The Most Important Things to Do After an Illinois Accident
When you should get a lawyer for a truck accident is your decision. However, you may want to consider legal representation if you:
Experience problems dealing with the insurance company
Are unsure of who holds fault for your accident
Have never filed a personal injury claim or lawsuit before
Do not want to navigate the claims process on your own
When seeking compensation for your collision-related damages, you do not necessarily need to work with a lawyer. However, working with one may grant you more time to recover from your injuries and spend time with your family. A lawyer can handle the bulk of the responsibilities that go into recovering compensation.
How Getting a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Could Serve You
When you work with an Illinois truck accident lawyer, their number one goal is to recover compensation for your accident-related losses. The services they provide will be tailored to meet the needs of your particular situation.
However, in general, a truck accident lawyer can:
Identify the At-Fault and Liable Parties
There could be multiple parties who hold fault and liability for your truck accident. Determining who these parties are, however, can become complicated. Your lawyer can determine who or what caused your accident so you can recover compensation for your damages.
Some liable parties in your case could include:
A truck driver. If a truck driver’s actions caused your accident, you could hold them financially accountable for the cost of your accident-related expenses. Some negligent driving behaviors include driving while intoxicated, driving while fatigued, and speeding.
The truck driver’s employer. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees. For instance, if the trucker’s employer was implementing unreasonable delivery schedules or did not drug test employees, they could share responsibility for your losses.
The truck’s maintenance crew. Trucking companies must make sure that their trucks are safe to drive. Poorly maintained tires, faulty trailer hitches, and stuck accelerators can all cause accidents.
A government department. The government is responsible for maintaining roadways. If an ill-maintained roadway caused or contributed to your truck accident, you could have a case against the overseeing agency.
Calculate the Cost of Your Expenses
As you recover from your injuries or care for a loved one, you may not fully understand the cost of your damages. Medical bills, lost income, and property damage costs can quickly accumulate over time.
However, your lawyer can review your collision-related invoices, receipts, and billing statements to determine the value of your expenses. The basis of their findings will give them an idea of what constitutes a fair settlement offer.
Some of your compensable truck accident losses may include:
Health care costs
Rehabilitation expenses
Property damage losses
Lost income, tips, bonuses, and employee benefits
Diminished future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Disability
Disfigurement
After reviewing your situation, your lawyer can explain what other damages you may be able to recover.
Gather Evidence of Negligence
To support your insurance claim or lawsuit, you will need to use evidence. You may already have some pieces of evidence in your possession. If not, your lawyer can get them for you.
Some pieces of evidence that could support your case include:
Photos of your injuries. When negotiating a settlement, you will want to demonstrate the severity of your injuries. You can do this by taking photos throughout your recovery period.
Your employment records. If you suffered serious injuries, you might have missed time from work, resulting in a loss of income. Your employment records can demonstrate how much time you missed from work and whether your earning power was affected.
There are other pieces of information that could help your case. Your lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding your truck accident so you can move forward from this difficult time.
Your lawyer can also manage communications between the parties involved in your accident and protect you against any bad faith insurance practices that could threaten the success of your case.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Can Advocate for Your Legal Rights
You may have many questions regarding when you should get a lawyer for a truck accident. At the end of the day, getting legal representation is your decision. You may be able to handle your truck accident claim on your own. However, if you experience any difficulty resolving your case, you should consider how an Illinois truck accident lawyer could help you.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, we are determined to bring a fair resolution to your case. Per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you typically have two years to file a truck accident lawsuit in Illinois. For that reason, you should consider getting a lawyer as soon as you can.
You can discuss your legal options with a member of our team in a free case review. To get started, dial (312) 223-1700.
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Truck Accident?
(312) 223-1700