Due to the sheer size and nature of a semi-trailer truck, truck crashes can turn catastrophic in the blink of an eye. Catastrophic accidents and wrongful death can happen due to a wide variety of factors including weather, speeding, following too closely, improper lane changes, reckless driving, improper turns, and a driver’s personal health.
If you have been injured in a big rig accident, the experienced Chicago truck accident attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
Choosing the right truck crash attorney for your case is a vital step in your journey towards recovery and justice. Here are some reasons to consider choosing the attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP:
Awards
Our Chicago accident attorneys and founders Brian LaCien and Todd Smith are renowned for their integrity and diligence handling all types of motor vehicle accident cases, including truck and car accidents in Chicago. They firmly stand by the principle that each client they serve deserves undivided attention. They are active members of the legal community in Chicago and are committed to helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve after a truck crash.
With their collective expertise, our trusted team of Chicago truck crash attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP will ensure you recover maximum compensation for your case. We will guide you through every step of the legal process and are prepared to handle negotiations with insurance companies and trucking companies.
$19+ MILLION
Obtained for the wrongful death of a 29-year-old tow truck driver. Smith LaCien LLP is experienced in both truck accidents and wrongful death suits.
$18.5 MILLION
Obtained for a young woman who was a movie extra during the filming of a car crash stunt in “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon.”
“Smith LaCien was able to get justice and ease my burden from the residual, now lifelong medical issues & financial burden I face. I would highly recommend this firm and send anyone I know, who needs a personal injury attorney, to Smith LaCien. They not only are professional, dedicated, and hard-working but also deliver the results you need. Their vast experience, reputation, and case results speak for themselves!”
– Nicole
No one should try to take on powerful trucking companies and their insurance carriers alone. A diligent, experienced truck accident attorney can maximize your chance for full compensation in the following ways:
If you have questions or are unsure how to proceed, our experienced truck accident lawyers in Chicago can help you handle your truck accident case from start to end.
Injured in a truck wreck?
Contact Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Federal and state government agencies highly regulate truck operations because of the inherent dangers of trucks on the roads. The Federal Highway Administration operating under the US Department of Transportation has set out regulations known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to guide the safe operation of trucks. These federal trucking regulations set the minimum standards for the operation of commercial carriers in interstate commerce. They apply to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles that transport property or passengers in interstate commerce.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act requires every state to have a program to issue commercial driver’s licenses. The FMCSR has been adopted by and applies in Illinois. Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to the regulations, which cover training requirements for truck drivers; preservation of operation records; inspection, repair, and maintenance of trucks, and hours of driving.
These regulations are intended to keep truck drivers and other road users safe from harm. Failure to adhere to these regulations may be sufficient to hold a truck owner or trucking company liable for injuries caused by their truck in a crash.
A truck driver can cause an accident in many ways. They are often forced to work long hours with little or no sleep. Many truck drivers are also given the approval by a trucking company to hit the open road without proper training. With unsafe road conditions and unpredictable weather, they may be ill-equipped to adjust to the changes. Others have a blatant disregard for the safety of those around them.
Truck accidents can be very complex and may involve parties who are not at the scene of the accident. A victim may pursue a claim based on vicarious liability or even product liability.
This is a legal principle that holds a party responsible for the negligent acts of their employees or agents. For example, in a case where the truck driver’s reckless driving causes the victim’s injury, even though the truck owner was not directly negligent, they would be held vicariously liable for the truck driver’s actions. The use of independent contractors and subcontractors in the trucking industry can complicate the task of determining who can be held liable for a victim’s injuries. The Chicago truck accident attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP have the resources and investigative skills to identify the legally responsible parties in your case.
If the truck accident was caused by a defective auto part, the manufacturer or seller of the defective product may be liable for the victim’s injuries. Contacting a Chicago product liability attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your damages.
In some cases, there may be multiple defendants and different bases on which they can be at fault. A thorough investigation into the cause of your personal injury will determine who is liable for your injury and the damages suffered as a result.
Some examples of truck product defects that could lead to manufacturer liability in truck accident cases include the following:
When handling truck accident cases, our goal is to fight for the compensation you deserve. We do so by holding all of the necessary parties accountable – from the truck driver to their employer and their insurance company. Our Chicago truck injury lawyers will examine all areas of your case to build the strongest possible case possible.
Common Injuries in a Chicago Truck Accident
Truck accidents can be particularly devastating due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. These accidents often lead to severe injuries, both for the occupants of the trucks and for other vehicles involved in the collision. Some common types of truck accident injuries our Chicago truck crash attorneys typically see include:
It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention after a trucking accident, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not manifest immediately, and prompt medical evaluation can help identify and treat potential issues early on. Additionally, it’s crucial to consult with a nearby Chicago truck wreck lawyer if you’re involved in a truck accident, as these cases can be complex and may require legal assistance to ensure fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
The aftermath of a truck accident is particularly chaotic and distressing, especially if you’ve sustained serious injuries. If you’re too severely injured to move or trapped inside your vehicle, then remain calm and wait for help to arrive. Nevertheless, if you are in a truck accident, you can help protect your physical and financial health by taking the following steps:
As challenging as it may be to keep a cool head during the traumatic aftermath of a truck accident, by taking these steps you can maximize your chance for physical and financial recovery moving forward.
Our Chicago Truck Wreck Lawyers Are Here To Help
The value of your truck accident claim will depend on the severity of the injuries sustained and the total damages suffered. Truck accidents typically result in severe injuries with life-long consequences. As a victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to recover economic damages including past and future medical costs, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disability, and loss of consortium.
Depending on the surrounding circumstances, you may also be entitled to recover punitive damages where the defendant’s conduct was egregious. Whatever the case, our objective is always to recover the fair and just value of your case.
Having an experienced truck accident attorney handle your case is critical. Smith LaCien LLP has recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements, including a $19 million jury award for the wrongful death of a 29-year-old truck driver. We are here to address your concerns and answer any questions you may have about your truck accident case.
The State of Illinois allows injured victims to claim punitive damages in certain circumstances. Unlike the economic and non-economic damages meant to compensate the injured person for the expenses and pain they’ve experienced due to the injury, punitive damages aren’t meant as compensation at all. Instead, punitive damages serve as a form of “punishment” to the at-fault party in a civil lawsuit. It’s also meant as a deterrent to help prevent a repeat of the action that led to the truck accident. An injury victim may only seek punitive damages if the at-fault party engaged in particularly egregious behavior that led to the accident. In truck accidents, the following circumstances might allow a court to consider punitive damages:
A punitive damage award not only gives extra financial security to accident victims, but it also may help them achieve a sense of justice in their case. Punitive damages are separate from any criminal charges pending in the criminal justice system.
The vast majority of truck accident claims result in an insurance settlement without the need to take a lawsuit into the courtroom. It’s likely that your truck accident claim will settle out of court, so you won’t have to appear before a judge. However, a large trucking company often has very powerful insurance carriers with adjusters whose sole job is to undervalue claims or deny them outright to ensure profitability for their trucking company. An insurance company’s business model depends on taking in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer from Smith LaCien LLP is more than willing to litigate a case in court when necessary and advocate aggressively against powerful insurance companies for full compensation for your injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is best to talk to a Chicago truck accident lawyer near you as soon as possible. For a free consultation, call our law office in Chicago, IL at (312) 509-8900 or fill out the form below. We’re here to help truck accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.
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