Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers for Serious Highway Crashes

Collisions with semis, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles are very different from ordinary car crashes. If you were hurt in a wreck with a large truck, our Chicago truck accident lawyers help injured drivers, passengers, and families across Illinois pursue the full compensation they need for medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery.

Illinois Trucking Accidents – Why These Cases Are So Different

A crash involving a tractor-trailer or other heavy commercial vehicle can change your life in an instant. The size and weight difference between an 80,000-pound truck and a passenger car often leads to catastrophic injuries, totaled vehicles, and months or years of disruption. At the same time, trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves, sending investigators to the scene, collecting records, and looking for ways to shift blame before injured people have even left the hospital.


Unlike many standard auto accident claims, Illinois trucking cases often involve multiple at-fault parties, complex federal and state safety regulations, and critical evidence that can be lost if it isn’t preserved right away. When you work with a Chicago truck accident lawyer who understands these cases, you get a team that knows how to secure logbooks, electronic data, and company records, and how to use that evidence to tell the full story of what happened and why the trucking company should be held accountable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

Truck carrying a Maersk shipping container driving on a curved road in a rural setting.
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Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations

Long hours behind the wheel, tight delivery schedules, and pressure to “make up time” can all lead to exhausted truck drivers on Illinois highways. Even when a driver claims they were rested, electronic logging devices and other records can reveal unsafe schedules or violations of hours-of-service rules. Fatigued drivers are more likely to drift lanes, misjudge braking distances, or miss slowed or stopped traffic ahead, often with devastating results.

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Distracted or Impaired Truck Drivers

Texting, using in-cab electronics, eating, or simply taking eyes and attention off the road for a few seconds can be enough to cause a serious crash. In some cases, alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications also play a role. When we handle a truck accident injury claim in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, we look closely at phone records, toxicology reports, and company policies to determine whether distraction or impairment contributed to the wreck.

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Overloaded, Poorly Loaded, or Poorly Maintained Trucks

Trucks that are overloaded, improperly balanced, or carrying unsecure cargo are harder to control and more likely to roll over, jackknife, or lose loads. Poor maintenance—such as worn brakes, bald tires, or malfunctioning lights—also creates serious dangers for everyone on the road. These issues may point toward responsibility not just for the driver, but also for the trucking company, shipping company, or maintenance contractors involved.

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Dangerous Roadways, Work Zones, and Weather Conditions

Construction zones, tight city streets, and busy interchanges in and around Chicago require extra caution from truck drivers. When drivers fail to slow down, ignore temporary signs, or make unsafe lane changes, they put nearby drivers and pedestrians at risk. Rain, snow, ice, fog, and high winds can make a bad situation worse, particularly when a large vehicle is already traveling too fast for conditions.

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Reckless Driving by Trucks and Other Vehicles

Sometimes a truck driver is the one speeding, tailgating, or weaving through traffic. In other cases, passenger vehicles cut too closely in front of a truck, stop suddenly, or linger in blind spots. Either way, the physics are the same: when a commercial vehicle cannot stop or maneuver in time, the people in the smaller vehicle almost always suffer the worst injuries. Careful investigation helps untangle exactly how a crash unfolded and which drivers and companies should be held liable.

What to Expect From Our Truck Accident Team

From day one, you can expect our Chicago truck accident lawyers to listen carefully to your story, answer your questions, and give you a straightforward assessment of your options. We move quickly to secure critical evidence such as:


  • Police crash reports and scene photographs
  • Electronic logging device (ELD) data and GPS information
  • Driver qualification files, training records, and past violations
  • Truck inspection, repair, and maintenance records
  • Company safety policies, dispatch records, and load documentation



While we dig into the details of how the crash happened, we also focus on what you are going through: your medical treatment, time away from work, family responsibilities, and long-term outlook. Our team communicates with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers so you don’t have to field repeated calls, confusing letters, or subtle pressure to settle quickly. Throughout the life of your case, we explain each step, help you weigh decisions like settlement versus trial, and keep you updated so you know where things stand.

Standing Up to Trucking Companies and Their Insurers

Trucking companies and their insurers are sophisticated, well-funded, and motivated to minimize what they pay after a serious wreck. At Alberts & Eiler, P.C., our attorneys bring more than 30 years of combined experience working both for and against insurance companies, along with over 100 jury trials completed as a team. That background means we understand how these cases are valued on the defense side—and how to build a claim that commands attention.


Because we intentionally maintain a smaller caseload, your truck accident claim receives focused, hands-on attention from experienced lawyers rather than being shuffled between departments. We are prepared to push back when insurers try to blame you, minimize your injuries, or rely on “standard” settlement ranges that ignore the real impact on your life. If they refuse to be fair, our trial experience makes clear that we are ready to present your case to a jury in Chicago, Aurora, Springfield, Rockford, Peoria, or any other Illinois court where justice is needed.

Common Questions About Truck Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

  • What should I do after a crash with a semi or commercial truck?

    Your safety comes first. Call 911 so police and emergency responders can come to the scene, and follow their instructions. If you are able, move to a safe location away from traffic, exchange information with the truck driver (including the company name and DOT number), and take photos or video of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries. Try to get names and contact information for any witnesses. Even if you think you can “walk it off,” see a doctor as soon as possible—some serious injuries are not obvious right away. Before giving a detailed statement to any insurance company, speak with a Chicago truck accident lawyer so you do not unintentionally say something that can be used against you.

  • Who can be held responsible for a trucking accident?

    Responsibility in a trucking case can extend far beyond the driver. Depending on the facts, potentially liable parties may include the trucking company, a parent or affiliated company, the owner of the trailer, a shipper or loading company, maintenance contractors, or the manufacturer of defective parts like brakes or tires. In some crashes, other drivers who cut off the truck or triggered a chain-reaction collision may also share fault. A thorough investigation is essential to identify every responsible party and every available insurance policy so your Illinois truck accident claim isn’t limited to the most obvious defendant.

  • How is a truck accident different from a regular car accident claim?

    Truck cases are governed by an additional layer of federal and state regulations that do not apply to ordinary passenger-vehicle crashes. There are specific rules about driver hours, truck inspections, and safety procedures, and truck companies often have rapid-response teams working to protect their interests from the moment a crash is reported. The injuries are typically more severe, the insurance policies are larger, and the defense strategies are more aggressive. Working with a lawyer who understands trucking cases means you have someone on your side who knows what evidence to demand and how to counter the tactics used by commercial carriers and their insurers.

  • How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Illinois?

    In many truck accident cases involving personal injuries, Illinois law generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, and a different timeline may apply in cases involving a death or certain defendants. There are also practical reasons not to wait: electronic data can be overwritten, vehicles repaired or destroyed, and witnesses harder to locate. Speaking with an Illinois trucking accident attorney sooner rather than later helps ensure key evidence is preserved and your claim is filed within all applicable deadlines.

  • Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster or sign any forms?

    You should report the crash to your own insurer, but be very cautious about detailed conversations with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before you have legal advice. Adjusters may ask for recorded statements, broad medical authorizations, or quick settlement agreements that don’t fully reflect your injuries, future care needs, or lost earning capacity. Even casual comments—like saying you feel “okay” when you’re actually in shock—can be taken out of context. Let your attorney handle communications so you can focus on healing while protecting the value of your claim.

Ready to Talk With a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash with a semi, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, you shouldn’t have to stand alone against a trucking company and its insurers. Our firm combines deep insurance-industry insight with trial-tested advocacy and a deliberately hands-on approach. We offer free consultations, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.