Granite City Truck Accident Lawyer

TorHoerman Law has represented injured people and families for decades, including clients throughout Southern Illinois and the St. Louis region.

Our single-event personal injury practice is led by Eric Terry, who has more than two decades of legal experience and handles trucking, motor vehicle, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.

Our law firm has helped secure more than $4.5 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements nationwide, and our personal injury results include significant recoveries in truck and motor vehicle cases.

Truck accident litigation can require a detailed investigation of the circumstances surrounding the crash, the companies involved, and records that may never be available in a typical car accident case.

Our attorneys know how to preserve and analyze driver logs, maintenance and inspection records, electronic vehicle data, dispatch records, braking patterns, and other evidence that may be needed to establish liability.

Truck accident victims who hire TorHoerman Law have access to:

• Attorneys with substantial personal injury experience: Eric Terry leads our single-event personal injury practice and has handled trucking accidents, motor vehicle cases, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims.
• A record of significant case results: TorHoerman Law has helped secure more than $4.5 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements nationwide. Our current personal injury results also include a $1.3 million truck accident recovery and a $25 million jury verdict after the defendant’s final settlement offer was $1 million.
• Truck-specific investigations: We can examine driver qualification files, hours-of-service records, inspection and maintenance documents, cargo information, electronic logging data, vehicle data, and communications involving the motor carrier.
• Access to expert witnesses: When appropriate, we work with accident reconstruction experts, medical experts, trucking professionals, economists, and other specialists who can address how the crash occurred and the extent of the resulting damages.
• Preparation for serious litigation: Our attorneys evaluate cases with the possibility of litigation in mind rather than assuming every claim will end with an insurance company settlement.
• Detailed evaluation of damages: We document medical treatment, lost income, future care, reduced earning capacity, disability, pain and suffering, and other losses supported by the evidence when pursuing a fair settlement or court award.
• Representation on a contingency fee basis: We handle qualifying truck accident cases without upfront attorney fees, subject to the terms of the written fee agreement.
• A free case evaluation: Injured people and families can speak with our legal team about what happened, the evidence that may need to be preserved, and the legal options available without paying for the initial consultation.

Our attorneys prepare truck accident cases to address both the immediate consequences of the collision and the losses that may continue well into the future.

TorHoerman Law can pursue the maximum compensation available under the facts and law through negotiations or litigation when appropriate.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Truck Accident Lawyer?

TorHoerman Law handles many personal injury cases, including truck accident cases, on a contingency fee basis.

This means clients generally do not pay attorney fees upfront, and our law firm is paid from the compensation recovered through a settlement or verdict, subject to the terms of the written fee agreement.

The agreement explains the applicable attorney fee and how case expenses will be handled before representation begins.

A contingency fee arrangement allows injured clients to pursue a truck accident claim without paying hourly legal fees while they may already be dealing with medical bills, lost income, property damage, and other financial pressure.

TorHoerman Law also offers free consultations so prospective clients can discuss the crash, their injuries, and their legal options before deciding whether to move forward.

Our attorneys can explain the fee structure and answer questions about potential costs during the consultation.

After a truck accident in Granite City, your immediate priorities should be getting to a safe location and obtaining medical attention for anyone who is injured.

If you are able, call 911 so emergency responders and law enforcement can address injuries, roadway hazards, and the crash scene. Once immediate safety concerns have been addressed, photographs, witness information, vehicle details, and other documentation can help preserve information about how the collision occurred.

Commercial truck cases may also involve records held by motor carriers and other at-fault parties, making early evidence preservation particularly important.

According to Illinois Department of Transportation data, truck-tractors with semi-trailers were involved in more crashes than other single-unit trucks among the large commercial truck categories reported by the state.

After a truck accident, take these steps when you can do so safely:

1. Call 911 and request medical assistance. Report the collision and remain in a safe location while waiting for police, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel.
2. Seek medical care. Allow emergency personnel to evaluate serious injuries and obtain follow-up treatment when recommended.
3. Exchange identifying information. Obtain the truck driver’s name, contact information, employer or motor carrier, vehicle information, and available insurance details.
4. Document the crash scene. Take photographs or video of the vehicles, roadway, skid marks, debris, cargo, traffic controls, visible injuries, and surrounding conditions.
5. Collect witness information. Obtain names and contact information from people who saw the collision or events immediately before it.
6. Preserve documents related to the accident. Keep medical records, bills, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and documentation of missed work or other financial losses.
7. Contact a truck accident lawyer. An attorney can gather evidence that may be outside your control, including driver logs, electronic vehicle data, maintenance and inspection records, dispatch communications, and other trucking-company records.

