In collisions with large commercial trucks, occupants of passenger vehicles are often left with serious injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident, contact the Chicago attorneys at Clifford Law Offices for a free case evaluation. Our decades of experience, in-depth knowledge of personal injury laws, and commitment to our clients mean we will fight for fair compensation for your serious injury or wrongful death claim. In fact, other law firms send clients to us for the most complex truck accident cases because they trust our counsel.
Why Choose Us?
Clifford Law Offices is a nationally recognized law firm based in Chicago, Illinois. We have successfully resolved hundreds of cases across a variety of practice areas in our 30-plus years of experience. Our lawyers have obtained more than $4 billion in damages on behalf of their clients. In a truck accident claim, injuries are often catastrophic, which mean damages could stretch into the hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for your medical care, lost wages, and other issues.
When to See a Lawyer
Trucking companies and their insurers are there to support those industries – they do not have your best interests in mind. Their job is to convince claimants to settle for as little as possible – or, in some cases, for nothing at all. After a trucking accident, victims should have someone to advocate for them – and our attorneys have the experience and compassion to do so fairly and skillfully. Discuss the circumstances of your trucking accident as soon as possible after the incident to preserve evidence and establish fault. Trucking accidents don’t always mean the driver is at fault – it could be the company, the maintenance fleet, or even the truck’s manufacturer.
Because liability can be difficult to determine, it’s best to discuss your case with a lawyer.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, recent data for Illinois showed approximately 11,769 collisions involved tractor trailers – 80 of these were fatal. Statistically, big rig accidents are fatal at a higher rate than standard passenger vehicle collisions. Commercial truck accidents accounted for 3.8% of all crashes in Illinois, but 8.8% of fatal crashes in 2015.
Determining cause is the first step to discovering who might be at fault – and it may be more than one party. If you are a victim of such an accident, avoid apologizing or admitting fault. Instead, cooperate with investigators and give the facts of the case as you know them to be true. Investigators may use evidence such as the truck’s black box or the driver’s cell phone records to determine the cause. Common causes include:
- Truck driver error or negligence
- Broken commercial trucking rules
- Improperly loaded/secured cargo
- Equipment malfunction
- Dangerous roadways
Regardless of who or what you believe caused your recent Chicago truck accident, call (312) 899-9090 to discuss your claim with one of our attorneys. We have extensive experience handling these claims and know how to determine and prove fault.
Determining Liability
Liability for a trucking accident often falls on the trucking company. In trucking accidents where the driver is at fault, in most cases, courts hold truck companies responsible for accidents involving their trucks and drivers, even if the company does not technically employ the driver or own the truck. Trucking companies are vicariously liable for the misconduct of their drivers, as well as for acts of negligence such as not following proper procedures in hiring and training procedures. Other potential liable parties include cargo companies, third-party drivers, and the city of Chicago for an unsafe roadway.
Contact Us Today
At Clifford Law Offices, we treat clients like our own family, responding as soon as possible to all calls, emails, and other types of communication. Our clients can expect to be well-informed and updated on the status of their truck accident claim. Our reputation will give your case immediate weight to insurance companies. For a free consultation regarding your truck accident case, contact us now.
Resources:
Breaking Down the Definition of a Commercial Vehicle
Knowing the Types of Commercial Vehicles Could Affect Your Truck Accident Claim
What You Need to Document Right After a Truck Accident
Break Down the Definition of a Commercial Vehicle
4 Things You Should Look for When Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
