Truck Driver Resources

The transportation industry is dangerous, with 121 fatal crashes involving semi-trucks throughout Illinois in 2023. Professional truckers and employers must be familiar with truck driver resources and refer to them regularly, ensuring all operators are prepared to handle adverse road conditions.

Essential Trucking Industry Resources

There is a massive volume of information on trucking laws and regulations, which can leave truckers overwhelmed. It’s vital to prioritize high-quality, trusted government resources for both safety and career advancement. By accessing the correct tools, truck drivers can keep both themselves and other motorists safe.

Trucking Industry Education and Training

The American Trucking Association is the primary association dedicated to trucking industry advocacy in America. The ATA offers truck driver resources, jobs boards, and partnerships with local schools. They also have leadership groups that help address challenges faced by specific groups in trucking, such as women and veterans.

While based in Washington, DC, ATA has chapters throughout the country, including Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, Florida, and California. Truckers who join the association can enroll in classes, save on equipment, and access professional services.

In addition to being the primary regulatory body for the trucking industry, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides guidance on entering a trucking career, including driver education resources. The FMCSA is not responsible for administering CDL training or issuing licenses; these are handled by each state’s department of motor vehicles or secretary of state.

Drivers preparing for CDL training can use the Illinois Secretary of State‘s CDL study guide to prepare for their testing process.

Support for Professional Truck Drivers’ Physical and Mental Health

The American Trucking Association offers a Driver Health and Wellness hub on its website. It has partnered with organizations such as the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) to support Class A over-the-road truckers. The free program offers services such as smoking cessation, diabetes management, and preventive vaccines.

A trucker’s job security depends on consistent work, so serious injuries can lead to financial insolvency. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund has a range of resources, including low-cost or free dental care, doctor networks, catastrophic injury support, prescription drug discounts, and virtual mental health services for truck drivers who need help while on the road.

A Better Life Treatment Centers is a DOT-certified substance abuse counseling center with over 20,000 certified testing centers nationwide. These programs help truckers develop the tools and skills needed to stay sober on the road, focusing on the stressors unique to the freight and motor carrier industry.

Business Resources for Owner-Operators

The Illinois State Bar Association provides legal guidance on how the state classifies independent contractor vs employee truck drivers, and a driver’s legal rights after an accident.

Here, truck drivers can learn more about how Illinois classifies truck drivers using the ABC test. This is a different approach than the standard independent contractor test, requiring employers to prove that the driver does not meet all three “prongs” of employee classification.

Illinois’s Employee Classification Act (820 ILCS 185/) is one of the strictest in the United States and has been upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court in Bartlow v. Costigan, meaning operators must understand how they and their employees are classified when contracting with carriers.

The Illinois Fair Labor Standards Division handles business contracts and wage standards, ensuring that contractors and owner-operators comply with all regulatory requirements regarding payment for services.

Women in Trucking is a Virginia non-profit that offers training programs, educational outreach, and business support for women in the trucking industry. Members can receive discounts on essential services, sign up for mentorship programs, and find career advancement suggestions. This organization also runs conferences and partners with local organizations, like the Girl Scouts, to encourage diversity in the transportation industry.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is an organization for owner-operators that offers benefits such as compliance tools, occupational accident insurance, delivery insurance, and life insurance. OOIDA also has affiliate programs to help truckers save money on essential services.

Safety and Regulatory Resources

Understanding safety guidelines and regulations is critical to how our Chicago trucking accident attorneys approach truck crash investigations. Many accidents are preventable by following regulatory guidelines, particularly those on driver fatigue and proper truck loading.

The FMCSA Regulatory Guidance Portal is an indexed, searchable portal that enables drivers to search for recent regulatory updates. All FCMSA regulations are published online and searchable by keyword, making it simpler for truck drivers to find the applicable regulation. There are also topic sections, such as on hours of service or medical testing, that drivers can review.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a trucking industry clearinghouse that addresses all regulatory and safety compliance standards. Here, truck drivers can learn more about occupational hazards, ensure that their rigs are compliant with environmental standards, and gain advice

OOIDA’s Government Affairs department is based in Washington, DC, helping drivers track legislative changes and stay informed about upcoming proposals that may affect the industry. OOIDA serves as an advocate for truck drivers’ rights and pushes for legislative changes to enhance road safety.

Truck drivers passing through Chicago must be familiar with the Chicago Municipal Code, which has minor variations from the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/). Title 9 of the code covers all Chicago-specific regulations, including the contra-flow traffic lanes that are found in areas like Adams Avenue.

Book a Free Case Review

Despite the many resources available to truck drivers to prevent accidents and ensure road safety, truck crashes continue to occur on busy highways such as the Tri-State Tollway and on major arterial routes like Cicero Avenue. Our Chicago motor vehicle crash attorneys are here to advocate for you and your family during this difficult time, ensuring that you have the social and financial support you need to thrive.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our lawyers are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and we hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We have secured over $450 million in positive verdicts and settlements across the past 25 years.

We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.