Top Truck Accident Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago sits where I-80, I-90, and I-294 meet, three of the country's busiest freight corridors. Semi-truck crashes here are common and rarely simple. Trucking insurers move fast to limit liability, so the firm you hire matters. The Chicago truck accident lawyers below have the trial records to match.

To compile this list, we review Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers based on public information, client feedback, and professional standing.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Consistency of public reviews across multiple platforms

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

Leading Chicago Truck Accident Law Firms with FMCSR Experience

Screenshot of the McCready Law Chicago Injury Attorneys Website
10008 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643, USA

McCready Law is a personal injury law firm in Chicago, IL, serving clients across Illinois, Indiana, and several other Midwest states. Founder Michael McCready opened the firm in 1999 after working as a partner at another Chicago injury practice. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a group limited to trial lawyers who have secured million-dollar results.

The Beverly-based firm handles truck accidents alongside car crashes, slip-and-fall claims, workers' compensation, and wrongful death cases. Attorneys investigate semi-truck wrecks, identify liable parties, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Past truck-related settlements include a recovery for a passenger seriously hurt in a highway collision with a commercial rental truck.

McCready Law has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients to date. The firm holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Initial case reviews are free, and clients owe no fees unless the firm wins.

Screenshot of the McHargue & Jones, LLC Website
105 W Madison St Ste 1600, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Truck accident attorneys in Chicago at McHargue & Jones, LLC have represented injured workers and accident victims across Illinois for more than 25 years. The firm's downtown office at 105 W Madison Street is led by James P. McHargue and Matthew C. Jones, with a team that includes attorneys Brenton Schmitz, Daniel Klosowski, Adam Rosner, and Tom Jacobsen.

The practice splits its work between workers' compensation and personal injury, including commercial truck collisions, distracted-driving wrecks, hit-and-run crashes, pedestrian accidents, and rideshare cases. Lawyers handle the full claim process — filing, IME disputes, denied benefits, and settlement negotiation.

Spanish-speaking staff serve clients who prefer that language. McHargue & Jones works on a contingency basis, so injured workers pay no legal fees unless the firm recovers money on their behalf. Initial consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Coplan + Crane Website
1111 Westgate St, Oak Park, IL 60301, USA

Coplan + Crane is a personal injury firm based in Oak Park, with additional offices in Chicago and Rockford. The practice represents accident victims throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, from Oak Lawn to Evanston and Wheaton.

Past results include a $12 million settlement for a Rockford family of a baby who suffered permanent brain damage, $7 million in a wrongful death case, and $5.6 million for a Skokie family whose 13-year-old son was injured in a car crash. The firm also recovered $2.75 million for a pedestrian struck by a train.

The legal team works on truck and semi-truck collisions, including underride and jackknife crashes, plus medical malpractice, construction injuries, and product liability cases. Coplan + Crane is a Chicago truck accident lawyer option for clients who want a suburban office with city reach. Case evaluations are free, and there is no fee unless the firm wins.

Screenshot of the Jacobson & Tchernev Website
5201 N Harlem Ave, Floor 2, Chicago, IL 60656, USA

Jacobson & Tchernev is an injury litigation firm on the Northwest Side of Chicago, near Norwood Park. Attorneys Steven Jacobson and Ivo Tchernev have built a reputation for trial work in trucking crashes, car accidents, motorcycle injuries, premises liability, and dram shop cases.

Steven Jacobson has been recognized as a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the team has more than 100 trial victories on record. The firm also handles rideshare collisions and wrongful death claims. Consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Law Office Of Stephen L. Hoffman LLC Website
33 N Dearborn St #2330, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Stephen Hoffman has been representing accident victims across the Chicagoland area since 1990, giving him more than three decades of experience as a Chicago personal injury attorney. His Loop office at 33 N Dearborn handles motor vehicle collisions, workplace injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice, and product liability cases.

Hoffman takes a personal approach, working directly with each client rather than handing files off. Initial case reviews cost nothing, and the firm works on contingency.

