A truck has crashed on the interstate near Chicago.

Intrastate Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago

Here in Illinois, we rely on both interstate and intrastate trucking operations to keep our shelves stocked and our local economy humming. So, what is intrastate driving? What’s the difference between interstate and intrastate truck drivers and operations? Interstate trucking involves transporting goods across state lines, while intrastate trucking involves transporting goods within only one state.

Driving a commercial truck is a big responsibility that comes with big risks, which is why there are state and federal laws to regulate trucking and reduce truck crashes. Here, we discuss the various regulations that apply to intrastate trucking in Illinois and what you can do to recover financially if you were involved in an intrastate truck wreck.

To learn more about your legal options after an intrastate truck crash in Illinois, contact the team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for your free initial consultation.

State Rules and Regulations for Truck Driving in Illinois

When truckers operate exclusively within the state of Illinois, they are subject to intrastate rules and regulations, such as:

  • Drivers must be 18 years of age or older to apply for commercial driver’s licenses and engage in intrastate trucking operations.
  • Intrastate drivers are prohibited from operating commercial vehicles with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more.
  • Intrastate truckers are subject to a statewide maximum speed limit of 65 mph on rural interstates and 55 mph on urban and limited-access roads.

There are also three different “Classes” of routes in Illinois, each of which has its own specific size limits for intrastate trucking:

  • Class 1 routes include interstate routes that can accommodate trucks with load widths of 8’6” or less.
  • Class 2 routes include state highways that can accommodate trucks with load widths of 8’6” or less as long as the truck base length is no more than 55 feet.
  • Class 3 routes include local roads that can accommodate trucks with load widths of 8’0” or less as long as the truck base length is no more than 55 feet.

Importantly, intrastate truck drivers in Illinois are also subject to many of the federal trucking regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Are Intrastate and Interstate Truck Driving Regulations Different?

Yes. Interstate truckers are generally guided by FMSCA’s regulations while intrastate truckers are subject to state trucking laws, which may differ. However, Illinois has adopted federal regulations from the FMCSA, including:

  • Illinois drivers must be at least 21 years old or older to operate across state lines or to drive commercial passenger vehicles.
  • Commercial trucks may weigh no more than 80,000 pounds.
  • Drivers are subject to strict alcohol and drug testing requirements, including pre-employment screening, random testing, and post-crash testing.
  • Drivers must adhere to strict hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, such as the 11-hour per day driving maximum and the 30-minute rest break requirement.
  • Drivers and motor carrier companies must conduct routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs to keep trucks in safe working order.
  • Commercial trucks are federally required to display information about the operator and federal identification numbers.

What Types of Trucks Are Intrastate?

The following types of commercial trucks commonly engage in intrastate commerce exclusively within Illinois state lines:

  • Garbage trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Gas trucks
  • Water trucks
  • Moving trucks
  • Local delivery trucks
  • Local transit buses
  • School buses
  • Fire trucks
  • Concrete mixer trucks
  • Bucket trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Tow trucks

Common Types of Intrastate Truck Accidents

Many intrastate truck accident cases involve the following types of truck wrecks:

  • Rear-end accidents
  • T-bone accidents
  • Sideswipe accidents
  • Head-on accidents
  • Underride accidents
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Cargo spill accidents
  • Blindspot accidents
  • Wide-turn accidents
  • Tire blowout accidents

Who Regulates Intrastate Trucking in Illinois?

Although interstate trucking is regulated solely by the FMCSA, there are often multiple state agencies in charge of intrastate trucking operations. Here in Illinois, some of the agencies that develop and enforce intrastate trucking include:

  • The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
  • The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
  • The Illinois State Police (ISP)
  • The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDR)
  • The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) 
  • The Illinois Pollution Control Board (PCB)
  • The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Air
  • The Illinois General Assembly (ILGA)

The IDOT generally plays the biggest role in creating and enforcing intrastate trucking regulations in Illinois, which are outlined in the Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC).

How to Prove Negligence in an Intrastate Truck Accident Case

When investigators and personal injury lawyers attempt to determine who was at fault in an Illinois intrastate truck accident case, they typically use the following types of evidence to prove negligence:

  • Police accident reports
  • Photos of the crash scene
  • Footage from traffic cameras or dash cams
  • Toxicology test results
  • Driver cell phone and GPS records
  • Truck “black box” event recorder data
  • Data from truck electronic logging devices (ELDs)
  • Trucking company hiring and screening records
  • Trucking company training records
  • Trucking company dispatch instruction records
  • Documentation of violation of Chicago truck restrictions
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Expert witness testimony

Possible Compensation in Intrastate Truck Accident Cases

With a successful intrastate trucking accident case, you could recover compensation for various crash-related losses, such as:

  • Medical expenses from the treatment of crash-related injuries
  • Out-of-pocket costs from incidental expenses, such as the costs of travel to doctor visits
  • Lost wages from missed time at work
  • Projected losses in future earning potential
  • The intangible costs of the pain, suffering, and lost quality of life you endure
  • Repair or replacement costs for crash-related property damage

Why You Should Contact an Experienced Intrastate Truck Crash Attorney in Chicago

When you’re not sure where to turn after a Chicago intrastate trucking accident, the truck crash attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you by:

  • Answering your questions and explaining your legal options in a free consultation
  • Conducting an independent investigation of the accident to uncover valuable evidence and determine who was at fault
  • Sending spoliation letters to the trucking company to ensure critical evidence does not deteriorate or get destroyed
  • Communicating with trucking industry representatives, insurance companies, and other attorneys on your behalf
  • Negotiating aggressively to maximize your compensation and knowing when it’s necessary to take your case to court

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Today for Help with Your Intrastate Truck Accident Claim

If you were injured in an intrastate truck wreck, do not hesitate to contact our skilled legal team. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our diverse team of top litigators has recovered more than $2 billion in fair compensation for injured victims just like you. We can thoroughly investigate your claim, explain the differences between interstate vs. intrastate trucking regulations, and pursue fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case in a free initial case review.