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 Accident Cases We Handle

At Fotopoulos Law Office, we handle all types of truck accidents, including:

• Jackknife Accidents: When a large truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, it creates an extremely dangerous situation on the road. These accidents typically occur when the driver brakes too hard or loses control on slippery surfaces. Jackknife accidents often result in multi-vehicle collisions as the trailer can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic. The aftermath of these accidents frequently involves extensive property damage and severe injuries.
• Rollover Accidents: Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity, making them particularly susceptible to rolling over. These accidents commonly occur during sharp turns, sudden swerves, or when loads are improperly balanced. Rollover accidents can be especially devastating as they often involve multiple vehicles and can result in spilled cargo creating additional hazards. The weight and momentum of a rolling truck can crush smaller vehicles in its path.
• Underride Collisions: These devastating accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a semi-truck. Underride collisions are among the most lethal types of truck accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These accidents can happen from the rear or side of the trailer, particularly in low-visibility conditions. Modern safety features like underride guards can help prevent these accidents, but they’re not always properly maintained or installed.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Also known as “squeeze play” accidents, these occur when large trucks swing wide to make right turns, potentially trapping or crushing vehicles between the truck and the curb. These accidents are common in urban areas where streets are narrower and turns are tighter. Inexperienced drivers may fail to properly execute these challenging maneuvers, leading to serious collisions.
• Rear-End Collisions: Due to their massive weight, trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. When trucks fail to maintain proper following distance or encounter sudden traffic stops, devastating rear-end collisions can occur. These accidents often result in severe whiplash, spinal injuries, and even fatal crushing injuries. The impact force in these collisions is magnified by the truck’s weight and momentum.
• Lost Load Accidents: When cargo is improperly secured or loading procedures aren’t followed correctly, materials can spill onto the roadway. These accidents create immediate hazards for other drivers who must suddenly navigate around debris. Lost load accidents can lead to chain-reaction crashes and pose particular dangers for motorcyclists and smaller vehicles. The type of cargo involved can create additional risks, especially with hazardous materials.
• Head-On Collisions: Among the most catastrophic of all truck accidents, head-on collisions often occur when a truck crosses the center line or travels the wrong way. These accidents frequently result from driver fatigue, intoxication, or poor visibility conditions. The combined force of two vehicles colliding head-on, especially when one is a commercial truck, typically leads to fatal or life-altering injuries.

Frequent Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Orland Park

There are a number of potential causes of trucking accidents in Orland Park, including:

• Driver fatigue – Long hours on the road and pressure to meet delivery deadlines can lead to exhausted truck drivers making critical mistakes. Federal regulations limit driving hours, but these rules are sometimes ignored.
• Driver error as a result of poor training – Some trucking companies fail to properly train their drivers on safety protocols and vehicle operation. This inadequate preparation can lead to dangerous situations when drivers face challenging road conditions or emergency scenarios.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – Despite strict regulations, some drivers turn to substances to stay awake or cope with stress. This severely impairs judgment and reaction time, creating extreme danger on the roads.
• Overloaded trucks – When trucks carry more weight than legally allowed, it affects braking ability and vehicle stability. Overloading can lead to tire blowouts and make the truck much harder to control, especially on turns or hills.
• Loose or unbalanced cargo – Improperly secured loads can shift during transport, causing the truck to become unstable. This shifting weight can lead to rollovers or cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
• Inadequate maintenance – Failing to properly maintain brakes, tires, and other critical components can lead to catastrophic failures. Regular inspections and repairs are legally required but sometimes neglected to save time or money.
• Speeding – Truck drivers racing to meet schedules may exceed safe speeds, reducing their ability to react to road conditions. The extra momentum of a speeding truck makes accidents far more severe.
• Distracted driving – Using phones, adjusting GPS devices, or other distractions can take a driver’s attention off the road at critical moments. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to devastating consequences when operating such a large vehicle.

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.