Screenshot of the Berenz Law Network Professional Corporation Website

Berenz Law Network has fought for injured Chicagoans for more than a decade, securing multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. The Loop office on N Dearborn Street is led by attorney Phil Berenz.

Practice areas cover vehicle accidents — including truck, bus, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes — along with medical injuries, prescription errors, dog bites, and catastrophic injury claims. The firm holds insurance carriers and negligent parties accountable rather than letting clients accept lowball offers. Consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Hoey & Farina Website
444 W Lake St STE 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Now operating as Hoey, Farina & McMahon, P.C., this West Loop firm has built a national practice around railroad injury and serious transportation cases. Record verdicts include $33 million for a railworker crushed by a train and $10 million for a railworker crushed between two railcars.

Beyond FELA railroad claims, the legal team handles semi-truck collisions, car accidents, construction injuries, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. Attorneys James Farina and William McMahon represent injured workers across the United States. Consultations are free and the firm operates on contingency.

Screenshot of the Kurasch & Klein, LTD Website
100 N La Salle St Ste 2005, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Kurasch & Klein has represented Chicago injury victims for more than 50 years from its office on N LaSalle Street. Donald A. Kurasch and Daniel A. Klein are AV-rated and have been named Illinois Super Lawyers — a peer-selected list of the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.

The firm handles truck wrecks, car crashes, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, construction injuries, and nursing home neglect cases. Staff speak Polish and Spanish in addition to English. Initial consultations are free and there is no fee until the firm wins.

Screenshot of the Rundio Injury Law Website
1 S Dearborn St, Suite 1430, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Rundio Injury Law is a Chicago-based personal injury practice led by attorney Matt Rundio. Over the past 25 years, the firm has recovered more than $100 million for clients in trucking crashes, car accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.

Truck accident work covers driver fatigue, faulty equipment, improper braking, and overloaded cargo claims. The firm also represents victims of train and bus collisions. Case evaluations are free.

Screenshot of the Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. Website
211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1400, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Karchmar & Lambert, P.C., led by attorneys Matthew Karchmar and Cannon Lambert Sr., brings more than 50 years of combined experience to Cook County. Notable outcomes include the $1.9 million Sandra Bland settlement and a $3 million recovery for a woman injured in a collision with a semi-truck. The firm also handles civil rights and police misconduct cases. Consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC Website
111 W Washington St Ste 950, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

In practice since 1970, Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC has recovered more than $400 million for accident victims. Attorneys Jonathan Fleisher and Charles Falkenberg III hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and handle truck driver negligence, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and birth injury cases. Free case reviews available.

Screenshot of the Deratany & Kosner Website
221 N La Salle St Ste 2200, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Now branded as The Deratany Law Firm LLC, this LaSalle Street practice is led by Jay Paul Deratany and Greg Olmstead. The team handles trucking collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, child abuse cases, and other catastrophic injury claims throughout Chicago and Illinois. Free case evaluations are available.

Screenshot of the Gould Joel Law Offices Website
5839 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, USA

Joel Gould Law Offices brings 35+ years of experience to truck accident and criminal defense work. Attorney Joel Gould has handled over 1,000 cases and more than 400 trials, earning recognition from the National Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Trial Attorneys. Polish-speaking services available.

Screenshot of the Whiting Law Group, Ltd. Website
901 W Jackson Blvd Ste 400, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Founded by Timothy Whiting nearly 20 years ago, Whiting Law Group focuses solely on trucking collision cases. The West Loop firm builds claims through individualized attention and creative case strategy, with Spanish-language services available. Toll-free intake at (877) 936-7200.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Two years from the crash. Illinois sets the personal injury statute of limitations at two years. Wrongful death claims also run two years from the date of death. Miss the deadline and your case is barred, with very limited exceptions.

How does Illinois fault law affect my truck accident claim?

Modified comparative negligence, 50% bar. You can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. Cross 51% and recovery is blocked entirely. Your award is reduced by your share of fault, so a 20% finding cuts a $500,000 verdict to $400,000.

What do Chicago truck accident lawyers charge?

