How Will My Family Be Taken Care of in the Event of an Accident With a Truck?
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serious truck crash can leave you with catastrophic injuries or result in the loss of a loved one. If you experience serious injuries or lose a close family member to a negligent truck driver, a personal injury lawyer can help you. In addition to emotional stress, the mounting medical bills and a loss of income can overwhelm any family. Civil action against those liable for your injuries or your loss may help you find justice and secure financial compensation.
Common Injuries Associated With Truck Accidents
A passenger vehicle is no match for a large semi-truck. According to the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), semi-trucks are 20-30 times heavier than passenger vehicles. The FMCSA reports that trucks weigh an average of 40 tons—compared to the average 2 tons of a passenger vehicle.
The massive weight of a truck can result in serious injuries, or death, in the event of a collision with your car. Examples of common types of injuries associated in such accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
These are just a few examples of the types of injuries possible in a
tragic crash with a semi-truck. These types of injuries can leave you with extensive medical bills and result in a long recovery or permanent disability. The
costs associated with a spinal cord injury alone can reach millions of dollars throughout the victim’s lifetime.
Your life may never return to how it was before the accident and that is not fair. Securing legal representation is essential for protecting your family’s best interests. Most personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations and there is often no attorney’s fee unless they collect damages for you. You have nothing to lose by discussing your case with a personal injury lawyer today.
Possible Types of Compensation for Your Truck Accident Injuries
While each personal injury case is different, the details of your accident and injuries may qualify you for:
- Medical costs: emergency transport to the hospital, doctor bills, and continuing costs such as therapy and medications.
- Lost income from your time away from work during your recovery.
- Compensation for diminished earning capacity—if your injuries prevent you from returning to the career you had before the accident.
- Pain and suffering.
Determining liability for your accident injuries is important. A personal injury lawyer understands how to investigate your accident to identify those responsible for your injuries. Official police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos are all valuable evidence. Medical reports regarding your injuries and your medical bills are also important documents for pursuing civil action.
Illinois Wrongful Death Law
Losing your loved one in an accident with a truck is especially devastating. If your loved one left home, never to return due to a drowsy, distracted, or
speeding truck driver, discuss your case with a lawyer. You may qualify for a
wrongful death claim and a possible lawsuit.
Wrongful death damages typically involve:
- Final medical costs associated with your loved one’s care.
- Funeral, burial, or memorial costs.
- Loss of income and potential future earnings.
- Loss of companionship.
Illinois has a statute of limitations for wrongful death. If you miss the deadline for filing your case, you may lose your opportunity for possible compensation forever. That time can pass quickly as you mourn the loss of your loved one. Do not miss your chance for justice and for the compensation your family needs during this most difficult time, so call a truck accident lawyer immediately.
How to Protect Your Best Interests
When you experience a serious injury due to an accident with a truck, your medical bills start to mount immediately. That is why your family may feel tempted to accept an initial settlement offer from an insurance company. While the offer could seem like a fair amount, it most likely will not cover your future medical needs.
If you lost a loved one, your time of grief is no time to deal with insurance companies. Their high-pressure tactics only add to your stress during this difficult time. By allowing a personal injury lawyer to handle the details of your case, you can focus on the recovery process for you and your family.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer on Your Side
A truck accident lawyer fights for the rights of accident victims. They understand how insurance companies try to deny or to delay the compensation victims deserve. The right truck accident lawyer will not stop until they secure the best possible outcome of your case. If they can’t reach a fair settlement out-of-court, they are ready and willing to go to trial.
Time is of the essence due to the statute of limitations. The statute allows two years for a personal injury case against most defendants. If you were seriously injured due to no fault of your own in an accident involving a truck, give careful thought to contacting a truck accident lawyer.
Rising medical costs, mounting medical bills, and a lack of income—all due to another party’s negligence—are a significant burden for your family. No one should pay out-of-pocket for expenses that result due to a reckless truck driver or a truck with faulty brakes.
Pursuing civil litigation takes time. The sooner a personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case, the sooner they can determine the best course of action for you. Your bills will not wait, and neither should you.
Do not let insurance companies pressure you into accepting less than you deserve. Having a lawyer on your side can comfort you in knowing you are not alone and that someone is protecting your best interests. If you experienced serious injuries or you lost a close loved one in an accident that was due to negligence, let a truck accident lawyer review your case for free today.
