I-74, I-88, and I-280 in Illinois are vital for transporting supplies and for daily commuting for many, but they are also hotspots for truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Quad Cities truck accident that was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another, knowing what steps to take after suffering from semi-truck crash injuries can protect both your health and your future.
At Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham, our Quad Cities personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling serious truck crash cases. If a semi-truck wreck has injured you or someone you love, here’s what you need to know.
Semi-Truck Injuries in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 11,294 crashes involving tractor-trailers in Illinois in 2024. These crashes made up 3.7% of all reported traffic accidents statewide.
The risks of a truck wreck are even higher on the interstate due to the high volume of semi-truck traffic. This leads to increased congestion, braking hazards, and the risk of underride accidents, jackknife crashes, or rollovers.
Urban interstates, including portions of I-74 and I-88 that run through Moline and Rock Island, accounted for 32 fatal crashes and 55 injury crashes.
On rural interstates, like parts of I-280 and the I-88 corridor, there were 16 deaths and 45 injury crashes.
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Common Semi-Truck Crash Injuries
Due to their large size and weight, semi-truck crash injuries are often more severe than collisions involving just cars or other types of vehicles. Even lower-speed crashes can result in devastating injuries. Our truck accident attorneys often represent clients with:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Brain injuries
- Burns
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Paralysis
If a loved one died in a fatal semi-truck crash, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim and recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Who’s Liable for Semi-Truck Crash Injuries?
The key to a successful personal injury claim is determining liability. Truck accident claims are complex because multiple parties may be at fault. This might include the truck driver, the trucking company, or a manufacturer of a defective part. In addition to the truck driver, other liable parties could include:
- The trucking company
- The shipping company
- A parts or maintenance provider
- Government entities (in cases involving road hazards)
Our experienced truck accident attorneys know how to investigate these crashes and identify all responsible parties. We can also preserve critical evidence such as:
- Black box data
- Logbooks and rest schedules
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
| Related topic: Truck Accident Trial Preparation by Quad Cities Injury Lawyers
What to Do after a Truck Accident on I-74, I-88, or I-280
You can take steps immediately after a crash to protect yourself:
- Call 911 and report the crash
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured. Injuries like whiplash do not show symptoms until later
- Make sure to document your injuries by taking photos and keeping all medical bills, because your lawyer will use these documents as evidence for your claim
- If safe, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions
- Get the name and insurance information of the truck driver and any witnesses
- Before speaking with an insurance adjuster or the trucking company, get in touch with a lawyer
Insurance companies will often try to shift blame or offer settlements that don’t fully cover your losses, which is why it’s critical to work with a legal team that understands commercial trucking regulations and knows how to build a strong case.
Contact a Quad Cities Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham, we’ve spent decades helping Illinois families recover from devastating semi-truck accident injuries. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Our legal team proudly serves clients throughout the Quad Cities. Whether your crash happened on I-74 in Moline, I-280 in Rock Island, or I-88 near Rock Falls, our experienced truck accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.
Our firm provides personalized service and clear communication. We are willing to meet with you in person to discuss your case and are prepared to go to trial if necessary, unlike other firms that may try to get you to settle for less than what you deserve.
Call (309) 794-1515, use LiveChat, or submit our contact form to speak with a truck accident attorney today.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.