Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers

Representing Trucking Collision Victims and Their Families

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that 2019 saw around 510,000 crashes involving large trucks. Of those, 5,005 were fatal, and 119,000 were injury-causing.

Large trucks are vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds. Because they are significantly larger than passenger cars, occupants of the smaller vehicles more often suffer the greatest consequences. In 2019, 892 large truck occupants were killed in crashes, whereas 1,645 passenger car occupants lost their lives in accidents. Similarly, an occupant in a passenger vehicle is more likely to suffer serious or catastrophic injuries in a collision than a large truck occupant.

If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a big rig, please reach out to Pissetzky Law LLC as soon as possible. Our Chicago trucking collision attorneys know how important it is to obtain compensation to cover losses and expenses resulting from your crash. That is why we are prepared to get started right away and relentlessly work toward recovering a just settlement on your behalf. Backed by more than 20 years of combined experience, we know what it takes to pursue justice for our clients.

To schedule your initial consultation, call us at (844) 668-4258 or submit an online contact form today.

Types of Large Truck Accidents

A large truck can be involved in an accident in various ways. Some crashes are similar to the kind that can occur between two passenger vehicles, such as head-on collisions or rear impacts. Still, others are unique to big rigs because of their height, weight, design, and purpose.

Below are a few different types of trucking collisions:

• Rollover: A rollover occurs when a large truck topples onto its side. A multitude of causes exists for these kinds of crashes. For instance, the driver might have turned too fast, suddenly swerved, or had an improperly weighted cargo. If a passenger vehicle is nearby, the truck could roll over and smash it.
• Jackknife: If a truck driver loses control of the vehicle, the cab and trailer could end up folding in on themselves, causing the big rig to make an L-shape. As the trailer swings, passenger vehicles can collide with it. A jackknife accident can result from excessive speed, improper handling, or equipment failure, among other factors.
• Underride: If a passenger car collides with the back of a large truck, it could get stuck underneath the vehicle, crushing the front end. Underride can occur when the truck driver stops quickly or changes lanes improperly.
• Cargo spill: The cargo the truck is carrying should be safely and securely loaded onto the vehicle. If it’s not, it can topple out of the truck. Depending on the cargo, it can leave debris on the highway that cars can crash into, release particles into the air that can reduce visibility, or fall onto or crash into other vehicles.

Regardless of the type of truck accident you were in, allow our team to evaluate the situation. Depending on what caused the accident, you may be able to pursue a personal injury case.