Decatur Truck Accident Attorneys
Experienced Representation for Serious Truck Accident Claims
Truck accidents often involve more than just mistakes by the truck driver behind the wheel. In many cases, the trucking company and other entities play a role in how and why a crash occurs. At Haxel Law, we have extensive experience handling truck accident claims and pursuing cases against any party that might be liable for them, including trucking companies. If you were hit by a big rig or semi-truck in Decatur, talk to us today about what legal options you might have to demand compensation.
Contact us online or call (217) 215-4166 today to schedule your free consultation and discuss your truck accident case in Decatur.
Why Choose Haxel Law?
Choosing the right law firm for a truck accident case means finding a team with the experience and insight needed to handle complex claims. It also should mean finding a firm that genuinely cares about your well-being and future. That’s what we bring and more at Haxel Law.
Reasons clients choose us for their truck accident claims include the following and many more:
- More than 100 years of combined legal experience
- Former insurance defense insight into how claims are evaluated
- Extensive experience with trial and appellate cases – more than 100 handled
- Personalized attention for every client
Investigating the Cause of Your Truck Accident
Truck accidents are usually the result of preventable errors made by truck drivers, trucking companies, or other third parties involved in the transportation industry. Identifying these errors is a necessary part of preparing your claim, and we are highly familiar with this process.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue and violations of hours-of-service regulations
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance or inspection failures
- Distracted or impaired truck driving
- Failure to follow traffic laws or safety regulations
- Poor training or supervision of drivers
- Defective truck parts or equipment
We take a detailed approach to investigating truck accidents. Our team may review driver logs, maintenance records, company policies, and data from onboard systems for signs of negligence. In some cases, we also work with professionals who can analyze the physical evidence and reconstruct how the accident occurred. By gathering and organizing this information, we hope to uncover the root cause of the crash and show why you shouldn’t be blamed for what happened.
Holding Trucking Companies Accountable
In many truck accident cases, liability does not stop with the truck driver. Trucking companies are often responsible for the actions of their employees and may also be independently liable for their own conduct, due to a legal rule called respondeat superior. Negligence that is passed upward to the trucking company can deal with decisions related to hiring, training, supervision, compliance with safety regulations, and more.
For example, a trucking company may be responsible if it failed to properly screen a driver, did not provide adequate training, or encouraged unsafe practices such as exceeding allowable driving hours. These types of issues can create dangerous conditions that lead to serious accidents on the road.
We can carefully evaluate the role of the trucking company in your case. By examining company records and policies, we can determine whether the company’s actions contributed to the accident. When appropriate, we pursue claims that hold the company accountable for both its own conduct and the actions of its drivers.
Working With Medical Experts for Serious Injury Claims
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Even at lower speeds, the force involved in a collision can lead to long-term or life-altering conditions.
Our Decatur truck accident attorneys can work with medical professionals and other experts to evaluate your condition, your treatment needs, and how the injury may affect your future. This process helps your claim reflect both your current situation and any long-term consequences that will continue after you reach your maximum medical improvement or MMI.
Serious injuries in truck accident cases may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures or orthopedic injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns or disfigurement
- Long-term disability
By incorporating medical insights into your case, we can present a more complete picture of how the accident has affected your life.
Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
A truck accident claim is intended to address the losses that result from the crash. Whether you need compensation to make up for economic losses or feel that you deserve compensation for your emotional suffering, our team is ready to stand by your side and fight for every last penny.
Compensation in a truck accident case may include:
- Medical expenses, including ongoing and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage, such as vehicle repairs
Each case is unique, and the types of compensation available depend on the circumstances involved, though. Let us review your situation carefully to identify the damages that may apply, so you can feel confident that your claim is pursuing the most compensation possible.
Call Our Decatur Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Truck accident cases require experience, preparation, and a clear understanding of how liability can extend beyond the driver to include trucking companies and other parties. At Haxel Law, we bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience to these cases, along with a commitment to guiding you through each step of the process, so there’s no doubt that our team will be ready for whatever your case brings. We offer free consultations, too, so you can learn more about your options without any financial obligation. It’s just one of the many ways we make pursuing a truck accident claim less stressful for our clients.
To talk with our truck accident attorneys serving Decatur, Illinois, use an online contact form or dial (217) 215-4166 today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Much Is My PI Claim Worth?
