If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, or anywhere else in Illinois, you need a special kind of lawyer to fight for you. You don’t just need a personal injury lawyer; you need a lawyer with experience and depth of knowledge in commercial trucking cases. At Munley Law, our Illinois truck accident lawyers are nationally recognized for their success in handling complex truck crash cases. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of federal and state trucking regulations, we stand up to trucking companies, insurers, and negligent parties to secure the maximum compensation for our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t face the legal battle alone; let our award-winning truck accident team help you get the justice you deserve.
Call or reach us online to discuss your case in a free consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 11,105 crashes involving tractor-trailers in Illinois in 2023. Among these incidents, there were 103 fatal crashes and 1,831 injury crashes, with 270 classified as A-injury crashes, indicating the most severe injuries. Tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors, and an experienced truck accident lawyer can help determine and prove the cause of the crash that caused your injuries.
Driver Fatigue
Unfortunately, driver fatigue is an all-too-common reality among truckers. Many truckers have to travel great distances without stopping, leaving them behind the wheel for 12 hours or more. Nodding off for even a moment, or even driving with the impaired judgment that exhaustion creates, can lead to deadly consequences. Federal trucking regulations limit how long a commercial driver can stay at the wheel, but it’s not uncommon for drivers and trucking companies to violate these limits. Our experienced team of truck accident lawyers can obtain digital records to determine if a regulatory violation contributed to your crash.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the road, or their hands off the wheel. This can include texting, eating, and even using hands-free communication. One of the first things we do in a truck accident case is to obtain the truck’s digital data recorder and the truck driver’s cell phone in order to determine if distraction played a role in your accident.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving may include anything from speeding to unsafe lane changing. Doing so is always dangerous, but even more so when the vehicle in question is an 18-wheeler.
Mechanical Failure
Sometimes, the fault lies not with the driver but with the vehicle itself. Accidents may be caused by the failure of crucial elements such as the brakes, the tires, and the steering system. Poor vehicle maintenance or malfunctioning automotive parts can contribute to a highway crash.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
If cargo is not properly secured or if weight is not distributed properly in a large truck, it can cause serious safety issues and lead to the driver losing control of the rig.
Snow and Ice
Inclement weather conditions, such as rain and snow, can also increase the risk of truck accidents, especially multi-vehicle pileups, like the one that occurred on I-70 in Cumberland County in January 2025.
Who Is the Defendant in an Illinois Truck Accident Case?
In a truck accident case, the defendant is the party (or parties) being sued for causing the accident. One of the things that makes truck accidents so challenging is that multiple defendants and multiple insurance companies may be involved. Potential defendants in a truck accident case include:
- The Truck Driver – If the truck driver was negligent, such as by speeding, driving while fatigued, or operating under the influence, they can be held liable.
- The Trucking Company – The company that employs the driver may be responsible under vicarious liability if the driver was acting within the scope of their job. Additionally, the company may be directly liable if they failed to properly train drivers, enforced unrealistic delivery schedules, or neglected truck maintenance.
- The Truck Owner – If the truck is owned by someone other than the driver or trucking company, that owner may be responsible for ensuring proper maintenance and roadworthiness.
- The Cargo Loading Company – If improper loading or unsecured cargo caused the accident, the company responsible for loading the truck may be liable.
- The Truck Manufacturer – If a defective truck part (such as faulty brakes or tires) contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or parts supplier may be held accountable.
- A Maintenance Provider – If a third-party repair or maintenance company failed to properly inspect or service the truck, they could be named as a defendant.
A truck accident lawyer will perform a thorough investigation in order to identify all liable parties and pursue all sources of compensation for you.
Serious Injuries Sustained in Illinois Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles. These injuries often leave truck accident victims with a long road to recovery, and a mountain of medical bills to contend with. Some of the most serious injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – A collision with a truck can cause severe head trauma, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and permanent disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis – Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a truck accident victim’s life.
Broken Bones & Fractures – The force of impact in a truck accident can cause multiple fractures, requiring extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods.
Internal Injuries – Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, which may require emergency surgery.
Burns – If a truck accident results in a fire or explosion, victims may suffer severe burns that require skin grafts and long-term medical care.
Amputations – In extreme cases, a victim may lose a limb due to the crash impact or require surgical amputation due to severe injury.
Wrongful Death – Unfortunately, truck accidents have a high fatality rate, often leaving families grieving the loss of a loved one.
Because of the devastating nature of these injuries, victims often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and significant financial compensation to cover their losses.
Compensation in a Truck Accident in Illinois
Truck accident victims suffering from serious injuries or the loss of a loved one deserve to be compensated for what they have endured. The truck accident lawyers at Munley Law have won numerous multimillion-dollar settlements for truck accident victims.
Compensation in a truck accident claim may include reimbursement for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like emergency medical treatment, hospital bills, surgeries, ongoing therapy, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and related costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages reflecting how the injuries sustained in the truck accident have affected your life.
