Troy Truck Accident Lawyer

TorHoerman Law has deep roots in Southern Illinois, with our main office located nearby in Edwardsville.

Eric Terry has more than two decades of experience handling trucking accidents, auto accidents, wrongful death claims, and other serious injury cases.

Our attorneys investigate how the accident occurred, identify multiple parties when appropriate, and prepare claims for both settlement and litigation.

Reasons truck accident victims choose TorHoerman Law include:

• Experienced personal injury leadership: Eric Terry leads our single-event personal injury practice and regularly handles trucking and motor vehicle cases.
• Additional trial resources: Attorney Eric Cracken works from our Edwardsville office and handles trucking accidents, motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, and wrongful death cases as part of our personal injury and trial practice.
• Decades of trial experience: Founder Tor Hoerman has more than 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer, giving our legal team access to substantial litigation experience when a case cannot be resolved through negotiations.
• A documented track record: TorHoerman Law reports more than $4.5 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements for clients nationwide. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
• Truck-specific investigation: We can preserve and analyze driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, inspection documents, cargo records, and other evidence that may be important in commercial trucking litigation.
• Access to specialized skills: Our attorneys can work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, economists, engineers, and other professionals when technical evidence or expert testimony is needed.
• Preparation for multiple-party litigation: Truck crash cases can involve a driver, motor carrier, maintenance provider, cargo company, manufacturer, or other responsible party, each with separate insurance and defenses.
• Contingency fee representation: We handle qualifying truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis, subject to the written fee agreement, so clients generally do not pay attorney fees upfront.

Our attorneys evaluate medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, disability, pain and suffering, and other documented losses when pursuing the maximum compensation supported by the evidence and applicable law.

Troy clients receive a nearby Southern Illinois legal team with specific trucking experience, substantial litigation resources, and attorneys prepared to take a case to court when necessary.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

TorHoerman Law handles qualifying truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

This means clients generally face no upfront costs for attorney fees, 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 attorney fee and how case expenses will be handled before representation begins.

A contingency fee arrangement allows injured people to work with an experienced attorney without paying hourly legal fees while they may already be facing medical bills, lost income, vehicle 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 Troy, your immediate priorities should be safety and medical care.

If you are able, move away from traffic, leaking fuel, loose cargo, or other hazards without putting yourself at greater risk.

Call 911 so law enforcement and emergency responders can address the scene and assist anyone who is injured.

You should seek medical attention even if some injuries do not seem severe at first, because symptoms can develop or worsen after the crash.

Once immediate safety concerns have been addressed, preserving information about what happened can help support a later claim for obtaining compensation.

If you are able, take these steps after the crash:

1. Exchange information with the truck driver. Obtain the driver’s name, employer or motor carrier, insurance information, license plate, and vehicle details.
2. Document the scene. Take photographs or video of the vehicles, roadway, skid marks, debris, cargo, damage, visible injuries, and surrounding conditions.
3. Collect witness information. Get names and contact details from people who saw the collision or events leading up to it.
4. Avoid speculating about fault. Describe what you observed without guessing about facts you are unsure of.
5. Preserve accident-related records. Keep medical documents, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and records showing missed work or lost income.
6. Use caution when speaking with insurers. Before giving a detailed recorded statement to another party’s insurance company or signing a release, make sure you understand how it may affect your claim.
7. Contact a truck accident lawyer. An attorney can request and preserve driver logs, electronic vehicle data, maintenance records, inspection documents, dispatch communications, and other evidence held by the trucking company.

A serious truck crash can leave a victim unconscious, hospitalized, physically incapacitated, or otherwise unable to complete every recommended step.

Family members may also have limited information about the accident while medical treatment is the immediate priority.

In those situations, a lawyer can investigate the crash on the victim’s behalf, locate witnesses, obtain reports and video, preserve trucking records, and identify potentially responsible parties.

TorHoerman Law can begin gathering that evidence even when the injured person was unable to document the scene personally.

Common Causes and Types of Trucking Accidents

Truck accidents can result from driver error, mechanical problems, unsafe company practices, cargo issues, or a combination of several factors.

Driver fatigue may become an issue when commercial drivers exceed or fail to follow applicable hours of service limits, while poor maintenance can contribute to tire failures, faulty brakes, or other equipment problems.

Physical evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, debris, and electronic truck data can help investigators determine how a crash occurred.

The type and cause of the accident can also affect which parties may be responsible and what evidence should be preserved.

Common causes and types of trucking accidents include:

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
• Distracted driving
• Speeding or following too closely
• Impaired driving
• Unsafe lane changes and blind-spot crashes
• Rear-end collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover crashes
• Underride accidents
• Wide-turn collisions
• Faulty brakes and tire failures
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
• Lost-load and cargo spill accidents
• Head-on and intersection collisions
• Multi-vehicle truck crashes

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Serious truck accidents can cause extensive injuries because of the size, weight, and force of commercial vehicles.

Victims may experience traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries, or other conditions that require surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term treatment.

Some injuries cause immediate physical pain, while others can develop into chronic pain or permanent limitations that affect work and daily life.

