Truck accidents have the potential to cause devastating harm. When you are struck by a large 18-wheeler, the consequences can be life-altering. These massive vehicles carry tons of weight and can easily spin out of control. When the accident was the result of a driver’s or trucking company’s negligence, they should be held responsible. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in this type of crash, consider calling an experienced Elgin truck accident lawyer to represent you. A skilled personal injury attorney could assemble the best possible case for you to win compensation.
In many situations, the truck driver is responsible for the accident. Truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and not harm others. When they breach that duty, and it causes harm to another person, they can be held financially responsible for their actions.
Truck drivers are often overworked and overtired. Those long hours make it easy to fall asleep, lose focus, or become distracted. Other drivers may be talking or texting on their phones. Distracted driving is a major aspect of many motor vehicle crashes, including truck accidents.
A trucking company might also be responsible for the victim’s injuries. Under a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, an employer is held responsible for the acts of its employees while they are acting within the scope of their employment. Drivers operating a truck for a trucking company are acting within the scope of their employment, and their negligence can be held against the employer. The big company provides a better source of potential recovery than a single driver can.
Companies can also be held responsible when there is improper maintenance, defective parts, negligent hiring of unqualified drivers, and other scenarios. Going up against big trucking companies can be incredibly difficult without experienced legal counsel. A dedicated truck collision lawyer in Elgin could handle these complex cases.
Cars, pickup trucks, and motorcycles stand no chance against the large size and weight of 18-wheelers. This means that the potential injuries a person might suffer in a wreck are incredibly severe. Injuries from truck crashes often include, but are not limited to:
For those who are injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, it is crucial to have someone on their side who knows how to maximize the recovery to include all relevant injuries. Proving driver or company negligence in truck wreck cases can be incredibly complex but an Elgin attorney could present a plaintiff’s case to seek the best possible outcome.
After identifying the relevant injuries, a local lawyer could ask for the following to be accounted for in the damages award: medical bills (past and future), rehabilitation expenses, lost work earnings, pain and suffering, and even wrongful death if it applies to the case. Not every claim may warrant all of these damages, which is why representation should analyze the individual situation and provide guidance.
Truck accidents have the potential to be catastrophic and you deserve to have knowledgeable representation throughout the claims process. Financial compensation for your injuries is possible in cases where a truck driver or trucking company has been negligent. To get a free consultation of your unique case, contact an Elgin truck accident lawyer and seek the compensation you deserve.