In 2023, there were 5,375 trucks involved in traffic accident fatalities. When a life is cut short in a commercial vehicle accident, families are left with devastating grief. In Chicago, where busy highways and heavy truck traffic are a part of daily life, these tragedies occur far too often.
Was someone you love killed in a commercial vehicle accident? You may be left with questions such as “Who is responsible for this tragedy?” and “What can be done to hold liable parties accountable?”
While no legal action can ever replace the life of someone you love, understanding your rights can be an important step in finding a sense of justice and security for the future. In this article, we will discuss Illinois wrongful death law and what steps surviving family members can take after a fatal truck accident to pursue justice.
If you’re facing this painful reality, remember, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Collins Law’s compassionate legal team is here to guide you through every step of the process, helping you pursue justice and find a path toward healing and closure.
A wrongful death claim is a legal action taken because someone’s life was taken because of another party’s negligence or recklessness. In fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles, wrongful death claims often arise because a truck driver, bus operator, delivery driver, or the company that employs them failed to take reasonable care.
Examples include:
The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to hold the responsible party accountable and to provide financial compensation to surviving family members for their losses.
Wrongful death cases are governed by the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. Not all surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim. The claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
This representative is typically:
Truck accident cases are often complex. One reason for this is that liability may extend beyond just the driver.
Potential liable parties can include:
An experienced wrongful death lawyer can investigate all avenues of liability to maximize recovery for the family.
Since commercial vehicle accident cases are often complicated, strong evidence is needed. A skilled wrongful death attorney may investigate and gather:
Commercial vehicle death cases are different from regular car accidents. Trucking companies and their insurers often act quickly to protect themselves. They may even send investigators to the scene within hours of the crash. Families should not have to face this tragic situation alone.
An experienced Chicago wrongful death attorney can:
Understandably, no amount of financial compensation can make up for the death of a loved one because of a fatal truck accident. However, compensation from a wrongful death claim can take some of the financial burden off your shoulders during this difficult time.
Damages available in wrongful death cases include:
In some situations, a judge may award punitive damages if the truck driver or the company’s conduct was especially reckless.
A wrongful death claim allows families to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. It also gives you an opportunity to recover compensation that can ease some of your family's financial burdens during this time.
If your family has lost someone in a commercial vehicle accident, it’s important to act quickly. Trucking companies and their insurers often have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests from the very start. Having an experienced wrongful death lawyer on your side ensures that your loved one’s story is told and your family’s rights are protected.
If you’re facing this difficult situation, know that you don’t have to go through it alone. A compassionate legal team can guide you every step of the way toward justice and closure. Contact Collins Law today to schedule a free consultation.
