skilled Des Plaines truck accident lawyer. Our personal injury law firm is ready to provide legal assistance for your personal injury case.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Des Plaines Truck Accident?
Types of Des Plaines Truck Accidents
Common accidents involving tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles include rollovers, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, and blowouts.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Des Plaines?
Serious truck accidents can happen for many reasons. Driver fatigue is a common cause, as truckers often work long hours that leave them exhausted behind the wheel. Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone or texting while driving, is another leading factor. Other causes include reckless or aggressive driving, intoxication with drugs or alcohol, improper cargo loading, poor truck maintenance, and mechanical failures such as faulty brakes. Weather conditions can also contribute to accidents.
Can a Des Plaines Personal Injury Lawyer Help with My Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Yes. A personal injury attorney can provide effective legal representation for you.
When you’ve suffered a serious truck accident in a passenger car, contact our personal injury law firm for help. Your lawyer can:
- Perform a thorough investigation of your case
- Gather evidence from the accident scene to prove liability (which must be preserved quickly), such as the police report, driver logs, maintenance records, and surveillance footage
- Negotiate with insurance companies to cover your medical bills and other damages
- Provide in-depth knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations
- Build a strong case to seek maximum compensation
- Prepare to take your case to trial if needed
- File a wrongful death claim to provide financial support for certain surviving family members
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Des Plaines, IL
Victims of commercial and semi-truck accidents in Illinois often suffer serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), broken bones, internal organ damage, and more.
Who May Be Held Liable for Commercial Truck Accidents in Des Plaines?
It may be complicated to determine liability in a large truck accident, as truck accident lawsuits are often more complex and multiple parties may play a role, including:
- Commercial truck driver’s error or negligence
- Negligent drivers of other vehicles who failed to obey traffic laws
- The trucking company, if it failed to properly train or supervise the driver or did not provide regular vehicle maintenance
- Third-party contractors, if they made mistakes loading or maintaining the truck
- The truck manufacturer, if a defective truck part caused the accident
Can I Seek Compensation After a Des Plaines Truck Crash?
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule, so even if you were partially to blame, you may seek compensation. If you were less than 50% at fault in a truck accident case, you may be entitled to a percentage of full and fair compensation.
Victims may seek compensation for severe injuries, including medical expenses for current and future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering for physical and emotional distress, property damage to repair or replace damaged items, and wrongful death compensation (for funeral and burial expenses). Punitive damages may be awarded for reckless driving.
What Is My Des Plaines Truck Accident Claim Worth?
An experienced truck accident lawyer can assess your case by reviewing the severity of your injuries (as shown in medical records), the cost of your medical care, lost income or earning potential, property damage, other economic losses, as well as pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Des Plaines?
Illinois law defines the statute of limitations that is strictly enforced; truck accident victims have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit and potentially recover compensation.
Contact Our Des Plaines Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Evaluation
Truck accidents often cause more severe injuries than crashes in passenger vehicles due to the size and weight of vehicles in the trucking industry. If you’re injured in Cook County, seek medical treatment immediately.
Then take advantage of a free consultation with our legal team, which works on a contingency fee basis, so you can avoid upfront attorney fees. We will explain your legal options to secure maximum compensation, suggest a plan of action to seek justice, and answer your questions.