Truck Accidents on Illinois Highways Can Total Your Car and Cause Serious Injuries

 Posted on August 20, 2025 in Car Accidents

Highways in Illinois see a constant flow of tractor-trailers and delivery trucks. While these trucks are essential for moving things where they need to go, they also pose serious dangers. When a truck collides with a passenger car, the results can be devastating. A small vehicle can be completely totaled, and occupants may suffer catastrophic injuries.

As of August 2025, Illinois continues to enforce both state and federal trucking regulations, but accidents still occur with alarming frequency. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident with a truck on an Illinois highway, you deserve outstanding representation from a Lake Zurich, IL truck accident lawyer who is experienced and aggressive with the truck companies that are responsible.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

The size and weight of commercial trucks make them far more destructive in collisions than standard cars. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. By contrast, the average car weighs around 3,000 pounds. This imbalance means that even at lower speeds, truck accidents often lead to severe injuries and significant property damage.

Common injuries from truck crashes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal bleeding. Victims often require extensive medical care and long recovery times, and may face permanent disability.

Common Causes of Illinois Truck Crashes

Truck accidents can happen for many reasons. Some of the most frequent causes on Illinois highways include:

• Driver fatigue, especially when truckers exceed federal hours-of-service limits

• Distracted driving, such as using phones or GPS devices

• Poor maintenance, including faulty brakes or worn tires

• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo

• Aggressive driving or speeding to meet impossible delivery schedules

When these factors lead to a crash, liability may fall on the driver, the trucking company, or even a third party responsible for maintenance or loading.

Liability for Truck Accidents Under Illinois Law

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that, under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, you may recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often use this rule to try to shift blame onto injured drivers, making it important to present strong evidence of what actually happened.

In addition, federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) apply to most trucking companies. Violations of these rules, such as driving beyond legal hours or failing required inspections, can often provide important evidence in proving negligence by the trucking company.

As part of our commitment to maximizing every client’s settlement, our firm conducts a comprehensive investigation into every case we take. We argue to reduce our clients’ potential liability and make a strong case for why other parties are responsible for an accident and its aftermath.

Contact a McHenry County, IL Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents can leave families struggling with medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery needs. You should not have to shoulder those burdens alone. At Premier Illinois Injury Lawyers, our father and daughter legal team brings over 25 years of combined experience to every case. We handle personal injury claims exclusively, offering free consultations and contingency billing, so you do not pay unless we recover damages for you.

If you have been injured in a truck crash, call 847-796-8448 today to speak with a Lake Zurich, IL personal injury attorney. We are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.