Truck Crash Lawyers in Litchfield, IL
Call 866-382-4167 for a Complimentary Case Review.
Truck Crash Lawyers Litchfield, IL. Truck crashes can have ruinous consequences that go far beyond a standard car accident. After suffering an injury in a truck accident, you're probably facing a mountain of medical expenses and possibly months, years or even a lifetime of further treatment. If you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you need an attorney by your side to make sure you are fairly compensated. The experienced and devoted Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers at Halvorsen Klote are here to fight on your behalf and help you recover the compensation you are owed. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a truck driver or trucking company's negligence, speak to our Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.
Is it Worth it to Get Litchfield, IL Truck Crash Lawyers?
If a negligent person or organization injured you, then you definitely need to hire a lawyer. Truck drivers and trucking companies have expensive insurance policies and their insurance adjusters will put a lot of hours into trying to lower your financial recovery. The catastrophic ramifications of truck accidents go well beyond a common fender bender that you might be able to manage yourself. Your Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers at Halvorsen Klote know how to suitably value, negotiate and recover for you the recovery you are entitled to. In addition to standing up to the trucking company, veteran and knowledgeable truck crash lawyers will:
- Gather and analyze evidence, including:
- The truck's black box
- Video footage from the truck's cab
- Close-by surveillance video
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- The accident site
- Employer records
- Maintenance records
- Manage the entire legal process
- Review your medical records
- Work with medical and auto accident experts to determine negligence and suitably calculate the value of your claim
- Keep in constant communication with you
- Take your case to trial if we cannot secure a fair settlement offer
Our Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers know how to get you the full financial recovery you deserve. We charge no attorney's fees unless you get the full compensation you deserve.
Litchfield, IL Truck Crash Lawyers: The Statistics
Any Litchfield, IL motor vehicle accident can cause catastrophic injuries or, in the worst cases, wrongful death. People who were injured as the result of truck accidents are at particularly high risk because of the force that truck accidents carry both on city roads and on highways. Despite accounting for just 4 percent of registered vehicles, trucks cause 9 percent of traffic related fatalities. In fatal truck accidents, Almost three-quarters of people killed in truck accidents were occupants of passenger vehicles, not the truck. Most trucks are 20-30 times heavier than standard vehicles and take 20-40 percent more time to come to a complete stop.
Because truck accidents in Litchfield, IL are so high-risk, there are stringent regulations that truck drivers and truck companies must act in accordance with. When they break those rules and you are subsequently injured through no fault of your own, you need to get in touch with the Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote to get the financial recovery you are owed.
How Much Is My Litchfield, IL Truck Accident Case Worth?
There are three types of damages that you can receive after a truck accident: economic damages, non-economic damages and, rarely, punitive damages.
Economic damages offer you a recovery for the financial harm you've incurred because of your injuries. Examples include:
- Property damage
- Medical costs, such as
- Emergency visits
- Other appointments
- Tests and procedures
- Crutches or other assistive devices
- Chiropractic care or physical rehabilitation
- Any reasonably foreseen future expenses, such as medication
- Money lost from not being able to work while you were recovering
- Lost earning potential if your injuries prevent you from earning a living like you used to
- Other expenses such as needing to hire services for help with household chores
Non-economic damages offer you a recovery for the less tangible ways your life has been impact, like the physical and emotional pain of your injuries. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Stress
- Loss of ability to enjoy life
- Scarring
- Inconvenience
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are uncommon and are are only given out when the person you are suing was grossly negligent, for example, in a drunk or reckless driving accident.
How much your personal injury claim is worth will be based on the seriousness of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and how hard your truck crashes lawyers are willing to work for you. Call Halvorsen Klote today at 866-382-4167 to learn more about what we can do for you.
Who Can My Litchfield, IL Truck Crash Lawyers Find Liable for My Injuries?
