Truck Wrecks

Our lawyers know the trucking industry inside and out.

At Witherite Law Group, our attorneys don’t just understand trucking law, we know the trucking industry itself. Our lawyers have gone the extra mile by attending truck driving and safety schools to gain firsthand knowledge of what it’s like behind the wheel of a big rig. This real-world experience helps us better understand the challenges drivers face and gives us unique insight into how truck wrecks happen. We know the regulations, safety standards, and practices that trucking companies are supposed to follow, and we’re able to spot when they cut corners. This gives us an edge when building your case, making sure no detail is overlooked, and helping us fight for the best possible outcome for you.

What sets Witherite Law Group apart?

1. Rapid Response Team (RRT)

The moment you call, our Rapid Response Team gets to work. We’re on the scene ASAP, gathering evidence, taking photos, speaking to witnesses, and securing information before it’s lost. In a truck wreck, every second counts—and we make sure we’re there when it matters.

2. Digging for Dirt

Trucking companies and insurers will do everything they can to avoid liability, but we know how to uncover the truth. Our team digs deep into driver records, truck maintenance logs, and federal compliance reports to expose any violations or shortcuts that caused your wreck. If there’s dirt to find, we’ll find it.

3. CRASH Team

Witherite Law Group’s in-house CRASH team specializes in audio and video forensics. We analyze dash cams, police body cams, and any other recordings to pull out key details that can make or break your case. We don’t miss anything, because we know even the smallest piece of evidence can change the game.

4. In-House Medical Team

Your recovery is about more than just legal representation—it’s about getting the right medical care. With our in-house medical team, we work closely with your doctors to make sure your injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and fully documented. This doesn’t just help you heal—it strengthens your case by providing solid medical evidence that backs up your claim.

Who can be held responsible in a truck wreck?

Truck wrecks often involve more than just the driver. Multiple parties could be responsible, and it takes a skilled legal team to figure out who should be held accountable. At Witherite Law Group, we investigate every angle of the case to identify all the responsible parties, including but not limited to:

• The Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent, distracted, or fatigued, they could be held responsible for the wreck.
• The Trucking Company: Companies may be liable for poor maintenance, improper training, or pushing drivers to break safety regulations.
• The Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck or one of its components contributed to the crash, the manufacturer could share responsibility.
• Cargo Loaders or Third-Party Contractors: If the truck was overloaded or improperly loaded, those responsible for the cargo may be held liable.
• Our team makes sure every responsible party is held accountable, so you get the compensation you deserve.

Trucking companies skirting safety regulations.

Many trucking companies cut corners to maximize profits, often at the expense of safety. Whether it's skipping regular maintenance, overworking drivers, or failing to train them properly, these shortcuts can lead to devastating accidents. Witherite Law Group digs deep into trucking company practices, looking for violations of state and federal safety regulations. We expose unsafe practices like falsifying driver logs, ignoring truck maintenance, or overloading cargo, and we make sure these companies are held accountable for putting lives at risk.

Commercial vehicles are more than just big rigs.

When we talk about commercial vehicle accidents, we don’t mean only 18-wheelers. Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, and each brings its own set of challenges when it comes to accidents. At Witherite Law Group, we handle wrecks involving all types of commercial vehicles, including:

• Dump Trucks: These large vehicles often carry heavy or unstable loads that can be dangerous if improperly secured or handled.
• Delivery Vans: With the rise of delivery services, accidents involving vans like FedEx, UPS, or Amazon vehicles have become more common.
• Box Trucks: Often used for deliveries or moves, these trucks can cause serious damage due to their size and weight.
• Garbage Trucks: These slow-moving vehicles operate in busy neighborhoods, increasing the risk of accidents with pedestrians or other cars.
• Tow Trucks: Tow trucks can pose hazards if the towed vehicle isn’t secured properly or if the driver is distracted or negligent.
• Food Trucks: These mobile kitchens are heavy and often park in congested areas, making accidents with pedestrians and other vehicles more likely.
• Utility Vehicles: Power company trucks, telecom vans, and other utility vehicles can cause serious accidents, particularly if parked unsafely on roadways.
• Cement Mixers: The massive size and load of cement trucks can cause catastrophic damage in the event of a collision.
• Refrigerated Trucks (Reefers): These trucks are essential for transporting perishable goods but are heavier due to their refrigeration units, increasing the risk of serious wrecks.
• Shuttle Buses and Passenger Vans: Often used by airports, hotels, and tour companies, these vehicles transport multiple passengers and can lead to larger-scale injuries in a crash.

No matter what kind of commercial vehicle was involved in your wreck, our experienced team knows how to investigate the circumstances, determine who’s responsible, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Look out for self-driving and autonomous trucks.

The rise of self-driving and autonomous trucks brings new challenges to the road. These vehicles still rely heavily on technology that can malfunction, misinterpret road conditions, or fail to operate safely in unexpected situations. If you’ve been injured in a wreck involving an autonomous truck, Witherite Law Group knows how to handle these complex cases. We investigate everything from the truck’s software logs to safety testing records to determine what went wrong and who’s at fault. We’ll hold the technology companies, manufacturers, and trucking companies responsible if their failure caused your injury.