Determining the value of your claim can be complex. It can be easy to overlook many types of compensation available to you, especially without an in-depth understanding of Illinois law. Seeking legal representation is essential to identify liable parties and calculate the total damages in your claim.
While pinpointing the exact value of your claim requires a thorough case evaluation from our attorneys, you should know that you are entitled to compensation for all losses incurred in the accident, including future costs resulting from your injuries. Our firm can negotiate effectively on your behalf to pursue the full compensation available to you.
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How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Claim?
It depends. The timeframe for settling a personal injury claim will vary based on unique factors, such as whether the insurance company is willing to make a fair offer, any potential liability disputes, and whether your case goes to trial. Many claims are settled out of court, but others can take more time to resolve. However, taking longer to settle isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
While preparing for potential litigation may extend the duration of your case, it can also mean the difference between recovering maximum compensation and walking away with much less than you deserve. Our attorneys are familiar with insurance companies to pursue the fastest path to resolution without compromising the just settlement you need to focus on your recovery.
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Should I Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?After an accident, you should avoid discussing the incident with any insurance representative without your lawyer present. Having your attorney speak directly with the insurance adjuster on your behalf is typically best to protect your rights. If you do end up talking with the insurance adjuster, you only need to provide basic information, such as your name, address, and so on. Don’t share any information that may be used against you, such as apologizing or admitting fault.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Haxel Law, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I will definitely use Haxel Law again!"I’m so grateful for the legal assistance I received from Haxel Law. Martin is extremely knowledgeable and guided me throughout the process. I recommend Martin Haxel. He’s no nonsense and gets the job done. If needed I will definitely use Haxel Law again.- Sally B.
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"Thank you, Martin."When I got injured, I knew I was going to be out of work. I knew I was going to be struggling with my family. I was really worried about the direction my life had turned towards. If I hadn't contacted Martin Haxel. I would still be fighting to get what I deserved. What was owed to me. Mr. Haxel however, stayed with me. He told me the truth. He didn't lie, or manipulate anything. He was honest and informative. He was the hope I didn't have at that time. He struggled with me to get all of it resolved. He did it with integrity, honesty, and a sincere understanding of what I was going through. To anyone considering having Mr. Haxel represent them in similar situations...I would say, you couldn't pick a better person. He's a great lawyer. He does great work. He's a nice person with a lot of experience in this field. If there's anyone you can turn to when no one will listen or even attempt to help you do what is right...Mr. Haxel is the one. I can't say enough good things about him. Now that my case is settled thanks to his work, I'm going to miss having someone having my back. He's a good man and I hope he feels good about what he's done when he lays down to sleep and reflects on his days, weeks, months, and years. People like him, give people hope, and faith that there are good people still roaming around this crazy thing called life. Martin, thank you. You're a beast.- Chris Y.
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"Highly Recommend"Attorney Martin Haxel fought long and hard for a fair and just settlement. I recommend Haxel Law for your Work Comp case.- Karyn S.
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"No One Better"I was referred to Martin by my original attorney. My original attorney didn't want to spend the time and money to represent me because my case was going to be difficult, time-consuming, and against the City of Champaign. I am so glad that Martin was willing to take my case and see it through. If you have a "hidden injury" like me or even an obvious injury Martin will handle it very professionally and give it the attention that you deserve.- John M.
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"What a great experience!"I strongly recommend Haxel Law Firm to everyone. In fact, he has now taken on my fiance as a client. Thanks Marty for what you did for me!- David S.
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"Made Everything Easy for Me"His assistant was very pleasant and helpful as well. If he wasn't available when I called and left a message he was always prompt to respond to my messages and emails. I would highly recommend him to anyone who can use his skills!- David N.
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"Martin Truly Cares About You"I had a life-changing experience 4 years ago. Mr Haxel continually worked with the insurance company to settle the workman comp claim. Mr. Haxel was always available to call if you had any concerns and was always willing to listen to you.- Marvin S.
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"Marty was great to work with!"He kept in communication and made the process as stress-free as possible. Hopefully I never need a personal injury attorney again, but if I do, I wouldn't hesitate to hire Marty.- Kristi D.
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"Very Positive Experience Representing My Daughter"Very responsive and patient answering all my questions. I hope to never be in a situation of needing a lawyer again, but if I did, I would 100% contact Martin again.- Jim P.