Panel Truck Accidents
Experienced Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyers Helping Victims in the Chicago Area
As windowless cargo vans, panel trucks are built on a truck chassis. While they may be smaller than large commercial trucks, panel trucks can cause dire harm when involved in a crash, due to their structure and size. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a panel truck accident caused by poor braking ability or another issue, the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can help. We pursue compensation on behalf of victims throughout the Chicago area. Our attorneys have decades of litigation experience and provide personal attention to victims as we fight for their right to compensation.
Recover Compensation from All At-Fault Parties After a Panel Truck Accident
Extensive property damage and physical injuries can accompany a panel truck accident. Injured victims have the right, according to Illinois law, to file a personal injury claim against all of the parties that may be responsible for causing the crash. In many injury claims after a truck accident, victims assert the legal theory of negligence. Essentially, victims claim that the driver, or the truck owner or employer, failed to exercise due care, and this directly caused an accident. Due to the size and weight of panel trucks, drivers are expected to operate their vehicles as other truck drivers would handle them under similar circumstances.
Truck drivers and employers are also required to meet rules and regulations set forth by federal and state laws. A violation of a law designed to protect the safety of the driver and others on the road may be evidence of legal fault. For example, maintenance regulations require inspection and care of the truck and its components. If the driver or the panel truck owner failed to abide by these rules, and, for example, low tire pressure led to a loss of control of the vehicle and caused a crash, this may support a finding of liability.
Panel trucks are windowless, and visibility issues may affect the driver’s ability to safely maneuver their vehicle. If another motorist or pedestrian is injured due to the careless conduct of a driver, that driver may be held liable for the collision. It is expected that all truck drivers are adequately trained in how to properly assess their surroundings before turning, for example. Sudden stop or squeeze play accidents expose the driver to potential liability and in some instances, the trucking company that employs the driver. One legal method of holding a trucking company accountable involves vicarious liability, which would apply if the panel truck driver acted negligently or recklessly while in the course and scope of employment.
A successful claim set forth by a panel truck accident victim may entitle the injured individual and their family to monetary damages. Due to the extensive injuries that often accompany a panel truck collision, the damages amount can be substantial. Carefully accounting for all accident-related costs is important, since victims can recover a high settlement amount that takes into consideration not only past medical care but also the anticipated costs of future treatment.
In some unfortunate circumstances, panel truck accidents can lead to life-altering harm for people involved in a crash. When accident victims are unable to return to their former vocation, they can seek assistance from a vocational expert. These experts focus on helping to retrain injured individuals or strengthen job-related skills. Retaining a vocational expert can be essential to making a full recovery after a truck accident because it can help victims return to meaningful, substantial work.
Contact a Dedicated Lawyer Following a Crash in Chicago or Surrounding Cities
After a truck collision, victims may not fully understand their legal rights and obligations according to Illinois law. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we strive to provide a full range of legal services in a comprehensive and personal manner. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers are well-versed in Illinois and federal trucking laws, and we have many years of experience overcoming potential defenses to assertions of fault. Our goal is to recover full compensation for your harm by relying on medical records and documented evidence of the emotional trauma that typically accompanies a crash. If you need to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer, our office can be reached at 312-724-5846 or online. We have helped people recovering from the devastating effects of a truck collision throughout Illinois, including in Chicago, Springfield, Champaign, Aurora, Quincy, Rockford, and other cities in Winnebago, Kane, Cook, Sangamon, and Adams Counties.