Knowing how to find the right truck accident lawyer for your Illinois injury case is critical to the success of your claim. If you choose an inexperienced attorney, or one who doesn’t have your best interests in mind, you could lose out on the opportunity to recover substantial compensation for your losses. First, try to select a lawyer with plenty of experience handling truck accident cases similar to yours. There are other aspects to consider as well, such as overall experience, reputation, and trial experience.
To find out whether you have a truck accident case, call Ankin Law at 312-600-0000 to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney. We offer free consultations.
What Is the Role of a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents frequently occur in Illinois. In fact, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reported that out of 295,604 motor vehicle accidents in 2021, 3.8% involved tractor-trailers. Many of these accidents result in injuries that warrant compensation from a liable party.
If you sustained injuries and other damages in a truck accident because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation with a claim or lawsuit. However, navigating these cases on your own could compromise them, as you might say something that inadvertently deems you liable even if you weren’t, or you might not know the true value of your case and settle for less than it’s worth.
Having a truck accident lawyer by your side can significantly increase the chances of succeeding with a truck accident claim or suit. The key is knowing how to find truck accident lawyers who can help you file your claim.
Lawyers that sue trucking companies, drivers, or other liable parties will provide various services that can prove invaluable to your case, such as:
Gathering Evidence and Proving Fault
One of the primary tasks a truck accident attorney performs involves collecting evidence, organizing it, and using it to prove liability.
Some of the many types of evidence involved in these cases include:
- Medical records, bills, and receipts for diagnoses and treatment
- Police reports
- Photos and video footage of the accident, injuries, and property damage
- Receipts for replacing or repairing damaged property
- Journals detailing your personal experience following an accident
This and other evidence can go a long way in helping show how the accident occurred and proving the nature of your injuries.
Using this evidence, your attorney could also identify one or more liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, or others who contributed to the accident.
Calculating Compensation
Your attorney will also help you calculate compensation to determine the final settlement for your case. This settlement could include economic, non-economic, or wrongful death damages. In rare instances, truck accident injury victims may also be able to recover punitive damages.
Economic damages account for all financial losses resulting from an accident, such as medical expenses, lost income, and lost earning capacity due to disability. Meanwhile, non-economic damages refer to pain and suffering, psychological distress, trauma, and other personal losses stemming from your injuries. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are only recoverable in a trial setting with the goal of punishing defendants for gross negligence or malicious intent.
If someone dies in an accident, wrongful death damages could include both economic and non-economic damages along with costs related to the person’s death, including burial and funeral costs.
Calculating the value of your case can help ensure you get total compensation when you sue a trucking company for negligence or file a lawsuit against any other liable party.
Negotiating With Insurers
An attorney can also help negotiate your claim with insurance companies. Insurance companies will often do what they can to avoid paying out the full amount owed to injury victims, especially if there is a lot of money at stake. Insurers may make initial offers that are well below what you can actually recover.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you understand the kind of tactics that insurers use to reduce or reject claims. Your attorney can help you determine the amount of compensation you’re eligible to recover, and can make counteroffers against the insurance company’s offer in an effort to achieve a fair settlement offer.
Additionally, if the other driver’s insurance denied your claim, your attorney can appeal the decision with sufficient evidence.
Preparing Documents
Prior to filing a claim or lawsuit, you will need to prepare a lot of documentation. This task can be overwhelming for people who are new to truck accident cases.
Your attorney can help you prepare and organize the required documents before proceeding with your case. During this time, you can focus on making a full medical recovery while your attorney is working to recover compensation for you.
You might also ask, “How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?” Every accident case has a specific statute of limitations dictating how long a victim has to file a claim or suit. For instance, in Illinois, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident or discovery of injury. Exceptions may apply in your situation, however. Your attorney will identify the statute of limitations applicable to your case, and work to ensure you file on time with all prepared documents.
Taking the Case to Court
While most cases settle during negotiations with insurers, some cases may not result in a satisfactory resolution during this process. If you are unable to settle a claim, you may need to proceed with a trial case.
An attorney with trial experience will be able to prepare a lawsuit to take your case to court if necessary. During the trial process, your lawyer can represent you from the opening statement to the settlement.
This service is essential, as representing yourself in a truck accident case could put it at risk if you don’t have any trial experience.
The Importance of Researching Truck Accident Lawyers
As you learn how to find the right truck accident lawyer, research is a critical step. Don’t settle on the first attorney you come across.
Most truck accident attorneys offer free consultations. During these consultations, you can gauge whether the attorney is a good fit for you and your case. You can ask questions and learn about how the attorney will approach your case.
You may also find that some attorneys might not be willing to handle your case, even if you have a valid claim or lawsuit. By researching multiple attorneys, you may find someone who is willing to handle your claim when another attorney may reject it.
Tips for Selecting the Right Lawyer
To help you locate the best representation, here are some tips on how to find truck accident lawyers as you conduct your research:
Consider Experience
One of the main items to look for when learning how to find truck accident lawyers is experience. Your lawyer should have years of experience handling truck accident cases, and he or she should also know how to handle your specific type of case.
Ask the attorney about whether he or she has handled cases similar to yours and whether those cases were successful. While an attorney may not be able to provide many details, he or she should be able to discuss past successes.
The attorney should also be familiar with the laws in your state, including Illinois personal injury law and those that are specific to truck accidents.
Check the Lawyer’s Reputation
Another factor to think about when researching attorneys is reputation. Look for reviews or testimonials from past clients. Good attorneys will have a long track record of success that clientele can verify.
Don’t simply look for testimonials on the lawyer’s website, either. Check other third-party sources, such as Google and the local bar association, to see if anyone has issued complaints or reported unsatisfactory representation.
Ask About the Lawyer’s Fees
It’s also important to know what kinds of costs you can expect to pay for representation. In most cases, truck accident attorneys charge on a contingency fee basis. This fee model prevents clients from paying any amount to their attorneys until the attorney reaches a settlement. A contingency fee helps keep plaintiffs from paying extra legal fees when covering medical expenses and other costs during the recovery process.
However, attorneys may charge other extraneous fees, such as fees covering the cost of hiring expert witnesses or other professionals to assist with your case. They may also charge other fees to cover court costs if your case goes to trial.
The right lawyer will be transparent about the costs you’ll need to cover through contingency fees or other expenses, ensuring you never experience any unpleasant surprises.
Find the Ideal Lawyer for Your Case
With a better idea of how to find the right truck accident lawyer, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when choosing legal representation for your case. Contact us today at Ankin Law to consult with one of our reputable Chicago truck accident lawyers and find out how we may help you with your claim or lawsuit.