Obtenga una consulta gratuita con un abogado de lesiones personales

Valoración de T.V.

"Recomiendo encarecidamente BB&G ... Le daría 10 estrellas si pudiera".

Valoración de G.V.

"¡Estoy muy contenta con la representación de BB&G!".

Valoración de M.S.

"Los abogados de BBG fueron excepcionales. El resultado fue mejor de lo que esperábamos".

Valoración de R.G.

"Desde el momento en que contacté con este bufete me trataron como de la familia".

Valoración de A.H.

"No podríamos estar más contentos con el resultado ni con el excelente servicio".

Valoración de V.A.

"Nos sentimos muy seguros y confiados con su representación".

Valoración de J.P.

"Briskman Briskman & Greenberg es una fuerza legal a tener en cuenta".

Valoración de T.Z.

"Estoy contento con cómo han llevado mi caso y recomiendo llamarles".

Valoración de K.N.

"Proceso muy fácil con la ayuda de estas increíbles personas. Resultado muy feliz".

CONSULTA GRATUITA

CONSULTA GRATUITA

Nuestros abogados

Chicago Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer

Every year, blind spot truck crashes injure people on Chicago’s busiest roads, from the congested stretch of I-90/94 near the Dan Ryan Expressway to the truck-heavy corridors along I-55 and I-290. A passenger car can disappear completely inside a commercial truck’s blind zone, and when the driver doesn’t check before changing lanes or turning, the result can be catastrophic. If you or a family member was hurt in this type of crash, a Chicago abogado de lesiones personales at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Are Truck Blind Spots and Why Are They So Dangerous in Chicago?
Federal Regulations That Govern Truck Driver Visibility and Mirror Requirements
How Illinois Law Applies to Blind Spot Truck Accident Claims
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Chicago Blind Spot Truck Accident?
Evidence That Supports a Blind Spot Truck Accident Claim in Chicago
Compensation Available After a Chicago Blind Spot Truck Accident
FAQs About Chicago Blind Spot Truck Accidents

A commercial motor vehicle has large blind spots around all four sides. These areas are officially called “no-zones” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency that regulates commercial trucking safety across the United States. The term “no-zone” means exactly what it sounds like: a zone where you should not be, because the truck driver cannot see you.

A semi-truck has four primary blind spots: the front no-zone extending up to 20 feet ahead of the cab, the right-side no-zone spanning two or more lanes along the full length of the trailer, the left-side no-zone covering approximately one lane along the trailer, and the rear no-zone extending up to 30 feet directly behind the trailer.

Blind spots on a commercial semi-truck are far larger than most passenger car drivers realize. The FMCSA calls these areas “no-zones,” the four danger zones surrounding a tractor-trailer where the driver’s visibility drops to zero, regardless of how their mirrors are adjusted.

Chicago’s road conditions make this problem worse. Dense traffic on the Kennedy Expressway, tight lane changes near the Chicago Loop, and heavy freight traffic through industrial corridors like Goose Island and the Near West Side all create situations where passenger vehicles end up alongside trucks without realizing they’ve entered a no-zone. On surface streets near Fulton Market or the Pilsen neighborhood, trucks making wide right turns through intersections present a constant threat to cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike.

The FMCSA refers to these blind spots as “no-zones” because of the significant danger they pose to smaller passenger vehicles, accounting for a third of all crashes between large trucks and cars each year. That is not a minor statistic. It reflects a serious, recurring failure that injures real people on real roads every day.

Federal Regulations That Govern Truck Driver Visibility and Mirror Requirements

Truck drivers are not simply expected to do their best with limited visibility. Federal law sets specific standards they must follow. Under 49 CFR Part 393.80, a truck accident attorney can point to the requirement that every bus, truck, and truck tractor must be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the vehicle and positioned to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear along both sides.