Truck accidents can cause incapacitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or other catastrophic harm, and some crashes result in death.

A person who is unconscious, hospitalized, severely injured, or killed obviously may not be able to photograph the scene, speak with witnesses, or take the other recommended steps personally.

In these situations, attorneys can investigate on the victim’s or family’s behalf, gather evidence before it disappears, preserve records controlled by trucking companies, and identify the at-fault parties.

TorHoerman Law can begin that investigation even when the injured person was physically unable to document the crash themselves.

Common Types of Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents can happen in many different ways depending on the size of the vehicle, road conditions, driver behavior, cargo, and mechanical condition of the truck.

Some crashes involve loss of control, while others result from unsafe turns, following too closely, shifting cargo, or equipment failures such as a tire blowout.

Jackknife accidents and rollovers can affect several lanes of traffic and may involve multiple vehicles.

Overloaded cargo can also make a truck harder to stop or control and may contribute to instability, brake problems, or cargo spills.

Common types of trucking accidents include:

• Rear-end truck accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover crashes
• Underride accidents
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone and intersection crashes
• Wide-turn accidents
• Blind-spot and unsafe lane-change crashes
• Multi-vehicle truck accidents
• Tire blowout accidents
• Brake failure accidents
• Lost-load and cargo spill accidents
• Accidents involving overloaded cargo
• Delivery truck accidents
• Tanker truck accidents

How Do Truck Accidents Occur?

Truck accidents can occur when driver error, unsafe company practices, mechanical problems, cargo issues, or roadway conditions make a commercial vehicle difficult to operate safely.

Because large trucks require more time and distance to stop and have significant blind spots, even a brief mistake can lead to a serious collision. In some cases, more than one factor contributes to the crash.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Drunk or impaired driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Following too closely
• Failure to yield
• Improper turns
• Inadequate driver training
• Hours-of-service violations
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Brake or tire failures
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Unsafe scheduling or dispatch practices
• Adverse weather or dangerous road conditions

Determining how a truck accident occurred may require reviewing more than the driver’s conduct at the scene.

Attorneys may examine driver logs, electronic logging data, maintenance and inspection records, cargo documents, dispatch communications, vehicle data, and witness statements to identify contributing factors.

The investigation may also show whether a trucking company, maintenance provider, cargo company, manufacturer, or another party contributed to the collision.

TorHoerman Law can gather and analyze this evidence to determine which parties may be responsible for the crash.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents can cause severe injuries because commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier than passenger cars.

Victims may require emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term medical care depending on the force of the collision and the area of the body affected.

Some injuries are immediately apparent, while others may worsen or become more noticeable in the hours or days after the crash.

Serious truck accident injuries can also affect a person’s ability to work, live independently, or return to normal daily activities.

Common truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Herniated discs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Severe cuts and lacerations
• Nerve damage
• Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries
• Amputations
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Paralysis
• Psychological trauma, anxiety, and PTSD
• Permanent disability

The legal process for a Granite City truck accident case usually begins with a detailed investigation into how the crash occurred and who may be responsible.

Truck accidents often lead to severe and life-changing injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and internal injuries, which can make the damages analysis more extensive than in an ordinary motor vehicle claim.

Attorneys may review police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, witness statements, driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to evaluate liability and damages.

They may also examine federal trucking requirements, insurance coverage, and company records that could affect the claim.

The goal is to build a well-supported case and pursue the compensation available under the facts and law.

The legal process may include:

1. Free consultation: An attorney reviews the crash, injuries, available records, and potential legal options.
2. Investigation and evidence preservation: The legal team gathers reports, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, trucking records, and electronic data before important evidence is lost.
3. Liability analysis: Attorneys evaluate the conduct of the truck driver, motor carrier, maintenance providers, cargo companies, manufacturers, or other potentially responsible parties.
4. Medical and damages review: The legal team reviews medical treatment, future care needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and other losses.
5. Insurance claim and settlement demand: Attorneys identify available insurance coverage and may submit a demand supported by evidence of fault and damages.
6. Settlement negotiations: The parties may negotiate in an effort to resolve the claim and receive fair compensation without proceeding to trial.
7. Filing a lawsuit: If the case does not resolve, a lawsuit may be filed in the appropriate court.
8. Discovery and depositions: The parties exchange documents, answer written questions, take sworn testimony, and obtain additional evidence.
9. Expert review and trial preparation: Accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, economists, or other professionals may be consulted when necessary.
10. Settlement or trial: The case may resolve through negotiation, mediation, or a court verdict.

The vast majority of personal injury cases resolve before trial, but the timing and path of each truck accident case depends on the evidence, injuries, disputed issues, and number of parties involved.

