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In Need of an Experienced Truck Accident, Injury, and Fatality Attorney in Chicago, Illinois?

Chicago is a central transportation hub, with thousands of trucks traveling through the city daily. Unfortunately, this means truck accidents are common. According to recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, large truck crashes account for a significant percentage of roadway injuries and fatalities annually. These crashes often involve severe injuries due to the sheer force of impact.

Any crash involving a semi-truck or similar commercial vehicle is frightening. If the crash resulted from the actions or carelessness of a trucker or other such party, the aftermath may also be very frustrating.

Understanding your legal options is essential. You may be eligible to file a claim with the insurance company of the party who caused the wreck. Filing a claim means pursuing compensation for medical bills and similar losses a truck accident claim may have incurred.

Different types of commercial vehicles can lead to truck accidents throughout Illinois

Not all Illinois truck accidents involve the same types of commercial vehicles. Various trucks and large vehicles operate on Chicago’s roads, each with unique risks and potential liability. Different parties—such as trucking companies, cargo loaders, vehicle manufacturers, and independent contractors—may be responsible, making legal representation essential to ensure you build the strongest insurance claim possible.

Some common commercial vehicles involved in truck crashes throughout Illinois include:

18-wheelers and semi-trucks: Large tractor-trailers used for long-haul freight transportation. Due to their massive size, these trucks can cause catastrophic injuries.
Delivery truck: Smaller commercial vehicles used by companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx. They often make frequent stops and can be involved in urban collisions.
Box trucks: Medium-sized trucks for local deliveries, moving services, and business transportation. Their high center of gravity makes them prone to rollovers.
Tanker trucks: Trucks that carry liquids, including hazardous materials. Spills from these vehicles can cause severe road hazards and health risks.
Flatbed trucks: Used to transport oversized loads such as construction materials. Improperly secured cargo can lead to serious accidents.
Garbage trucks: Large sanitation vehicles that operate in residential and commercial areas. Their frequent stops and large blind spots make them risky in urban settings.
Cement mixers: Heavy-duty vehicles used in construction. Their weight and slow maneuverability can result in significant damage in a collision.
Tow trucks: Vehicles used to transport disabled or impounded cars. Improper towing or reckless driving can lead to severe crashes.
Public and private buses: Although different from traditional trucks, buses can be involved in similar accidents and present liability challenges.

If you were involved in an accident with any of these commercial vehicles, our truck accident attorneys in Chicago can help you understand your legal options for holding the people involved accountable. Contact Wallace Miller today to learn more.

What are the most common causes of truck accidents in Chicago, Illinois?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) studied the causes of wrecks and accidents involving large commercial trucks.

The research indicates that truck drivers often directly cause crashes by:

Falling asleep at the wheel.
Not paying attention to their surroundings.
Making poor driving decisions, like driving too fast in hazardous driving conditions.
Panicking or overcompensating in dangerous situations.

Other common factors that often play a role in truck wrecks include:

Brake issues.
Traffic flow issues.
Drug use.
Lack of familiarity with a particular road or region.
Hazardous road conditions.
Lack of proper surveillance.
Fatigue.

Truckers may experience fatigue behind the wheel if they stick to strict delivery schedules to satisfy their employers. The pressure to adhere to a strict schedule can cause a trucker to drive long hours without proper rest. Unfortunately, driving without getting enough sleep can be similar to drunk driving in terms of how dangerous it is.

Trucking accident and wreck trends have also changed in recent years. For instance, throughout the U.S., distracted driving collisions have become increasingly common in the age of smartphones. As a result, trucker inattention may now be a more significant cause of truck wrecks than in the past.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck crash in Chicago, contact Wallace Miller at (312) 261-6193 or start your free case evaluation online to learn more about your legal options.

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What type of compensation is available after a Chicago truck crash?

A serious truck accident may cause serious injuries. The odds are that your treatment has been very costly. Unfortunately, your injuries may also limit your ability to perform essential work duties. Paying for medical care could be particularly challenging when you’re not earning a consistent income. Losses like medical bills and lost wages are classified as “economic losses” that you may receive compensation for after a truck wreck.

Economic losses have dollar values. When seeking compensation, an economic loss could also be a loss you’re likely to incur. For instance, you may need long-term medical care if your injuries are severe. Seek compensation accordingly when negotiating with the insurance company. You can estimate the cost of future care to ensure your settlement covers medical expenses you haven’t incurred but will incur in the coming years. You can also seek compensation for future losses like lost earnings.

