Chicago Lane Change Truck Accident Lawyer

Holding Truckers Accountable for Unsafe Lane Change Collisions in Chicago

Collisions with large commercial trucks can cause serious injuries in the Chicago area. These crashes often occur when vehicles make unexpected lane changes. If you have been injured in this type of accident because of someone else’s negligence, you can pursue personal injury compensation with the help of a lane change truck accident lawyer.

At Chicago Injury Center, we know what it takes to recover maximum damages and hold negligent parties accountable. Our team will investigate your case and build a strong claim so you can recover damages like lost income and medical expenses.

Lane Change Truck Accident Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm in Chicago

$805,000 – While riding north on Milwaukee Avenue through Wicker Park, Mark was in a marked bike lane when a delivery truck merged right across his path to turn, striking him. The impact threw him to the pavement, causing a compound clavicle fracture and severe rotator cuff damage that required multiple surgeries. As a physical education teacher, he lost an entire school year of work during recovery. The case value reflected his extended time off, surgical needs, and the truck driver’s unsafe lane change.

$3.44 million – On I-55 near the Damen Avenue interchange, the Nguyen family was traveling home when a semi-truck abruptly merged into their lane at highway speed, crushing the side of their minivan. The collision caused multiple fractures, spinal injuries, and long-term mobility issues for two family members. Settlement factors included the severity of the injuries, the lasting physical limitations, and evidence showing the truck’s improper merging into occupied space.

Why Choose Chicago Injury Center

Truck accident claims can be difficult to navigate, so you’ll need an experienced law firm on your side to increase your chances of maximum compensation. Chicago Injury Center has a five-star rating from AVVO, and some of our attorneys are regular contributing authors to the National Law Review.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Lane Change Truck Accidents in Chicago?

Several factors may cause a large truck crash that involves a merge or lane change:

• Failing to check mirrors or blind spots
• No turn signals or improper signaling
• Reckless driving behaviors
• Distracted or fatigued driving
• Speeding while merging or changing lanes
• Poor visibility during inclement weather conditions (fog, rain, snow)

What Serious Injuries Result from Lane Change Truck Crashes?

The injuries suffered in the accident will affect the settlement negotiations. Here are some life-changing injuries suffered in commercial vehicle accidents:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Fractures and limb amputations
• Internal injuries (bleeding and organ trauma)
• Soft tissue injuries
• Emotional trauma

What Damages Can Truck Accident Victims Recover in Chicago?

Economic Damages

• Medical bills
• Future care costs
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Loss of normal life

Punitive Damages

• In cases of gross negligence or reckless conduct

What Is the Average Payout for Lane Change Truck Accidents in Chicago?

Multiple unsafe lane change accidents involving trucks occurred in Chicago, and the average settlement in these cases is $2.71 million, with a range of $25,000 to $9.31 million.

Factors that will affect your settlement include violation severity, injury prognosis, fault clarity, trucking company records, and black box data.

Example Dangerous Lane Change Cases in Cook County

In 2008, Ryan was driving a tractor-trailer with a full load through a toll booth. Another driver in a pickup truck was in the lane to the right of Ryan and attempted to merge in quickly. Ryan swerved to the left and had to overcorrect, causing the truck to tip over. He suffered severe burn injuries and PTSD because hot diesel fuel leaked into the cabin, where he was trapped. Ryan sued the pickup driver and their employer, eventually securing $2.37 million.

In 2014, Nelson was driving on Cicero Road in Chicago. He was sideswiped by a tractor-trailer attempting an unsafe lane change, eventually leading to serious injuries to his left shoulder and right knee. Nelson sued the truck driver and their employer for negligence in unsafe lane changes. The parties settled for $600,000.

Why You Need a Qualified Attorney

Drivers who are changing lanes in Illinois must do so safely and with proper notice. A failure to signal your intentions, using cell phones, or not paying attention to blind spots typically establishes negligence. However, proving these circumstances can be difficult.

Our top law firm will gather police reports, black box data, surveillance footage, and expert testimony to help you establish fault.

How Common Are Lane Change Truck Accidents in Chicago?

One study found that roughly 4% of all motor vehicle crashes in the country involved unsafe lane changes. These accidents account for .5% of total crash fatalities in the United States.

Which Chicago Locations Are at a High Risk of Hazardous Lane Changes?

While an unsafe lane change could cause an accident in many locations throughout the city, some spots are more prone to these risks than others:

• I‑90/94 and I‑290 expressway lanes
• Arterial streets with limited merge space (Damen Ave, Wacker Drive)
• Near industrial loading zones and freight corridors during peak hours

What Laws Govern Changing Lanes in Chicago?

625 ILCS 5/11‑804 – Illinois law mandates that drivers signal their intention to change lanes at least 100 feet before doing so in urban environments like Chicago.

9-36-020 – Smaller passenger vehicles may overtake other drivers making left turns on the right as long as there is space to do so and no other vehicles are in the lanes to the right.

9-8-040 – Drivers must obey lane control signals, which may require changing lanes in unexpected locations.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lane Change Truck Accident Lawsuit in Chicago?

In Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury claim after the date of the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If the victim of the accident dies, surviving family members will have two years from their passing to pursue wrongful death damages(740 ILCS 180/).

Who Can Be Legally Liable for Unsafe Lane Changes?

Potentially liable parties in truck accidents caused by unsafe lane changes may include:

• The truck driver (primary liability)
• Trucking company (vicarious liability)
• Cargo loaders (improper loading) or mechanics (inadequate repairs)
• Manufacturers (defective parts)

Common Defenses in Commercial Truck Accident Cases

Truck drivers, insurance companies, and lawyers will use multiple defenses to undermine your claim’s validity, such as:

• Claiming you did not use a turn signal when changing lanes
• Alleging sudden obstacles or emergency maneuvers by others
• Attributing fault to you under comparative negligence

How to Strengthen Your Improper Lane Change Accident Case

Building a strong case for fair compensation will require the following steps after an unsafe lane change accident:

• Go to the emergency room or call an ambulance
• Keep all medical records
• Photograph the accident scene
• Obtain the police report and gather witness information
• Preserve video footage from dashcams or traffic cameras
• Consult our top-rated attorneys in Chicago

How a Chicago Lane Change Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Our truck accident lawyers will play an essential role in helping you seek compensation for legal damages suffered. Legal services from our firm include:

• Reconstructing the crash using expert analysts
• Issuing a subpoena for driver logs and black box records
• Challenging defense assertions and negotiating for full compensation
• Proceeding to trial if insurers undervalue your claim

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire an attorney for an unsafe lane change case?

A truck accident lawyer from Chicago Injury Center will work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we win.

What if I am partially at fault?

Under state law 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 (Illinois Comparative Negligence), you can still pursue compensation from negligent truck drivers if you are no more than 50% at fault.

How do I prove a truck driver didn’t signal?

Evidence to support your case may include witness statements, traffic camera footage, and official citations, as well as physical evidence like skid marks, your clothes, and damaged motorcycle.

Book a Free Case Review

Truck drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, or local municipalities may be at fault for an unsafe lane change accident. If you have been hurt in this type of accident in Chicago, our team can help you navigate complex legal issues.

Chicago Injury Center has decades of experience leveling the playing field with insurers in accidents involving big trucks. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost for our services unless we win.

Contact us today for a free consultation if you have been injured by a commercial truck in an unsafe lane change accident.