Some cases may resolve during negotiations, while others continue through discovery and trial preparation.

TorHoerman Law can guide clients through each stage and prepare the case for litigation when a settlement cannot be reached.

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Truck Accident In Granite City?

Truck accident claims can involve multiple parties because commercial vehicles often operate as part of a larger transportation business.

Determining responsibility may require examining the truck driver’s conduct, the motor carrier’s practices, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and other circumstances surrounding the crash.

Common causes such as driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, improper loading, and violations of applicable federal trucking safety regulations can point to different responsible parties.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• Truck driver: A driver may be responsible for speeding, distracted or impaired driving, fatigue, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, or other traffic violations. A driver admitting fault after the crash may become part of the evidence, but liability ultimately depends on the facts and applicable law.
• Trucking company or motor carrier: A carrier may bear responsibility for its own negligent conduct, such as poor training, unsafe scheduling, inadequate supervision, or maintenance failures. Depending on the employment and agency relationship, a company may also be responsible for negligence committed by a driver working on its behalf.
• Cargo loading company: A separate company responsible for loading or securing freight may be liable when improper loading, an unbalanced trailer, overloaded cargo, or unsecured freight contributes to the accident.
• Maintenance or repair contractor: A maintenance provider may bear responsibility if deficient inspections, repairs, or servicing contributed to brake failure, tire failure, steering problems, or another mechanical issue.
• Truck or component manufacturer: A manufacturer may be responsible under product liability law when a defective truck, tire, brake component, steering system, or other part contributes to the collision.
• Other drivers: Another motorist may share responsibility when their actions contribute to a collision involving a commercial truck.
• Government entities in limited circumstances: A public entity may potentially be involved when a dangerous condition of public property contributes to a crash, but Illinois governmental immunity laws can substantially affect whether a claim is available.

Cases involving large trucking companies can require specialized investigative resources because important information may include black box data, electronic driver logs, inspection records, corporate policies, dispatch communications, and evidence of federal safety violations.

Identifying multiple parties is also important because each defendant may have separate insurance coverage and defenses that can affect how much compensation may ultimately be available.

TorHoerman Law can investigate the crash, preserve trucking records, and determine which individuals or companies may bear legal responsibility.

Some truck accidents cause injuries that prove fatal, leaving surviving family members to deal with both the personal loss and the legal and financial consequences of the crash.

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death action may be available when a person dies because of a wrongful act, neglect, or default that would have allowed the injured person to pursue a claim had they survived.

Wrongful death damages are intended to compensate the surviving spouse and next of kin for losses resulting from the death.

Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, grief, sorrow, mental suffering, and other pecuniary losses recognized under Illinois law.

Punitive damages may also be available in qualifying wrongful death cases, although Illinois law places limits on when they can be recovered.

A separate survival claim may allow the estate to pursue damages the deceased person could have sought for injuries suffered before death.

These claims can involve medical expenses, pain and suffering before death, lost income, and other losses supported by the evidence.

Fatal truck accident cases may require investigation of the truck driver’s conduct, motor carrier records, electronic logs, maintenance and inspection documents, black box data, insurance coverage, and other evidence relevant to liability.

TorHoerman Law can help surviving family members determine which wrongful death and survival claims may be available and identify the parties who may be held responsible.

Federal regulations can play an important role in a semi truck accident case because commercial trucking operations may be subject to safety requirements that do not apply in a typical car accident.

The specific rules that apply depend on factors such as the truck, motor carrier, route, cargo, and type of operation.

Attorneys handling truck accident cases should understand how federal regulations governing driver hours, qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo, and other safety issues may affect the investigation.

Federal trucking regulations that may be relevant include:

• Hours-of-service rules: Covered property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Driver logs and electronic logging records may help determine whether fatigue or an hours-of-service violation contributed to the crash.
• Driver qualification requirements: Federal rules establish minimum qualifications for certain commercial drivers and require motor carriers to maintain driver qualification information. These records can become relevant when a driver’s licensing, training, medical qualification, or driving history is disputed.
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements: Drivers subject to federal CDL requirements may also be subject to federal drug and alcohol testing rules, including testing in certain post-accident circumstances.
• Inspection, repair, and maintenance requirements: Motor carriers covered by federal rules must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain commercial vehicles under their control. Maintenance and inspection records may help determine whether the truck was properly maintained before the collision.
• Vehicle equipment requirements: Federal regulations address safety-related equipment such as brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices, reflective materials, and other components used on commercial vehicles.
• Cargo securement requirements: Federal rules govern how cargo must be secured to reduce the risk of freight shifting, falling, or otherwise making a commercial vehicle unsafe.
• Hazardous materials requirements: Trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or other regulated hazardous materials may be subject to additional transportation and safety requirements.
• Financial responsibility requirements: Certain interstate motor carriers must maintain federally required levels of financial responsibility, although the applicable requirements depend on the type of carrier, vehicle, and cargo involved.

