Chicago Truck Accident Statistics

When serious truck accidents disrupt lives across Chicago, we see firsthand how overwhelming the aftermath can feel. From medical bills and lost wages to uncertainty about liability and next steps, our clients often come to us searching for clarity and support. As a Chicago-based law firm focused on motor vehicle crashes involving large trucks, we believe that clear, accurate data matters. Chicago truck accident statistics help explain just how common these collisions are, where truck accidents occur most often, and why these cases so often lead to serious injuries or worse. We stand with you, and we believe that understanding the data is one step closer toward protecting your rights.

How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents in Chicago?

Truck traffic is a constant presence on Chicago roads, from neighborhood delivery routes to major corridors like the Dan Ryan Expressway. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s most recent 2023 Chicago Crash Report, truck accidents occur far more often than many drivers realize.

Single unit trucks (often delivery or utility vehicles) were involved in 3,427 total crashes in Chicago. Of those truck crashes, 3,014 resulted in property damage, highlighting how frequently passenger vehicles and smaller vehicles are impacted even when major injuries do not immediately occur.

Single unit trucks with trailers were involved in 439 total crashes, with 397 crashes resulting in property damage. These commercial vehicles create greater risk because of their length, weight, and blind spots, especially in dense urban traffic.

Tractor-trailers and semi-truck combinations accounted for a significant share of truck accident statistics in Chicago. Tractors with semi-trailers were involved in 2,278 total crashes, including 2,011 property damage crashes. Tractors without semi-trailers were involved in 288 total crashes, with 255 resulting in property damage.

When we look at all types of trucks combined, the scale becomes clear. In 2023, Chicago recorded 6,432 total truck crashes, and 5,677 total vehicles in those crashes sustained property damage. Each accident represents disrupted lives, damaged vehicles, and often the beginning of a difficult recovery for victims.

How Many Traffic Crashes Involving Big Rigs Lead to Serious Injuries in Chicago?

Not all truck accidents end with visible damage alone. Many lead to injuries that have a significant impact on daily life, work, and long-term health. Injury data from the 2023 Chicago Crash Report shows how dangerous collisions with large trucks and big rigs can be.

Single unit trucks were involved in 409 crashes resulting in injury. These collisions injured 124 people inside the trucks, including 14 who suffered severe injuries. Even without a semi-truck involved, the weight difference between trucks and other vehicles creates a higher safety risk of more severe injuries.

Single unit trucks with trailers were involved in 42 injury crashes, resulting in 20 injured people and 1 severe injury. Tractor-trailers and semi-truck accidents continue to raise serious concerns. Tractors with semi-trailers were involved in 262 injury crashes, with 26 total injured and 1 person suffering severe injuries.

Tractors without semi-trailers were involved in 33 injury crashes, resulting in 3 injured people. While the numbers may seem smaller, each injury represents a real person dealing with medical care, recovery, and uncertainty.

Across all truck types in Chicago, there were 746 crashes resulting in injury, 173 total injured people, and 16 severely injured victims in a single year. These statistics underscore why truck accidents in Illinois are treated differently from typical car accidents and why determining liability is often more complex.

How Common Are Fatal Truck Accidents in Chicago?

Fatal truck accidents are less common than injury crashes, but their impact is devastating. According to the same Chicago-specific data, 9 fatal accidents involving trucks occurred in 2023.

Single unit trucks were involved in 4 fatal crashes, while tractors with semi-trailers were involved in 5 deadly collisions. Notably, the report lists zero total killed truck drivers and passengers across these fatal categories. Even so, fatal accidents leave families facing unanswered questions, grief, and long-term consequences.

When lethal roadway crashes occur, they often involve high speeds, aggressive driving, distracted driving, driver fatigue, long hours behind the wheel, or dangerous conditions like poor weather or limited visibility.

Where Do Truck Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Truck accidents occur throughout the city, but we consistently see higher concentrations along major transportation corridors and industrial routes. Areas near the Dan Ryan Expressway, I-90, I-94, and I-290 see heavy truck traffic mixing with passenger vehicles at high speeds. Intersections near freight hubs, rail yards, warehouses, and distribution centers on the South and West Sides also see frequent rear ending and other collisions involving commercial vehicles.

