Chicago Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Delivery vans, box trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, contractor pickups, and other work vehicles crowd Chicago’s streets and alleys every day. If one of them hit you, a Chicago commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Mixan Mahony, LLC can help you identify the business behind the vehicle and the insurance that applies. We represent people across Chicago from our office at 444 W. Lake St.

More Ways We Help Injured People and Families

• Amazon Flex Accident Lawyer
• FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
• Freight Broker Liability Truck Accident Lawyer
• UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial Vehicles on Chicago Streets

Commercial vehicle crashes in Chicago often happen in tight spaces: double-parked delivery vans, box trucks backing out of alleys, wide right turns at city corners, and work trucks entering traffic from construction sites. Last-mile delivery has added many vans to residential streets in neighborhoods across the city. Drivers working on tight schedules may speed, check devices while driving, or skip safety checks.

Who Is Responsible When a Work Vehicle Causes a Crash

When a driver causes a crash while doing their job, the employer may be responsible for the driver’s conduct. The business may also be responsible for its own choices, such as hiring an unsafe driver, failing to train or supervise, or failing to maintain the vehicle. Some delivery drivers work through contractors, so identifying the right companies takes investigation.

• Many commercial vehicles carry a USDOT number on the door, which helps identify the carrier.
• Interstate carriers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399.
• Business auto policies often have higher limits than personal policies.

City and Government Vehicles

If the vehicle belonged to the City of Chicago, such as a garbage truck, or to another local public body, different rules apply. Claims against a local public entity generally must be filed within 1 year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101(a), and the Tort Immunity Act contains defenses that do not apply in ordinary crash cases.

How We Build a Commercial Vehicle Claim

We photograph and identify the vehicle, look up the carrier’s federal safety record when applicable, request telematics, GPS, and dashcam data, and gather the crash report and witness statements. We also review the driver’s employment relationship to find every responsible party. Most Chicago injury lawsuits are filed in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, which sits at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., a short walk from our office at 444 W. Lake St.

Illinois Deadlines and Fault Rules for a Chicago Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Claim

• Most injury claims: 2 years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
• Shared fault: under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, an injured person is barred only if their fault is more than 50 percent of the cause; otherwise damages are reduced by their share.
• More than one defendant: under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for medical expenses, and for other damages a defendant less than 25 percent at fault is severally liable while one 25 percent or more at fault is jointly and severally liable.
• Wrongful death: under 740 ILCS 180/2, an action is generally filed within 2 years after the death, with exceptions in the statute.
• Public entities: claims against a local public entity, such as the City of Chicago, generally must be filed within 1 year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101(a). Claims against the CTA must be commenced within 1 year under 70 ILCS 3605/41.

These are general rules with exceptions. Ask a lawyer to confirm the deadline that applies to your situation.

Compensation Families and Injured People May Seek

A claim may seek compensation for medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and loss of a normal life. Families who lose a loved one may have wrongful death and survival claims. The available insurance often shapes how a claim is presented, which is why identifying every policy early matters.

Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result. Our role is to gather the evidence, explain your options honestly, and pursue the claim you choose.

What to Do Next

• Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay.
• Call 911 and get the crash report number from the Chicago Police Department or Illinois State Police.
• Photograph the vehicles, plates, company names, USDOT numbers, and the scene.
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Avoid recorded statements to any insurer before talking with a lawyer, and call us for a free review.

Related Practice Areas

You may also find these pages helpful:

• Illinois truck accident claims
• Amazon truck and van accidents
• Walmart truck accidents
• wrongful death claims
• Chicago car accidents
• Chicago truck accidents
• Chicago Uber and Lyft accidents
• Chicago motorcycle accidents

See all of our Chicago personal injury practice areas, our Illinois service areas, and our Illinois personal injury representation.

What to Expect When You Call Our Firm

When you contact a Chicago commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Mixan Mahony, LLC, the first conversation is about listening. We ask what happened, who was involved, what injuries resulted, and what records you already have. You do not need to have everything organized before you call.

After that first call, we explain which deadlines may apply, which records we plan to request, and what an investigation is likely to involve. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you that as well. You decide whether to accept a settlement offer or move forward with a lawsuit.

Talk With a Chicago Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer at Mixan Mahony, LLC

Our office is at 444 W. Lake St., Suite 1707, in Chicago’s West Loop, near the Clark/Lake CTA station. You can meet with us in person, by phone, or by video.

• A free first conversation.
• Records requests sent directly to providers, agencies, and insurers.
• Electronic signatures for paperwork.
• Updates by phone, email, or text.

Meet the Partners

Mixan Mahony, LLC was founded by Colleen Mixan Mikaitis and Mackenzie J. Mahony. Both partners are personally involved in the cases the firm handles for clients in Chicago and across Illinois, and you can reach them through our Chicago office by phone or video.

No attorney fee unless we recover for you. Your first consultation is free. How case costs and expenses are handled is explained in writing in the fee agreement before any work begins.

Contact Mixan Mahony, LLC

Mixan Mahony, LLC
444 W. Lake St., Suite 1707
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 262-3971
View our Chicago office on Google Maps

We serve clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois from this office. You can also reach us through our contact page.

This page provides general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past outcomes do not guarantee future results.