A Munley Law Illinois truck accident lawyer will work closely with medical experts and other consultants to calculate the maximum value of your current and future damages.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Illinois
Emotions and adrenaline are typically both high after an accident. It’s important that you stay calm, move to a safe place off the road, and go through the following steps. All of this is designed to both prioritize your safety and ensure you’ve laid the groundwork for a strong case going forward.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Crash
First and foremost, seek medical care. Seeking medical care for yourself and your passengers should always be your first priority.
Call the police. You should call the police as soon as you can after the accident. When they arrive on the scene, the police will create an official report. This may include their assessment of who is at fault for the accident. This accident report is an important piece of documentation, especially if/when you need to take legal action later on.
Exchange information with other parties. While you most certainly need to report the crash, and the police will therefore have detailed records of all parties’ information, it is wise to take note of this information yourself as well. Remember that contact with other parties should be limited to exchanging this information and ensuring everyone has the medical care they need — do not apologize, get angry, or engage in any way beyond taking down the following from the driver:
- Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Insurance company and policy information
- The license number for the driver of the truck
- Name and contact information for the truck driver’s employer
Check for witnesses. It’s wise to take note of whether the crash was witnessed by any third parties, who may be able to provide helpful information. You are within your rights to ask for the information of anyone on the scene (though they are under no legal obligation to provide it to you). Later, you can also check the accident report to see if the responding officer spoke to any witnesses you were not aware of at the time.
Document the scene of the accident. Use your phone to take photos of the accident and of all vehicles. If you are injured, document your injuries immediately. Even if the officers are documenting the scene, it’s wise to take pictures and gather evidence of your own. This can prove extremely useful as you determine fault and potentially pursue a personal injury suit.
Next Steps to Protect Your Rights Following a Truck Accident
Notify your insurance company. Illinois is a fault-based insurance state. This means that the at-fault party uses their insurance to cover the injured party’s damages. In many cases, the damage and injuries caused by a truck accident are too great to be met by the other party’s insurance limits. But you must alert your own insurance company of the accident as soon as you are able to do so, so that they are prepared to receive a claim.
Speak wisely. In the aftermath of an accident, you will be contacted by insurance agents. You need to be extremely careful in what you say here, as you do not want to unintentionally admit fault or give away any information that they can use against you.
When to Contact an Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Act Quickly After Your Accident
Call an experienced truck accident lawyer at Munley Law. It’s in your best interest to consult an attorney as soon as possible after your truck accident. As mentioned above, insurance adjusters will start calling you almost immediately after the accident, and you’ll want all of this communication to go through your attorney. This ensures you’re not pressured into agreeing to something you’ll later regret.
Preserve Critical Evidence
Additionally, hiring a truck accident lawyer quickly means that they’ll be able to get to work preserving evidence before it is lost or destroyed. For instance, the black box in a truck contains important information about the accident, but in many cases, these black boxes erase recordings or record over them in a matter of days or hours.
Illinois Statute of Limitations
Time is also critical because Illinois law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. Under the Illinois statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of your truck accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely.
Contact your Munley truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to begin seeking justice and compensation while protecting your legal rights.
Nation’s Top Truck Accident Lawyers
What makes Munley Law unique is our special focus on truck accident cases and our depth of expertise in this specific area of the law. Munley Law’s truck accident attorneys are widely recognized as among the nation’s top litigators in trucking law. Our attorneys hold elite certifications in truck accident law, serve in leadership roles within national legal organizations, and are frequently sought after to educate other lawyers on trucking litigation. Munley Law’s deep understanding of federal trucking regulations, industry practices, and accident reconstruction allows them to build powerful cases for our clients, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Both Marion Munley and Daniel Munley hold Triple Board Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law, Civil Practice Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law, making them part of an elite group of attorneys nationwide. They have each served as Chair of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group, a prestigious position recognizing their leadership and expertise in trucking law. Additionally, both are members of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys and are sought-after speakers and educators on truck accident litigation.
Marion Munley made history as the first woman to chair the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018, underscoring her role as a trailblazer in the field. She has been recognized with numerous legal accolades, including the 2023 “Mel Award” from the Melvin M. Belli Society, which honors outstanding contributions to trial law.
In addition to his triple board certification, Daniel Munley holds a specialized certification from the Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. He has also been recognized as one of the Top Ten Trucking Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Attorneys for Injured Truck Drivers in Illinois
Driving a commercial vehicle or large truck is a high-risk occupation. At Munley Law, we know that truck drivers themselves are often victims of serious crashes through no fault of their own. We have represented truck drivers and their families in seeking workers’ compensation benefits as well as third-party liability claims.
Illinois is one of the top 10 U.S. states for commercial trucking, and is number-four in the country by freight volume. The entire Midwest relies on Illinois truck drivers.
If you are a truck driver who has been hurt on the job, don’t let trucking companies or insurance carriers minimize your claim. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation and let us help you get back on your feet.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Illinois, it’s essential to contact a lawyer right away. In a situation like this, you don’t just need a personal injury lawyer; you need an experienced truck accident lawyer with extensive knowledge of trucking regulations and a strong record of success in cases against trucking companies and their insurers.
At Munley Law, our team of skilled Illinois truck accident lawyers offers personalized consultations free of charge, so you can get the answers you need without delay. We do not charge a fee for our services unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on June 26, 2025.
