At Shuman Legal, we’ve spent over 35 years helping Naperville families recover after commercial truck crashes. We know Route 59, I-88, and I-355. We know which trucking companies cut corners on maintenance. And we know how to win against their legal teams.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
A fender bender with another car is one thing. Getting hit by an 80,000-pound semi is something else. The injuries are worse. The medical bills are higher. And the trucking companies have lawyers on speed dial before the ambulance even arrives.
These cases involve federal trucking regulations that most law firms have never touched. Driver log books. Electronic logging device data. DOT safety records. Cargo loading procedures. Most personal injury lawyers don’t know where to start with this. We do.
We’ve gone after trucking companies that pushed drivers past their legal hour limits. We’ve fought distributors whose careless loading made trucks unstable. We’ve held companies responsible when they hired drivers with suspended licenses.
If a commercial truck hits you anywhere in Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, or Wheaton, call us before you talk to anyone from the trucking company.
Hurt in a Semi-Truck Accident? You Need to Watch This…
Discover the myths of semi-truck accidents, and how we can help you navigate through them if you’ve been in a semi-truck accident.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The busiest truck routes through Naperville see thousands of commercial vehicles every week. I-88 connects to I-294 and brings trucks through town heading to distribution centers in Aurora and Joliet. I-355 runs north to south and gets packed with semis during the day.
Driver fatigue happens when trucking companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. Federal law says drivers can only work 11 hours in a 14-hour period, but companies find ways around this. Tired drivers drift into other lanes or fall asleep at the wheel.
Poor vehicle maintenance leads to brake failures and tire blowouts. Trucks need regular inspections. Some companies skip them to save money. We’ve seen cases where brake pads were worn down to nothing or tires were bald and ready to explode.
Distracted driving kills people. Truck drivers text, eat, adjust their GPS, or watch videos while driving. When you’re controlling a vehicle the size of a small house, taking your eyes off the road for two seconds can mean death for someone else.
Improper loading makes trucks unstable. Cargo needs to be balanced and secured correctly. Overloaded trucks or poorly distributed weight cause rollovers on highway curves.
Speeding trucks can’t stop in time when traffic slows down suddenly. A fully loaded semi needs much more distance to stop than a regular car.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
At Shuman Legal, our Naperville truck accident lawyer team handles every type of commercial vehicle crash. We’ve represented clients hit by semi-trucks, delivery vans, garbage trucks, cement mixers, and dump trucks.
Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer swings out and forms a V-shape with the cab. This usually occurs during hard braking or on slippery roads.
Rollover crashes occur when trucks take curves too fast or when cargo shifts. We handled a case last year where a tanker truck rolled on the I-88 ramp near Winfield Road and spilled chemicals across three lanes.
Rear-end collisions with trucks cause serious damage. When a semi hits you from behind, the force can crush your entire vehicle. When you rear-end a truck, you can slide under the trailer in what’s called an underride accident.
Blind spot accidents happen because trucks have huge blind spots on all sides. Drivers can’t see cars next to them or directly behind them.
Wide turn accidents occur at intersections throughout Naperville. Trucks need extra room to turn. Sometimes drivers swing wide and hit cars in the next lane.
Injuries We See in Truck Accident Cases
The clients who call us after truck accidents face life-changing injuries. These require multiple surgeries, months of recovery, and permanent disability.
Traumatic brain injuries happen when your head hits something during impact or when your brain slams against your skull from the force. These injuries can cause memory loss, personality changes, and cognitive problems.
Spinal cord injuries can paralyze you. We’ve represented clients who went from walking to wheelchairs because of truck accidents. These injuries require lifetime care and specialized medical equipment.
Broken bones can be complicated. We’re talking about compound fractures, shattered bones that need pins and plates, and breaks that require multiple surgeries.
Internal injuries to organs can be fatal if not treated immediately. The force of a truck collision can rupture your spleen, liver, or kidneys.
Severe burns happen in crashes that cause fires or involve tanker trucks carrying fuel or chemicals. Burn injuries require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring.
Have you been injured in a Truck Accident? Get FREE Legal Advice Now!
How Our Naperville Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
We don’t just file paperwork and hope for the best. We investigate every detail of your accident. We hire accident reconstruction experts who visit the crash site. We bring in mechanical engineers to inspect the truck for maintenance issues.
We pull the driver’s logs and electronic data to prove they violated hours-of-service regulations. We request the trucking company’s safety records and hiring practices. We find out if the driver had a history of violations or accidents.