When a crash results from a blind spot failure, the liability analysis centers on what the driver did before executing the maneuver and what equipment the carrier provided. The driver’s obligation is to check mirrors, and any available camera or sensor systems, before every lane change, merge, and turn. A driver who changes lanes without checking the right mirror, or who makes a right turn without verifying the crosswalk and curb area are clear, has failed to exercise the standard of care expected of a professional driver holding a commercial driver’s license.

Beyond mirror requirements, the FMCSA’s Hours of Service regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit how long a truck driver can operate without rest. Fatigue degrades a driver’s ability to monitor surroundings and check mirrors consistently. A driver who has been behind the wheel for too many hours is less likely to catch a vehicle entering their no-zone before making a lane change.

Additionally, under 49 CFR Part 391, commercial truck drivers must meet specific medical and vision standards. A truck accident lawyer investigating your case will look at whether the driver met these standards. Under 49 CFR Part 391.41, a driver is not physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle if, in the better eye, distant visual acuity is not at least 20/40 (Snellen) with or without corrective lenses, and the field of vision is not at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian. A driver with uncorrected vision problems operating a large truck on Chicago streets is a serious safety hazard.

Illinois negligence law governs blind spot truck accident claims filed in Cook County Circuit Court, which serves Chicago and its immediate surroundings. To recover compensation, an injured person must show that the truck driver (or another party) owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused their injuries as a result.

Truck drivers in Illinois owe a duty of reasonable care to everyone sharing the road. When a driver fails to check mirrors before changing lanes or fails to signal before a turn, that failure is a breach of duty. The Illinois Vehicle Code, under 625 ILCS 5/11-804, requires drivers to signal before turning or changing lanes. A truck driver who switches lanes on the Eisenhower Expressway without signaling or checking mirrors has violated both state law and the federal standard of care for commercial drivers.

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. In Illinois, fault is split by percentage. If you are found mostly responsible, you may not receive any compensation at all. Even if your share is less than half, your payout can still be reduced significantly. This means trucking companies and their insurers will often argue that you were lingering in a no-zone or driving aggressively near the truck. Having an attorney who can counter those arguments with evidence matters enormously.

An injured person can pursue the driver, the trucking company, and sometimes a broker, shipper, or maintenance contractor, and federal law requires most carriers to hold at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Most claims must be filed within two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Two years sounds like plenty of time. It is not, because critical electronic evidence, including the truck’s event data recorder and electronic logging device data, can be overwritten or lost within weeks of a crash.

Liability in a blind spot truck accident rarely falls on just one party. The truck driver bears direct responsibility for failing to check mirrors and maintain awareness of surrounding vehicles. But the trucking company that employs the driver can also be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees while performing job duties.

Trucking companies can also face claims for their own direct negligence. If the company failed to train the driver on proper mirror use and no-zone awareness, hired a driver with a history of unsafe lane changes, or failed to maintain the truck’s mirrors and camera systems in working order, those failures are independent grounds for liability. A truck accident attorney will investigate the carrier’s safety history through the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system, which tracks inspection violations, out-of-service orders, and crash data for commercial carriers.

Third parties can also share responsibility. If a cargo loading company improperly distributed weight in the trailer, that shifting load could affect the truck’s handling and make it harder for the driver to control the vehicle during a lane change. If a maintenance contractor failed to properly adjust or repair the truck’s mirrors, that contractor may bear partial liability for the crash.

Every liable defendant is jointly and severally responsible for past and future medical expenses, and any defendant found 25% or more at fault is jointly and severally responsible for all damages. This provision of Illinois law, found in 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, can be significant in cases involving multiple defendants, because it means you may be able to recover your full damages from any defendant who meets that threshold, even if other defendants cannot pay.

Blind spot crashes often connect to other types of dangerous truck behavior. An unsafe lane change on the Chicago skyway can combine with driver fatigue, a sideswipe along the trailer’s length, or an unsafe wide turn through an intersection, all of which compound the harm. Identifying every responsible party is essential to building a complete claim.