Contingency fee. Most firms take 33% to 40% of the recovery and charge nothing upfront. You only pay if the firm wins. Case costs like expert witnesses and accident reconstruction are usually advanced by the firm and deducted from the settlement.

Who can be sued after a Chicago truck accident?

More than just the driver. The trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck's owner, and the maintenance contractor can all share liability. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to interstate carriers. A good attorney pulls driver logs, ELD data, and maintenance records before they disappear.

What if a city or state truck caused my crash?

One-year notice rule. Claims against Illinois public entities fall under the Tort Immunity Act. You generally have one year to file, not two. Notice requirements are strict and missing them can kill an otherwise valid claim.

How long does a Chicago truck accident case take?

Six months to three years. Straightforward cases with clear liability and modest injuries can settle in under a year. Cases involving disputed fault, catastrophic injuries, or trial work often run two to three years. Filing at the Daley Center in Cook County Circuit Court adds time but can pressure higher offers.

Should I take the trucking company's first offer?

Almost never. First offers are anchored low and often come before the full medical picture is known. Future surgeries, lost earning capacity, and permanent impairment can take months to document. An attorney can wait until your treatment plateaus before negotiating.

Types of Truck Accident Cases in Chicago, IL

Semi-Truck and Tractor-Trailer Crashes. These are the most common commercial cases on I-80, I-90, and the Dan Ryan. Federal hours-of-service violations, fatigue, and improper braking are frequent causes. Damages tend to be large because injuries are severe.

Jackknife and Underride Collisions. A jackknife happens when a trailer swings out from the cab. Underride crashes occur when a passenger car slides beneath a trailer. Both produce catastrophic injuries and require accident reconstruction experts.

Delivery Truck and Box Truck Wrecks. Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and local delivery fleets crisscross Chicago neighborhoods. Driver pressure to meet quotas leads to speeding and distraction. Employer liability turns on whether the driver was an employee or an independent contractor.

Cement Mixer and Construction Truck Crashes. Heavy construction trucks are common near downtown projects and suburban builds. Overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles cause serious harm. Construction site cases often involve multiple defendants.

Hazardous Material Truck Accidents. Tanker trucks carrying fuel or chemicals can trigger fires, spills, and toxic exposure. Federal hazmat regulations apply on top of state law. These claims often involve environmental damage and long-term health effects.

Truck-on-Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crashes. Loop intersections and Lakefront Trail crossings see commercial vehicles strike pedestrians and cyclists. Injuries are usually catastrophic or fatal. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act controls fatal cases.

FELA and Intermodal Yard Cases. Chicago is the country's largest rail hub. Intermodal yards in Bedford Park, Cicero, and Joliet generate truck and railroad cases together. FELA governs railroad workers hurt on the job, and the standards differ from standard personal injury law.

How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago

Check their trucking case record, not just car accidents. Truck cases involve federal regulations, ELD data, and corporate defendants. A firm that mainly settles fender-benders may not be ready for a multi-million-dollar trucking claim.

Verify trial experience in Cook County. Most cases settle, but insurers offer more when the firm has tried cases at the Daley Center and won. Ask how many truck cases the attorney has taken to verdict.

Ask about accident reconstruction resources. Serious truck cases need engineers, biomechanics experts, and commercial driving specialists. The firm should pay for these upfront, not pass costs to you until the case resolves.

Confirm language access if needed. Several Chicago firms have Spanish-speaking, Polish-speaking, or Mandarin-speaking staff. Clear communication with your attorney is non-negotiable in a complex case.

Read the contingency agreement closely. Standard fees run 33% pre-trial and 40% if the case is tried. Make sure case costs, lien handling, and settlement disbursement are all in writing before you sign.

Average Truck Accident Settlements in Chicago

Settlement values in Illinois truck cases vary widely. Injury severity, liability disputes, and policy limits all drive the number. Commercial trucking policies often start at $750,000 in liability coverage and can reach into the tens of millions for large carriers. Cook County juries tend to award more than juries in surrounding collar counties, which often pushes insurers toward higher pre-trial offers. A Chicago truck accident attorney can review the policy limits, medical records, and liability picture and give you a realistic range.