Chicago Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice for Delivery Truck Accidents

Delivery trucks are everywhere in Chicago, whether they are dropping off goods on Michigan Avenue or departing from docks on the South Side. Unfortunately, this leads to countless truck crashes per year. If you were injured, a Chicago delivery truck accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you get justice through a thorough investigation and negotiation. 

Truck Accident Settlements Recovered by Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Chicago

$3,444,000: A family of four was driving along I-90 when they were sideswiped by a merging Amazon truck. The father suffered a serious back injury, while the younger daughter broke both her arms. A Chicago truck accident attorney used traffic cameras to prove that the delivery driver was the at-fault party.

$805,500: Sasha, a student, was biking to class at Loyola University when she was hit by a turning delivery truck. She suffered a torn rotator cuff and required shoulder surgery. 

$699,500: Antony was directing a backing truck at a Gold Coast grocery store when the driver accidentally hit the gas, leading to severe crush injuries to his legs and pelvis. We recovered compensation for the five months he spent off work. 

What Is the Average Payout for Delivery Truck Accidents in Chicago?

The average payout for a delivery truck accident is $228,808. Your specific settlement depends on several factors, including the following:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Past and future lost income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Liability
• Available evidence

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

Nancy Williams, 40, a teacher’s aide, was eating dinner at Granny’s Table, a restaurant in Montgomery. In the middle of dinner, a Turano Baking Company truck crashed through the restaurant wall. The driver claimed he fell asleep and woke up in time to jump out of the truck, preventing any injuries. Williams suffered from nerve damage and a torn rotator cuff. Turano Baking Company’s insurance company settled with Williams for $400,000.00. 

Eric Schmelling, 44, was riding a bicycle along Chicago Avenue in Evanston when he was struck by a truck making a delivery to an automotive store. According to the truck driver, there was a break in traffic, and he was waved into the driveway by an unknown person. He followed the person’s instructions without checking his mirrors. Schmelling suffered a broken leg and fractured shoulder. He settled for $260,000.00. 

Deborah McEnerney, a 49-year-old police officer, was investigating an accident scene on Dempster Street in Morton Grove. As she passed one of the vehicles, she was sideswiped by a third vehicle. The vehicle’s side mirror made contact with her arm, causing soft tissue injuries. The Cook County Circuit Court awarded her $26,426.00. 

What Laws Govern Trucking Industry Accident Claims?

State and federal trucking laws hold trucking companies to a much higher standard than passenger vehicles, given their larger weight. 

Fatigue due to long hours is a common cause of serious truck accidents, as drivers may be pushed to complete as many deliveries as possible. Federal law regulates hours of service, noting that workers are not allowed to drive for more than 11 consecutive hours without rest (49 CFR Part 395). 

Drivers also must log their hours to ensure they are not breaking these federal regulations (49 CFR Part 395).

Box trucks have a higher profile, which makes them more likely to turn over at high speeds. To prevent this, Chicago has a 30 mph speed limit on urban roads and a 15 mph speed limit in alleyways (9-12-070). However, delivery workers trying to finish their routes on time may speed, increasing the risk of tip-overs. 

Failing to signal a turn is another common cause of accidents. The Illinois Vehicle Code requires all drivers to signal their intention within 100 to 200 feet of a turn (625 ILCS 5/11-804). A distracted truck driver may forget to signal, causing another vehicle to hit them. 

Our legal team will negotiate a fair settlement for you based on Illinois’s modified comparative negligence law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This assigns everyone involved in a truck accident a percentage of the blame. You can sue for damages if you are less than 50% responsible, but you will receive less depending on your percentage of blame.

Your settlement may include both economic damages, like medical costs, and non-economic damages, such as emotional distress. The Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital removed the statutory cap on non-economic damages, meaning you can be awarded any sum that a court feels is appropriate for your injuries.

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

The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury is two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202), while the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years after the victim’s death (740 ILCS 180/). 

To ensure that we have time to negotiate a claim, contact a delivery truck accident lawyer immediately. This ensures we have plenty of time to negotiate with the insurance carrier before pursuing a lawsuit. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no risk to contacting us for a free case review. 

FAQs

Who can file a wrongful death claim for delivery truck driver negligence in Illinois?

A Chicago fatal truck accident attorney from our firm can file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of the next of kin. This is typically a spouse or child, but may be a parent or sibling if the person was unmarried and had no children. 

In a wrongful death suit, you can sue for medical bills prior to death, loss of financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and grief. 

Do spinal cord injuries increase the value of delivery truck accident claims in Chicago?

Yes, serious injuries like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries can increase your settlement from truck accident cases. These injuries often come with higher medical expenses and lost wages, meaning that the maximum compensation will be higher.

Our team will consult with life care planners to understand what needs you may have in the future, such as power wheelchairs or accessibility upgrades, and ensure that all these costs are included in your settlement. 

How Our Chicago Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover Fair Compensation

A Chicago personal injury attorney is a key ally when seeking justice for a delivery truck accident. Our team will gather evidence to support your claim, including driver logs, maintenance records, police reports, and medical records, to calculate your potential damages. 

We’ll also take depositions from witnesses who can corroborate your study and work with accident reconstructionists to understand how the crash occurred. Through this research, we will prove liability and ensure you are not unfairly blamed for the accident. 

While many cases settle out of court, we are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, renowned for our 98% success rate at both trial and in the negotiation room. We will prepare the complaint for the Circuit Court of Cook County and guide you through the court system so that you feel confident. Our team has secured over $450 million in positive verdicts and settlements for over 5,000 clients, including many in Chicago and its suburbs.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we win. To schedule your free consultation with an experienced delivery truck accident lawyer, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form. 

Sources: Law.com