In addition, you can apply specialized formulas to assign dollar values to certain intangible losses after a truck wreck. A typical example of such a loss is pain and suffering. If a truck wreck causes serious personal injury, you may experience physical and emotional/mental discomfort as you recover. You may pursue compensation for these losses accordingly.

What are the most common types of injuries caused by Chicago truck accidents?

Due to its massive size and weight, a big rig, also known as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, can cause catastrophic harm in a collision. These trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making them significantly heavier than standard passenger vehicles.

Additionally, big rigs require longer stopping distances, meaning even a slight delay in braking can result in a devastating crash. The sheer force of impact can crush smaller vehicles, trap passengers, and create life-threatening road hazards. If a big rig jackknifes, overturns, or spills cargo, it can trigger multi-vehicle pileups, further increasing the risks.

Common injuries someone might sustain in a Chicago truck wreck include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Spinal cord injuries.
Fractures.
Amputations.
Burns.
Internal organ injuries.
Internal bleeding.
Loss of vision/hearing.
Paralysis.
Death.

It’s not uncommon for truck wreck injuries to permanently affect a victim’s life. For example, a spinal cord injury from a truck accident may leave someone paralyzed.

They may no longer be able to work, support their family, or participate in activities they once enjoyed. Due to the potential for catastrophic damage, victims of big rig accidents often face long recovery times, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago big rig accident, seeking legal representation can help you understand the potential damages you may be eligible to pursue.

How can you determine liability in a Chicago truck accident case?

Determining who caused a truck wreck is one of the first steps you must take when seeking compensation. You can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance to pursue compensation for a semi-truck accident. You have to identify the liable party and gather evidence showing they caused the wreck to do so.

Potentially liable parties in a Chicago truck crash case include:

The trucker: Sometimes, you may hold an individual trucker liable for causing a wreck.
The trucking company: A trucker represents their employer on the road. The trucking company may be liable even if a trucker’s actions or carelessness technically caused a wreck. Trucking companies can be liable because they are responsible for hiring qualified drivers. Thus, the trucking company may be liable when one of its drivers causes a crash.
Truck and truck part designers or manufacturers: Some truck wrecks result from vehicle issues, like brake failure. If a crash occurs because of part failure or similar causes, the liable party may be the manufacturer/designer of the truck or its parts.
Maintenance teams: Some trucking companies handle fleet maintenance and upkeep needs, while others hire external companies. Regardless, the team responsible for maintaining a fleet of trucks may be liable if a crash results from improper maintenance.
Government agencies: A government agency might be liable in a truck wreck if the cause was a hazardous road condition the relevant government agency failed to address. Although these truck accident cases are rare, they aren’t unheard of.

Be aware that determining liability isn’t something you need to address personally. You could hire a law firm or a Chicago truck accident attorney to assist with this task.

What if the at-fault party tries to blame me for the truck accident?

After a Chicago truck accident, insurance companies for the trucking company, truck driver, or other involved parties will do everything possible to reduce their liability and pay you as little as possible. One of their most common strategies is to shift blame onto you, making it seem like you were partially or entirely responsible for the crash.

This tactic can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. However, understanding their strategies can help you fight back and protect your claim.

Common tactics used by insurance companies to shift blame include, but are not limited to:

Claiming you were speeding or driving recklessly

The insurance company may argue that you were driving too fast for the road conditions or engaging in reckless behavior.
They may use traffic camera footage, black box data from the truck, or witness statements to prove their claim.
Even if you were slightly over the speed limit, that does not mean you caused the accident.

Saying you were distracted at the time of the crash

Insurance adjusters may suggest that you were using your phone, adjusting the radio, or not paying attention when the accident happened.
They may use cell phone records or witness reports to support their argument.
However, proving distraction without direct evidence is complex, and your lawyer can challenge these claims.

Arguing you were in the truck’s blind spot

Large trucks have significant blind spots on the sides, rear, and front.
The insurance company may argue that you were driving in a “no-zone” and should have been more aware of the truck’s limitations.
However, truck drivers have a duty to check their mirrors and drive cautiously to avoid blind spot collisions.

