Losing someone close to you in a truck accident can be emotionally devastating and, while you might not think about it at first, is likely to cause a great deal of financial stress. While it’s unfortunately true that nothing you do will bring your loved one back, there are things you can do to make your life easier in the months and years following their death.
For example, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party that caused your loved one’s truck collision. That said, taking legal action can be difficult, especially if you’re grieving a sudden loss. You’ll want to work with an Edwardsville fatal truck accident lawyer from Morelli Law to make sure your suit is filed correctly.
Who Is Eligible to File a Fatal Truck Accident Lawsuit in Edwardsville, IL?
According to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180), only a personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. That said, the act goes on to explain that the compensation from the suit must go to the decedent’s spouse or next of kin.
Family members, friends, or legal representatives of the decedent may become a personal representative and file a lawsuit. If you have any questions about personal representatives or your eligibility to collect wrongful death damages, a fatal truck accident lawyer from our team in Edwardsville can provide an explanation.
How a Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer From Edwardsville Can Help You
When you hire an Edwardsville attorney to help you pursue damages for a fatal truck crash, they’ll handle the entirety of your case. Here’s what they’ll do to get you the compensation you need to make it through this difficult period in your life:
Collect Evidence
The first step in any wrongful death case is to collect evidence of the accident. Your lawyer can visit the scene of the crash to learn more about the accident, analyze the official police report, and review other forms of evidence to build your claim.
Your Edwardsville fatal truck accident attorney may also work with eyewitnesses to gain insight into how the collision occurred and who caused it. Once your lawyer has learned as much about the incident as they can, they’ll ideally have the information they need to file a suit against the at-fault party.
Identify the At-Fault Party
While you might think that the truck driver is the only person who can be held responsible for your loss, there are actually several other parties that you may bring a claim against. Your attorney can determine if you should take action against one of the following individuals or entities:
- The truck driver’s employer, if it pressured the driver to work dangerously long hours
- A maintenance company, if its failure to repair the truck caused the fatal crash
- A cargo loader if they failed to secure or balance the truck’s cargo properly, leading to an accident
- A manufacturer if it produced a poorly manufactured or designed truck part that led to your loved one’s crash
- The truck driver, if they were driving recklessly during the time of the collision
As you can see, there are a number of different parties that may be held responsible for the pain and financial burdens you’ve faced due to the loss of your loved one. However, determining who you should take legal action against is only half the battle. Your attorney must also construct a winning suit, file it, and represent you in court.
Take Legal Action
Once a fatal truck accident attorney from our team in Edwardsville has collected important evidence, identified the at-fault party, and constructed a facts-based suit, they’ll take your case to court. During the trial, your lawyer may use witness testimony and other forms of evidence to convince the jury that you deserve a fair verdict.
At Morelli Law, our attorneys have delivered countless life-changing case results for grieving plaintiffs. If anyone can win the compensation and justice you deserve, it’s us. Our team can draw on their impressive trial experience to make sure you get the results you need to cope with your loss and cover any expenses you’ve been burdened with.
Edwardsville Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
The Value of Your Wrongful Death Case
While it’s hard to attach a value to bringing the party responsible for your loved one’s death to justice, it can be helpful to understand what kind of compensation you stand to receive from a lawsuit.
While we can’t provide a concrete estimation of how much money you’ll get from a suit until we’ve learned more about your case, we can inform you about the damages you might receive. If your suit is successful, there’s a good chance you’ll be awarded several or more of the following damages:
- Medical expenses inherited from your deceased loved one
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support or inheritance
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
How Long You Have to File a Fatal Truck Accident Suit
If you need to file a suit on behalf of a deceased loved one, you’ll have to do so within Illinois’ statute of limitations for wrongful death suits. According to the state’s statute, you have two years from the date of the decedent’s passing to submit a lawsuit.
If you miss the two-year deadline, you won’t be able to collect compensation for the suffering and financial challenges you’re experiencing. To make sure our Edwardsville fatal truck accident attorneys have enough time to file your suit, contact Morelli Law ASAP.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney and Get Started on Your Case
At Morelli Law, we understand how hard it can be to deal with the loss of a close family member. That’s why we make it as easy as possible to get started on a wrongful death suit. To get started on your case, all you have to do is contact us and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys.
The next step will be to meet with a lawyer from our firm to discuss the fatal crash your loved one was involved in. If an Edwardsville fatal truck accident lawyer from our firm finds that you have grounds for a wrongful death suit, they’ll explain your legal options and get started on your case as soon as possible.