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Trucking Accidents

A Cook county accident attorney can help with a trucking accident in Illinois.

Tractor-trailers have such great size, weight, and power that unsafe operation can cause serious crash injuries and death. Trucking companies must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards in every aspect of their operations. Truck drivers are professionals who must have a commercial driver's license, or CDL, to drive a tractor trailer. When you've been involved in a trucking accident in Illinois, it's time to talk to a Cook accident attorney about your case.

The exacting federal regulations and the special training of the drivers of these powerful vehicles means that truckers and trucking companies must meet very high standards of safety in operating tractor trailers on the public highways. Unfortunately, truck driver negligence contributes to several serious and fatal accidents each year. In 2009 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 90 instances of a fatal trucking accident in Illinois alone.

The nature of a trucking accident in Illinois can cause much frustration when you suffer crash injuries that severely impair your life. Unlike a car accident where you would most likely be proving the negligence of another passenger vehicle driver, pedestrian, or motorcyclist, in a truck accident claim you may be up against a trucking company. Their attorneys will have extensive knowledge of truck driver regulations, and your Cook accident attorney should as well.

A trucking accident in Illinois can occur for many reasons, including:

Unsafe tractor or trailer - The equipment, including all of the components of the power unit and the trailer, must be inspected to ensure that it is in safe condition to operate on the road. This is required to help ensure the safety of other drivers.
Unsafe driving practices - Truckers must follow not only the rules of the road like every motorist, but also must follow federal regulations. Additionally, their operation of their vehicle must take into account the special operating characteristics of their vehicle such as braking capacity and blind spots.
Overweight truck - Truckers must comply with maximum weight rules and regulations. Failing to do so limits the ability of the trucker to drive safely.
Driver was over hours - Many studies show that the effects of being over-tired while driving a truck has almost the same effect as being intoxicated on the ability of the trucker to operate their truck safely. There are hours of service rules for truck drivers, but these limits are often ignored in the effort to comply with the demands of their employers.
Truck underrides - Underride guards are intended to keep cars from going underneath the trailer. Trucking companies may be held liable where there is no underride guard or it is deficient.

The Cook accident attorney team at our law firm has represented many victims of a trucking accident in Illinois. In serious cases, trucking companies often send investigators and accident reconstructionists to help document facts which are favorable to the trucking company. Additional evidence favorable to the victim may be lost without prompt action by victims and their family to hire experienced, aggressive Illinois personal injury attorneys to help preserve their rights.

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

Library for Trucking Accidents:

