Driving can be a dangerous activity. If you think about it, you might be one slight twitch of the steering wheel away from a bad accident. With so many people operating heavy machinery at high speeds and in close proximity to one another, especially in and around Chicago, there is a high risk that comes with being on the road.
One of the most dangerous situations is a motor vehicle accident with a truck. Whether it is an 18-wheeler or a smaller delivery vehicle, trucks tend to outweigh most vehicle passengers by a fair amount, making them more dangerous in collisions. Their size also makes them harder to maneuver and they take longer to stop, which is why you should always be careful when driving past or next to a truck.
Unfortunately, accidents involving trucks happen fairly often. Injuries sustained in these collisions are typically more life-threatening than in passenger vehicle accidents, which could mean long recovery periods, or in the worst cases, death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may want to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer in Chicago for several reasons.
Starting a Personal Injury Claim
Knowing what to do after a vehicle accident is not always easy if you have never been in a collision before. At the accident scene, you’ll want to get to safety, check for injuries, and record information. But what you do in the days and weeks after can have a big impact on your future. One of the biggest steps you might need to take is filing a personal injury claim. If you believe the truck driver was responsible for the accident, you may have the right to compensation to cover the damages suffered. Losses like medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and emotional suffering could be covered with a payout from the insurance company or the trucking company. However, you’ll want to work with a lawyer on the claim to give you a better chance of succeeding.
Assessing Damages
The damages that occur because of a truck accident could be severe. In the best scenarios, your vehicle may be damaged and there might be a couple of bruises or cuts. Insurance would likely cover the property damage, so there may be no need for a personal injury claim. In the worst circumstances, a loved one may die as a result of the collision, or you could suffer life-altering injuries. Damages for this situation could include extensive medical bills, lost income, and even funeral costs. If negligence on the part of the truck driver was involved, then you deserve justice and to be compensated for your losses. Although there is no monetary value to the life of a loved one, you can at least set your family up to have a financial future. A lawyer will help you assess the damages from the accident to determine a compensation package.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
One of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case is obtaining the compensation that will cover all your losses. Either the insurance company or trucking entity will want to avoid a huge payout and will therefore make a low offer initially. Many injured victims are tempted to take this initial amount and start moving on, even if they could receive more. Working with a truck accident lawyer who is prepared to negotiate can help you obtain a fairer settlement. They have the experience needed to help you get what you deserve so that your financial future is secure.
Caring for Your Family
The weight of the costs that come from a truck accident could be overwhelming. Perhaps you are the main source of income for your family and you will be out of work for a long time during recovery. Maybe the emotional trauma of the event has destroyed your mental health and therefore your quality of life. Fair compensation, though it might seem like haggling over money, can help you care for your family after this tragic event. The money that you may not earn at work anymore can be made up for with the compensation package. If a loved one is killed in an accident, the settlement could at least help the family grieve properly by covering funeral costs. Caring for your family after this type of event is important, so contact a lawyer to build a strong case for your claim and earn a fair settlement.
Don’t Hesitate to Seek Legal Assistance
With all personal injury claims, there is a statute of limitations. Even without this limit, claims can take a while and it may be months before you are awarded a compensation package. To learn about your options and see if you have grounds for a personal injury case, reach out to a lawyer soon after the accident so you can secure your financial outlook as soon as possible.
