Palatine 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Palatine roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Palatine, Illinois every day. Due to it's location, population and traffic throughout Palatine and the surrounding area, the city of Palatine unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents.

Palatine is a village in Cook County, Illinois. It is a northwestern residential suburb of Chicago. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 65,479, making it the sixth-largest community in Cook County and the 16th-largest in the state of Illinois at that time. In 2005 its population was estimated to be 67,232. Palatine is only twenty-eight miles from the Chicago Loop, and fourteen miles from O'Hare International Airport. Street, air, rail and bus transportation options are available throughout the Village. The major highways servicing Palatine include US Routes 12 (Rand Road) and 14 (Northwest Highway), Interstate 290/Illinois Route 53, Interstate 90, and Interstate 294. The Metra's Northwest Union Pacific line provides service from downtown Palatine to Chicago. The train station is located at 137 W. Wood St. PACE Bus Route 699 goes from Palatine to Woodfield to Elk Grove Village and PACE Bus Route 723 serves Northeast Palatine to Arlington Park.

With Palatine being a larger city in the State of Illinois, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Palatine highways are inevitable. If you have a Palatine truck accident claim, call one of the Palatine 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.
 

Palatine 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Palatine, it is important that you choose an experienced Palatine 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Illinois.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Semi-Tractor Truck
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Tractor Trailer
4. Flatbed
5. Semi

Palatine truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Palatine streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Palatine happen along the major Palatine highways, which include the US-14 and SH-53.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Logging trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Bob-Tail Trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Refrigerated trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Palatine roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Palatine bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Palatine city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as DuPage Airport or Campbell Airport;
4. casino bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Lake Twin.

The ways Palatine truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Palatine and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Cook County Circuit Court - Law Division
50 West Washington Street Room 801, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-6930

Cook County Circuit Court - Fourth Municipal District
1500 Maybrook Avenue Room 236, Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 865-6040

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Palatine and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Carol Steam, Carpentersville, Channahon, Chicago, Cicero, Crystal Lake, De Kalb, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lancing, Lockport, Lombard, McHenry, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Rockford, Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Woodstock, areas in the vicinity of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and other communities in Cook County.

Palatine 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Palatine 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Palatine 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Palatine, Illinois, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Palatine 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Illinois state laws regarding trucking regulations. Palatine, located in Cook County, is the 16th largest city in Illinois  with extensive roadways and congested freeways. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Northeast Illinois truck accident, contact a qualified Palatine semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Palatine & Illinois Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Palatine accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Palatine big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of The Northwest Suburban Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association or Illinois State Bar Association? All lawyers that practice Palatine truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of Illinois. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Northwest Suburban Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Cook County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Founded in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization, the Association's primary focus is to help Illinois lawyers practice more effectively and efficiently by providing time and money-saving services. They also engage in many important activities on behalf of the profession — among them proposing and shaping legislation, educating the public, and supporting the courts and the rule of law.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Palatine intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Palatine, IL or Cook County, it is in your best interest to contact a Palatine big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Palatine 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Cook County, IL

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Palatine, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Palatine, Illinois, therefore making venue proper in Cook County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Palatine tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Palatine, Cook County, Illinois, areas include:

Cook County Circuit Court - Fifth Municipal District
10220 South 76th Avenue Room 121, Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 974-6500

Cook County Circuit Court - Second Municipal District
5600 Old Orchard Road Room 136, Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 470-7250

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Palatine and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Carol Steam, Carpentersville, Channahon, Chicago, Cicero, Crystal Lake, De Kalb, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lancing, Lockport, Lombard, McHenry, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Rockford, Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Woodstock, areas in the vicinity of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and other communities in Cook County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Palatine 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Palatine Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Palatine, Illinois. Trucking companies in Palatine offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Palatine trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Palatine Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Palatine trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Palatine Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Palatine 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Palatine tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Palatine truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Palatine truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Palatine tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Palatine Area Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Palatine, Illinois. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Palatine and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Carol Steam, Carpentersville, Channahon, Chicago, Cicero, Crystal Lake, De Kalb, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lancing, Lockport, Lombard, McHenry, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Rockford, Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Woodstock, areas in the vicinity of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and other communities in Cook County.

Palatine truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Palatine truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Palatine Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Palatine such as US-14 or SH-53,  can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Palatine,IL. Palatine’s freeway system is made up of I-90, I-294 and I-290 as well as numerous state highways and connecting service roads.The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Palatine 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Palatine truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Palatine road or highway, such as US-14 or SH-53 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Palatine highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 14 in Palatine.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified Palatine 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Palatine truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Palatine truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified Palatine truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Palatine truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Palatine, Illinois, one truck driving school is Star Truck Driving School, 710 Larson Lane, Bensenville, IL 60106, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Palatine and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Carol Steam, Carpentersville, Channahon, Chicago, Cicero, Crystal Lake, De Kalb, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lancing, Lockport, Lombard, McHenry, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Rockford, Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Woodstock, areas in the vicinity of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and other communities in Cook County.

Palatine truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Palatine 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.