Championing Your Rights To Recovery After A Car Or Truck Accident

Chicago is a busy city with millions of residents and visitors. With a large number of people moving about, car and truck accidents are common incidents that can result in catastrophic injuries. In 2022, there were a total of 1,151 car accidents in Illinois, with 400 of those accidents occurring in Cook County. In Chicago, accidents commonly occur at busy intersections and highways such as I-190.

Regardless of what caused your accident, you may have a valid personal injury claim. The personal injury attorneys at Zane D. Smith & Associates, Ltd., have over 85 years of combined experience helping clients file successful claims after car and truck accidents. Even if you have concerns that you may be at fault, our lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your case and advise you of your options.

Helping You With Your Next Steps After A Car Accident

In Illinois, all car owners must have insurance. After a car accident, you file a claim with your insurance company and with the other driver’s insurer. While you recover from your injuries, you may begin to receive calls from insurers offering to settle your claim. However, insurance adjusters will try to settle your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. Before accepting any offers, it is best to speak with an experienced attorney.

We will get to work right away on your case by thoroughly examining the evidence and evaluating your legal options to help you determine if you have a valid personal injury claim. To have a valid case, you must show that the other driver involved in your accident acted negligently. This may include speeding, disregarding traffic signs, texting and driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Truck Accidents Can Have Devastating Consequences

Accidents involving large commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers and semi trucks often have devastating consequences and can lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Under federal law, truck drivers have a higher level of responsibility and safety standards to adhere to. When drivers and trucking companies breach these standards, dangerous accidents can occur.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Exhausted drivers
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Due to the sheer size difference between large trucks and normal passenger vehicles, the outcome of an accident can cause severe injuries. Injuries from truck accidents commonly include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, burns and fatalities.

Truck accident claims can be particularly complicated due to the number of parties, and insurance companies, involved. Unlike a regular passenger vehicle accident, a truck accident claim may involve multiple parties such as the driver, trucking company, cargo owner, maintenance company, truck manufacturer and any other negligent parties who contributed to the accident. At Zane D. Smith & Associates, Ltd., we will help you identify the at-fault parties to hold them accountable for your injuries.

Compensation To Help You Move Forward

While no amount of money can erase the trauma, suffering and pain your accident caused, it can help you move forward and hold negligent parties accountable. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may obtain compensation for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and lost future income. Noneconomic damages include mental anguish and pain and suffering. In some severe cases, you can also obtain punitive damages that punish the negligent party for the harm they caused.

Let’s Discuss Your Personal Injury Claim

After a car or truck accident, you may have questions about what to do next. Our attorneys are here to answer your questions, listen to your concerns and provide sound legal guidance. We will help you hold negligent car and truck drivers accountable for your harm and obtain the compensation you need to move forward. To schedule a free consultation at our Chicago office, call us at 312-245-0031 or complete our online contact form to get in touch. Our lawyers speak Russian and Spanish to best help you.