Wondering how much you can sue for a truck accident in Illinois? The costs of a serious or fatal truck accident can add up quickly, and, in many cases, they can continue adding up for years or decades to come. This makes it critical to ensure that you are seeking the full financial compensation you and your family deserve when you sue for a truck accident.
So, how much can you sue for a truck accident in Illinois?
The answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances. While all truck accident victims and grieving families are entitled to just compensation, what is “just” in any particular case depends on the specific circumstances involved. In some cases, victims and families may be able to sue for punitive damages as well, and punitive damages awards can substantially increase the amount that victims and their families are able to recover.
We’ll cover compensatory damages in non-fatal truck accident cases first. If you were injured in a truck accident that was the truck driver’s or trucking company’s fault, you are entitled to financial compensation for all of your present and future losses resulting from the accident.
When you sue for a truck accident, your claim should account for the full range of compensatory damages you are entitled to recover, including:
As you can see from this list, the specific amount that you are entitled to recover will depend on several factors. These include the nature and severity of your injuries, your current employment status (and years to retirement), and your family circumstances, among others. When you hire an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will take several steps to accurately calculate the compensatory damages you are entitled to recover. These will typically include steps such as:
Given all of the various factors that go into determining what constitutes “just” compensation for a truck accident, there is not a “standard” settlement amount or verdict. The value of your claim is truly unique to you, and it is up to you (and your lawyer) to make sure you are seeking the full compensation you deserve.
Along with compensatory damages, truck accident victims can also seek punitive damages in some cases. Generally speaking, filing a claim for punitive damages requires proof that the at-fault party (i.e., the truck driver or trucking company) either was grossly negligent or intentionally caused you harm. Given that this is the case, most claims for punitive damages involve driving under the influence, road rage, and other similar types of wrongdoing.
If you have a claim for punitive damages, you can seek a financial award above and beyond the compensatory damages that you are entitled to recover for your accident-related losses. Here too, there are several factors involved in determining how much you should seek—and, to sue for a truck accident involving punitive damages, you will need an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer on your side.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident in Illinois, your family has clear legal rights. You can—and should—seek to hold the at-fault party (or parties) fully accountable, and a key step in this process involves calculating the damages your family is entitled to recover.
Generally speaking, the types of damages that are available in wrongful death cases involving fatal truck accidents include:
This list is not exhaustive, and every case presents unique long-term challenges for the victim’s family. At Coplan + Crane, we are passionate about helping grieving family members in this situation. If you need to sue for a truck accident, we are prepared to do everything we can to help you and your family recover.
If you need to know more about asserting your legal rights after a serious or fatal truck accident in Illinois, we invite you to get in touch.
Call 312-982-0588 or contact us online for a FREE, no-obligation case evaluation with an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney. We help clients across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.
