A high-speed highway crash is one of the most devastating types of accidents anyone can experience. If you were injured in one, a Joliet car accident lawyer can help you recover damages.
The aftermath of a highway accident can be overwhelming. A highway car accident lawyer in Joliet from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., can guide you through the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Can a Joliet Highway Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Highway collisions often demand a level of investigation and negotiation that the average person rarely has the time or experience to handle. An experienced Joliet highway car accident lawyer can help with:
- Accident investigation: They can gather police reports, roadway measurements, video footage, and statements from witnesses to strengthen your case.
- Assessment of damages: They can calculate the full impact of the crash, including your long-term medical needs, wage losses, and the emotional toll of the collision.
- Communication with insurers: They can handle all calls, emails, and negotiations with insurance companies so you aren’t pressured into accepting a low settlement.
- Preparation for litigation: If negotiations stall, they can prepare your case for court and present an argument before a judge or jury.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Highway Accident?
If someone else was responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to financial recovery. Your compensation can include:
- Medical expenses: This covers hospital stays, surgery, imaging, physical therapy, and future treatment needs.
- Lost income: You may be reimbursed for missed work as well as reduced earning capacity.
- Property damage: This includes the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any personal items destroyed in the crash.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for the physical injuries and emotional trauma caused by the crash.
- Disability or disfigurement: Long-term impairments may increase your compensation.
A Joliet personal injury lawyer can help make sure all of your losses are included in your claim.
Who May Be Liable for a Highway Accident in Joliet?
Liability isn’t always straightforward in highway crashes. Several individuals or entities may share responsibility, depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include:
- Other drivers: This is the most common source of fault, especially in cases involving speeding, distraction, or reckless behavior.
- Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies: If the crash involved a semi-truck, both the driver and their employer may be responsible for violations of safety rules or maintenance failures.
- Auto repair shops: A negligent repair that leads to mechanical failure can make the shop responsible.
- Government entities: Poor roadway design or failure to maintain safe highway conditions may enable you to file a claim against the state or local government.
A highway car accident attorney in Joliet can help identify who’s responsible for your damages.
What Evidence Helps Strengthen a Highway Accident Claim?
The more evidence you have, the harder it is for an insurer to dispute your claim. Key types of evidence in car accident cases include:
- Police crash reports: Officers document initial observations, witness names, citations, and suspected causes in these reports.
- Photographs and video: Images of the vehicles, injuries, skid marks, and debris fields can help reconstruct what happened.
- Traffic camera or dash-cam footage: Real-time recordings can offer objective proof of how the collision occurred.
- Medical records: These documents link your injuries directly to the crash and outline your treatment plan.
- Witness statements: Independent accounts can add credibility and help clear up conflicting stories.
- Vehicle damage reports: These assessments show impact points and force, supporting fault determination.
- Phone records: These can highlight distracted driving if cellphone use contributed to the crash.
- Black box data: Commercial trucks often store electronic driver logs and speed/brake data that clarify drivers’ behavior before impact.
Your attorney can help gather evidence that supports your claim.
Types of Injuries Common in Highway Crashes
Injuries tend to be more severe in highway accidents. Victims frequently suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Concussions and serious brain trauma can occur when the head strikes a window, dashboard, or steering wheel.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, or paralysis.
- Broken bones: Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones often fracture during the force of impact.
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs may be life-threatening and require immediate treatment.
- Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries: Even “milder” injuries can lead to long-term pain.
- Burns or lacerations: Fires, glass, and twisted metal can cause serious harm.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, sleep disturbances, and PTSD are common after violent collisions.
Consult a Highway Car Accident Attorney in Joliet
If you suffered injuries because of a negligent driver, you deserve to be compensated. A Joliet highway car accident attorney from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., can help you put together a strong claim and obtain a fair settlement.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation with an attorney.
