When you have a claim for a commercial truck accident in Chicago, taking action promptly is essential for protecting your legal rights. Unnecessary delays can prove costly; and, if you wait too long to take legal action, you could lose the ability to seek the financial compensation you deserve.
The Chicago trucking accident lawyers at Coplan + Crane have extensive experience handling these difficult cases. If you were hurt by a commercial vehicle, it’s important to understand that trucking lines are often large companies with vast legal teams ready to stand against you. It is crucial that you have a team on your side with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to protect your rights and best interests. Call Coplan + Crane now to discuss your case for FREE.
What do you need to do to protect your legal rights? Here are seven important steps to take after a commercial truck accident in Chicago:
Seeking medical treatment right away is important for protecting your health and your legal rights. By making sure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible, you will help ensure that your medical records help (rather than hurt) your claim for just compensation. If you wait to seek treatment, it will be harder to prove that your injuries resulted from your truck accident—and the insurance companies will try to use this against you.
You should take detailed notes about your truck accident as soon as you are able to do so. Write down everything you can remember about the accident itself as well as the moments leading up to the collision. How were the road and weather conditions? Which direction were you traveling? Which direction was the commercial truck traveling? Were there any traffic signs or signals in the vicinity? These are just a few examples of numerous details that could be critical to your claim for just compensation.
If you took any photos or videos at the scene of your commercial truck accident, be sure to keep these on your phone. If you have any other forms of evidence or documentation (i.e., your copy of the police report), be sure to keep these as well. At this point, anything you have could be important for determining what other evidence may be available.
While it may be tempting to post about your commercial truck accident on social media, you should resist the temptation to do so. You should also avoid discussing your commercial truck accident with insurance adjusters (or anyone else) at this time. If you report the accident to your auto insurance company, simply report where and when the accident occurred. If the adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement, say that you need to talk to your lawyer first.
The costs of a commercial truck accident can add up quickly, and you will want to keep track of these costs to the best of your ability. Do your best to keep copies of your medical bills, receipts, employment records, and any other documentation you receive. Keep track of your daily pain levels as well, and keep a log of all of the other ways your injuries negatively impact your day-to-day life. These are all costs for which financial compensation is available under Illinois law.
When you are recovering from a commercial truck accident, protecting your health and your legal rights should be your top priorities. While getting the care you need is important, it can also be extremely expensive; and, as a result, filing a successful commercial truck accident claim can be critical for your long-term physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Protecting your legal rights starts with hiring an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer to represent you. You will need to hire a lawyer to investigate the accident, determine what claim (or claims) you can file, calculate your accident-related losses, and fight for just compensation on your behalf. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more your lawyer will be able to do to help you. This costs nothing out-of-pocket; and, with contingency-fee representation, you pay nothing unless you win.
Do you need help after a commercial truck accident in Chicago? If so, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. The trucking company may already be building a case against you, so it is important to act quickly.
Contact the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Coplan + Crane today online or at 312-982-0588 for a FREE case evaluation. We help clients across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas. We handle commercial truck accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.
