Black Box Data
Retain a Dedicated Chicago Lawyer to Assist with a Truck Accident Claim
Illinois law provides truck accident victims with the right to pursue monetary damages against a truck driver and trucking company at fault for causing an accident and resulting harm. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, injured individuals and their families receive a comprehensive understanding of their legal options, as well as attentive representation throughout all phases of their legal claims. We understand the devastation that accompanies a truck crash and the importance of proving all of a victim’s injuries in order to recover damages for the full extent of their harm. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys know how to collect evidence such as black box data to show careless conduct. Whether a claim settles privately or proceeds through litigation, our office is prepared to offer dedicated legal representation.
Secure Relevant Evidence in a Truck Accident Lawsuit, Including Black Box Data
Truck accident victims asserting a claim for damages must make clear that the truck driver or trucking company caused the accident. Often, these claims proceed under a negligence theory of law. A victim who pursues a personal injury claim is required to bear the legal burden of proof. Evidence that the driver or company violated the law or engaged in negligent conduct is typically necessary to meet this burden of proof. Whether a driver has failed to comply with federal trucking regulations or has simply failed to pay proper attention behind the wheel, evidence plays a critical role in the strength of a truck accident claim.
Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from speeding to violating federal laws requiring proper truck maintenance and inspection. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency in charge of enforcing laws aimed at keeping truck drivers as well as others on the road safe from foreseeable harm. Examples of FMCSA regulations include updating logbooks and abiding by set hours of regulation. These hours of service requirements seek to deter fatigued truck drivers from operating their massive vehicles on the road, since their fatigued state poses a risk of harm.
Other admissible evidence in a truck accident lawsuit includes electronic data. Victims may rely on this type of evidence to show that a driver violated the law. For example, the “black box” refers to an instrument located within certain commercial trucks. These boxes record specific information regarding the truck’s speed and whether the brakes were working or engaged prior to a collision. Since accident victims must show that the driver or company was at fault, black boxes can be instrumental in proving that a driver caused an accident.
Whether they are relying on evidence set forth in a black box or other data that indicates the negligent conduct of a truck driver, all accident victims must meet their burden of proof in order to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. The types of damages that may be recovered after demonstrating liability include costs for medical treatment, missed wages from work due to injuries, and emotional suffering due to the accident. Quantifiable evidence is necessary in order to fully recover damages, and in some cases, catastrophic injuries require expert testimony that makes clear the full extent of harm and the future costs of treatment.
Truck Crash Attorneys Advocating for Chicago Victims
At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our lawyers bring decades of experience to our representation of people hurt by the carelessness of trucking companies and the drivers whom they employ. To fully understand your legal obligations and rights provided by Illinois law, contact our office at 312-724-5846 or online. We provide legal representation for truck crash victims across Illinois and regularly work on cases in the areas of Chicago, Springfield, Champaign, Aurora, Rockford, Sangamon, and Quincy, as well as other communities in Cook, Winnebago, Kane, and Adams Counties. Our attorneys can help you identify the full range of parties that can be sued after a truck accident so that you can advance your right to compensation.