Colliding with an 18-wheeler in the Chicago area can be much scarier than colliding with a car. Because trucks are more than twice the size of cars, they have the potential to do a lot more damage. If you’re injured in a truck accident and know you aren’t at fault, it’s important to determine who caused your accident.
Truck accident lawsuits can be complex because truck drivers are often employed by a trucking company. Even if you know the truck driver caused your accident, you may have to sue their employer to recover a settlement. If you want to get the most money possible for your accident, you should get help from a Chicago truck accident lawyer. With legal support, you can feel confident fighting your case.
The best way to maximize your truck accident settlement is to prove who’s at fault. It’s possible the truck driver caused your accident, but other factors may have also been at play. If the truck driver collided with you, for example, it may have been because their truck malfunctioned.
A truck malfunction can be the fault of the truck manufacturer or a trucking repair company. It’s also possible that a roadway hazard caused the accident. If the roadway hazard was the fault of a road repair company, then they may be to blame. Investigating the scene of your accident can help you identify all at-fault parties.
A successful truck accident lawsuit must include evidence to support any claims you make. For example, if you think the truck driver was at fault because they were driving under the influence, you’ll need a toxicology report from the police to prove it.
You can also use evidence such as video footage, witness statements, and your medical records. Connecting the negligence of the defendant to your injuries will show the judge and jury that you deserve compensation for your suffering.
The judge and jury will determine the value of your claim by looking at the damages you suffered in your truck accident. You may have suffered both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages will comprise your financial losses, which can include medical expenses, property damage to your vehicle, and lost income from time you’ve taken away from work. Non-economic damages will comprise non-financial losses, which can include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium, and emotional distress.
If you want to increase the amount of money you receive in your lawsuit, you should hire a Chicago truck accident lawyer from Lane & Lane, LLC to negotiate for you. A lawyer can convince all parties involved that you need the maximum amount of money to move forward in life with the least amount of suffering possible.
If you’re ready to discuss your case with us in greater detail, call 312-332-1400 to schedule a free consultation or check out our website to learn more.