Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Chicago, Illinois
The firms in this guide
- Levin & Perconti Call Levin & Perconti: (312) 332-2872
- Clifford Law Offices Call Clifford Law Offices: (312) 899-9090
- Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Call Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.: (312) 372-1227
- Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.: (312) 219-2175
- Kramer Injury Law LLC Call Kramer Injury Law LLC: (312) 775-1012
1. Levin & Perconti
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, construction vehicle accidents.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Chicago personal injury law firm with extensive experience in trucking accident litigation. The firm has secured significant verdicts and settlements in complex trucking cases. Attorneys are admitted to practice in Illinois state and federal courts.
Location: 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60654
Contact: (312) 332-2872 | https://www.levinperconti.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained).
2. Clifford Law Offices
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, wrongful death from truck accidents, aviation accidents, product liability, construction accidents.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, cargo spill accidents, hazardous material accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, vicarious liability claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Clifford Law Offices has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including trucking accidents. The firm has been recognized by various legal organizations. Partners have been selected as Illinois Super Lawyers.
Location: 120 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60602
Contact: (312) 899-9090 | https://www.cliffordlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis.
3. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.
Background: The firm has achieved record-setting verdicts in Illinois personal injury cases. Attorneys have significant trial experience in trucking accident litigation. Multiple attorneys have been recognized in legal publications.
Location: 150 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60601
Contact: (312) 372-1227 | https://www.salvilaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement.
4. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Chicago personal injury firm with experience handling trucking accident cases. The firm has secured significant settlements for truck accident victims throughout Illinois.
Location: 120 W. Madison Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60602
Contact: (312) 219-2175 | https://www.chicagolawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless recovery.
5. Kramer Injury Law LLC
Practice Focus: Trucking accidents, car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injury, negligent security, defective medical devices.
Case Types Handled: Trucking accidents, car accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injuries, dangerous drug injuries, negligent security claims.
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negotiation with insurers by the attorney litigating the case, contingency fee representation, round-the-clock availability.
Background: Kramer Injury Law opened in 2018 and practices from West Madison Street in downtown Chicago. Its attorneys include founder Joe Kramer and John Baglia.
Location: 181 West Madison Street, STE 4700, Chicago, IL 60602
Contact: (312) 775-1012 | https://www.kramerinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, no fee unless the firm wins.
Driver Qualifications, Hit-and-Run Duties and Joint Liability in Chicago Truck Crash Claims
Federal driver qualification rules and the carrier’s accident register and inspection records give a Chicago truck crash claim its first facts. Illinois law sets felony penalties for a driver who leaves an injury crash and decides when a defendant answers for all of the damages.
Who May Drive
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires a commercial driver to be at least 21, able to read and speak English sufficiently, able by experience or training to operate the vehicle safely, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and to have passed a road test or hold a license or certificate the carrier accepted as equivalent.
A Truck Driver Who Leaves
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, a driver in a crash resulting in injury or death must stop and remain at the scene until the duties in 11-403 are fulfilled, and a driver who did not must report the crash at a police station or sheriff’s office within one-half hour. Failing to stop is a Class 4 felony, and failing to make that report is a Class 2 felony, or a Class 1 felony if someone died.
Accident Register and Annual Inspection
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, together with copies of required accident reports. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
When a Defendant Pays All the Damages
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, except as provided in 2-1118, all liable defendants are jointly and severally liable for past and future medical expenses, a defendant at 25 percent or more of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages, and a defendant under 25 percent is severally liable for them.
Chicago Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the trucking company?
Two years after the cause of action accrues, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, and two years after the death for a wrongful death action under 740 ILCS 180/2, with longer periods for listed violent intentional conduct. A suit over a City of Chicago or other local government truck must be commenced within one year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101(a).
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your fault is not more than 50 percent of the proximate cause. For example, imagine $420,000 in damages and 35 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 the recovery would be $273,000.
What damages can a family recover after a fatal truck crash?
Under 740 ILCS 180/2(a), the personal representative recovers fair and just compensation for the pecuniary injuries from the death, including grief, sorrow and mental suffering, and punitive damages when applicable, for the surviving spouse and next of kin; punitive damages are not available against the state or a unit of local government.