Chicago Swift Transportation Truck Accident Lawyer

Seek Justice and Fair Compensation for Accidents Involving Swift Transportation Vehicles

A serious truck accident can upend your life in seconds. When large commercial trucks collide with passenger vehicles on Chicago roads, the consequences are often catastrophic. As a Chicago-based Swift Transportation truck accident lawyer team, we represent victims facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and long-term uncertainty after a devastating truck accident. These complex commercial trucking cases involve powerful trucking companies, federal regulations, and layered insurance defenses.

Swift Transportation operates thousands of commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers and other transportation truck configurations across Illinois. When truck accidents occur, drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles suffer the most severe harm. We stand with our clients from day one. You’re not alone, and we believe in your case.

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

No two truck accident cases are the same, but strong investigation, regulatory analysis, and experienced truck accident attorneys can significantly affect outcomes. Below are representative recoveries our law firm has achieved in transportation truck accident litigation.

$6,000,000 Fatal Accident Settlement — Fatal Fall From Truck Cab

Our firm represented the family of a professional driver who suffered fatal injuries after falling from the sleeping compartment of his cab while parked. The lawsuit focused on inspecting hours of service limits, unsafe equipment design, inadequate fall protection, and failures by multiple entities involved in the trucking industry. The settlement addressed funeral costs, lost income, and the profound human loss suffered by surviving family members.

$2,800,000 Settlement — Stalled Swift Truck Without Warnings

We represented the family of a young man killed when his vehicle struck a stalled Swift Transportation truck that lacked hazard warnings. Investigation revealed failures in roadside safety procedures and compliance obligations. This fair settlement recognized both economic losses and lifelong emotional harm.

$1,400,000 Settlement — Rear-End Semi-Truck Collision

Our client was driving a car when a fully loaded semi truck caused a rear-end collision. The crash resulted in severe spinal injuries requiring fusion surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and permanent limitations. The recovery addressed medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs.

Why Choose Our Swift Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck collision cases require far more than standard car accident case experience. Our best truck accident attorneys handle high-stakes truck accident cases involving catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

We have recovered $450M+ for our clients, maintain a 98% success rate, and bring 100+ years of combined experience to every case. Our experienced truck accident attorneys have helped 5,000+ clients, and we are available 24/7 because serious accidents don’t follow business hours.

Our top-rated Chicago personal injury lawyer team has earned recognition from:

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Super Lawyers®
• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau
• Contributing Author for The National Law Review
• AVVO Rating of 10/10

What Are the Most Common Causes of Swift Transportation Accidents in Chicago?

Most Swift Transportation accidents are preventable. Through years of trucking litigation, we see the same safety failures repeatedly:

• Driver fatigue and time pressure linked to trucking hours of service violations
• Distracted driving, including improper use of phones and route apps, despite strict cell phone policy for CDL drivers
• Speeding and unsafe lane changes in congested urban traffic
• Improperly secured cargo in violation of cargo securement requirements
• Mechanical failures identified on the CDL pre-trip inspection checklist, including faulty brakes and tires
• Inadequate training and unsafe dispatch practices violating CDL requirements in Illinois
• Bad weather pressure combined with unrealistic delivery schedules

These risks are amplified when professional truck drivers are pushed to meet performance metrics set by trucking companies.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Swift Transportation Truck Crashes?

A commercial truck can weigh 20–30 times more than passenger cars. Longer stopping distances, blind spots, curbside delivery hazards, and failures to comply with truck reflective tape requirements all increase risk.

Common truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Amputations
• Severe psychological trauma
• Fatalities

What Damages Can Swift Transportation Truck Accident Victims Recover in Illinois?

Illinois personal injury law allows accident victims to pursue full compensation, including:

Economic damages

• Medical expenses and future medical bills
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Long-term rehabilitation and assistive care

Non-economic damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

Punitive damages

• Available in cases involving reckless safety violations

What Is the Average Swift Truck Accident Payout in Chicago?

Based on historic Swift truck accident data:

• The case value range is $41,522 – $37,659,000
• The average payout is $5,660,407
• The median payout is $1,750,000

Payouts in Swift Transportation vehicle accident cases depend on multiple factors, including:

• Severity of injuries
• Permanency of injury or disability
• Total medical expenses and future care needs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Fatal accident damages
• Clarity of liability
• Federal and state trucking regulation violations
• Number of liable parties
• Quality of available evidence
• Comparative fault arguments
• Venue and jury considerations
• Commercial truck insurance requirements

Example Cases Involving Swift Transportation Truck Drivers

Truck accident cases involving large commercial carriers often turn on preventable safety failures, equipment defects, and driver decision-making under pressure. The following examples show how different types of conduct and injury severity can shape outcomes in Swift Transportation–related truck accident litigation.

$10,650,000 — Severe Head Injury Caused by Faulty Trailer Door

A truck driver suffered a traumatic brain injury when a malfunctioning trailer door suddenly fell during unloading. The door had previously been reported as defective but was not repaired. The case focused on equipment safety failures and the long-term neurological and psychological consequences of the head injury.