Strong evidence is the foundation of any successful truck accident claim. In a blind spot case, the goal is to show where each vehicle was positioned, what the driver did or failed to do before the crash, and what federal and state standards required of that driver. The most important educational takeaway is that a blind-spot collision should be examined as a moving sequence. Mirror visibility, trailer geometry, signal timing, acceleration, lane markings, damage patterns, dashcam footage, and driver statements may each answer a different part of the reconstruction.

The truck’s event data recorder (EDR), sometimes called a “black box,” captures speed, braking, steering input, and other data in the moments before a crash. The truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) records hours of service data and can reveal whether the driver was fatigued. Both types of data can be overwritten quickly. An attorney can send a spoliation letter to the trucking company immediately after the crash, demanding that all electronic data be preserved.

Traffic camera footage is another powerful resource. Chicago has an extensive network of traffic cameras managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and private businesses along major corridors often have security cameras that capture the street. Footage from intersections near Wacker Drive, Michigan Avenue, or busy industrial areas can show the truck’s position relative to your vehicle at the moment of impact.

Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may evaluate whether the truck should be inspected before repairs, whether available video or vehicle data should be requested, and whether additional parties may have relevant records. Those records might include inspection and maintenance materials, driver training or qualification information, dispatch details, camera-system data, and photographs from the scene.

Eyewitness accounts from other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists who saw the crash unfold can corroborate your version of events. Photographs of the damage patterns on both vehicles, including the direction and height of scrapes and paint transfer, help accident reconstruction experts determine where contact occurred and which vehicle was in which lane. As a abogado de accidentes de camión will tell you, the sooner this evidence is gathered, the better your case will be.

Blind spot truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries. When a multi-ton commercial truck strikes a passenger vehicle during a lane change or turn, the force involved is enormous. Victims commonly suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage that can take months or years to heal, if it heals at all.

Illinois law allows injured people to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and the cost of rehabilitation or long-term care. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse or family member. Illinois law allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages, and it places no cap on either in personal injury cases.

In cases where the trucking company’s conduct was particularly reckless, such as knowingly allowing a driver with vision deficiencies to operate a commercial vehicle, or ignoring repeated mirror inspection failures, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages are meant to punish extreme misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

When a blind spot crash causes a fatality, the victim’s family can pursue a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). This statute allows surviving family members to recover compensation for the loss of financial support, loss of companionship, grief, and funeral expenses. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death under 740 ILCS 180/2.

The attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. You should be aware, however, that clients may still be responsible for certain case costs and expenses, which will be discussed with you during your free consultation. To speak with a abogado de accidente de camión about your case, call us at (312) 222-0010. Our office is located at 205 W Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606.

How do I know if my accident was caused by a truck’s blind spot?

The most common signs include a sudden sideswipe with no warning, a truck merging into your lane without signaling, or a truck turning and striking your vehicle when you were alongside it. Damage patterns on both vehicles, the location of the crash, and any available traffic camera footage can help confirm that your vehicle was in the truck’s no-zone at the time of impact. An attorney can work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze this evidence and determine whether the driver failed to check mirrors or signal before the maneuver.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly in the truck’s no-zone when the crash happened?

Being in a truck’s no-zone does not automatically make you responsible for the crash. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you are found less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies often argue that victims were lingering in no-zones to shift blame. An attorney can challenge those arguments with objective evidence from the truck’s data recorder, traffic cameras, and eyewitness accounts.

What should I do immediately after a blind spot truck accident in Chicago?

Call 911 and get medical attention first, even if your injuries feel minor. Some injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, may not present obvious symptoms right away. While at the scene, photograph the vehicles, road markings, skid marks, and any visible damage. Get the truck driver’s name, employer, and insurance information. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Do not speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney, because early statements can be used to reduce your claim.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/2). However, electronic evidence like the truck’s event data recorder and electronic logging device data can be overwritten within weeks of a crash. Waiting too long to contact an attorney risks losing the most important evidence in your case.

Who pays for my medical bills after a blind spot truck crash in Chicago?