Each truck accident is different, and who we can hold accountable depends on how and why your specific crash happened. The experienced and capable Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers at HK Law will conduct a full investigation into your crash to find every party we can hold accountable. Below are some of the common causes of truck accidents and the people and organizations our truck crash lawyers can seek compensation from.
The Driver
According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration, nearly nine-tenths of truck accidents are caused by driver error. Examples of driver negligence:
- Distracted driving, including driving while
- Texting, or using their phone in any manner
- Eating or drinking
- Using tobacco
- Adjusting temperature controls or the radio
- Focusing on something on the side of the road
- Lost in thought
- Driving while fatigued
- Drunk driving, or being under the influence of drugs
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving too fast for road conditions
If you were injured because a truck driver did not do their job adequately and disregarded your safety, call Halvorsen Klote's semi-truck accident lawyers today to take the first step in obtaining a full financial recovery for all of your damages.
The Truck Company
Truck companies owe the same duty of care to people on Litchfield, IL roads that truck drivers do. Semi-trucks commonly drive hundreds of thousands of miles a year and consequently they need to be maintained properly. While trucks are often pulled over for inspection, there are simply too many on the Litchfield, IL roads for the Department of Transportation to be able to verify every semi-truck's safety. That's why consistent maintenance and repairs is essential for the safety for everyone on the road.
Additionally, truck companies have a responsibility to their drivers are not overworked. Some studies demonstrate that driving with less than four hours sleep within 24 hours can be worse than drunk driving. There are stringent laws regarding the amount of miles a truck driver can drive in one day and how often they are supposed to take breaks. The hours of service regulations are:
- An 11-hour driving limit after 10 straight hours not driving;
- A 14-hour driving limit followed by 10 consecutive hours off duty, even if they were not on duty all 14 of those hours;
- A 30-minute driving break if a truck driver has driven more than eight consecutive hours without a 30-minute break;
- A 60/70-hour limit in 7/8 straight days, and a driver may only restart the 7/8 straight day period after having 34 or more hours off-duty.
Unfortunately, some Litchfield, IL truck companies are worried more about their profits than they do about doing what's right. If you were injured in a truck crash because a driver was fatigued, it may be because they felt pressure from their bosses to keep driving even when they had already exceeded driving limits.
Finally, truck companies must only hire drivers who are capable of driving safely. Truck drivers need a Commercial Driver License in order to legally drive a semi-truck. If a truck company hires a driver who is untrained, has a history of drunk driving or has another criminal conviction that precludes them from driving a truck, they can be held responsible for their negligent hiring practices.
The Truck Manufacturer and Mechanics
Like car manufacturers, anyone that designs or produces trucks has an obligation to make sure they are safe to reach the market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that any part that creates "unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident" must be taken off the market.
Similarly, if a mechanic notices an issue and does not repair it or does not repair it correctly, Halvorsen Klote's truck crash lawyers can also file a claim against them.
The Shipping Company
Cargo needs to be properly loaded so that the weight distribution is balanced. Shifting cargo could cause the truck to roll-over and injure you. If the shipping company failed to load their cargo correctly, you can also file a claim against them.
A Governmental Entity
Roadway hazards such as potholes, loose guard rails or defective traffic lights can cause truck accidents. Governments have a duty to maintain the safety of our roadways and when they neglect that duty you may be able to hold them accountable with the help of experienced and talented Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers. Third party contractors hired to repair the hazards insufficiently may also be included in your claim.
The personal injury lawyers at HK Law have experience arguing and winning a wide array of personal injury cases. Check out the links below to see more about the services we offer.
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Contact Your Litchfield, IL Truck Crash Lawyers Today | HK Law
If you have been harmed in a truck accident because someone else was negligent, the devoted and talented truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will take up your case. You should not have to worry about exorbitant medical expenses and lost wages because of somebody else's recklessness. Let us fight for you to win you the recovery you deserve. Call us today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online to learn more about how the Litchfield, IL truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote can help you.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
