Menu
Chicago Truck
Accident Lawyer
Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are incredibly dangerous. Even at relatively slow speeds, a 40-ton big rig can cause serious damage and permanent injuries. That’s why federal and state regulations surrounding the trucking industry are so strict. But sadly, in the name of profit, many trucking companies blatantly ignore these safeguards.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a trucking accident, you deserve the best possible legal representation. You could be entitled to significant compensation, but trucking companies fight against claims aggressively. Paul & Steve can help you level the playing field and fight for what you deserve.
"*" indicates required fields
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a commercial vehicle, there is a potential for a large settlement or verdict. That’s because trucking companies are required to carry large insurance policies—unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, who may only carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in injury coverage.
However, trucking companies and their insurers don’t like losing money, and they will fight claims aggressively. They will look for any opportunity to show their driver did nothing wrong, or that your injuries aren’t really as bad as you say they are.
On top of that, most truck accident cases are incredibly complex from a legal perspective. Handling them often requires a sophisticated understanding of state and federal rules and regulations. Proving liability may require a detailed analysis of the truck itself, driver logs, maintenance records, event data recorders, and more. Depending on the facts of the case, you may have additional legal claims against not just a trucking company or truck driver, but potentially an equipment manufacturer, auto shop, cargo loader, or others.
Worse, trucking companies can often legally throw out key evidence after a certain period of time, unless you or your attorney force them to preserve it. Sadly, many people who try to handle their case on their own don’t realize the “invisible” deadlines involved. By the time they call a personal injury law firm for help, key evidence may already be lost forever.
The best way to protect your legal rights is by calling an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your truck crash.
Because of their substantial size, commercial trucks can do a lot more damage in car accidents than ordinary passenger vehicles. When accidents do occur, the potential for severe injury and even death is high.
Common truck accident injuries include:
In 2021, a total of 118 people were killed in semi-truck accidents in Illinois. Another 361 suffered incapacitating injuries that interfered with their ability to accomplish daily tasks—sometimes temporarily, and sometimes permanently. Hundreds more suffer traumatic brain injuries, many of which go undiagnosed.
At Paul & Steve, we fight relentlessly to protect the rights of truck accident victims from insurance companies and commercial trucking firms who don’t want to own up to the often-devastating consequences of their actions. Contact our Chicago office today to learn more about how a trusted semi-truck accident attorney can help you build a winning case against those responsible for your pain and suffering.
Semi-truck drivers are, for the most part, more cautious drivers in comparison to many other vehicle drivers. Some semi-truck accidents are caused by smaller vehicles who drive into the semi-truck’s blind spots, change lanes too quickly or without signaling, or fail to speed up or slow down when a truck merges into another lane.
However, because of the nature of commercial truck driving, there are a number of actions that will designate the semi-truck driver at fault in a collision:
Operating an 80,000 pound vehicle requires different driving techniques than those used when driving a smaller passenger vehicle. As such, commercial truck drivers usually receive rigorous training to ensure they can operate a big rig safely. Sometimes, however, inadequate training, including a lack of defensive driving skills and safety regulation violations, can lead to a semi-truck accident.
Commercial truck companies sometimes encourage drivers to break safety rules in order to squeeze in more deliveries and make more profit. Common violations include speeding, skipping mandatory rest breaks, driving too many hours in a week, or too many days in a row. Trucking companies also might hire a driver they know is unqualified, or fail to take dangerous drivers with poor safety records off the road. When semi-truck drivers and their employers are more concerned with meeting a deadlines than driving safely, they put everyone else on the road at risk.
Some commercial drivers may use caffeine pills or other stimulants in order to work long shifts without stopping to sleep. These substances usually only mask the symptoms of sleep deprivation. Consequently, drowsy driving can be as deadly as drunken driving, especially when operating a vehicle as large as a semi-truck.
Distracted driving affects all motorists, including commercial truck drivers. In Illinois, handheld cell phone use while driving is illegal. Other distractions include eating or drinking, personal grooming, reading a map or looking at a navigation system, or fiddling with the radio. Any action that causes drivers to take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their mind off the task of driving is a distraction and can cause a collision.
All of these factors may help establish that a semi-truck driver behaved recklessly or negligently while behind the wheel. If recklessness or negligence can be established on the driver’s part, a Chicago semi-truck accident lawyer may level punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. They may apply to both the driver and the trucking company, depending on the circumstances.
What is the average semi-truck accident settlement? The truth is, even the most experienced Chicago semi-truck accident attorney can’t say with any certainty the exact figure you’ll receive. Settlement dollar amounts range anywhere from the hundreds to the millions. Factors that will determine your awarded damages include:
It’s also important to understand that, due to comparative negligence, your damage claim can be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for your injuries.
If you’ve been in a Chicago semi-truck accident and are hurt, it is imperative that you seek the legal counsel of an experienced attorney. If your injuries are due to the actions of a semi-truck driver or their employer, Paul & Steve can help.
Visit our office in Chicago during regular business hours, call us at (312) 701-3333, chat with one of our representatives online, or submit a free case evaluation 24/7.
"*" indicates required fields