Downtown Chicago presents its own risks. Narrow streets, delivery trucks, blind spots, cyclists, pedestrians, and congestion all contribute to traffic accidents. When an accident occurs in these areas, the consequences can be severe due to limited reaction time and close quarters.

National Statistics by the Illinois Department of Transportation

Looking beyond Chicago, statewide historical data from the Illinois Department of Transportation provides critical context. According to IDOT’s most recent 2023 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics, truck crashes remain a major public safety concern across Illinois.

In 2023, Illinois recorded 11,105 total truck crashes. These included 103 fatal crashes, 1,831 injury crashes, 270 severe injury crashes, and 9,171 property damage crashes. During this same period, large trucks traveled 12,530 million vehicle miles, demonstrating the scale of exposure on Illinois roads.

People Killed and Severely Injured in Truck Crashes in Illinois

The data also breaks down truck crash fatalities and severe injuries by person type:

• Truck occupants: 16 killed, 80 severely injured
• Other vehicle occupants: 93 killed, 263 severely injured
• Pedestrians: 9 killed, 11 severely injured
• Cyclists: 1 killed, 3 severely injured
• Occupants of non-motor vehicles: 3 killed, 0 severely injured

In total, 122 people were killed and 357 people suffered severe injuries in Illinois truck crashes in 2023. These numbers reflect the elevated risk trucks pose to other vehicles and vulnerable road users.

Truck Crashes by Road Type

Urban roads account for a significant share of fatalities and severe injury crashes. In urban areas, 53 people were killed and 159 were severely injured, with interstate and toll roads accounting for the highest numbers. Rural areas saw 50 killed and 110 severely injured, underscoring that truck accidents are not limited to city streets.

Statewide, crashes involving trucks accounted for 3.7% of total crashes, 9% of fatal crashes, and 3% of injury crashes. Severe injuries accounted for 14.2% of all injuries in truck crashes. Importantly, there were 21.3% more fatalities in 2022 than in 2023, and fatal crashes decreased by 25.4%, showing progress, but also reminding us that the risk remains real.

What Is the Average Truck Accident Settlement in Chicago?

Truck accident claims often involve higher settlement values because of the serious consequences these crashes have on victims’ lives. Based on available data, Chicago truck accident settlements fall within a wide range.

• Value range: $2,961 to $43,825,000
• Average settlement: $4,308,645
• Median settlement: $775,000

Every case is different. Settlement value depends on the injuries, the evidence, and how liability is established among drivers, trucking companies, and other involved parties.

What Factors Contribute to the Value of a Truck Accident Claim?

Many factors contribute to the value of a truck accident claim, including:

• Gravity of injuries and whether more severe injuries occurred
• Fatalities or fatal crashes
• Medical bills, ongoing treatment, and multiple surgeries
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Long-term disability or permanent impairment
• Driver fatigue, long hours, or driving above posted limits
• Distracted driving or aggressive driving
• Weather conditions and roadway safety issues
• Speed limits and traffic conditions
• Cargo type, loading issues, or shifting freight
• Maintenance failures or safety standards violations
• The truck’s manufacturer or defective components
• Whether the trucking company violated regulations
• Number of vehicles involved and damage to other motor vehicles

Determining fault often requires deep investigation, data analysis, and an understanding of commercial traffic systems.

Chicago Road Safety Initiatives Preventing Accidents Involving Large Trucks

We support efforts to make traffic safer and truck accidents less frequent and less severe in Chicago. Key initiatives include Vision Zero Chicago to eliminate fatalities and catastrophic injuries by redesigning streets and requiring safety equipment on large vehicles like trucks; Chicago Traffic Safety Programs such as automated speed and red-light enforcement to reduce dangerous driving; and the Illinois Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force aiming to coordinate statewide strategies to reduce deaths and severe injuries.

How Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

When our clients come to us after a truck accident, we guide them through every stage of the process. As dedicated personal injury lawyers, we investigate the crash, gather data, work with experts, and handle communication with insurers and trucking companies. Our role is to protect you while you focus on healing. If you need a Chicago truck accident attorney, we are here to stand with you and believe in your case.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We offer a free consultation with a Chicago motor vehicle accident lawyer, and we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today. We stand with you, and we believe in your case.