Orland Park Truck Accidents Attorneys

Lawyer for Victims Injured in Semi Crashes in Orland Park, IL

Depending on where you are from, you may know them as tractor-trailers, semis, 18-wheelers, or big rigs, but no matter what you call them, large commercial trucks make up a substantial percentage of the vehicles on Illinois roadways. These massive vehicles are especially dangerous when they are involved in motor vehicle collisions. An accident involving a large truck can result in serious injuries and, in many cases, wrongful death. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, the team at Fotopoulos Law Office is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Experienced Truck Crash Injury Lawyer in Alsip and Oak Forest

Northern Illinois is covered by thousands of miles of local roads, state highways, and interstates. Every day, thousands of large trucks travel these roads—some of them with origins or destinations in the area and others that are just passing through on their way to somewhere else. With so many trucks on the road, accidents can and will happen, unfortunately. When they do, those in other vehicles tend to suffer the worst injuries. At our firm, we understand the challenges that you may be facing in the wake of a truck accident, and we have the knowledge and skill to hold trucking companies and negligent drivers accountable for the injuries they cause.

Compared to a “regular” car accident, truck crashes are more likely to lead to serious injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. A standard commercial truck is about 70 feet long and can weigh up to 40 tons. At highway speeds, the momentum of a fully loaded tractor-trailer is almost unimaginable for the average person.

A truck accident can also be complicated because of the number of entities involved that may be partially liable. Commercial trucks, for example, are often owned by multi-billion dollar companies with high-powered attorneys and numerous insurance policies to help them avoid responsibility after a crash. There are also many complex rules and guidelines that regulate the trucking industry. A skilled attorney can help you put all of the pieces together and build a case designed to get you maximum compensation for your injuries.

Types of Truck and Semi Truck Accident Cases We Handle

At Fotopoulos Law Office, we understand the immense complexities and devastating consequences of truck accidents. Our legal team is dedicated to helping victims navigate the aftermath of these catastrophic events, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. 

We handle a comprehensive range of truck accident cases, each with its unique set of challenges and legal intricacies. Understanding the various types of truck and semi truck accidents is crucial for building a strong legal case, as the circumstances of each incident often dictate the liable parties and the legal strategies involved.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents are among the most terrifying and destructive types of truck accidents. A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, often forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. 

This can be caused by a variety of factors, including sudden or excessive braking, especially on slippery roads, or a loss of control on sharp turns. When a driver slams on the brakes, the cab and trailer can react independently, with the trailer’s momentum carrying it forward while the cab slows down. This motion can cause the trailer to slide and jackknife. 

The sheer force and size of a jackknifing truck can create a wall of steel, sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic and leading to multi-vehicle pile-ups. The resulting injuries are often severe, ranging from broken bones and spinal cord injuries to traumatic brain injuries and fatalities. 

The extensive property damage can also be staggering, with vehicles being crushed or severely mangled. Our legal team meticulously investigates these accidents, examining factors like road conditions, driver actions, and vehicle maintenance records to determine liability.

Rollover Accidents

Given their high center of gravity, commercial trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers. These accidents can occur when a truck takes a sharp turn at a speed that is too high, or when a driver makes a sudden evasive maneuver. Improperly balanced or unsecured loads are another primary cause, as the shifting weight can make the truck unstable, especially when navigating curves or inclines. 

The consequences of a truck rollover are often catastrophic. The massive weight and momentum of a rolling truck can crush smaller passenger vehicles in its path, leading to severe injuries or death. 

Additionally, a rollover can cause the truck’s cargo to spill onto the roadway, creating additional hazards for other drivers and potentially causing a chain reaction of accidents. If the cargo consists of hazardous materials, the danger is amplified, posing a risk to both the public and the environment. We work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the dynamics of the rollover, including speed, turning radius, and load distribution, to pinpoint the cause and establish fault.

Underride Collisions

Underride collisions are arguably one of the most lethal types of truck accidents. These horrific incidents occur when a smaller vehicle, typically a passenger car, slides underneath the trailer of a semi-truck. 

This can happen from the rear or side of the trailer, often with devastating results. The car’s roof can be sheared off, leading to catastrophic injuries or decapitation for the occupants. These accidents are particularly common in low-visibility conditions, such as at night or during heavy fog, when the driver of the car may not see the trailer in time. 

While federal regulations require trucks to have underride guards—steel bars designed to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath—these devices are not always properly maintained or are sometimes entirely missing. 

Our lawyers investigate the condition of the truck’s safety features, the visibility of the truck, and whether proper warning lights or reflective markings were in use to determine if the trucking company or driver was negligent.

Wide Turn Accidents

Wide turn accidents, often called “squeeze play” accidents, are a common occurrence in urban and suburban areas. These accidents happen when a large truck, in an effort to make a right turn, swings out to the left to clear the turn. 

