- Home
- Best truck accident lawyer
Truck Accident Lawyer Chicago, Illinois
Trusted Chicago truck accident attorneys
If you or a family member were involved in a truck accident, whether it involved a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or another commercial vehicle, you must hire a qualified Chicago truck accident lawyer. In one year, there are an average of 500,000 large truck accidents across the United States. Almost all of them result in injury, while about 5,000 of those result in death. Big commercial truck vehicles, also known as big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks, tend to be larger and also bulkier compared to other kinds of automobiles, thus causing some of the most catastrophic injuries on the road.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are often insured for millions, so having someone on your side who knows exactly how things work will help make sure that any case against them goes smoothly. Carlson Bier’s truck accident lawyers have extensive experience pursuing justice for clients who have suffered short and long-term physical and emotional injury because of commercial truck accidents.
Why are truck accidents more complex than standard road accidents?
The trucking industry can be dangerous, especially when there are overworked drivers who often suffer from fatigue. A Harvard study found that 50% of professional drivers reported falling asleep at the wheel. In addition, investigators have determined that fatigue, unsafe or careless operation, improper loading, and poor vehicle maintenance have all contributed to trucking accidents.
Highway accidents are some of the most devastating in nature, especially when they involve an 18-wheeler, commercial truck, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer. Injuries can be severe, permanent, and debilitating. Fatalities can be overwhelming and painful for those left behind. In every case, lives are changed forever when someone fails to uphold their duty of care in the manufacturing, maintenance, or operation of a vehicle that can weigh up to 40 tons.
At Carlson Bier Associates, LLC, our Chicago truck accident attorneys will handle your case with care and prevent further harm from coming to your family. We will pursue every path and exhaust every option to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What injuries can result from a truck accident?
Because of their massive size and heavy build, truck accidents can cause serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic
- Brain injury
- Death
- Coma
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Post-traumatic stress
- Internal injuries
If you sustain a severe spinal cord injury, your doctor will refer you to one or more specialists who can help determine how much function you will lose as a result of your injury. If your spinal cord injury occurred as a result of negligence, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, to help you pursue a personal injury claim.
Need a truck accident lawyer near me? Carlson Bier's attorneys will guide you
A tired truck driver may need only one moment of error for lives to be drastically changed. Any driver, at any time of day, can be affected. That’s why there are federal laws governing the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.
These regulations are spelled out in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Chicago, Illinois recognizes and upholds the FMCSR, which requires trucks to adhere to a higher safety standard. These standards are about driver training, performance, work schedules, safety inspections, maintenance, and documentation of compliance.
Carlson Bier’s Chicago truck accident lawyers are well-versed in Illinois law and precedent related to trucking accidents. We are also keenly aware that there are time limitations on personal injury and wrongful death claims. That is why you or your family member must contact one of our truck accident attorneys immediately to pursue your claim and justice.
Whatever the cause, our truck accident attorneys in Chicago, Illinois, at Carlson Bier know how to and are willing to fight. We will support you and make sure you are fully compensated for any suffering you or your loved ones have experienced. Read the reviews of Carlson Bier satisfied customers show that the firm is responsive and achieves maximum compensation for its clients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Answered by Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers
Trucks are the lifeblood of the American economy, and are on the roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trucks are large vehicles and can do incredible amounts of damage even under the best conditions, but some of the reasons include:
- Poorly secured cargo can fly off trucks and into roadways, causing accidents and damage to cars and passengers
- Truck tire blowouts and other mechanical or maintenance issues can have dire consequences on drivers and pedestrians alike
- Tired truckers working long hours in violation of safety regulations or rushing to meet a deadline increase the likelihood of a commercial truck or tractor-trailer, or semi-truck accident
- Trucks have large blind spots where smaller cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians can hide
Evidence preservation is the most time-sensitive aspect of a truck accident case. An experienced truck accident law firm will immediately issue a spoliation letter to the trucking company, legally requiring them to preserve key evidence that they might otherwise destroy, including:
- The Truck’s “Black Box” (ECM): This records data as speed, braking, and steering in the moments before the crash.
- Driver’s Logbooks: Crucial for proving hours-of-service violations and driver fatigue.
- Maintenance and Inspection Records: Evidence of neglected vehicle safety. Check if there is any history of violations by the trucking company.
- Accident Investigation: Interview witnesses and bring in experts to recreate the accident or the scene of the accident
- Drug and Alcohol Test Results: Mandatory post-accident testing documentation.
Safety comes first. Move off the road if possible, call 911, and seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor (some symptoms appear later). Next, collect information like the truck driver’s name, license number, trucking company name & DOT number, insurance details, and contact info for witnesses. Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, damage, and injuries. Then, contact a qualified truck accident attorney near you before giving any recorded statements or signing anything.
Under Illinois law, which applies in Chicago, too, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims (like vehicle repairs), you may have up to five years.
Insurers often push early, low‑ball offers, hoping victims accept before long‑term injuries or complications are visible. Never take a quick settlement until a competent truck accident lawyer has fully evaluated your medical status, future care needs, and long-term financial impact.
Yes. Illinois applies a “modified comparative fault” rule, which states that if you are partially at fault, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault, as long as you are under 50% responsible.
Chicago, Illinois Personal Injury
- Bicycle Accidents
- Birth Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Car Accidents
- Construction Site Accidents
- Dog Bite Injuries
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home | Elder Abuse
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Products Liability
- Brain Injuries
- Slip And Fall Accidents
- Spinal Cord Injury | Paralysis
- Trucking Accident
- Wrongful Death
Through negotiation and litigation, our Illinois personal injury attorneys have successfully handled numerous types of serious personal injury cases.
Get In Touch
We're available to answer your questions 24/7.