Experienced Legal Representation for Victims of Motor Vehicle Accidents
We are highly rated attorneys representing individuals involved in car and truck accidents across Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina. The Stone Law Office provides compassionate and effective legal counsel. The firm has a long history of successfully handling complex matters involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. We are deeply committed to securing full compensation for our clients.
Why The Stone Law Office’s highly rated attorneys for your car or truck accident claim?
- Former Insurance Lawyer: Former insurance industry lawyer Attorney E. Lynette Stone now advocates for the rights of car and truck Accident victims. Encouragingly, Attorney Stone uses the same insurance industry tactics learned while working for insurers to help injury accident victims.
- Million Dollar Advocates: Accepted into Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-jurisdictional Background and Experience:
- Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina licensed: Broadly trusted and highly regarded in multiple jurisdictions. We are Texas, Illinois and North Carolina Car and truck accident attorneys
- Proven Track Record: Background of successful case outcomes involving 18-wheeler wrongful death case, child dog attacks, slip and fall claims insurance bad faith matters (more results)
- Compassionate Representation: Small office, exceptional results.
- No-Cost, No-Obligation Consultation: Case evaluations free.
Car and truck accident claim results
Illinois
College students killed by rock band crew
Confidential settlement secured in fatal box truck crash. Truck driver for rocker Bret Michaels’ “Rock of Love” reality show was involved in a fatal crash in Illinois that killed two college students
Charlotte, North Carolina
2 children killed by delivery trucker
Confidential settlement secured in case involving delivery trucker who struck children in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Texas
Trucker parked in shoulder struck by 18-wheeler
Confidential settlement secured in case involving disabled trucker parked in highway shoulder struck by oncoming 18-wheeler
North Carolina
27 year old Johnathan Taylor killed by 18 wheeler
Confidential settlement for surviving family members of Jonathan Jermaine Taylor killed by in 18 wheeler truck crash.
Chicago, Illinois
Temporary worker killed by 5 ton steel coil
Confidential settlement secured in wrongful death case which involved a temporary worker killed when a steel coil rolled over and crushed him.
Car and truck accident claim guide
Section 1: 3 important steps to take following a car or truck accident
- Take photographs
- Seek medical treatment
- Hire a trusted attorney
Section 2: Special considerations for truck accidents
- Key Differences: Truck accident cases tend to be more complex than car accidents. For example, federal regulations apply to many truck accidents.
- FMCSA Regulations: Mention the role of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its regulations in truck accident claims.
- Injuries tend to be catastrophic or fatal: Where there is a judgment or non-confidential settlement, we share results. You will notice that many truck collision settlements are confidential. This is a product of the involved insurers desiring to refrain from having future parties compare.
Section 3: Basics of a car or truck accident claim
The 2 main types of losses recoverable in an car or truck accident are known as compensatory and non-compensatory.
Lost wages
Your injuries may prevent you from working after a car or truck accident. If so, you can pursue financial compensation for lost wages.
This includes the base pay from the time you missed work. It also includes any lost bonuses, commissions and overtime. For severe and long-term injuries, compensation may also cover “loss of earning capacity”. Lost earning capacity means the diminished ability to make money in the future. To prove lost wages requires documentation. The documentation may include pay stubs, tax returns, and an official letter from your employer verifying time off.
Some lost waget payments can be issued within a few weeks. Often the total time it takes to receive full compensation for lost wages can range from a couple of months to over a year.
Medical bills
Medical bills after a car or truck accident can be financially overwhelming and include ambulance transportation, emergency room treatment, specialist consultations, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Ultimately, responsibility for these expenses often depends on who was at fault and the state’s insurance laws. However a victim’s own auto or health insurance may cover costs initially. Also, injury patients may still be liable for up front copayments, deductibles, or any expenses not fully covered by insurance. In some cases, healthcare providers may place a medical lien on a future settlement to guarantee payment, while victims can also explore negotiating bills or setting up payment plans. An experienced lawyer can help navigate the complex process of dealing with insurance companies and negotiating for fair compensation to cover all accident-related medical expenses.
Loss of companionship
After a car or truck accident, a family member may file a legal claim for “loss of consortium” to seek compensation for the lost companionship caused by a loved one’s serious injury or death. The claim accounts for the non-economic damages of the injury, like the loss of emotional support, affection, and intimacy. For example, if a spouse suffers a traumatic brain injury and can no longer provide emotional or physical support, their partner may pursue a claim for the diminished marital relationship. A court or insurance company evaluates the extent of the loss by considering factors such as the relationship’s strength and the severity of the injury. While typically filed by a spouse, some jurisdictions allow parents to sue for the loss of a child’s companionship or children to claim for the loss of a parent’s guidance.
Loss of support
When a fatal car or truck accident occurs, surviving dependents may file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim allows recovery of compensation for the loss of financial support previously provided by the deceased. This claim covers the loss of income, benefits, and other financial assistance the deceased would have contributed had they lived. Calculating this loss often requires using the deceased’s earning history and future earning potential, sometimes with the help of financial experts. Proving a loss of support claim requires establishing the plaintiff’s financial dependency and that the at-fault driver’s negligence directly caused the death. The value of non-monetary contributions, such as childcare or household management, can also be included in calculating damages.
The Stone Law Office’s highly rated attorneys are committed to securing complete compensation for our clients. Consultations are free.
