Rockford 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Rockford 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 Rockford, Illinois, every day. Due to the area's population and the traffic conditions throughout the area, the city of Rockford unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents.

Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated city in the state behind Chicago and Aurora. The metropolitan area has 339,178 residents as of the 2000 census. During the latter part of the 20th century Rockford was the second largest city in Illinois and is currently the most populated city in Illinois outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area

Rockford is linked by highway to Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin, and Dubuque, Iowa. Completed in 1958, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway links the Rockford area both to Madison, Wisconsin and the northwest Chicago suburbs. From Rockford north, I-90 replaced U.S. Route 51 in Illinois. I-90 also links the city with Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as I-43 joins it 2 miles north of the state line. U.S. Route 20 goes through Rockford twice. The original highway is now an east-west business route (State Street) that divides the city to the north and south. From the 1970s to the late 1990s, the area was core to commercial development in the city. Rockford also marks the point where U.S. 20 and Interstate 90 no longer parallel each other. In 1965, a US-20 bypass around the southern end of the city was completed, joining the Northwest Tollway near Cherry Valley. The bypass joins State Street west of the city near the village of Winnebago, Illinois. East of Interstate 90, U.S. 20 is a 4-lane divided highway parallelling I-90. From the west, U.S. 20 provides a link to Freeport, Galena, and Dubuque, Iowa. However, much of the highway west of Rockford is a winding two-lane road that discourages truck traffic. Built in stages between the late 1970s to its completion in 1992, Interstate 39 served as a replacement for U.S. 51 south of the city. Starting from the U.S. 20 bypass, the highway directly links Rockford to Bloomington and Normal, Illinois. Its construction allowed better access to Chicago from the south via Interstate 80 and Interstate 88, also allowing for a bypass around the city of Chicago to Wisconsin.

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

Rockford 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
 

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 Rockford, it is important that you choose an experienced Rockford 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. Lowboy
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Dump-Trucks
4. Truck
5. Semi

Rockford truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Rockford streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Rockford happen along the major Rockford highways, which include the I-90, US-20, SH-70, and SH-251.

Types of Trucks
 

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

1. Bob-Tail Trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging 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 Rockford 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 Rockford bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Rockford city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Rockford International Airport or Cottonwood Airport; and/or,
4. The Rockford Mass Transit District Bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Lake in the Hills.

The ways Rockford 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 Rockford and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of the courts:

Winnebago County Circuit Court
Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 W State Street, Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4500

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Rockford and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout North Illinois, including Algonquin, Auburn, Aurora, Batavia, Beloit, Belvidere, Brown Hills, Byron, Caledonia, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, Central Terrace, Cherry Valley, Churchill's Grove, Davis Junction, De Kalb, Dixon, East Rockford, Edgewater, Elgin, Flagg, Freeport, Geneva, Genoa, Harvard, Hope VI, Huntley, Kirkland, Kishwaukee, Lake in the Hills, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Marengo, Midtown North, Monroe Center, New Millford, North Aurora, North End Square, North Rockford, Owen Center, Poplar Grove, River District, River Oaks, Rochelle, Rockford, Rockton, Rolling Green, Roscoe, Saint Charles, Signal Hill, South Beloit, South Rock, Stillman Valley, Sugar Grove, Sycamore, West Dundee, West Rockford, Westfield Corners, Westmoreland, Winnebago, and other communities in Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, and Winnebago County.

Rockford 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 Rockford 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Rockford 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Rockford, Illinois, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Rockford 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Illinois state laws regarding trucking regulations. Rockford, located in Winnebago County, is the second largest city in Illinois with extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. 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 North Illinois truck accident, contact a qualified Rockford semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Rockford & Illinois Professional Associations
 

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

• Winnebago County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association of Justice

The Winnebago County Bar Association will promote and support the practice of law and the administration of justice according to the highest standards while also serving its members through education, collegiality and opportunities for public service.

