LoVerde Law recently secured a $1.8 million settlement on behalf of a client seriously injured in a commercial trucking accident. But beyond this result, we want every Illinois driver to understand something important: if you have been hit by a truck, you likely have more legal rights than you realize and the clock is already ticking.

Being Hit by a Truck Is Not the Same as a Car Accident

Most people assume that after a trucking accident, they simply file a claim with the insurance company and move on. The reality is very different. Commercial trucking accidents are among the most legally complex cases in personal injury law, and the trucking industry knows it.

When a crash happens, trucking companies immediately dispatch their own investigators, attorneys, and insurance adjusters to the scene, often before victims have even left the hospital. Their goal is to protect the company, minimize their liability, and limit what they pay you. Without legal representation, most victims walk away with far less than they deserve.

Who Can Actually Be Held Responsible?

This is one of the most important things consumers need to understand. In a trucking accident, the driver is often just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Depending on the circumstances, you may have valid claims against:

• The trucking company, for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pushing drivers past legal hour limits
• The cargo loading company, if improperly secured freight caused or contributed to the crash
• A maintenance contractor, if brake failure, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues were left unaddressed
• The truck manufacturer, if a defective part played a role in the accident
• A third-party logistics company, if they directed the driver’s unsafe route or schedule

Identifying every liable party is critical because it directly affects how much compensation you can recover. An experienced attorney will investigate all of these angles an insurance adjuster working for the trucking company will not.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Victims of commercial trucking accidents in Illinois may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses, including:

• Current and future medical expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Loss of quality of life if injuries are permanent or disabling

Commercial trucking companies carry substantially larger insurance policies than individual drivers often in the millions of dollars. That means the potential compensation in these cases is significant, which is exactly why trucking companies fight so hard to minimize it.

What to Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Truck

The steps you take in the hours and days after a trucking accident can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here is what we advise every client:

• Call 911 immediately and get a police report filed at the scene
• Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay many serious injuries are not immediately apparent
• Document everything you can: photos of the scene, the truck, license plates, and your injuries
• Get the truck driver’s name, CDL number, insurance information, and the trucking company’s name
• Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster without speaking to an attorney first
• Contact a trucking accident attorney as soon as possible critical evidence like black box data can be lost quickly

Illinois Law Is on Your Side — But You Have to Act

Illinois gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This may sound like plenty of time, but trucking cases require extensive investigation, and key evidence, including the truck’s electronic logging data, dashcam footage, and driver records, can be lost, overwritten, or destroyed if you wait too long.

Illinois also follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as you were less than 51% responsible. Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you to reduce what they owe. An attorney levels the playing field.

You Deserve to Know Your Rights

Too many trucking accident victims settle for far less than their case is worth simply because they did not know what to ask for. The $1.8 million result we secured for our client was possible because we identified every liable party, preserved the right evidence, and refused to accept the insurance company’s first offer.

At LoVerde Law, we represent clients in commercial trucking accident and personal injury cases throughout Illinois. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

If you or someone you know has been hit by a truck, contact LoVerde Law today for a free consultation. The call is free. The advice is real. And knowing your rights could make all the difference.