Do You Need a Truck Accident Law Firm to Manage Your Case?
Trucking accident cases tend to be more complicated than car accidents – and require aggressive negotiation expertise to earn fair compensation.
Navigate Truck Accident Laws & Regulations
Trucking companies and drivers are regulated by federal and Illinois state laws. As a truck accident injury firm, we’re well-versed in these laws to identify any violations that contributed to your accident – to fight for the highest settlement.
Determine Liability
Liability in truck accident cases may involve several factors – including the driver, company, loading protocols, manufacturing, and more. Our goal in every claim is to pinpoint all liable parties so every base is covered in the negotiation process.
Conduct a Professional Accident Investigation
We work with experienced truck accident recreationists, regulation specialists, and Chicago medical professionals to create a comprehensive picture of your accident to prove negligence down to the smallest detail
Trucking Accidents in Chicago: By the Numbers
There are 11,000-12,000 trucking accidents in Illinois every year.
Nearly 70% of injuries in trucking accidents happen to those in passenger vehicles.
Trucking accidents account for roughly 15% of traffic-related deaths in Illinois.
Around 20% of trucking accidents in Illinois are influenced by the state’s extreme weather.
Type of Truck Accident Cases We Manage
We manage a wide range of truck accident injury claims, including (but not limited to):
Jackknife Accidents
Rollover Accidents
Underride Accidents
Driver Fatigue
Sideswipe Accidents
Brake Failure
Accidents
Rear End Accidents
Blind Spot Collisions
Wide Turn Accidents
Speeding
Reckless Driving
Violation of Trucking Laws
Who is Liable in Trucking Accidents?
Truck accident injury cases may involve multiple at-fault parties. These commonly include:
Truck Drivers
Negligence to trucking regulations, reckless driving, fatigue, and violation of traffic laws by a truck driver are common contributors to accidents in Chicago.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are required to uphold standards for the drivers they hire, provide adequate training, maintain the truck, and ensure drivers follow regulations. Failing to comply with these rules may leave them liable for trucking accidents.
Cargo Loaders
The arrangement of cargo and weight distribution plays a role in how a truck drives on Chicago roads. Improper loading can cause trailers to tip or maneuver in a way that puts other drivers at risk – and may result in an accident.
Truck Manufacturers
Manufacturing defects to a truck’s mechanical components – faulty brakes, engine, transmission, etc. – may contribute to an accident. These factors will all be investigated in a truck accident injury case.
Maintenance Providers
Negligence in routine upkeep or repairs may result in the mechanic’s facility being held liable for a trucking accident.
Municipalities
Issues like poor road maintenance, improper signage, or traffic light malfunctions may fall on the local government’s liability if these conditions contribute to an accident.
Speak to a Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Today
Let’s talk about your Chicago trucking accident in a FREE Consultation
Key Information About Trucking Accident Injury Law in Chicago
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations to file a claim for a trucking accident in Chicago is four years from the date of the accident.
Comparative Negligence
Illinois trucking accidents follow a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning the victim may only receive compensation if they are less than 50% at fault.
Weight and Size Limits
Illinois law forbids trucks to be more than 80,000 pounds without a special permit. Trucks found in violation of this law may face additional penalties in the event of an accident.
Compensation to Pursue in Truck Accident Injury Cases
Our mission in every trucking accident injury claim is to recover every last penny you are owed – leaving no stone unturned.
Economic Damages
- Medical Bills
- Future Medical Treatment
- Legal Expenses
- Property Damage
- Lost Earnings
- Loss of Earning Potential
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Physical Impairment
- Reduced Quality of Life
- Loss of Companionship
- Disfigurement
- Worsening of Prior Injuries
- Distress
- Loss of Consortium
How We Manage Truck Accident Injury Cases in Chicago
-
Schedule a Consultation
The first step is to discuss the nature of your accident – including your account of the collision, medical and financial hardships, and who you believe is liable.
1 -
Perform an Investigation
We work with a wide range of Chicago resources – law enforcement, accident recreationists, witnesses, trucking companies, and more – to create a thorough, detailed account of what contributed to your accident.
2 -
Organize Evidence
A truck accident injury attorney will gather or organize all evidence indicating liability and the value of your claim. This commonly involves an official accident report, medical treatment records, estimates, witness statements, documentation from trucking companies, and more.
3 -
Negotiations with Insurance Companies & Liable Parties
Negotiations with insurance and trucking companies tend to be the most cumbersome part of the legal process. Our experienced trucking accident lawyers will manage this from start to finish – fighting for everything you are owed. Your job here is to focus on your recovery.
4 -
File a Truck Accident Lawsuit (If Necessary)
If a fair settlement cannot be reached outside of court, our truck accident lawyers will represent you in front of a Chicago judge and jury to earn the compensation you deserve for your hardships.
5
The Midwest Injury Lawyers Mindset
Empathy-First
Commercial trucking accidents can change your life in an instant. We understand this is a very difficult time for you and your family – and we’ll be by your side every step of the way to earn a fair settlement.
Fight for Every Dollar You Are Owed
No matter how severe your truck accident case is, our attorneys will not leave any compensation on the table in negotiations.
Quick Communication
When you have questions about your truck accident injury case, you deserve fast answers. At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we make it a point to respond to inquiries in 24-48 hours or less.
No Upfront Costs
Our truck accident injury firm operates on a contingency fee agreement. This means we charge you nothing upfront to take your case. You pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend hiring a truck accident attorney in Chicago if you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial truck and are facing severe injuries, vehicle damage, or complex legal and insurance issues.
If the accident resulted in substantial medical expenses, lost wages, or if there is a dispute over who is at fault, a Chicago truck accident lawyer can provide the specialized legal expertise to navigate the complexities of the law and fight for a fair settlement – which is extremely difficult to earn without a skilled attorney.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is typically two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims, and five years for property damage claims.
While it’s important to adhere to these deadlines, we recommend speaking with a Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Given the complexities involved in truck accident cases, including determining liability and the collection of evidence, starting the process early is critical to building a claim.
In a Chicago truck accident lawsuit, you may be able to recover a range of damages – both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In some cases, if the conduct of the at-fault party is found to be especially egregious – like driving under the influence – punitive damages may also be awarded as a way to punish them and deter similar behavior in the future.
Critical evidence in a truck accident case includes the truck driver’s logbook, vehicle maintenance records, the truck’s electronic logging device data, dash cam footage, accident scene photos, witness statements, police accident reports, and medical records related to the crash. This evidence is instrumental to establish fault and demonstrate the impact of the accident on the victim’s life.
Truck accidents differ from car accidents in many ways. The legal proceedings primarily differ due to the complexity of the trucking industry’s regulations and the potential for multiple liable parties.
Commercial trucks are subject to federal and Illinois state regulations that don’t apply to personal vehicles, including hours of service requirements and maintenance standards. Additionally, liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, cargo loaders, and truck manufacturers, making the legal proceedings more complex.
Take the First Step Towards Fair Compensation
Call 312-786-5881 or schedule a FREE consultation online.
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.