Prominent Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Serving All of Illinois
With more than 25 years of experience representing clients in truck accident injury and wrongful death cases throughout Illinois, the attorneys at Cogan & McNabola have learned a lot about truck accident cases. The fact is that litigation involving trucks and commercial vehicles is different from car accident claims. If you were injured in a truck wreck or lost a loved one in a truck accident in Illinois, here are some factors you should be aware of as you consider whether to seek legal help:
Truck companies are often quick to blame the victim: Many truck companies have private accident investigators on the scene of a truck accident immediately. The investigator's job is to look for every opportunity to claim that you, the injured driver or passenger of the car, were somehow at fault for making the truck driver stop or swerve suddenly. Your attorney will have two jobs: investigating the actual facts of the accident and overcoming the truck company's strategy of blaming you for the accident.
Trucking corporations are often to approach injury victims with an offer for a quick settlement, hoping to reduce their financial liability. Thoroughly investigating and preparing a truck accident injury or wrongful death case for trial can take years of in-depth research and preparation. Our firm has the professional and financial resources to hire the leading medical, life-care and accident reconstruction experts to take your case to trial. We don't back down and push you for an early settlement. We take cases to trial.
Truck companies are often self-insured: In addition to carrying minimal insurance required by law, truck companies often set aside cash to 'self-insure' against personal injury and wrongful death claims. The insurance company will do everything possible to get you to take a low settlement. If you do, you give up the right to seek full and fair compensation if your injuries and losses prove to be more serious than you realized. Your lawyer will have to fight toe to toe with some of the most experienced personal injury litigation defense lawyers in the nation.
- Truck companies often cover up evidence: Every semi tractor-trailer driving on American roads is required to have a data recorder installed in the cab. This 'black box' records engine data on every truck route, including speed of the truck, miles driven between stops and other information relative to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Truck companies often retrieve the black box immediately after an accident and often destroy records that may prove negligence on their part. Your attorney will need to know how to counter complex defense strategies.
- Truck accidents often involve the truck company and the truck driver: In many cases, the truck driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) is at stake in a truck accident case. Getting the driver to admit negligence means putting his career and family's livelihood on the line. Your attorney will need to have experience using strategies that get to the heart of the liability.
- Truck accident injuries are often catastrophic: When a fully loaded semi truck hits a 3,000 pound car, the driver and passengers of the car have little protection against serious injuries. A catastrophic injury can't be compensated by a quick, low settlement. Your attorney will need to work with medical experts and life care specialists to determine what the full extent of financial damages will be over your lifetime.
- Contact us to discuss the particulars of your truck accident case. We offer a free consultation and handle all truck accident injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency basis. We cover the cost of investigating and preparing your case. You pay attorneys' fees only as a percentage of the amount of money your recover in a settlement or jury verdict.
We Welcome Illinois Truck Accident Referral Cases From Other Law Firms
A large number of clients are referred to our firm by other attorneys because of our history of success and the quality of care and representation we provide to every one of our injured clients. We welcome referrals from other lawyers and law firms. Please visit our referrals page to learn more about opportunities.
We Offer a No-Cost, No-Pressure, No-Obligation Consultation to Discuss Your Rights
From our offices in downtown Chicago, our personal injury litigation attorneys represent clients in communities throughout Cook County and Illinois. Learn more about ways we can help you receive the compensation you need for your physical and financial recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
