Chicago Truck Accidents Lawyer

Over half a dozen major interstates converge on the city of Chicago, which is also home to a major international port and one of the busiest air cargo gateways in the world. It is, therefore, not surprising to see truck traffic on the city streets and highways of Chicagoland at all hours of the day and night. While vital to the economy, the number of semi trucks crisscrossing the city throughout the year increases the likelihood of a Chicago truck accident.

While they occur less frequently than car accidents, a collision with a tractor-trailer is much more likely to result in serious injury or death to the occupants of the passenger vehicle. Although big rigs were only involved in 3.8% of all crashes in 2015, they accounted for 2.9% of all injury crashes and a staggeringly disproportionate 8.8% of all fatal crashes.

The Chicagoland truck accident attorneys at D&W Law Group have handled numerous car and trucking injury cases over the years, including cases involving catastrophic injury or wrongful death. We approach your case with compassion and sensitivity to what you have been through while working aggressively to obtain a financial settlement that most fully and fairly compensates you for your damages.

Understanding The Dangers Of Semi Trucks

Many aspects of semi trucks make them more likely to cause serious injury or worse in a collision with a passenger car. Tractor-trailers are many times larger than even the largest SUV, and when fully loaded, they can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle. At highway speeds, the force of an impact with a semi is enormous. The size of commercial trucks also creates extensive blind spots on all sides of the semi, requiring constant attention and caution on the part of the truck driver. Unfortunately, the pressure on truckers to deliver their cargo on schedule often leads them to drive longer than is safe, and critical lapses of attention or mistakes in judgment can occur.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

Our investigation of countless trucking accidents throughout Chicago reveals several recurring factors that often lead to devastating collisions. Understanding these causes helps establish liability and build stronger cases for our clients:

• Driver fatigue from exceeding federal hours-of-service limits, inadequate rest breaks or pressure to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines
• Distracted driving, including cell phone use, eating, adjusting navigation systems or completing logbook entries while operating the truck
• Improper loading or overloading of cargo leading to shifting loads, tire blowouts, brake failures and loss of vehicle control
• Equipment failure and mechanical issues stemming from inadequate maintenance, missed inspections or defective parts

These preventable circumstances often result from trucking companies prioritizing profits over safety.

Types Of Truck Accidents

Different types of truck accidents present unique dangers and require specific approaches to investigation and evidence gathering. Our experience handling Chicago truck accidents includes:

• Jackknife accidents where the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, often occurring during sudden braking on wet roads or improper downshifting
• Rollover accidents typically caused by high speeds, improper weight distribution, sharp turning maneuvers or strong crosswinds
• Underride collisions where smaller vehicles slide beneath the trailer, frequently happening at night or in poor visibility conditions
• Rear-end collisions made especially dangerous by the truck’s massive weight difference and extended stopping distance requirements

Each accident type requires a thorough investigation to determine liability and identify all responsible parties.

Steps To Take After A Truck Accident

The moments following a truck accident prove critical for protecting both your health and legal rights. Taking appropriate action can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation:

• Document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, warning signs, cargo spillage, property damage and any visible injuries from multiple angles
• Collect information from witnesses, obtain contact details, record their immediate observations, ask about dash cameras and note any nearby security cameras or businesses that might have surveillance footage
• Record the truck’s company name, DOT number, license plate, maintenance stickers, hazmat placards, trailer numbers and any visible safety violations such as broken lights or worn tires
• Seek immediate medical attention for all injuries, request detailed medical records, follow all treatment plans and document any ongoing symptoms or limitations
• Contact a truck accident attorney before providing statements to insurance companies, trucking representatives or signing any documents they present

Following these steps creates a strong foundation for your injury claim while protecting your interests against trucking companies and their insurers.

What If Truck Safety Regulation Violations Cause An Accident?

Federal regulations govern many aspects of the trucking industry, including truck safety. The regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limit the number of hours that truckers may be on duty or behind the wheel without taking days off or significant rest periods. These regulations also cover licensing issues, size and weight limits, and mandate regular inspections and maintenance to ensure a safe trucking fleet. However, it is well-known that truck drivers and trucking companies routinely violate these regulations and even falsify records to hide their noncompliance. During annual roadside safety inspections, thousands of drivers and vehicles are immediately pulled from service for dangerous conditions such as unlicensed drivers, drivers working beyond the hours of service limitations, and trucks with out-of-adjustment brakes, bad tires, non-working signal lights and more.

Here at D&W Law Group, we have prosecuted many trucking injury cases through the years, and we know how to build your case against the trucking companies. Our lawyers are thoroughly familiar with the FMCSA rules and can determine whether regulation violations caused or contributed to the truck accident. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys leave no stone unturned in finding all liable parties responsible for the accident and the harm they have caused to you.

Get Dependable Help From Experienced Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a tractor-trailer accident in the greater Chicago area, contact D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 or via email. Our experienced and dedicated Chicagoland trucking accident attorneys are ready to discuss your case with you. Your initial consultation is free, and there is never any fee if we can’t recover for you.