Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC > Truck Accidents > Driver Negligence

Chicago Truck Driver Negligence Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation, and an experienced Chicago attorney from Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC can help you get it. You should be able to trust that people who drive large trucks or semis should obey the law and give their full attention to the road. When truck drivers fail to do so, catastrophic accidents can result. The Illinois Department of Public Transportation reported that there were over 20,500 crashes involving trucks on state roads in 2015. Over 3,000 of those crashes involved injury, and over 100 led to fatalities. Victims of truck accidents can pursue a personal injury lawsuit to hold negligent truck drivers financially responsible for their carelessness.

The team of Chicago truck driver negligence attorneys at Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC has been practicing personal injury law since 1970, and we have won millions for our clients in that time. After a truck accident in Chicago, you need us on your side. Contact us today at 312-346-8620 to discuss the details of your case.

Do I Need A Truck Driver Negligence Attorney?

Unless they admit it, it can sometimes be difficult to prove that a truck driver was in fact negligent, and that that negligence caused an accident. Having a team of lawyers on your side who have ample experience winning cases very similar to yours will increase the possibility of your case’s success. If you or a loved one was involved in a serious accident with a truck driver, it is likely that you have had to deal with exorbitant medical bills and injuries which have disrupted your day-to-day life. You probably don’t want the added stress of opening a case against a truck driver or their company on top of all of that, which is why hiring a lawyer can only benefit you. We will work hard on your behalf so that you can focus on the most important thing: your recovery.

Why Choose Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC To Handle My Case?

With nearly 40 years of experience, Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC has been here for the Chicago community to keep negligent truck drivers on our roads accountable for their actions. We have earned the trust of people all around Chicago for successfully defending their rights, and we’ve helped recover over $400 million for injured victims, more than compensating the costs of their serious injuries. At Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC, we understand the significant impact that a serious accident involving large trucks on Illinois highways can have on you and your family. You may be faced with extremely high medical bills, ongoing treatment and therapy for your recovery, and may have had to take extended time off work. Your personal and financial life can severely suffer as a result of another person’s negligence, to no fault of your own, and you should not have to be responsible for that. You can trust one of the dedicated lawyers with a proven record of success at Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC to take care of your case for you.

Truck Accident Liability

In Illinois, there are several ways in which negligence can play out, and several different parties which could be held liable. Spending too much time on the road has been proven to be dangerous for road conditions, which is why there are laws in place which limit how much a truck driver can drive without stopping to rest. However, if truck drivers are trying to reach a strict delivery deadline, they may ignore those hours-of-service laws, or drive at excessive or dangerous speeds. This can cause them to be more careless on the road, putting others at risk.

In addition to careless driving including driving while exhausted and speeding, negligence can take the form of unsecured cargo. Drivers must secure their cargo in adherence to Illinois law. If cargo exceeds the weight load limit, or does not meet die-down requirements, not only is the truck driver breaking the law but also putting other people on Illinois roads at risk. Falling debris could cause serious damage to people in other vehicles. Additionally, unsecured cargo could cause a truck driver to lose control on the road. If it can be proven that their failure to adhere to regulations caused any kind of accident, this negligence could hold them liable for injuries that resulted.

Other negligent actions a truck driver could take that could cause serious accidents include:

Distracted driving
Drunk driving
Drugged driving (illegal or prescription drugs)
Failing to yield the right of way
Failing to stop at stop lights/stop signs
Drifting from lanes
Failing to check the blind spot
Aggressive driving
Violating traffic laws

Even if an individual driver’s negligence caused a crash which led to injury, the hiring company could also be held liable. Per the legal theory of negligent hiring, a company could be at fault if they knew that a driver was not qualified or otherwise unfit to be employed by that company.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

If you were involved in an accident with a truck driver and you suspect it was due to their negligence or an error, make sure to collect as much evidence as you can. Contact the police so that an official crash report is made. Talk to witnesses and take as many photographs of the scene as you can, or ask a family member or friend to do so for you. When you seek treatment for your injuries, make sure to keep all medical records and records of expenses related to your accident. Then, contact a lawyer who can help you build a case to prove that a truck driver’s negligence led to your injuries in order to secure the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact an Attorney Today

You should not have to shoulder the financial burden of a serious injury caused by a truck driver’s negligence when the accident was not your fault. Truck drivers must be held responsible for their errors, and you deserve compensation for the financial and emotional toll that resulted from your accident. Contact an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC today at 312-346-8620 or by filling out a contact form to discuss the details of your case in a free consultation.

