Motorcyclists Suffer Catastrophic Injuries in Accidents with Trucks

 Posted on November 06, 2025 in Truck Accidents

When a motorcycle and a large commercial truck collide, the consequences are devastating. Motorcyclists have no protection compared to the size and weight of an 80,000-pound semi-truck, and even low-speed impacts can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident involving a truck in Illinois in 2025, you may be entitled to significant compensation. At Carlson Law Group, P.C., our firm is led by a Will County personal injury attorney with more than 20 years of experience, including service as both a judge and prosecutor. He understands the system inside and out and uses that knowledge to fight for the best possible results for injured clients.

Why Motorcycle Accidents with Trucks Are So Dangerous

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcyclists are involved in a disproportionate number of serious and fatal crashes each year. When the crash happens with a truck, the risk of catastrophic injury or mortality increases dramatically.

Tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles can weigh 20 times more than a motorcycle. This difference in size and force means motorcyclists are often thrown from their bikes or crushed on impact. Truckers who are distracted, who are driving under the influence, or who do not check their blind spots are at greater risk of striking motorcyclists. When that happens, the consequences are tragic.

Common Injuries in Motorcycle-Truck Collisions

Motorcycle riders involved in truck accidents frequently suffer severe, life-altering injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis

• Multiple bone fractures

• Severe road rash and burns

• Internal organ injuries and bleeding

• Amputations or loss of limbs

These injuries require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Many victims are unable to return to work or support their families. In cases like this, the financial recovery of an insurance claim or lawsuit is a critical part of rebuilding the lives of those who suffer from these crashes. 

Who Can You Sue if a Truck Hits You on Your Motorcycle?

Truck crashes make for particularly difficult lawsuits and insurance claims because several parties may share responsibility. For example, the truck driver may be responsible if they were speeding, distracted, or impaired by drugs or alcohol. But the trucking company might also be responsible if it failed to properly train drivers or enforce rest requirements. Even a maintenance company or manufacturer may be liable. 

An experienced personal injury attorney will investigate the crash, find evidence such as electronic logging data and witness statements, and look for every potential source of compensation. Even if you think you may share responsibility for the crash, you should still talk to a lawyer. Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), an injured person can still recover damages even if they were partially at fault, as long as they were less than 50 percent responsible for the crash.

Call a Will County, IL Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

After a collision with a truck, the road to recovery can be long and uncertain. At Carlson Law Group, P.C., our Joliet personal injury attorney has spent many years helping victims of catastrophic accidents secure justice and fair compensation. As a former judge and prosecutor, he knows how to make the system work for you.

We offer free consultations and will review your case honestly. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call 815-710-3700 today.