A truck accident in Skokie can cause severe injuries because commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier than passenger cars.
If you have been involved in a serious truck crash, call a personal injury lawyer in Skokie from Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Why Clients Trust Us
- We approach every truck accident claim with careful preparation, honest communication, and a focus on the client’s long-term recovery.
- You receive direct attorney involvement, clear communication, and practical guidance from the start of the case.
- We handle truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
Why Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer in Skokie Is in Your Best Interests
Handling a truck accident claim alone can give the trucking company and its insurer an advantage. These claims involve evidence that can disappear quickly. A lawyer can send evidence preservation letters to trucking companies, obtain records, investigate the crash site, and determine whether federal safety violations contributed.
They can also identify every available source of compensation. As a result, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney manages the legal process, including settlement negotiations and litigation if necessary.
Who is Liable for Truck Accidents in Skokie?
Liability for a truck accident may extend beyond the truck driver. Potentially liable parties may include:
- The truck driver, if speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or unsafe lane changes caused the crash.
- The trucking company, if it hired an unsafe driver, failed to train employees, ignored safety rules, or pushed unrealistic delivery schedules.
- A cargo loading company, if unsecured or overloaded cargo caused the truck to shift, tip, or become difficult to control.
- A maintenance contractor, if poor repairs or missed inspections led to brake failure, tire failure, or another mechanical problem.
- A truck or parts manufacturer, if a defective vehicle part contributed to the accident.
- Another driver, if a separate negligent act forced or contributed to the collision.
Liability often depends on records the victim never sees at the crash scene, such as company policies, inspection reports, maintenance files, and delivery schedules. These can show whether the driver’s negligence alone or a business decision helped cause the collision.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Skokie
Commercial truck crashes can happen for many reasons, but many involve preventable safety failures. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue.
- Distracted driving.
- Improperly loaded cargo.
- Poor truck maintenance.
- Brake, tire, or equipment failures.
- Inadequate driver training.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications.
After a crash, the trucking company may already have investigators, insurers, and defense teams working to limit liability. This makes early evidence preservation critical to ensure the cause of the accident is identified.
Illinois and Federal Truck Accident Laws
Truck accident cases often involve both Illinois negligence law and federal motor carrier safety rules.
Illinois Modified Comparative Negligence
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. The law states that a plaintiff is barred from recovering damages if their contributory fault is “more than 50%” of the cause of the injury. If fault is 50% or less, damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned. In truck accident cases, insurers may argue that you drove too fast, stopped suddenly, entered a blind spot, or otherwise contributed to the crash. Evidence can help challenge unfair fault arguments.
Illinois Statute of Limitations
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most Illinois personal injury claims must be filed “within 2 years next after the cause of action accrued.” Missing the filing deadline can prevent an injured person from recovering compensation.
Federal Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucking companies and drivers must follow federal safety regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules address driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections, maintenance, cargo securement, and other safety issues. Violations of these rules can become important evidence.
Contact Us Today
Call (312) 701-0090 or message us online to discuss your legal options in a free consultation with an experienced Skokie truck accident lawyer.