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Lake Forest Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucks are valued for their capacity to transport goods and services to businesses and consumers across the country. Unfortunately, though, large commercial trucks can cause serious injuries when they are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Furthermore, even with rules and regulations in place to keep trucks operating safely on the roads, these kinds of crashes are all too often the result of a truckerâs negligent actions.
When you are injured in an accident with a commercial truck, you may have grounds for a legal case that an established injury attorney could help you with. A Lake Forest truck accident lawyer could guide you through the process of pursuing damages for your losses, and in doing so work to put you on the road to recovery.
Common Causes of Lake Forest Truck Accidents
Drivers of commercial trucks are often under intense pressure to reach their destinations as quickly as possible. This stress may cause them to drive for longer stretches than allowed, drive too fast, or become drowsy while drivingâall of which can contribute to the likelihood of an accident.
The most common causes of truck crashes include:
- Inattention, or being distracted by texting or eating
- Reckless drivingâfor example, by ignoring traffic signs and making improper land changes
- Speeding
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
- Not adjusting to adverse or inclement weather conditions, particularly snow and ice
Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
Truckers, like other motorists, owe a duty of care to other drivers to operate their vehicles in a reasonable manner. When they do not, a cause of action for negligence may arise if their carelessness leads to an accident that causes injury to someone else.
In order for a plaintiff to successfully bring a claim for injuries suffered in an accident involving a commercial truck, they must establish that the other driver was negligent by proving four critical elements:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty
- The defendant breached their duty
- The defendantâs breach directly caused the plaintiffâs injuries
- The plaintiffâs injuries resulted in actual damages
Even if a plaintiff contributes to an accident by their own actions while driving, they may still recover damages under the stateâs comparative law doctrine as long as they were not completely at fault. The number of damages that can be awarded, however, would be reduced by the percentage of the plaintiffâs fault.
Available Damages
Automobile drivers involved in a crash with a truck may suffer extensive injuries, primarily due to the uncommonly large size and weight of tractor-trailers and other such commercial vehicles. To help make them whole again following an accident, victims may be awarded compensatory damages for losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
In certain cases, a plaintiff may also be awarded punitive damages if the truckerâs behavior was particularly egregious, such as driving while under the influence. A Lake Forest truck accident lawyer could help individual clients determine how much their cases may be worth in terms of potential restitution.
How a Lake Forest Truck Accident Attorney Could Help
Truck drivers often work for big companies with large insurers who represent them. When you suffer injuries in an accident with a truck, a Lake Forest truck accident lawyer could help you fight for your rights against these experienced firms and seek the compensation you deserve. To schedule an initial consultation and get started on your case, call today.