We work with medical experts who understand your injuries and can explain them to a jury. We calculate not just your current medical bills but your future medical needs. We account for lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
We negotiate with insurance companies from a position of strength. Trucking companies carry policies worth millions of dollars. We’re not afraid to demand what you actually need, not what they want to pay. And if they won’t offer a fair settlement, we take them to court.
Shuman Legal has a 95% success rate at trial for personal injury cases. We’ve won millions of dollars in compensation for injured clients.
What Your Truck Accident Case Is Worth
Every case is different. The compensation you receive depends on the specific facts of your accident and injuries. Here are the types of damages we can recover:
Medical expenses include everything from ambulance rides to surgeries to physical therapy. We claim current bills and future medical costs. If you need ongoing treatment or care for the rest of your life, we calculate that.
Lost wages cover the paychecks you missed while recovering. If you can’t return to work or can’t do the same job anymore, we claim lost earning capacity.
Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the physical pain and emotional trauma you experienced. This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Property damage covers repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Punitive damages are possible in cases where the trucking company acted with extreme negligence or deliberate disregard for safety.
We’ve recovered settlements and verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of injuries.
Why Choose Shuman Legal for Your Truck Accident Case
We’ve been helping Illinois families since 1996. We’ve represented more than 25,000 injured people. We have offices in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Crest Hill.
When you call us, you talk to actual lawyers, not receptionists or paralegals. We give personal attention to every case. You get our cell phone numbers.
We have the resources to fight big trucking companies. We invest our own money upfront to investigate your case, hire experts, and build the strongest claim possible. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
We know the judges in DuPage County. We know how juries here think. And we know which tactics work in Illinois courts.
We actually care about what happens to you. We’ve walked hundreds of families through this process. We treat you like family because that’s who you are to us.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you or someone you love was just hit by a commercial truck, here’s what you need to do:
Get medical attention immediately, even if you think you’re fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days.
Call the police and get an official accident report.
Take photos if you can. Get pictures of the vehicles, the damage, the scene, and the road conditions.
Collect information from the truck driver. Get their name, license number, trucking company name, and insurance information.
Talk to witnesses. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident happen.
Don’t give a statement to the trucking company’s insurance. Don’t sign anything. Call us first.
Keep records of everything related to your injuries and treatment.
Call Shuman Legal at (630) 349-5244 for your free consultation.
Have you been injured in a Truck Accident? Get FREE Legal Advice Now!
Common Questions About Truck Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a claim? In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. Don’t wait. Call us as soon as possible.
Who is responsible for my damages? This depends on who caused the accident. It could be the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the maintenance provider, or even the truck manufacturer if a defect caused the crash.
What if I were partly at fault? Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover compensation as long as you’re less than 51% at fault.
How long will my case take? Some settle in months. Others take a year or more, especially if we go to trial. We move as quickly as possible while still building the strongest case.
Will I have to go to court? Maybe not. Most truck accident cases settle before trial. But we prepare every case like we’re going to trial. If the trucking company won’t offer fair compensation, we’re ready to go before a jury.
How much does it cost to hire you? Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means we only get paid if you get paid. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.
Our Naperville Location Serves All of DuPage County
Our office is located at 2135 City Gate Lane, Suite 300, in Naperville. We serve clients throughout DuPage County and the surrounding areas.
We know this community. We know the roads where accidents happen. We know the hospitals where you’re being treated.
Whether you live in downtown Naperville near the Riverwalk, out in the newer developments near 95th Street, or anywhere in between, we’re here for you. We also represent clients from Aurora, Lisle, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, and Lombard.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Truck accident cases are complicated. The trucking companies have lawyers working on their side from day one. You need someone working for you.
The insurance adjusters will call you. They’ll try to get you to give a recorded statement. They’ll offer you a quick settlement that sounds good but doesn’t cover your actual damages.
Every day you wait is another day for evidence to disappear. Driver logs get lost. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Witnesses move away or forget details.
You’re dealing with injuries, medical appointments, and bills. The last thing you need is to fight with insurance companies. Let us handle it.
Call Shuman Legal today at (630) 349-5244. Your consultation is free. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
We’ve helped thousands of Illinois families get compensation after truck accidents. We know what you’re going through. We know how to win these cases. And we’re ready to fight for you.
Your truck accident lawyer in Naperville is ready to help. Don’t face this alone. Call us now.
