Chicago Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice for Semi-Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots

When a truck driver fails to maintain situational awareness on major highways like I-90 or I-94, passengers in smaller vehicles can be killed or seriously injured. A Chicago blind spot truck accident lawyer from our firm will stand by you and ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation about a blind spot truck crash. 

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Truck Accident Attorneys

$18,500,000: Laura was driving a smaller vehicle on a two-lane rural highway near Midlothian when a truck driver struck her head-on. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers showed that the trucker had been changing lanes to pass a smaller passenger car and did not check to see if the lane was clear.

$5,800,000: Susan and her mother, Samantha, were driving on Cicero Avenue when an 18-wheeler hit them, resulting in traumatic brain injuries. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from our firm determined that the truck driver had not checked his blind spots before making a turn.

What Is the Average Payout for Blind Spot Accidents in Chicago?

The average compensation for blind spot truck accidents in Chicago is $2,038,304. Your compensation depends on factors such as lost income, available auto and health insurance, the trucking company’s liability, and evidence. 

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

George F. Harris, 40, a machinist, was carpooling with five coworkers along the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago. It was rush hour, and traffic was heavy. Behind them, Nicolas Nieves was operating a tow truck. Nieves attempted to turn left but failed to complete the turn, hitting Harris’s vehicle. 

Tragically, Harris suffered fatal head and neck injuries, including an internal decapitation, and died less than 5 hours after the accident. His loved ones pursued compensation from Nieves and his employer, arguing that he failed to check his blind spots or properly adjust his mirrors. The Cook County Circuit Court awarded them $7,365,000.00. 

Emily Kandemir, 13, was walking her bike across Willow Springs Road from the corner of 47th Street in La Grange. David Moro, a dump truck operator, was stopped at a red light on 47th Street. When the light turned green, he made a right turn, striking Kandemir and causing severe injuries. She died of internal bleeding shortly after.

The family’s attorney noted that the truck driver’s failure to check his blind spots or notice Kandemir in the intersection caused the accident. This suggested that distracted driving may have been a contributing factor. At the same time, the defense claimed that Kandemir had approached the intersection at an angle that prevented him from seeing her. Ultimately, the truck company and the family settled for $2,010,000.00. 

What Laws Govern Blind Spot Truck Accident Cases in Chicago?

Trucking companies are required to follow both Illinois and federal trucking laws. Large trucks must follow all the rules of the road in the given jurisdiction (49 C.F.R. § 392.2).

In terms of blind spots, FMCSA trucking regulations require that every bus, large truck, and truck tractor must have two large rear-vision mirrors, one on either side of the vehicle, to identify approaching vehicles (49 CFR § 393.80). In Illinois, every highway vehicle must have rear-view mirrors (625 ILCS 5/12-501). 

However, many truck accidents result from drivers failing to check their rearview mirrors before initiating a lane change or stopping. In this case, the truck driver can be held liable for negligence. 

Speeding is a common cause of blind spot truck accidents in Chicago. Higher speeds mean less time to react to another car changing lanes, shifting weather conditions, or a child crossing the street. When combined with a truck’s large blind spot, this can result in tragic accidents. 

The municipal speed limit is 30 mph on streets and 15 mph in alleys, but many truckers and passenger car drivers will exceed these limits (9-12-070). Illinois law also states that drivers should not exceed a speed limit that is safe for the current road conditions, with a maximum limit of 55 mph on highways (625 ILCS 5/11-601). 

Injured victims can seek fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital removed caps on non-economic damages, meaning that a jury can award any sum they feel is a fair settlement for the circumstances.

The state’s personal injury law uses modified comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This means that every party to the lawsuit will be assigned a percentage of blame. Accident victims can sue as long as they were not more than 50% responsible. However, the percentage of assigned blame will proportionately reduce their settlement amount. 

For example, if the truck driver was considered 60% responsible, you can sue. However, you will receive 40% less than the highest possible compensation. 

Truck accident cases are often made more complicated due to the fact that there are multiple insurance companies involved. The Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act enables you to sue multiple parties, which can include the truck driver, their employer, and manufacturers (740 ILCS 100/2). 

How Long Do Truck Accident Victims Have to Take Legal Action?

Victims have two years after the accident to sue (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For wrongful death cases, the next of kin has two years after the person’s passing to initiate a personal injury case (740 ILCS 180/). Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers immediately to schedule a free case review and learn about your legal options. 

FAQs

Can other drivers be liable for blind spot truck accidents in Illinois?

Yes, drivers of other vehicles can be responsible for an accident involving blind spots on commercial trucks. This often occurs because they were following a tractor-trailer too closely, resulting in a rear-ending accident when the larger vehicle stopped. 

Do spinal cord injuries increase the value of Chicago blind spot truck accident claims?

Yes, serious injuries like a spinal cord injury can increase the value of personal injury cases. These cases have more medical expenses and higher lost wages, as well as larger non-economic damages like pain and suffering. 

Do passenger cars have blind spots?

Yes, passenger vehicles also have blind spots, and these blind zones are getting larger as vehicle size increases. However, a passenger car’s blind spot is usually much smaller than a commercial truck’s blind spot, and these vehicles can stop faster. The lower weight also means that passengers are less likely to suffer catastrophic injuries. 

How Our Chicago Law Firm Can Help

A Chicago personal injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will support you throughout your recovery after an accident involving a large truck. As you heal, we’ll gather evidence such as driver logs, maintenance reports, and police reports to understand how the accident occurred. 

By partnering with accident reconstructionists and trucking industry experts, we can demonstrate liability and develop a strong case for negotiation with insurance companies. Many cases settle before trial, but our attorneys have a strong track record in court and are part of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. 

Our attorneys are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured over $450 million in positive verdicts and settlements for our clients over the past 25 years. 

We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with a nationally recognized car accident lawyer. 

Sources: Law.com