You have suffered the unexpected loss of a loved one because of a negligent truck driver in an Illinois truck accident. While you cope with the emotional needs of your family, trust a Chicago truck accident lawyer to help you file an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit.
Your family has many needs, and without a proper settlement from an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, you may find yourself struggling with high medical and funeral bills and lost wages. If an Illinois truck accident has left your family financially damaged, you have the right to seek compensation.
Filing an Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit
You should seek the help of an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an Illinois truck accident that results in the death of a loved one. Insurance claims alone do not take into consideration the long-term suffering and potential financial damages your family will face following your loss. In many cases, filing an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit is the only way to receive compensation to assist your family in the future.
Your Chicago truck accident lawyer will help you file the necessary paperwork to begin your suit, as well as obtain the proper evidence to support your claim. The better prepared your claim is, the quicker your trial should come to settlement and the more substantial your compensation should be.
Types of Compensation for an Illinois Truck Accident
There are 4 main types of compensation courts typically award in an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit:
- Lost future earning capacity;
- Medical and funeral expenses;
- Loss of companionship; and
- Pain and suffering.
The first two types are fairly easy to determine because past wages can be examined and future earning can be determined. Medical and funeral expenses are tangible bills that can also be easily calculated.
The other two types are more ambiguous as to how they are valued. No one can put a price on the loss of a human life, and it is mostly up to the determination of a judge or jury, as well as the argument of your Chicago truck accident lawyer, as to what sort of compensation is appropriate.
Continue reading for more information on determining the amount of compensation for economic and emotional losses.
If a family member dies as a result of a trucking accident, especially one that was preventable, your life and the lives of your family can be devastated financially and emotionally forever. While nothing can ever truly right the wrong that has been done, you and your family do have legal options that can help you recover financially. An experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer can help you navigate the legal intricacies of filing an Illinois wrongful claim after a fatal truck accident has claimed the life of your loved one.
Illinois Wrongful Death Claim & Trucking Insurance
The Federal Government regulates how much insurance trucking companies must carry. At the very minimum, trucking companies must have at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and the rates only go up from there. For example, trucking companies that carry hazardous wastes have to carry a higher minimum level of insurance.
Illinois Wrongful Death Claim & Trucking Accidents
Like car accidents, the reasons why a trucking accident occurred can be quite complex. For example, truck drivers are only allowed to drive a specific number of hours per day and per week. Sometimes the driver exceeds these hours in order to complete a job. Working too many hours can make a person tired, leading to driver fatigue and truck accidents.Another factor that can contribute to a fatal truck accident is the weight that the truck is carrying. The amount of weight the truck can safely carry is also strictly limited. If the truck is carrying over its weight limit, the truck can be more dangerous.
Truck Company Liability After a Fatal Truck Accident
Trucking companies are required keep documentation about repairs and maintenance on their vehicles. In addition, trucking companies keep records about individual drivers’ activities. However, there is a time limit that trucking companies are required to maintain these records. In some cases, the trucking company can discard the information after 90 days. A qualified Chicago wrongful death lawyer will know how to find key information regarding your case even if the records have been discarded.
Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one to a tragic and preventable accident carries with it an emotional toll that can quickly become overwhelming when funeral costs and medical bills come pouring in, especially if your family relied on the income of the deceased as your main source of financial support. If you have lost a spouse, parent, or other family member because of neglect, you may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible to help your family get back on its feet after your loss.With so much going on during this emotional time, it’s best to have the help of an experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have been helping the families of accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve to move on with their lives. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080