A violation of federal regulations does not automatically establish liability for a semi truck accident, but it may provide important evidence when determining why the crash occurred.

TorHoerman Law can review driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, electronic vehicle data, cargo records, and other evidence to determine whether an applicable safety rule was violated.

Truck crashes can involve federal regulations, multiple potentially responsible parties, and several insurance policies, which can make the investigation different from a standard motor vehicle claim.

Illinois Truck Accident Statute Of Limitations

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim after a truck accident is generally two years after the cause of action accrues.

For most truck accidents involving injuries that are immediately known, this typically means two years from the date of the crash.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, actions seeking damages for injury to a person generally must be commenced within this two-year period.

Different deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances of the case.

For example, claims against certain local government entities or employees generally have a one-year filing period, while claims involving minors, wrongful death, or other special circumstances may require a different analysis.

Property damage claims can also have a different filing deadline from claims seeking compensation for personal injuries.

Missing the applicable statute of limitations can prevent an injured person from pursuing an otherwise valid claim.

TorHoerman Law can review the circumstances of a Granite City truck accident and determine which filing deadlines apply.

You may qualify for a truck accident claim if another person or company caused or contributed to a crash that left you with injuries, financial losses, or the death of a loved one.

A claim may arise when a truck driver violated traffic laws, drove while distracted or fatigued, followed too closely, sped, or otherwise operated the vehicle unsafely.

You may also have a claim if a trucking company failed to properly train or supervise a driver, maintain the truck, monitor driving hours, or follow applicable safety requirements.

Other parties, including maintenance providers, cargo companies, manufacturers, or other motorists, may also bear responsibility depending on how the accident occurred.

Recoverable losses can include medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and other damages supported by the evidence.

Illinois law may still allow recovery if you share some responsibility for the crash, as long as your percentage of fault is not more than 50%, although your compensation may be reduced accordingly.

You do not need to know exactly who is liable or have every piece of evidence before speaking with an attorney.

TorHoerman Law can investigate the crash, review trucking and insurance records, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain whether you may have grounds to pursue compensation.

Evidence in a Truck Accident Case

Evidence can help establish how a truck accident occurred, which parties may be responsible, and what losses resulted from the crash.

Truck cases often involve records that are not available in a typical car accident claim, including driver logs, electronic vehicle data, maintenance records, cargo documents, and company communications.

These materials may help show whether mechanical failures, improper maintenance, drunk driving, unsafe cargo practices, or other conduct contributed to the collision.

Because some trucking evidence can be overwritten, repaired, discarded, or otherwise lost, preserving it early can be important to the investigation.

Evidence in a Granite City truck accident case may include:

• Police reports
• Photos and videos of the crash scene
• Witness statements
• Medical records and bills
• Driver logs and electronic logging data
• Black box and GPS data
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Cargo and shipping records
• Drug and alcohol testing records
• Trucking company communications
• Employment and lost-income records
• Accident reconstruction or other expert reports

Potential Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim

Damages are the financial and non-financial losses caused by a truck accident and the resulting injuries.

Attorneys assess damages by reviewing medical records, treatment costs, employment records, property damage, and evidence showing how the injuries have affected the person’s work and daily life.

They may also consider future medical needs, reduced earning capacity, permanent limitations, and the extent of pain or emotional distress caused by the crash.

In serious cases, lawyers may work with medical, vocational, or economic experts to help calculate losses that are expected to continue in the future.

Potential compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of normal life
• Other accident-related out-of-pocket expenses

The amount of compensation available depends on the facts of the case, the evidence supporting each category of loss, and any applicable insurance coverage.

TorHoerman Law can evaluate the full extent of a client’s damages and pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation when appropriate.

A serious truck accident can leave an injured person facing extensive medical treatment, lost income, long-term limitations, and uncertainty about who may be responsible for the crash.

TorHoerman Law represents truck accident victims in Granite City and throughout Southern Illinois, handling claims involving commercial drivers, motor carriers, maintenance providers, cargo companies, manufacturers, and other potentially responsible parties.

Our attorneys can investigate the collision, preserve trucking records and electronic data, review applicable federal regulations, and work with qualified experts when additional analysis is needed.

Truck accident cases can involve multiple defendants, significant insurance coverage, and evidence that may disappear if it is not preserved quickly.

Our legal team prepares each case around the available evidence and can pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation when appropriate.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Granite City truck accident, contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chat feature on this page to discuss your case with our legal team.