Lake Forest Truck Accident Attorneys

If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Our truck accident attorneys in Lake Forest can help you identify all liable parties, review the relevant insurance policies, and help you determine the most strategic way to pursue the compensation you deserve. You can reach us by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS for a free consultation.

Calculating the Value of a Truck Accident Claim

While no credible lawyer will ever guarantee a specific outcome when you file a personal injury claim, the best attorneys know how to approximate a settlement that accounts for all potentially recoverable losses. Here are a few factors your attorney may consider:

• Lost Wages: If you were unable to return to work after the incident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. The value of lost income will depend on a variety of factors such as how much you were earning before the accident occurred and how long you were prevented from returning to work.

• Severity of Your Injuries: Typically, severe or permanent injuries and disabilities warrant larger financial awards due to the additional medical costs, limitations, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other factors at play.

• Non-Economic Damages: You may be able to pursue compensation for non-economic damages. These damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment. Our truck accident lawyers in Lake Forest can assess your claim to determine whether or not any non-economic damages could be recoverable. We can also employ widely accepted formulas to approximate a reasonable settlement for your non-economic damages.

• Your Personal Liability: In some situations, a personal injury victim may be held liable for a portion of their own damages. If this applies to your case, then your financial award may be reduced by a percentage to reflect your portion of fault. For example, if you failed to follow your doctor’s instructions and your actions led to your injuries worsening, it might not be possible to obtain compensation for 100 percent of your damages.

Elements of a Strong Personal Injury Claim

With your financial future at stake, it may feel frustrating simply to sit back and wait for your personal injury case to conclude. However, the reality is that the outcome of your claim is somewhat out of your control, and it is best to focus on your medical recovery so you reach maximum medical improvement as soon as possible. That said, there are a few steps you can take that may help improve your chances of winning a fair settlement or verdict. These steps may include:

• Deactivate Your Social Media Accounts: In their search to find evidence that could be used to challenge your claim, the defense may use your social media posts to dispute liability or damages. Photos of you engaging in physical activity could be used to argue that you failed to mitigate damages. Snapshots of you at a party with friends may bring the severity of your condition into question. Even just discussing the accident online could harm your case as your comments may contradict your prior statements.
• Schedule an Official Diagnosis: You need official documentation to prove the types of injuries you suffered and the extent of those injuries. Delaying your medical assessment could put your case in the firing line, handing ammunition to the opposing party to argue that your injuries are not that serious as you did not need immediate care or that your injuries were caused by something other than the incident in question. The defendant may also claim that your medical costs would have been lower had you sought immediate treatment.

• Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions: Whether your doctor has told you to perform certain stretches, take specific medication, or attend follow-ups, you should never deviate from their orders. Doing so could result in a dispute over a failure to mitigate damages.

• Avoid Any Correspondence with Rival Parties: If you are contacted by a defendant or the insurer, you should decline to answer their questions and, instead, refer them to your Lake Forest truck accident attorney. Otherwise, the insurer may try to coerce you into making statements that could be used as evidence to dispute liability, causation, or damages.

Get Help from a Truck Accident Attorney in Lake Forest

Our attorneys have the skills, experience, and resources to take on even the largest insurance companies and motor carriers. We will tailor our strategies to the unique circumstances of your case and invest the time and effort needed to pursue the best possible outcome. For a no-cost, no-obligation case review, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send a message on our Contact page.