In this process, the truck can create a dangerous blind spot and potentially trap or crush a vehicle that attempts to pass on the right. Inexperienced or careless drivers may fail to account for the space they need, leading to a collision with a vehicle that is legitimately waiting at the intersection. 

The results can be severe, as a passenger car is no match for the weight and size of a turning semi-truck. These accidents can cause significant side-impact injuries and extensive vehicle damage. Our legal team analyzes traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reports to reconstruct the event and prove driver negligence.

Rear-End Collisions

The physics of a rear-end collision involving a commercial truck are vastly different from those of a collision between two passenger cars. Due to their immense weight, a fully loaded semi-truck can take the length of two football fields to stop, even under ideal conditions. 

When a truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance or is unable to react to a sudden stop in traffic, a rear-end collision can be unavoidable. The impact force in such a collision is magnified by the truck’s weight and momentum, often resulting in severe and life-altering injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Common injuries include severe whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and even fatal crushing injuries. We investigate factors like driver distraction, speeding, and improper brake maintenance to hold the negligent parties accountable.

Lost Load Accidents

Lost load accidents occur when a truck’s cargo is not properly secured, causing it to fall onto the roadway. 

This can happen due to negligent loading procedures, a failure to use proper tie-downs, or simply a lack of care on the part of the trucking company or driver. When debris, equipment, or other cargo spills onto a highway, it creates an immediate and dangerous hazard for other drivers. 

The result can be a sudden stop, a swerve, or a chain-reaction crash as vehicles attempt to avoid the debris. 

The danger is particularly acute for motorcyclists, who can be severely injured or killed by even small pieces of debris. The type of cargo involved can also create additional risks, especially if it includes hazardous materials. We pursue legal action against not only the trucking company but also the cargo loaders and shippers who may be responsible for the improper securing of the load.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions involving semi-trucks are among the most catastrophic and frequently fatal types of accidents. 

These crashes typically occur when a truck crosses the center line of a roadway or travels the wrong way down a one-way street or highway. 

The sheer force of two vehicles colliding head-on, particularly when one is a commercial truck, leaves little chance of survival for the occupants of the smaller vehicle. These accidents often result from driver fatigue, intoxication, or gross negligence. Our legal team works tirelessly to uncover the root cause of these devastating accidents, including examining driver logbooks for violations of hours-of-service regulations, conducting toxicology tests, and analyzing black box data from the truck to determine the driver’s actions leading up to the crash.

Frequent Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Orland Park, IL

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers are under immense pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines, which often leads to them working long hours and neglecting proper rest. This can result in driver fatigue, a leading cause of truck accidents. 

While federal regulations, known as hours-of-service rules, are in place to limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road, these rules are not always followed. 

Fatigued drivers may experience a decrease in reaction time, impaired judgment, and even fall asleep at the wheel. Our firm investigates driver logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and company policies to determine if violations of these regulations contributed to the accident.

Driver Error as a Result of Poor Training

Some trucking companies cut corners by failing to provide adequate training to their drivers. This lack of proper preparation can lead to drivers being ill-equipped to handle challenging road conditions, emergency maneuvers, or even the basic operation of a large commercial vehicle. 

Poorly trained drivers may not know how to properly handle a truck on a slick road or how to execute a safe turn. We examine the driver’s training records and the company’s safety protocols to determine if negligent training was a factor in the accident.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Despite strict regulations and zero-tolerance policies, a number of truck accidents are caused by drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Drivers may use stimulants to stay awake for long stretches or use other substances to cope with the stress of the job. 

Driving under the influence (DUI) of any substance severely impairs a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making them an extreme danger on the road. We work with law enforcement and medical professionals to obtain toxicology reports and other evidence to prove intoxication and hold the driver and their employer accountable.

Overloaded Trucks

When a truck carries more weight than it is legally permitted to, it can have a profound effect on the vehicle’s stability and braking ability. 

An overloaded truck is much harder to control, especially on turns or hills, and it requires a significantly longer distance to stop. This can lead to a variety of accidents, including rollovers, rear-end collisions, and brake failures. We work with experts to analyze the truck’s manifest, weigh station data, and the scene of the accident to determine if the truck was in violation of weight regulations.

Loose or Unbalanced Cargo

The way a truck’s cargo is loaded and secured is critically important to the vehicle’s stability. When cargo is improperly secured, it can shift during transport, causing the truck’s weight distribution to change suddenly. 

This can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to rollovers or jackknife accidents. We investigate the loading procedures and examine the condition of tie-downs and other securing devices to determine if the negligence of the shipper or the trucking company was a factor in the accident.

Inadequate Maintenance

Commercial trucks are complex machines that require regular and thorough maintenance to operate safely. Negligent maintenance, such as failing to inspect or repair critical components like brakes, tires, and steering systems, can lead to catastrophic failures on the road. 