If the truck driver or trucking company is found liable, their insurance coverage is the primary source of compensation. Federal law requires most commercial carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and carriers hauling certain types of cargo must carry higher limits. Your own health insurance or auto insurance may also cover initial medical costs. If the at-fault carrier is underinsured, your own underinsured motorist coverage may apply. An attorney can identify all available insurance sources and help you pursue the maximum compensation available under Illinois law.

This page is an advertisement for legal services. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is responsible for its content. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, 205 W Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (312) 222-0010.

More Resources About Types of Truck Crashes

La experiencia general que tuve con Briskman Briskman & Greenberg fue del tipo que todo el mundo debería recibir de cualquier empresa.

El personal se mantuvo en contacto conmigo por teléfono y correo electrónico, estaban muy bien informados, se aseguraron de que entendiera lo que estaba pasando en todo momento, respondieron a todas mis preguntas, fueron transparentes, y definitivamente superaron mis expectativas. Los recomiendo encarecidamente.

- Brandon Spivey

El nivel de cuidado, atención, empatía y preocupación en relación con mi caso al tratar con Briskman Briskman y Greenberg superó mis expectativas.

Eran extremadamente informados y justos en todos los asuntos relacionados. Dieron ejemplo de excelente servicio y atención al cliente. Me mantuvieron informado y actualizado en todo momento y respondieron a todas mis preguntas. Recomiendo encarecidamente usarlos como lo haría de nuevo.

- Joshua Payton

Me sentí a gusto con la profesionalidad de Briskman y Briskman.

Paul Greenberg especialmente poner mi mente para descansar y en un plazo de un año he resuelto mi caso y estoy muy satisfecho con el resultado. Mi lesión fue devastador, pero trabajar con este bufete de abogados ha puesto un montón de noches estresantes para descansar.

- Nakia Childs

Necesitaba un abogado de lesiones personales y Gavin y su equipo fueron más allá.

Hicieron que el proceso fuera sencillo y me ayudaron en cada paso del camino. Lo que realmente aprecio es que son directos y responden rápidamente a mis preguntas y a cualquier problema con un mensaje de texto o una llamada telefónica. Además, me controlaron continuamente. ¡Estoy contento con la forma en que manejaron mi caso y recomendaría darles una llamada!

- Ted Zakrzewski

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers (BBG) is a legal team you want on your side.

Llevaron mi caso de manera profesional, sensible y muy competente. El personal muestra experiencia en el ámbito jurídico y proporcionó un excelente apoyo y atención al cliente. Gracias BBG por su ayuda con la navegación de un caso muy sensible y difícil para mi familia.

- Robin Albritton

Si ha sufrido un accidente y necesita un abogado excelente, ¡¡¡hable con Paul!!!

Muy agradable y profesional abogado que extremadamente se preocupa por sus clientes. Crucemos los dedos para que nunca vuelva a tener un accidente, pero si es así, ¡sin duda, 10/10 volvería a utilizar Paul!

- Danny S.

Estoy muy satisfecha con la representación de BB&G.

Robert Briskman manejó mi caso de lesiones muy bien. Personalidad divertida y comprensiva y se tomó el tiempo para explicar todo en detalle de todo el caso. Fue maravilloso trabajar con él. Yo recomendaría BB&G a cualquiera y para mí de nuevo en el futuro.

- Ginebra Vanderbilt

Desde el momento en que me puse en contacto con este bufete me trataron como de la familia.

Gavin Pearlman fue honesto y sincero conmigo durante todo el proceso. Sin sorpresas y nunca me mantuvo colgado. Recomiendo encarecidamente estos abogados para sus necesidades.

- Ron Gaber

I cannot say enough good things about the attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

Fueron extremadamente receptivos, profesionales y compasivos durante todo el proceso. Sus habilidades de negociación fueron excepcionales, y fueron capaces de asegurar un acuerdo que superó con creces mis expectativas. Estoy agradecido de haber tenido un equipo tan dedicado".