How trucking companies try to limit their liability.

After a serious accident, they often rush to minimize their responsibility and avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. At Witherite Law Group, we know the tactics they use, and we’re ready to fight back. Here are some of the most common ways trucking companies try to limit their liability:

Sending Their Own Investigators: Trucking companies will often send their own investigators to the accident scene immediately after a wreck. These investigators are there to gather evidence that supports the company’s version of events and downplays their responsibility. We counter this by deploying our Rapid Response Team to collect unbiased, accurate evidence before it can be manipulated.

Blaming the Driver: In some cases, trucking companies will try to pin all the blame on the driver to avoid liability. But we know how to dig deeper. Our team looks at the company’s hiring and training practices, hours-of-service violations, and whether they were pushing their drivers to exceed legal limits, which can shift responsibility back to the company.

Destroying or Hiding Evidence: Trucking companies are required by law to keep certain records, like driver logs and maintenance records. But they know how damaging these records can be, and sometimes they’ll try to hide, destroy, or "lose" this critical evidence. We move quickly to issue legal demands that prevent any tampering with evidence, and our team ensures that no detail slips through the cracks.

Minimizing Maintenance Issues: Companies might claim that their trucks were properly maintained, but maintenance logs often tell a different story. By reviewing these records, we can uncover missed inspections, faulty repairs, or ignored safety warnings that contributed to the wreck.

Lowball Settlement Offers: In an attempt to limit their payouts, trucking companies, and their insurers often try to offer quick, low settlement amounts before the full extent of your injuries is even clear. They hope you’ll accept less than you deserve. At Witherite Law Group, we don’t let that happen. We’ll fight for the compensation that fully covers your medical bills, lost wages, and future care.

Blaming Other Parties: Trucking companies may try to shift the blame to third parties, like cargo loaders or truck manufacturers. While other parties may share some responsibility, we make sure the trucking company is held accountable for any role they played in the wreck.

We’re ready to take them on. We know their tactics, and we have the resources, expertise, and determination to make sure they pay for the harm they caused.

Getting insurance companies to settle for more than your coverage limit.

When you’ve been in a serious truck wreck, you might assume that the insurance company will only pay out up to the policy’s coverage limits. But at Witherite Law Group, we know how to fight for more. Insurance companies don’t always want you to know that in certain cases, they can be pressured to settle for more than the stated coverage amount, especially when we can prove they were acting in bad faith or trying to avoid full responsibility for your injuries.

Get a truck wreck firm unlike any other on your side today.

Your future is too important to leave in the hands of the trucking company or their insurance adjusters. At Witherite Law Group, we’re built to fight for you. Call us today for a free consultation, and let’s get started on getting you the justice and compensation you deserve. Available 24/7.

What should I do immediately after a truck accident?

After a truck accident, prioritize your safety and well-being first. Call emergency services if needed and seek medical attention for any injuries. Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible to help protect your rights and gather critical evidence.

How can a truck accident attorney help me with my case?

At Witherite Law Group, our experienced attorneys specialize in truck accident cases in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Fort Worth. We conduct thorough investigations, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and, if necessary, litigate aggressively in court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What parties can be involved in a commercial vehicle accident injury case?

Truck accident injury cases often involve multiple parties besides the driver, potentially making the need for an experienced attorney greater than in other accident cases:

Trucking Companies: Responsible for hiring, training, and supervising drivers, as well as ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintenance of vehicles.

Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defect in the truck or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable.

Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause accidents, making cargo loaders accountable for negligence.

Maintenance Companies: Entities responsible for servicing and maintaining the commercial vehicle may be liable if inadequate maintenance led to the accident.

Third-Party Contractors: If the truck involved was contracted by another company or entity, they may share liability for the accident, depending on the circumstances.

What are common causes of truck accidents?

Truck accidents can happen for many reasons, including driver negligence like speeding, distracted driving, or fatigue. Other causes may involve poor vehicle maintenance, improper loading of cargo, inclement weather conditions, or violations of federal trucking regulations. Identifying the specific cause of your accident is important in determining liability and pursuing a successful claim.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?

In Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and other states, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including truck accidents, varies. It's essential to consult with a truck accident attorney promptly to ensure you meet all deadlines and preserve your legal right to compensation. Delays in filing a claim can jeopardize your ability to recover damages.

What compensation can I recover from a truck accident?

Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, future earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The exact amount of compensation depends on the severity of injuries, the impact on your life, and other factors unique to your case.

Why choose Witherite Law Group for my truck accident case?

Witherite Law Group has successfully handled truck accident cases across Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Fort Worth for over twenty years. We know trucking industry regulations and have a track record of getting substantial settlements for our clients. We are committed to providing personalized attention, aggressive advocacy, and unwavering support throughout your case. Reach out to Witherite Law Group today.