A blown tire or a brake failure on a semi-truck can have devastating consequences. We review the truck’s maintenance records, inspection logs, and repair history to identify any signs of negligence on the part of the trucking company.

Speeding

Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks have a much longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles. When a truck driver speeds to meet a deadline, they are significantly reducing their ability to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions. 

The extra momentum of a speeding truck also means that any accident will be far more severe, with an increased risk of catastrophic injuries or fatalities. We analyze accident reconstruction data, black box information, and witness statements to prove that speeding was a factor in the accident.

Distracted Driving

In today’s connected world, distracted driving is a growing problem, and truck drivers are not immune. Using a cell phone, adjusting a GPS, eating, or even looking at paperwork can take a driver’s attention away from the road for critical seconds. 

Given the immense size and weight of a commercial truck, even a momentary lapse in attention can have devastating consequences. We subpoena cell phone records and other data to determine if a driver was distracted at the time of the crash.

Common Injuries that Occur in Orland Park Trucking Crashes

Big rig accidents often result in devastating injuries due to the sheer size and force involved in these collisions. Victims frequently suffer:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – ranging from concussions to severe brain trauma that can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – including partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain that may require lifelong medical care.
• Multiple Bone Fractures – particularly in the legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis, often requiring extensive surgery and lengthy rehabilitation periods.
• Internal Organ Damage – severe impacts can cause life-threatening injuries to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs, sometimes leading to permanent organ dysfunction.
• Severe Burns – fuel fires or chemical spills during crashes can result in third or fourth-degree burns, requiring multiple surgeries and leaving permanent scarring.
• Crush Injuries – when smaller vehicles are compressed by large trucks, victims may suffer devastating injuries including amputation, severe tissue damage, and major nerve injuries.

These serious injuries typically require extensive medical treatment, prolonged recovery periods, and can result in permanent disability or disfigurement. Many victims face substantial medical expenses and may never fully return to their pre-accident quality of life.

Parties That May Be Responsible for an Orland Park Truck Accident

When investigating a truck accident, multiple parties often share varying degrees of responsibility, these include:

The Truck Driver

• Violations of hours-of-service regulations
• Distracted driving behaviors
• Operating under the influence
• Failure to maintain proper log books
• Speeding or aggressive driving maneuvers
• Inadequate training or certification

The Trucking Company

• Improper hiring practices or background checks
• Insufficient driver training programs
• Pushing drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines
• Poor vehicle maintenance schedules
• Failure to monitor driver compliance
• Violation of federal safety regulations

Equipment Manufacturers

• Defective truck components
• Faulty brake systems
• Tire manufacturing defects
• Steering mechanism failures
• Inadequate safety warning systems
• Design flaws in critical components

Cargo-Related Parties

• Loading dock personnel
• Third-party logistics companies
• Shipping companies
• Warehouse operators

These entities may be responsible for:

• Improper weight distribution
• Unsecured cargo
• Overloaded trailers
• Violation of cargo regulations
• Failure to properly document cargo

Additional Potentially Liable Parties

• Government entities responsible for road maintenance
• Third-party maintenance providers
• Lease companies
• Insurance companies
• Other motorists involved in the accident
• Understanding these complex liability relationships requires thorough investigation and expertise in commercial transportation laws and regulations.

Damages that Can Be Recovered from an Orland Park Commercial Truck Accident

When involved in a commercial truck accident, victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation to cover their losses. These damages can be divided into two main categories:

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the quantifiable monetary losses suffered by the victim due to the accident. These damages are aimed at reimbursing the out-of-pocket expenses and financial costs incurred.

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs
• Transportation expenses related to medical treatments

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages compensate for the intangible losses that do not have a direct monetary value but significantly impact the victim’s quality of life.

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement

In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are not intended to compensate the victim but rather to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were found to be grossly negligent or intentionally harmful.

Protecting Your Rights in Mokena and Joliet

A successful truck accident case begins with a detailed review of the crash and the circumstances that led to it. This allows us to determine what happened and which party or parties may be held liable. Several parties may actually share liability for a truck accident, including the driver, the transport company, the maintenance company, and the maker of the truck itself.

At our firm, we pledge to keep you completely up-to-date as your case moves forward. We will communicate with you often, helping you to make the best possible choices at all times. Attorney John S. Fotopoulos is not afraid of trucking companies, their lawyers, or their insurance carriers. He and his team will fight for you until you receive the damages to which you are entitled under the law.

Contact Our Will County Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a large truck crash, you do not have to face this situation alone. We are here to handle the legal aspects of your case, so you can focus on your recovery.  Contact our office to get the help you need. Call 708-942-8400 for a free consultation and case review today.

We serve clients in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Homer Glen, Alsip, Joliet, Palos Heights, Will County, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.