$7,000,000 — Family Lost Husband and Son in Tractor-Trailer Crash

A car collided with a tractor-trailer after the truck driver failed to adjust speed and braking on a downgrade despite posted warnings. The crash resulted in multiple fatalities and led to survival claims based on unsafe driving decisions and failure to follow roadway warnings.

$350,000 — Construction-Related Rear-End Truck Collision

A Swift Transportation vehicle rear-ended stopped traffic in a construction zone after failing to slow as congestion developed. The collision caused multiple fractures to a vehicle occupant and significant property damage. The case centered on inattention, speed control, and failure to respond to changing traffic conditions.

Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Truck crashes involve many vehicle types, such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, step vans, and cargo vans, and often multiple entities. Branding alone does not determine responsibility. Liability frequently turns on recognized truck accident types, including underride accidents and multi-vehicle pileups.

We litigate these matters in Cook County and other local courts, where procedural experience matters.

How Common Are Swift Transportation Truck Accidents?

According to FMCSA data from the past 24 months, Swift Transportation has been involved in 841 total crashes, including 576 tow-away crashes, 236 injury crashes, and 29 fatal crashes.

These figures underscore how frequently serious incidents involving large commercial trucks occur and highlight the elevated risk posed by commercial vehicles operating under tight delivery schedules, heavy loads, and constant time pressure.

Where Do Swift Transportation Truck Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

In Chicago, Swift Transportation vehicle accidents or accidents involving related carriers such as Knight Transportation commonly occur on major freight routes and near high-traffic commercial areas where large trucks interact with smaller motor vehicles.

We frequently see crashes on expressways such as I-90, I-94, I-290, and I-55, along industrial corridors on the South and West Sides, and near warehouses, distribution centers, rail yards, and retail loading docks. Construction zones, busy intersections, and curbside delivery areas are also frequent trouble spots due to congestion, lane shifts, and limited visibility.

What Laws Govern Swift Transportation Truck Accident Claims in Chicago?

Swift Transportation vehicle accident claims are governed by a combination of federal, state, and local laws.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) set nationwide safety rules for commercial drivers and motor carriers, covering hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and driver qualifications. At the state level, the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) regulates how commercial vehicles operate on Illinois roads, including speed, equipment, and licensing requirements.

Within the city, the Chicago Municipal Code imposes additional rules on truck routes, loading activity, and vehicle restrictions. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) also regulates oversize and overweight trucks through permitting requirements, which can directly impact liability when violations occur.

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action Under Illinois Personal Injury Law?

Under Illinois law, most personal injury claims arising from truck accidents must be filed within two years from the date of the crash under the Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

In fatal cases, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) generally allows two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar recovery, making early legal action critical in Swift Transportation vehicle accident claims.

How to Determine Liability for Accidents Involving Swift Truck Drivers in Chicago

Determining truck accident liability requires identifying all entities that created risk:

• The Swift Transportation truck driver
• The DSP or employer
• The motor carrier or Swift Transportation entity
• Maintenance contractors
• Loaders or shippers
• Broker or dispatch companies

Common Defenses in Truck Accident Cases Involving Swift Drivers

Defendants often argue the driver was not an employee. But labels do not control outcomes. In disputes involving independent contractor truck drivers vs employees, courts examine control, dispatch authority, training, and safety oversight. We investigate who truly controlled the work.

How to Strengthen Your Swift Transportation Truck Accident Case in Chicago

Knowing what to do after a truck accident can protect your claim:

• Call 911 and seek medical evaluation
• Photograph vehicles, DOT numbers, and company markings
• Collect witness information
• Avoid recorded statements to insurance companies
• Preserve medical records
• Contact counsel early to preserve evidence

How a Swift Transportation Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our team handles what victims cannot do alone. We conduct a full truck accident investigation, identify responsible parties, preserve time-sensitive evidence, manage layered insurance disputes, and build negligence cases grounded in FMCSA rules.

FAQs

How much does a Swift truck accident lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Who can file a Swift truck accident claim in Illinois?

Other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, family members in fatal accident lawsuits, and sometimes Swift Transportation drivers, depending on circumstances.

What evidence is needed to support a Swift truck accident insurance claim?

Evidence used to prove truck accident negligence in a civil claim may include:

• Driver logs and trucking ELD data, dispatch records, and delivery quotas
• In-cab and telematics data showing speeding, harsh braking, or sudden maneuvers
• Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance records
• Dashcam footage or business surveillance video
• Post-crash drug and alcohol testing compliance under FMCSA drug and alcohol testing rules
• Bills of lading and load records when cargo securement or shifting is at issue
• Phone or device records where legally permitted

Book a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident involving a Swift Transportation tractor-trailer truck, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. We help clients pursue truck accident lawsuits against all responsible parties, including trucking companies, maintenance providers, or the truck’s manufacturer, when poor vehicle maintenance or safety failures contribute to a crash.

Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We’ll review the vehicles involved, explain your options, and help you seek maximum compensation with clarity and care.