The severity of the injuries can also influence medical costs, future care needs, and the overall damages involved in a truck accident claim.

Common truck accident injuries include:

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

Truck accident cases can involve commercial carriers, multiple insurance policies, federal safety requirements, and evidence that may be controlled by companies rather than the injured person.

Attorneys familiar with truck accident law can evaluate these issues while determining which individuals or businesses may bear responsibility for the collision.

Gathering evidence early can be especially important because electronic data, company records, video footage, and physical evidence may become unavailable over time.

The severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and disputes over liability or damages can all affect how the case proceeds.

A lawyer can manage these issues while developing the evidence needed to pursue a resolution and help the client receive fair compensation supported by the claim.

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 obtains police reports, photographs, witness statements, trucking records, electronic data, and other relevant evidence.
3. Liability analysis: Attorneys examine 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 evaluates medical treatment, future care needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and other losses.
5. Insurance review and demand: Attorneys identify available insurance coverage and may present a demand supported by evidence of liability and damages.
6. Settlement negotiations: The parties may negotiate in an effort to resolve the claim without proceeding to trial.
7. Filing a lawsuit: If the claim cannot be resolved, a lawsuit may be filed in the appropriate court.
8. Discovery and depositions: The parties exchange documents and information, take sworn testimony, and obtain additional evidence.
9. Expert review and trial preparation: Accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, economists, or other professionals may assist when specialized analysis is needed.
10. Settlement or trial: The case may conclude through negotiation, mediation, a court judgment, or a jury verdict.

Some truck accidents cause injuries that result in death, leaving families to deal with both the personal loss and the financial consequences of the crash.

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a claim may be available when a person dies because of negligence or other wrongful conduct that would have supported a personal injury claim had the person survived.

Wrongful death damages can compensate the surviving spouse and next of kin for losses such as financial support, companionship, grief, sorrow, and mental suffering.

Punitive damages may also be available in qualifying cases under Illinois law.

A separate survival claim may allow the deceased person’s estate to pursue damages arising from injuries suffered before death, including losses that the person could have pursued had they survived.

Fatal truck crashes may require investigation of driver conduct, trucking company records, electronic data, maintenance and inspection documents, insurance coverage, and other evidence needed to determine responsibility.

TorHoerman Law can help families understand which claims may be available, identify responsible parties, and pursue any awarded compensation through settlement or litigation.

Truck accident claims can involve multiple liable 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 policies, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and other circumstances surrounding the crash.

In some cases, the evidence may show that more than one person or company contributed to the collision.

Identifying each potentially responsible party is important because liability, available insurance coverage, and damages can differ depending on how the accident occurred.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• Truck driver: A driver may be responsible for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, or other traffic violations.
• Trucking company or motor carrier: A carrier may be responsible for negligent hiring practices, poor training, unsafe scheduling, inadequate supervision, or maintenance failures.
• Cargo loaders: A company responsible for loading or securing freight may be liable if improperly loaded, overloaded, or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash.
• Maintenance or repair contractors: A maintenance provider may bear responsibility when deficient inspections, repairs, or servicing contributed to brake failure, tire failure, or another mechanical problem.
• Vehicle manufacturers: Vehicle manufacturers or component manufacturers may face product liability claims when a defective truck, tire, brake system, steering component, or other part contributed to the collision.
• Other vehicles and drivers: Other vehicles may contribute to a truck crash when another motorist’s negligent conduct creates or worsens the collision.

Truck accident cases often require a detailed investigation to determine how responsibility should be divided among the parties involved.

TorHoerman Law can review trucking records, electronic data, maintenance documents, cargo information, and other evidence to identify the parties that may be held legally responsible.

Commercial truck accidents can involve both Illinois law and federal laws and regulations governing motor carriers, drivers, vehicles, and cargo.

Illinois has adopted many Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for commercial vehicle operations within the state, although specific exceptions can apply.

These requirements address issues such as driver qualifications, hours of service limits, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and drug and alcohol testing.

Which rules apply depends on factors such as the carrier, vehicle, route, cargo, and nature of the trucking operation.

When large trucks are involved in serious crashes, compliance records can provide important evidence about whether the driver or motor carrier followed applicable safety requirements.

Illinois laws and federal trucking regulations that may be relevant include:

• Illinois adoption of federal trucking regulations: 625 ILCS 5/18b-105 adopts numerous parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including rules governing driver qualifications, commercial vehicle operation, hours of service, equipment, and maintenance.
• Hours of service: 49 CFR Part 395 regulates driving and on-duty time for covered commercial drivers. 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, subject to applicable exceptions.
• Driver qualifications: 49 CFR Part 391 establishes requirements concerning commercial driver qualifications, medical fitness, driving history, and driver qualification records.
• Operation of commercial vehicles: 49 CFR Part 392 governs the operation of commercial motor vehicles and addresses subjects including hazardous driving conditions, required precautions, seat belts, and restrictions on electronic-device use.
• Vehicle equipment and cargo securement: 49 CFR Part 393 establishes requirements for brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices, steering components, and cargo securement intended to keep commercial vehicles safe for operation.
• Inspection, repair, and maintenance: 49 CFR Part 396 requires covered motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles under their control so that safety-related parts and accessories are properly maintained.
• Drug and alcohol requirements: 49 CFR Part 382 establishes controlled-substance and alcohol testing requirements for covered commercial drivers, including testing in specified circumstances.

