Chicago Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer

When a loved one is lost in a tragic semi-truck collision, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we understand that pain. For over 40 years, we’ve represented families affected by fatal semi-truck collisions and are ready to work for you. With more than 20 skilled trial lawyers and 35 dedicated staff members, we are committed to standing up for families across Illinois. If your family has suffered such a loss, our Chicago truck accident attorneys offer a free consultation to help you pursue justice and understand your legal options.

Common Causes of Fatal Commercial Truck Crashes

Trucking collisions often differ from everyday car crashes due to the sheer size, weight, and operational pressures placed on commercial vehicles. Some of the recurring causes our law firm sees include the following:

Driver fatigue: Commercial truck drivers may be pressured to exceed allowable driving hours or skip rest breaks mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), increasing the risk of a catastrophic event.
Improper cargo loading or securement: When freight shifts or trailers are overloaded, the truck’s handling capabilities deteriorate, thereby increasing the risk of a collision or accident.
Maintenance failures: Neglected brakes, tires, lights, or suspension systems can lead to loss of control or brake failure in a large commercial vehicle.
Speeding, distracted driving, or impaired operation: Drivers under the influence, texting, or exceeding safe speeds in a heavy truck create a dangerous situation for all road users.
Poor driver training or inadequate company safety policies: A carrier that fails to supervise drivers, enforce rules, or train them to drive in adverse weather conditions may contribute to a fatal semi-truck collision.

Each of these factors may contribute to a tragic crash. Our legal team investigates the full context of a collision to identify which of these causes contributed to your loved one’s sudden loss. Contact us today for a free consultation with a wrongful death truck accident attorney in Chicago.

Liability in a Fatal Trucking Collision

Understanding who is liable for a fatal truck crash is a central focus of a commercial truck wrongful death claim. Unlike in a car accident involving only passenger vehicles, multiple parties may be held responsible in a trucking accident. Some of the potentially liable parties are:

The truck driver, whose negligence—such as falling asleep at the wheel or failing to secure cargo—may have directly caused the fatal semi-truck collision.
The trucking company is liable if it engaged in negligent hiring, negligent supervision, entrusting the vehicle to an unqualified driver, or setting schedules that encourage drivers to violate safety rules. It can also be held liable for the negligence of its drivers.
The vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier may be liable if a defective component—such as brake failure or a failing electronic system—contributed to the tractor-trailer accident.
The freight broker or cargo loader may be held accountable in situations where improper loading or a failure to certify safe cargo created conditions that led to a fatal crash.
Maintenance providers or repair facilities can also be held accountable if inadequate inspections or repairs on the commercial truck resulted in mechanical failure.

Our Chicago fatal truck accident lawyer team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. analyzes all involved entities and examines driver logs, load manifests, maintenance records, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and event data recorder triggers to determine where liability lies after a fatal semi-truck collision in Illinois.

Federal and State Trucking Regulations

The trucking industry is regulated by a rigorous framework of federal and state laws designed to promote highway safety. Key among them are the rules promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Some of the most relevant regulations in fatal truck accident cases include:

Hours-of-Service rules: These limit the amount of time a driver may operate a commercial motor vehicle before taking required rest. Violations of these rules may support a truck accident claim.
Drug and alcohol testing regulations: Motor carriers are required to conduct pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing in accordance with federal law. Failure to follow these procedures may indicate negligence on the part of the carrier if their impaired drivers cause semi-truck accidents.
Vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements: Under the FMCSA regulatory scheme, commercial trucks are required to undergo periodic inspections and repairs. Non-compliance may contribute to mechanical failures that can trigger fatal traffic accidents.
Load securement and weight limit rules: Federal regulations govern the loading, securing, and maximum allowable weight of a fully loaded semi truck. Breaches of these rules may support Chicago truck accident lawsuits.

At the state level, Illinois law regulates commercial drivers’ licenses, vehicle dimensions, and weight restrictions. It mimics federal hours-of-service rules. Illinois law also governs vehicle maintenance, drug and alcohol testing, and electronic logging devices. Our experienced truck accident attorneys can investigate your case to determine whether the trucking company violated any of these regulations or others that contributed to the fatal injuries.

Financial Compensation for Families in a Fatal Truck Crash Claim

When a family files a commercial truck wrongful death claim, losses may be recoverable for both the tangible and intangible impacts of the death. Examples of recoverable losses include:

Funeral, burial, and related end-of-life costs
Lost financial support that the deceased would have contributed in wages, benefits, services, or assistance
Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support experienced by a surviving spouse, children, or next of kin
Mental suffering, grief, and sorrow connected to the wrongful death of a loved one

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may bring the wrongful death claim. Illinois sets a two-year statutory period for filing most wrongful death claims. This statutory period begins on the date of death.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our Chicago fatal truck accident lawyer team can begin working on your case immediately. We preserve critical evidence such as black-box data and driver logs, evaluate the full scope of your family’s losses, and work to achieve maximum recovery on your behalf.

Contact Our Chicago Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal semi-truck collision in Illinois, do not wait. The law imposes a strict filing deadline, and commercial carriers will begin mounting a defense immediately.

Our legal team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. offers a complimentary consultation with no upfront fees, allowing us to evaluate your case thoroughly. Our personal injury team has recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements, including some of the highest awards in Illinois history, with more than 400 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. Let a wrongful death truck accident attorney in Chicago from our firm advocate for your family today.

We are prepared to investigate the crash, identify every possible liable party, and fight for the recovery your family may obtain through a commercial truck wrongful death claim. Contact us now for your no-cost review.