Commercial trucking companies and their insurers often begin preparing their defense immediately after a serious crash. You deserve someone protecting your interests just as quickly. A Tinley Park truck accident lawyer from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., will protect your rights, investigate the crash, and pursue damages on your behalf.
Since 2002, our firm has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients and brings more than 75 years of combined legal experience to every case. We are known for responsive, personal service because our clients are never treated like case numbers. Our founding attorney’s experience representing an insurance company provides valuable insight into how insurers evaluate and defend claims.
You deserve a legal team that understands what your injuries have cost you. Choose Charlie and let our Tinley Park personal injury lawyer handle the legal work while you focus on getting better. Call us today to discuss the accident during a free consultation.
Our Tinley Park Truck Accident Attorney Will Protect Your Claim
Truck accident claims are often more complicated than other vehicle collisions. In addition to the truck driver, responsibility may extend to the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loading company, or another business involved in the shipment.
Our truck crash lawyer in Tinley Park begins investigating as soon as possible by:
- Reviewing the police report and crash scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Preserving electronic data and driver records
- Obtaining maintenance and inspection records
- Reviewing medical evidence and documenting your losses
- Handling all communication with the insurance companies
If you do not have health insurance, we may also be able to connect you with medical providers who treat patients through a lien arrangement, allowing you to receive care while your case is pending.
Why Commercial Truck Accidents Happen
Truck crashes happen for many different reasons, and identifying the cause is an important part of proving liability.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Following too closely
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Poor truck maintenance
- Defective brakes, tires, or other vehicle parts
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Busy roads such as I-80, I-57, I-294, Harlem Avenue, and U.S. Route 45 see significant commercial truck traffic, increasing the risk of serious collisions in and around Tinley Park.
Who May Be Responsible for a Truck Crash?
More than one party may share responsibility for a truck accident.
Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A freight broker or cargo company
- A maintenance or repair contractor
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part
- Another driver whose actions contributed to the crash
Because several insurance policies may apply, identifying every responsible party can significantly affect the damages available.
How Evidence Can Make a Difference in Truck Crash Claims
Important evidence can disappear quickly after a truck accident. Electronic logging device data, black box information, inspection records, maintenance logs, and dispatch communications may all help explain what happened.
Our team acts quickly to preserve available evidence before it is lost or destroyed. We also gather medical records, witness statements, photographs, surveillance video when available, and other documentation that helps build a strong claim.
What Damages May Be Available?
Every truck accident case is different.
Depending on your injuries and other circumstances, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of a normal life
If a loved one died because of a truck accident, eligible family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Illinois law. Our Tinley Park wrongful death lawyer guides families through the recovery process and handles it for them.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
Illinois generally gives injured people two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims are also typically subject to a two-year deadline from the person’s death date, while property damage claims generally have a longer filing period. In some situations, different deadlines may apply.
Waiting too long can also make it harder to locate witnesses or preserve important evidence. Speaking with a truck collision attorney in Tinley Park from our firm soon after a crash gives your legal team the best opportunity to begin investigating your claim.
What if You Were Partly Responsible for the Crash?
If you played a role in the crash, the trucking company or its insurer may argue that you were partly or fully responsible in an effort to reduce what they pay.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50% responsible, you generally cannot recover damages.
We carefully investigate the facts, challenge unfair accusations, and work to present the strongest possible case on your behalf and recover the damages you are entitled to under state law.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Tinley Park, IL
The steps you take after a crash can affect both your health and your claim.
If you can:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Take photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Exchange information with the truck driver and gather contact information from witnesses.
- Keep your medical records, bills, and other documents related to the crash.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier before speaking with an attorney.
The sooner you involve a lawyer, the sooner important evidence can be preserved, and the insurance company can be directed to communicate with your legal team instead of contacting you directly.
Get Help From Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Tinley Park Today
Recovering after a serious truck accident is difficult enough without trying to deal with trucking companies and insurance adjusters on your own. A truck accident lawyer in Tinley Park from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., will look into what happened, identify everyone who may be responsible, and pursue the full damages available under Illinois law.
Our firm combines the personal attention of a boutique practice with the resources needed to handle complex truck accident claims. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover for you. If you need medical treatment, we may also be able to connect you with providers who accept patients on a lien.
When you want a team that treats you like family instead of a case number, Choose Charlie. Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., today for a free consultation and learn how we can help after a truck accident.