A violation of a trucking regulation does not automatically establish liability for every accident, but it can become relevant evidence when determining how a crash occurred and whether applicable safety requirements were followed.

Attorneys may review electronic logs, driver qualification files, inspection records, maintenance documents, testing records, and other materials when investigating possible regulatory violations.

TorHoerman Law can determine which Illinois and federal requirements apply to the particular truck, driver, carrier, and circumstances involved in a crash.

Illinois Truck Accident Statute Of Limitations

The Illinois personal injury statute of limitations, 735 ILCS 5/13-202, states that personal injury lawsuits arising from truck accidents must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues.

For a typical crash involving immediately apparent injuries, this generally means two years from the date of the accident.

Missing the applicable deadline can prevent an injured person from pursuing financial compensation, even when substantial evidence supports the claim.

Different strict deadlines may apply when a truck accident involves a local government entity or employee, a minor, wrongful death, or other special circumstances.

Illinois generally provides a five-year limitations period for claims involving damage to personal property, which can include damage to a vehicle.

Because injury and property damage claims can follow different timelines, each claim should be evaluated based on the specific facts and parties involved.

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

You may qualify for a truck accident claim if a truck driver, motor carrier, or another responsible party caused or contributed to a crash that resulted in injuries, financial losses, or the death of a loved one.

A claim may arise from conduct such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, improper maintenance, distracted driving, driver fatigue, cargo problems, or other forms of negligence.

Federal and state trucking regulations may also affect the claim, including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards and hours-of-service rules governing covered commercial drivers.

Driver fatigue can become an important issue when evidence shows that applicable driving or on-duty limits were exceeded or required rest periods were not followed.

Distracted driving may also support liability, and federal regulations prohibit covered commercial drivers from texting or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

A claim may also result from a jackknife accident, rollover, underride collision, brake failure, cargo incident, or another truck crash caused by negligent conduct.

Evidence from the accident scene, electronic driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, witness statements, and other records can help determine how the crash occurred and who may be responsible.

TorHoerman Law can investigate the collision, identify potentially liable parties, and explain whether you may have grounds to pursue compensation under Illinois law.

Common Types of Evidence in Truck Accident Cases

Evidence is essential in truck accident cases because it can help establish how the crash occurred, which parties may be responsible, and what losses resulted from the collision.

Trucking cases often involve records and electronic data that are not typically available in ordinary car accident claims.

Medical records can document the nature of the injuries, treatment provided, and any ongoing care needs.

Records involving vehicle repairs, lost income, and personal property damaged in the crash can also help establish financial losses.

Preserving this evidence early can be important because video footage, electronic data, company records, and physical evidence may become harder to obtain over time.

Common types of evidence in truck accident cases include:

• Police and crash reports
• Photos and videos from the accident scene
• Witness statements
• Medical records and bills
• Driver logs and electronic logging data
• Black box and GPS data
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Dispatch and trucking company communications
• Cargo and shipping records
• Drug and alcohol testing records when relevant
• Vehicle repair records and estimates
• Documentation of personal property damaged in the crash
• Employment and lost-income records
• Accident reconstruction and other expert reports

Potential Compensation in Truck Accident Claims

Damages are the financial and non-financial losses a person may seek to recover after a truck accident caused by negligence or other wrongful conduct.

Attorneys assess damages by reviewing medical records, treatment costs, employment information, property damage, and other documentation showing the financial effects of the crash.

They may also evaluate future medical needs, reduced earning capacity, permanent limitations, and the impact of pain, suffering, and emotional distress on the injured person’s daily life.

In personal injury cases, economic or special damages generally address measurable financial losses, while non-economic or general damages address harms that do not have a fixed dollar value.

A lawyer can organize this evidence, consult qualified experts when needed, and calculate the losses supported by the facts of the case.

Potential compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Income lost due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
• Vehicle and other 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 severity of the injuries, the evidence supporting each category of loss, available insurance coverage, and the parties found legally responsible.

A serious truck accident can leave you dealing with extensive medical treatment, lost income, property damage, and long-term changes to your daily life.

TorHoerman Law represents truck accident victims in Troy, Madison County, and throughout Southern Illinois, with attorneys experienced in investigating commercial vehicle crashes, preserving trucking evidence, and identifying the parties responsible for the collision.

Our legal team can review driver logs, electronic vehicle data, maintenance records, insurance coverage, and other evidence while preparing the case for settlement negotiations or litigation.

Truck accident cases can involve multiple defendants, federal and state regulations, and evidence that requires more specialized analysis than many ordinary motor vehicle claims.

TorHoerman Law brings the resources of a broader personal injury practice while giving clients access to attorneys who understand trucking litigation and the local Southern Illinois courts.

When comparing TorHoerman Law with other attorneys, injured people should consider trucking experience, litigation readiness, communication, local familiarity, and whether the legal team has the resources to investigate the case thoroughly.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Troy 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.