A rear-end truck accident occurs when a big rig or other commercial vehicle slams into the vehicle in front of it. These accidents are often deadlier than typical motor vehicle crashes because of the size of the trucks compared to passenger vehicles. They can result in severe and even life-threatening injuries.
If you or a loved one has been in a crash, contact the Chicago rear-end truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today. We will compassionately listen to your needs and use all our resources to address them.
Call us at 312-236-2900 or use our online contact form to reach out.
How a Chicago Rear-End Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
The truck driver, trucking company, and anyone else involved will have powerful insurance companies with teams of lawyers on their sides. You deserve to have someone protecting you as well.
When you work with a rear-end truck accident lawyer, they can help you.
Investigate the Accident
It’s important to gather evidence immediately after a truck accident. If you can take pictures and get the names of witnesses, that would be helpful. Even if you can’t, you should call a truck crash lawyer who can begin the process right away.
Your lawyer will obtain the police report and collect information from bystanders, other drivers, and company records. It’s important to send a letter to the trucking company notifying them of a pending lawsuit right away. That way, they will preserve any evidence they have. Later, that information will be shared in the discovery phase.
Work With Read-End Truck Accident Experts
We have a large network of rear-end truck accident experts who we may call to offer an opinion to support your case. Some experts in a case include:
- Accident reconstructionists
- Roadway engineers or truck engineers
- Heavy truck mechanics
- Speed analysts
- Drug and alcohol testing professionals
- Commercial vehicle inspector
- OSHA and hazmat compliance professionals
While experts charge fees for their services, we pay all costs upfront. You are charged nothing unless you win your case. In the long run, an expert opinion can help you get the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Never talk to an insurance company without an attorney. Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible. They often do this by using your own words against you and forcing you to accept partial or complete fault of a rear-end truck accident. Don’t let this happen. Instead, contact a lawyer who can communicate on your behalf.
Your attorney will also negotiate to get you a fair settlement. This can be difficult, as the insurance company will likely try to low-ball you or make you an offer that won’t cover all of your needs. An experienced attorney can properly value your case and make sure you get what you deserve.
Draft Legal Documents
You will have to complete many legal documents and file with the court if you have a truck accident lawsuit. The paperwork must be completed within certain time restrictions and with specific information.
In Illinois, you have two years from the date of your truck accident to file a lawsuit. Let your attorney make sure you meet this deadline, also called a statute of limitations, and any others.
Get You a Settlement or Taking Your Case to Trial
The most important thing an attorney can do for you is get you a truck accident settlement that will cover all of your losses or take your case to court. Deciding which course is right for you can be difficult. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. will analyze your situation and explain your options. Ultimately you will get to decide how to proceed, but we will handle the hard parts.
How Much Is My Rear-End Truck Accident Worth?
You will likely have many expenses after a crash with a truck. Medical bills might pile up quickly, and you may be unable to work. While money cannot make everything better, it can help.
We can help you get compensation for economic and non-economic losses, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
You can also get paid for property damage, but that is typically easier to get from the insurance company than other damages.
Main Causes of Rear-End Truck Accidents
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, as many as 95% of all accidents are caused when a human makes a mistake.
In a rear-end situation, the person who collides with the rear of the vehicle in front of them is almost always to blame. Thus, if a truck hits you from behind, they’re likely at fault.
Common causes for trucks to rear-end other motor vehicles include:
- Inability to stop quickly
- Wide turns
- Failure to see cars in front of them
- Speeding
- Intoxicated driving
- Fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Dangerous roadways
- Inclement weather
- Faulty brakes or other truck parts
- Poor truck maintenance
- Imbalanced load
Who Is Liable for Rear-End Truck Accidents?
The person at fault – often the truck driver – is not always the party that is legally liable. Liability is a legal concept that indicates a party is financially responsible for an accident. That is usually the insurance company. However, there may be multiple insurance companies involved.
First, you need to determine all the people and companies who may have contributed to the accident. That may include the trucker, trucking company, truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, and others.
It’s important to file a claim with all the possible parties who may be liable in your case. If you leave anyone out, you may not get the compensation you deserve.
Rear-End Truck Accident Statistics
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), rear-end collisions cause nearly 2,000 deaths every year and up to 950,000 injuries. Many of those crashes involve 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks.
The NHTSA reports that an average of 42,000 rear-end truck crashes occur every year in the United States. Most of those involve injuries of some kind, including whiplash, back injuries, airbag injuries, head, and brain injuries like concussions, and seat belt injuries.
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Can Help
The truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., know the stress you’re under and the pain you’re experiencing. Let us handle the legal issues for you while you recover your health.
Call us today at 312-236-2900 or use our online contact form to reach out for a free consultation.