Written by Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC Last Updated : December 5, 2023

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I was involved in a car accident and was referred to this office. Nick Drury was the attorney who handled my case and he was nothing short of phenomenal. Personable, professional, took the time and answered my questions, accessible, very responsive via email. He also advised as to what would be in my best interest and negotiated very well on my behalf. What was an additional plus is he resolved my case promptly. Thank you Nick- I highly recommend him for anyone who is need of a personal injury attorney!

- Oralia Castaneda

★★★★★

Jonathan was amazing. He communicated very well, he was always looking out for my best interest. He was easy to talk to and very thorough with my case and I was elated and blessed to have a lawyer such as Jonathan by my side. I would highly recommend him! Even after the case was settled he still contacted me to follow up and check it with me. He is someone who really cares about his clients and treated me as a person not just a case #. Thank you for everything Jonathan!

- Keena

★★★★★

It was not only comforting to have skilled, knowledgeable and experienced attorneys and staff during one of the most difficult times of my life, but to be supported by people who had my best interest at heart and genuinely cared about me and my personal feelings made all the difference in the world. I walked in as a client and was cared for by a family, and for that I’ll be forever grateful! H. B.

- H.B.

★★★★★

Dear J.B. , I wanted to thank you, for the job you did on my case. You were not only an excellent lawyer, you were a friend along the way as well. You always promptly called me, addressing my questions and concerns. As far as my settlement goes, I couldn’t have expected more then you got for me. Many lawyers “brag” , about the amount of settlements they get for their clients, on their T.V. commercials . You, got me more then these lawyers “brag” about. Thank you for getting me such a strong settlement, and being a friend as well, along the way. I’d be more then happy to talk to anyone who would like to know , what a fine attorney you are. Thank you for being there for me. Sincerely,

- J.F.

★★★★★

Over the past couple of years I have had the privilege of Mr.Jonathan Fleisher representing me for a personal injury case that has greatly impacted my life. Mr. Fleisher fought hard and diligently on my behalf and always kept my best interests in mind. It has been truly refreshing as well as a blessing to have someone this skillful and professional buckling down and making sure every detail is captured to support my case. He has delivered exceptional service and I would recommend him to anyone that needs a personal injury attorney.

- G.B.

★★★★★

Jonathan Fleisher was more than just my lawyer. He was my advocate and was very thorough with my case. Communication was well furnished which made for an easy process. Mr. Fleisher fought for my rights and did so justly with much empathy and compassion. I am more than elated with the outcome and how my case was handled by Mr. Fleisher. I would highly recommend him to friends , family or anyone who wants someone who will work diligently on their case. I appreciate and am very thankful for Mr. Jonathan Fleisher

- K.T.

★★★★★

Thank you so much for your diligent, professional, and thorough handling of my car accident settlement. You were beyond helpful, accommodating, and supportive during the process. You patiently explained, in detail, the procedures that would take place during the course of the claim. You continually updated me as progress was made and gave me in-depth details. Being that I was a novice to this type of practice, you advised me as to what was realistic, yet fair, as far as when, how, and monetarily the claim would be settled. When an offer was made, you advised me accordingly, and counter-offered for what you believed to be a reasonable and objective settlement. Beyond that, you also worked determinedly to reduce my medical claims and had great success. An attorney friend of mine went as far to say that you “hit a home run” when you negotiated my settlement. I want you to know how much your guidance and attentiveness to my claim meant to me. I will definitely recommend you and your firm should any of my acquaintances need legal advice in the future.

- J.W.

★★★★★

To Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC Please accept my sincere appreciation for the services your agency provided to me and my family on the Jessie Palmer wrongful death cases. There were so many issues that needed to be resolved, and with your assistance we were able to finally get the diagnosis report printed. My stepdaughters asked me to thank you as well for the settlements they received from their father's estate. We humbly appreciate the wonderful job your firm did with our case. In the future we will refer family and friends to your agency.

- L.P.

★★★★★