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 Rockford 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 Rockford, IL or Winnebago County, it is in your best interest to contact a Rockford big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Rockford 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Winnebago 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 Rockford, 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 Rockford, Illinois, therefore making venue proper in Winnebago County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Rockford 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 Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, areas include:

Winnebago County Circuit Court
Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 W State Street, Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4500
 

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Rockford and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout North Illinois, including Algonquin, Auburn, Aurora, Batavia, Beloit, Belvidere, Brown Hills, Byron, Caledonia, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, Central Terrace, Cherry Valley, Churchill's Grove, Davis Junction, De Kalb, Dixon, East Rockford, Edgewater, Elgin, Flagg, Freeport, Geneva, Genoa, Harvard, Hope VI, Huntley, Kirkland, Kishwaukee, Lake in the Hills, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Marengo, Midtown North, Monroe Center, New Millford, North Aurora, North End Square, North Rockford, Owen Center, Poplar Grove, River District, River Oaks, Rochelle, Rockford, Rockton, Rolling Green, Roscoe, Saint Charles, Signal Hill, South Beloit, South Rock, Stillman Valley, Sugar Grove, Sycamore, West Dundee, West Rockford, Westfield Corners, Westmoreland, Winnebago, and other communities in Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, and Winnebago County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Rockford 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 Rockford Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Rockford, Illinois. Trucking companies in Rockford offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Rockford Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
 

In many cases, Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Rockford truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Rockford tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Rockford Area Trucking Companies
 

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

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Rockford and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout North Illinois, including Algonquin, Auburn, Aurora, Batavia, Beloit, Belvidere, Brown Hills, Byron, Caledonia, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, Central Terrace, Cherry Valley, Churchill's Grove, Davis Junction, De Kalb, Dixon, East Rockford, Edgewater, Elgin, Flagg, Freeport, Geneva, Genoa, Harvard, Hope VI, Huntley, Kirkland, Kishwaukee, Lake in the Hills, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Marengo, Midtown North, Monroe Center, New Millford, North Aurora, North End Square, North Rockford, Owen Center, Poplar Grove, River District, River Oaks, Rochelle, Rockford, Rockton, Rolling Green, Roscoe, Saint Charles, Signal Hill, South Beloit, South Rock, Stillman Valley, Sugar Grove, Sycamore, West Dundee, West Rockford, Westfield Corners, Westmoreland, Winnebago, and other communities in Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, and Winnebago County.

Rockford 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 Rockford truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Rockford 18-Wheeler 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 Rockford such as I-90, 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 Rockford, IL. Rockford’s freeway system is made up of freeways and expressways as well as a extensive system of access and 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 Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford road or highway, such as I-90, US-20, SH-70 or SH-251 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 Rockford 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 U.S. 20 near Rockford. 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 Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Rockford, Illinois, one truck driving school is Rock Valley College Truck Driver Training 2816 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, , 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 Rockford and Surrounding Cities
 

erving clients throughout North Illinois, including Algonquin, Auburn, Aurora, Batavia, Beloit, Belvidere, Brown Hills, Byron, Caledonia, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, Central Terrace, Cherry Valley, Churchill's Grove, Davis Junction, De Kalb, Dixon, East Rockford, Edgewater, Elgin, Flagg, Freeport, Geneva, Genoa, Harvard, Hope VI, Huntley, Kirkland, Kishwaukee, Lake in the Hills, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Marengo, Midtown North, Monroe Center, New Millford, North Aurora, North End Square, North Rockford, Owen Center, Poplar Grove, River District, River Oaks, Rochelle, Rockford, Rockton, Rolling Green, Roscoe, Saint Charles, Signal Hill, South Beloit, South Rock, Stillman Valley, Sugar Grove, Sycamore, West Dundee, West Rockford, Westfield Corners, Westmoreland, Winnebago, and other communities in Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, and Winnebago County.

Rockford 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 Rockford 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.