Can Car Drivers Be Responsible for Causing Semi Crashes?

 Posted on June 20, 2025 in Truck Accidents

Lee County was the scene of a tragic accident on June 10th, 2025. According to witness reports, a pickup truck entered an intersection in front of a tractor-trailer. The semi hit the smaller truck in a T-bone collision that claimed the life of the pickup’s driver and critically injured her passenger. The semi’s driver was not hurt.

Semi accidents are often deadly. Some people believe that the semi driver is always responsible for causing these collisions, but that is not always true. If you were injured in a tractor-trailer crash, our knowledgeable Mount Prospect, IL personal injury lawyer knows how to determine fault, establish liability, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Can Another Driver’s Actions Contribute to Truck Accidents?

Because of a semi’s size and weight, it takes longer for a tractor-trailer to slow down or stop. If another motorist makes negligent errors, a truck driver may not have enough time or room to avoid a crash, even if they react immediately.

In some truck accident cases, a passenger vehicle driver’s negligence triggers the chain of events that leads to the crash. These drivers may cut in front of a semi without enough space or fail to yield the right-of-way, as in the tragic Lee County collision. Other risky motorists actions include unsafe lane changes, sudden stops, and driving in a truck’s blind spots. These mistakes can leave truck drivers without any way to avoid a collision. The driver of the passenger vehicle may be held fully or partly responsible for causing the crash.

Why Are Truck Collisions Often Deadly?

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When that much weight hits a smaller car or pickup, the results can be catastrophic. T-bone collisions, underride crashes, and rear-end accidents involving large trucks often lead to severe or fatal injuries, especially for occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Even at lower speeds, the impact force of a semi can crush a passenger car. The injuries in these accidents may include traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, internal bleeding, and broken bones. Survivors may face a long road to recovery or lifelong disabilities.

In some cases, these wounds can be fatal. Eligible survivors may qualify to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Call us to verify your eligibility.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Semi Accident Claim?

Truck accident claims can be very complex. There may be multiple parties involved, including the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and other drivers. These parties often try to shift the blame to someone else to avoid paying your damages. Without our help, it could be difficult for you to prove who was truly at fault.

We can investigate to gather critical evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, and traffic camera footage. We can also ensure that any blame assigned to you is accurate and fair to protect your claim.

We know how to calculate your damages, which might include medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and additional accident-related losses. We also know how to overcome insurance company tactics used to reduce or eliminate your payout.

Consult Our Skilled Chicago, IL Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a semi-truck crash, our dedicated Cook County, IL personal injury attorney can help. Contact Adler Law Offices, LTD online or call 312-236-2700 now to schedule a free consultation.