Chicago, IL Truck Accident Attorneys

Trusted Lawyers Advocating for Injured Victims of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Chicago, Illinois

On Chicago's highways and city streets, passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians will often need to share the road with large commercial trucks. The massive size and weight of these vehicles can create serious risks for others. When tens of thousands of pounds of metal and cargo collide with a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or pedestrian, the results can be devastating. Victims will be likely to suffer severe injuries that will require extensive medical treatment. They may face lengthy recoveries during which they will be prevented from working, and they may struggle with the physical and emotional trauma of a crash.

At Gallagher & Kosner Law, our lawyers can help people who have been injured in collisions involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles, and other large commercial trucks. We understand the complex regulations involved in the trucking industry, and we know how to investigate these accidents to uncover all contributing factors. Our team will work to secure the full compensation a victim needs to address their medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

The Dangers of Sharing the Road with Large Trucks

The physics of truck accidents can demonstrate why these collisions can cause catastrophic injuries. A standard passenger vehicle weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, while a loaded commercial truck can weigh 20 times that amount. When these vehicles collide, the occupants of the smaller vehicle will absorb the force of impact. Due to the elevated height of truck cabs and trailers, passenger vehicles may slide underneath trucks, which can result in fatal injuries.

Trucks require much more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. At highway speeds, a commercial truck may need up to 600 feet to come to a complete stop, which is roughly the length of two football fields. When truck drivers follow too closely behind other vehicles or misjudge the distance needed to stop, they can put others at grave risk.

Because of the size of commercial trucks, there are large blind spots on all four sides that may prevent truck drivers from seeing other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists. If they do not take the proper care, they may collide with other vehicles when changing lanes, merging onto highways, or making turns.

Cargo that falls from a truck due to improperly secured loads can create additional hazards on busy roads. Debris on the highway can cause accidents when drivers swerve to avoid objects. Accidents may also occur due to truck rollovers, jackknifing, tire blowouts, or other factors, and these collisions can result in serious injuries or wrongful deaths.

Traffic Violations and Truck Driver Negligence

There are strict rules that affect the operation of commercial trucks. When regulations or traffic laws are violated by truck drivers or trucking companies, they can put people at risk of serious harm in truck accidents. Speeding is one of the most common and dangerous violations. Truck drivers who exceed speed limits or drive at unsafe speeds will have less time to react to hazards. They may collide with vehicles from behind when traffic slows down suddenly, or they may lose control and cause a rollover or jackknife accident.

Fatigued Driving and Hours of Service Violations

Drowsy truck drivers are a serious threat to public safety. Fatigue can impair a person's judgment, slow their reaction times, and affect them in other ways. If they do not receive enough sleep, truck drivers may be at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which can result in devastating collisions.

Federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate their vehicles while requiring them to receive enough rest between shifts. However, some trucking companies may pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, encouraging them to continue driving when they are exhausted.

A fatigued driver may drift across lanes, fail to notice changes in traffic patterns, or make errors in judgment that can result in a truck accident. Our attorneys can investigate truck accidents, examining logbooks, electronic data, and other information to determine whether hours-of-service violations occurred or whether a truck driver was fatigued.

Mechanical Failures and Maintenance Negligence

Commercial trucks experience a great deal of wear and tear through constant use. Trucking companies are required to maintain vehicles and ensure that they can operate safely. Regular inspections and timely repairs must be performed. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering system malfunctions, and lighting defects may occur due to negligent maintenance. These issues can create serious hazards and lead to dangerous truck accidents.

Improperly Loaded and Secured Cargo

The way cargo is loaded and secured on a truck will affect the vehicle's stability and safety. Cargo must be secured correctly to prevent it from shifting or falling during transport. Overloaded trucks can put excessive stress on braking systems, tires, and other components. An overloaded truck may be unable to stop within a safe distance, or tires may fail due to excessive weight.

Improperly balanced cargo may cause a truck to handle unpredictably, particularly when turning or changing lanes. When cargo is loaded too heavily on one side, a truck may turn over, or a driver may lose control. Unsecured loads may shift, affecting a truck's center of gravity. Cargo may fall from a truck and cause injuries when other vehicles are struck by falling objects.

Determining Liability in Complex Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident cases may involve multiple parties who could share responsibility. Our legal team can conduct thorough investigations to identify everyone who may be held liable for a victim's injuries.

The truck driver may be liable for negligence, traffic violations, or reckless behavior that caused a crash. A trucking company may be liable if it employed drivers with poor safety records or failed to conduct proper background checks. Inadequate training programs or negligent supervision may also be issues that could result in liability for trucking companies.

Cargo loading companies may be liable when improper loading or securing of freight was responsible for an accident. Maintenance contractors who performed substandard repairs or did not identify safety issues during inspections can be held accountable. Vehicle and parts manufacturers may be liable when defective parts were responsible for causing truck crashes.

Contact Our Chicago, Illinois Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

Collisions involving commercial trucks can be complicated. Legal representation can be crucial in these situations to ensure that victims will be able to recover compensation from the parties who were responsible. The lawyers at Gallagher & Kosner Law have the knowledge and resources needed to investigate truck accidents and hold truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties liable for the harm suffered by victims. Contact our Chicago 18-wheeler accident attorneys at 312-910-5050 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your truck accident claim.