Blaming you for following too closely

The trucking company may claim you were tailgating and didn’t leave enough space to avoid a crash.
While following distance is essential, trucks require much more stopping distance than passenger cars, and if the truck driver stopped suddenly or made an unsafe maneuver, they may still be at fault.

Saying you failed to yield or violated traffic laws

The insurance company may claim you ran a red light, failed to yield at an intersection, or changed lanes improperly.
If no clear video or police report supports their claim, this is often a weak argument that a lawyer can counter with solid evidence.

Blaming poor weather or road conditions

If the accident happened in rain, snow, or fog, the insurance company may argue that weather conditions were the leading cause of the crash.
However, truck drivers are trained to drive safely in all conditions and should adjust their speed and behavior based on road conditions.

Using your own words against you

Insurance adjusters may call you after the accident and ask seemingly harmless questions.
Anything you say—like “I didn’t see the truck coming” or “Maybe I could have braked sooner”—can be twisted into an admission of fault.
Never speak to the insurance company without consulting a truck accident lawyer.

Why insurance companies try to shift blame

To reduce the payout amount: If they prove you were partially at fault, they can lower your settlement based on Illinois’ comparative negligence laws.
To deny your claim entirely: If they can argue you were 50% or more at fault, they may try to reject your claim altogether.
To protect the trucking company: Trucking companies carry extensive insurance policies, often worth millions. Their insurers will fight hard to minimize losses.

If you’re being unfairly blamed for a truck accident in Chicago, don’t face the insurance company alone. At Wallace Miller, our truck accident lawyers in Chicago can help you learn more about your legal options, starting with a free consultation.

What does a Chicago truck accident lawyer do?

Chicago truck accident and injury attorneys play various roles in legal claims involving 18-wheelers or other commercial vehicles, providing crucial support at every stage of the legal process.

Our dedicated attorneys may help you pursue compensation by:

Explaining options: Understanding your rights after a truck wreck is often easier with help from a legal professional. An attorney can review your case, answer your questions, and discuss whether you may be eligible for compensation.
Investigating the crash: You might have to gather evidence proving liability before an insurance company will agree to pay you the compensation you deserve. Gathering evidence can require investigating the crash. Conducting such an investigation is a complex task you could hire a lawyer to handle on your behalf.
Determining fair compensation: Attorneys can’t make promises when discussing how much compensation their clients may be eligible to receive. What your lawyer can do is document your losses and calculate the approximate potential value of your claim.
Handling administrative tasks: Tasks such as completing and submitting claim paperwork are time-consuming and tedious. After a truck wreck that may have caused serious injury, you want to focus on your recovery instead of burdening yourself with these tasks. Hire a lawyer to handle them for you.
Negotiating: You’re at a disadvantage when pursuing compensation from an insurance company by yourself. An insurer may pressure you into accepting a settlement offer before you’ve had time to evaluate it and determine if it’s fair. On the other hand, a lawyer could evaluate settlement offers and negotiate with the insurance company if their initial offers are too low.

Going to trial may be necessary if the insurance company stubbornly refuses to offer a fair settlement. If this happens, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

The importance of staying off social media after a truck crash in Chicago

Don’t make the mistake of posting about your wreck on social media. Although you may feel the urge to vent, doing so could harm your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.

Even posting seemingly unrelated content on social media can negatively influence your case’s outcome. For example, maybe you post pictures from a vacation where you appear to participate in sports or other recreational activities. An insurance company could use these pictures as evidence when arguing that your injuries aren’t that serious.

If you’ve hired a lawyer, ask them about mistakes you should avoid while your case is pending. They can help you guard against errors that might get between you and fair compensation.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Chicago?

You must file a lawsuit within two years of your crash to pursue damages in court. You’ll no longer have the right to seek compensation this way if you miss the deadline. Hitting deadlines is another reason to consider hiring truck accident attorneys. Lawyers can ensure you file all paperwork promptly.

Our Personal Injury Lawyers Also Focus on the Following Areas:

Contact the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Wallace Miller

After a crash involving an 18-wheeler or large truck, you don’t have to pursue compensation alone. You need to prioritize adjusting to life changes as you recover from significant injuries.

A Chicago truck accident lawyer at Wallace Miller can pursue compensation on your behalf. We understand that you’ve endured a traumatic experience. While we can’t change the past, we can help you feel more optimistic about the future by leveraging our experience and resources to fight for what you’re owed. Contact us at (312) 261-6193 or start your free case evaluation online.

Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago