Chicago Wide Turn Truck Accident Lawyer

Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm Handling Semi-Truck Accidents Occurring During Wide Turns

Accidents with large commercial trucks can be terrifying, but a Chicago wide turn truck accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to support you through the legal process. Our team will prove negligence and negotiate with insurance companies so that you can focus on healing and recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation about your truck accident injuries. 

Settlements Recovered by Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Chicago

$8,979,000: Dan, a motorcyclist, was struck by a commercial vehicle making a left turn, passing away only a few hours after the accident. A Chicago truck accident lawyer from our team demonstrated that the driver had turned too widely and entered Dan’s path of travel. 

$5,800,000: Josie and her mother, Lana, were on Belmon Avenue when a tractor-trailer made an illegal wide turn. Both women suffered serious injuries, including back injuries and neck injuries. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers used surveillance footage to show that the truck driver had disregarded a “no turn on red” sign. 

$3,444,000: A family of four was driving home from Six Flags Great America when a commercial truck driver failed to yield while merging onto the highway. All the passengers suffered injuries, with the father, Bryan, suffering several herniated discs. While the trucking company insisted their driver was blameless, our legal team used accident reconstructions to prove the aggressive driving. 

What Is the Average Payout for Wide Turn Truck Wrecks in Chicago?

The average payout for wide turn truck accidents in Chicago is $40,674. Factors that influence your potential compensation include overall medical expenses, lost income, available evidence like medical records, and liability. 

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

Amhed Abdukadir, 25, was a taxi cab operator who was driving eastbound along Fullerton Avenue in Chicago. A church bus in the left lane attempted a wide right turn and struck his taxi. He suffered from lumbar and cervical strain as well as a concussion. The Cook County Circuit Court awarded him $67,349.01. 

Laskieuse Whiting, 48, was driving a passenger vehicle along South Homan Avenue in Chicago when she collided with a large truck. Whiting claimed that the tractor-trailer had made a wide turn from West Lexington Avenue and struck her car. She suffered from soft tissue injuries, including pain in her head and lower back. She settled for $14,000.00. 

What Laws Govern Wide Turn Truck Accident Cases in Chicago?

Truck accident lawsuits are governed by state and federal trucking laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that every truck must comply with the traffic laws in the jurisdiction in which it is operating (49 CFR § 392.2). If the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes a higher standard of care than the local jurisdiction, then the truck driver must comply with FMCSA regulations instead. 

Driver fatigue is often a key factor in truck accident cases. When drivers are tired, they are less likely to check for obstacles. The FMCSA imposes mandatory hours of service for truck drivers, with drivers being prohibited from working more than 11 hours in a day (49 CFR Part 395). 

Drivers are also required to log their hours to ensure they are complying (49 CFR Part 395). However, some companies attempt to circumvent this, leading to a higher risk of car accidents. Our truck accident law firm will hold these companies accountable and recover compensation for your healthcare needs. 

FMCSA commercial trucking regulations prevent wide turn motor vehicle accidents by requiring all vehicles to have two rear-vision mirrors, one on either side of the cab, to determine whether the road is clear both ways before turning (49 CFR § 393.80). 

The Illinois Vehicle Code reaffirms the requirement for rear-vision mirrors, which is required for both commercial trucks and passenger cars (625 ILCS 5/12-501). However, many drivers fail to check these before making a turn, assuming that the path of travel is clear. 

Any vehicle, regardless of its size, must indicate its intention to turn within 100 to 200 feet of its turn (625 ILCS 5/11-804). Trucks must also comply with Chicago municipal codes on signalling for turns and attempting to make their turn as close to the curb as feasible (9-16-020). However, fatigued or distracted truckers may fail to warn others of their intentions, leading to a truck accident.

If you’ve been injured, you may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. Per the Illinois Supreme Court case Baker v. Hudson, you must continue your medical treatment to demonstrate continuity of care. Illinois does not impose a statutory cap on non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of normal life, or grief in case of wrongful death. 

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence to determine potential compensation  (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Everyone involved in the lawsuit is assigned a percentage of blame, and you can recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% responsible. However, your percentage of blame will reduce your compensation. For example, if you were found to be 15% responsible, you would receive 15% less of the maximum compensation allowed.

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

The statute of limitations for wide-turn truck accidents is two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If the accident was fatal, then the next of kin has two years from the victim’s death date to file a lawsuit (740 ILCS 180/). It’s crucial that you contact us immediately so that we can secure evidence and begin identifying liability. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no risk or obligation to requesting a free case review. 

FAQs

Who can file a wrongful death claim following a wide turn truck crash in Illinois?

Our Chicago fatal truck accident lawyers can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the next of kin. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act specifies that the spouse of a truck accident victim is considered the first next of kin, followed by surviving children (740 ILCS 180/). For victims who did not have a spouse or children, it will be the surviving parents. 

Wrongful death damages can include medical costs prior to death, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and grief. 

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

Yes, severe injuries like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries will increase the potential compensation in a personal injury claim. These claims typically have higher medical bills and lost wages, which increase the potential economic damages. Additionally, 

How Our Chicago Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers will guide you through each step of the legal process for a wide-turn truck accident claim. 

We’ll begin by gathering evidence, like medical records, maintenance logs, driver logs, and police reports, to determine who was liable and how the crash occurred. Our team will use accident reconstruction and expert testimony to verify the facts of the case before submitting a complaint to the Circuit Court of Cook County. These complaints may be against the commercial truck driver, the trucking company, or the vehicle manufacturers. 

We will negotiate with the trucker’s insurance company to secure a fair settlement. As members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we are well-known for recovering settlements far above the average. In some cases, the company will refuse to offer a fair sum, in which case we will proceed to trial. With a 98% success rate, we give you the best possible chance of a fair verdict. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced wide-turn truck accident attorney, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form. 

Sources: Law.com