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Large vehicles on the road are dangerous as multiple tons of steel, rubber, and cargo traveling at high speed can result in devastating injury should something go wrong. Truck accidents can cause huge amounts of damage to vehicles and their occupants. Life-threatening injuries are also not uncommon in these accidents.
Physical and emotional recovery in the aftermath of a truck accident can be very difficult. Recovering from such an accident may be further complicated by the financial trauma that may be associated with such an event. Enormous medical bills and long-term rehabilitation costs coupled with lost wages and potentially diminished earning potential can be devastating.
If you suffered an injury in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other truck you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contacting an experienced Orland Park truck accident lawyer may the first step to recovering that compensation. A dedicated attorney can relentlessly pursue your legal right to compensation arising from an Orland Park truck accident.
Many truck collisions occur as a result of negligence. This is a term that refers to a driver failing to exercise a reasonable degree of care on the road and causing serious injury. All drivers on the road owe others a duty to act reasonably – meaning they must obey the rules of the road, drive responsibly given the conditions, and make rational choices while behind the wheel. When a driver fails to adhere to their duties on the road and, through their actions or failures and they cause a wreck, they may be held responsible for the injuries that result from their behavior.
Truck accidents can cause incredibly debilitating injuries. Even modern cars with their high crash-test ratings can crumble when facing the sheer kinetic power of a larger vehicle, causing serious injuries to the occupants. The size of the vehicle is one of the reasons why collisions involving trucks can be more severe than accidents with only cars.
If an individual suffers an injury in an accident, they may be able to recover damages for any or all of the following:
It is important to note that Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state. This means the total amount of compensation awarded to a plaintiff may be diminished proportionally to their level of fault in the accident or could be barred entirely if they are more than 50 percent responsible. For example, if someone was 20 percent responsible for an accident and is awarded $100,000 in damages, the total final recovery would be $80,000.
While hard numbers generated by medical bills and lost wages are relatively easy to calculate, determining damages for pain and suffering can be quite difficult. In Illinois, courts can turn to a wide array of factors in determining a reasonable amount of compensation for pain and suffering.
These factors may include the nature and severity of the injuries, immediate and long-term physical and mental pain caused by the injuries, any impairment of someone’s normal activities caused by the accident, the aggravation of preexisting conditions brought on by the injuries, and/or physical disfigurement caused by the accident.
The Illinois Supreme Court does not impose a limit on damages for pain and suffering, believing such caps are unconstitutional. However, there are exceptions that an experienced truck accident attorney in Orland Park can explain.
If you suffered an injury in an accident involving a truck, an Orland Park truck accident lawyer could help you understand your legal right to recovery and pursue any legal claims you may have.
Their passion is working to assist you in recovering the maximum amount possible given the unique circumstances of your accident and injury. Start the journey to recover – contact a passionate attorney today.