What should you do if you've been in an accident with a truck driver? [PDF]
Company cost cutting can lead to overworked truck drivers. Statistics show that the higher the level of driver fatigue, the greater the chance of an accident
A Joliet, IL Attorney Can Help With Your Illinois Trucking Accident Claim
Take the hassle out of filing an Illinois trucking accident claim. Contact a Joliet, IL attorney for help in dealing with insurance companies: 1-312-263-1080.
3 Reasons to Contact a Wheaton Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer after a Crash
You don’t want to leave your settlement at risk after a crash in Wheaton, Illinois. Contact a Wheaton commercial truck accident lawyer at 1-312-263-1080.
A Chicago Truck Accident Attorney Will Help You After a Commercial Trucking Crash in Illinois
A Chicago truck accident attorney can help when you’ve been injured in a commercial trucking crash in Illinois. For legal representation, call 312-263-1080.
Federal Requirements for Truck Drivers (Part A)
There are federal requirements for truck drivers that are designed to provide safety on the roads. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your truck accident claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Federal Requirements for Truck Drivers (Part B)
There are federal requirements for truck drivers that are designed to provide safety on the roads. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Commercial Drivers’ License Standards (Part A)
There are commercial drivers’ license standards that must be followed on both an employee’s and an employer’s part and failure to follow these standards can result in a serious accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Commercial Drivers’ License Standards (Part B)
There are commercial drivers’ license standards that must be followed on both an employee’s and an employer’s part and failure to follow these standards can result in a serious accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Common Parties at Fault in a Truck Accident (Part A)
An accident between you and a commercial truck may not always be a 2-party case. Truckers are tied to many other companies and businesses, so your Illinois truck accident may involve a third-party defendant. A Chicago truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify other parties that may be involved in your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080
Common Parties at Fault in a Truck Accident (Part B)
Trying to obtain records to use as evidence in your Illinois truck accident claim can be difficult. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from the Law offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will have the experience and knowledge of how to obtain all the proper evidence for your claim. Call today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080
Types of Truck Driver Negligence (Part A)
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in an Illinois truck accident from the negligence of a truck driver, a Chicago truck accident attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify and obtain the right evidence to support your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Types of Truck Driver Negligence (Part B)
A negligent truck driver can cause danger to not only themselves but all the other drivers and pedestrians around them. A Chicago truck accident attorney from the Law offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will have the experience and knowledge to obtain all the proper evidence for your claim. Call today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Compensation for a Truck Accident Death (Part A)
The loss of a loved one from an Illinois truck accident can be devastating to a family, both emotionally and financially. A Chicago truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help ease the burden of filing an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Compensation for a Truck Accident Death (Part B)
The compensation you can receive in an Illinois wrongful death claim will depend on the strength of your case and the evidence against the truck driver and trucking company. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from the Law offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will have the experience and knowledge of how to obtain all the proper evidence for your claim. Call today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Dealing with Insurance Companies after a Truck Accident (Part A)
There are many tricks and tactics that insurance companies utilize to help them justify the dismissal or low settlement of your Illinois truck accident claim. A Chicago truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you correctly interact with the claims adjuster to help protect your settlement. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Dealing with Insurance Companies after a Truck Accident (Part B)
Illinois truck accident claims come with a lot of paperwork, some of which can negatively affect your claim if not properly reviewed. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from the Law offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you make sense of the documents you’ll be dealing with. Call today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Obtaining Evidence Against a Truck Driver or Company (Part A)
When filing a claim with your insurance company after an Illinois truck accident, you may find it difficult to obtain proper evidence to prove the truck driver was at fault for your injuries. A Chicago truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify and obtain the right evidence to support your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
Obtaining Evidence Against a Truck Driver or Company (Part B)
Trying to obtain records to use as evidence in your Illinois truck accident claim can be difficult. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will have the experience and knowledge of how to obtain all the proper evidence for your claim. Call today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
The Financial Responsibility Requirements for Trucking Companies (Part A)
One of the factors to consider in any truck accident injury claim is the degree of truck company liability. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, a Chicago truck accident attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
The Financial Responsibility Requirements for Trucking Companies (Part B)
One of the factors to consider in any truck accident is the financial responsibility of the trucking company. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, a Chicago truck accident attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you file your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

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Blog for Trucking Accidents

Frequent Questions for Trucking Accidents:

Case Results for Trucking Accidents:

Sideswipe accident results in Cook County settlement

Awarded: $100,000

Settlement in sideswipe accident

Awarded: $855,000

Videos about Trucking Accidents:

Chicago Truck Accident Cases Are Different

Web Resources for Trucking Accidents:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Description: Official site of government agency responsible for overseeing the trucking industry and setting standards for safe truck operation.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Trucking Company Profiles
Description: On-line database maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including trucking crash data and insurance information for all of the nation's interstate trucking companies.
FMCSA Rules and Regulations
Description: Trucking regulations intended to prevent trucking accidents and assure safe roads can be found at this web site.
Truck Safety Coalition
Description: A partnership between the Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) and Parents Against Tired Truckers, this group seeks to limit the number of injuries and deaths caused by unsafe truck drivers, including drivers who drive when they are too tired to do so safely.
U.S. Department of Transportation Distracted Driving Web Site
Description: The U.S Department of Transportation created this web site to highlight the dangers of distracted driving, which has become a leading cause of car accidents and truck accidents in recent years.

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