Transportation Accident Litigation

There is a long list of possible transportation accidents that could require a qualified transportation liability attorney including:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Collisions
• Trucking Accidents
• Public Transportation Incidents
• Bicycle Sharing Accidents
• Bicyclist and Pedestrian Injuries
• Aviation Accidents
• Delivery Truck Accidents

No one expects to be in a transportation accident, but if you or a loved one finds themselves the victim of a terrible accident the attorneys at Cooney & Conway are here to help. 

Receive Your Free Case Evaluation by an Experienced Attorney 

Truck accidents are typically catastrophic and commonly result in fatalities due to the size and scale of commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other carriers of large freight. These trucks normally weigh an estimated 80,000 pounds; nearly 25 times the weight of an average car. Truck accidents, like any motor vehicle accident, can occur for a variety of reasons including distracted drivers, overloaded trucks, and road hazards. However, other circumstances also commonly come into play in accidents with commercial carriers.

Regulations exist to help ensure the safety of commercial truck operations, but unfortunately, some owners and operators do not adhere to these standards and fail to properly maintain their vehicles for safety on the road. Some trucking companies also employ inadequately trained or unlicensed drivers. Many times, over the road and commercial trucking businesses employ drivers that operate vehicles without a break when trying to meet certain deadlines which contribute to them being tired while driving or falling asleep at the wheel. Additionally, because of the high costs involved in operating a commercial carrier, truck owners or operators sometimes cut corners on maintenance making their vehicles unsafe.

The attorneys of Cooney & Conway are trusted advocates for victims of truck accidents who want to ensure those responsible are held legally accountable for contributing to their injuries. 

Learn more about Commercial Trucking Accidents

Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are common occurrences in the Chicagoland area on Illinois roadways and interstate highways. Drivers face a number of challenges daily that may lead to automobile accidents including traffic congestion, construction work, extreme winter conditions, speeding, and distracted driving. A motor vehicle accident can lead to devastating losses for victims and their families.

There were close to 300 fatal car crashes in Cook County in 2018 and 2019. Across Illinois, over 1,100 people died on the road in 2020. Despite the pandemic, that's an increase of 16% year over year. Fatal accidents have declined in the past two decades, though the past few years have seen numbers climb. Even with fatalities down, the number of crashes has increased, and many accidents still have at least one injury—oftentimes, these are serious injuries that can impact the victim's life in a number of ways. 

Without the assistance of an experienced attorney, many victims settle their claims for significantly less than what their case is worth and are left with out-of-pocket expenses such as costs for necessary medical care. If you are or a loved one becomes seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, it’s recommended to contact an experienced injury lawyer who will work to get you a fair settlement for your claim.

A number of people place their trust in insurance providers when it comes to receiving compensation for transportation accidents; however, insurance companies focus on profit and do not always have their client’s best interests in mind. Insurance providers are often focused on paying accident victims the least amount possible for their injuries.

Additionally, an experienced attorney can help you navigate some of the complications that arise following auto accidents, including:

• Liability disputes
• Insurance coverage issues
• Defective vehicles
• Special circumstances, such as a government entity being at-fault
• The death of a loved one from car accident injuries

The accident attorneys at Cooney & Conway are highly experienced at successfully negotiating settlements for vehicle accidents and litigating cases that go to trial. Having the support of a trusted and experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help ensure you are fully and properly compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages accrued after an accident.

Airline carriers are required to adhere to safety standards when transporting passengers and cargo. Mechanical failures, careless operation, incompetence of pilots, improper training, airplane defects, and other issues can result in a crash. Accidents can also occur on runways, in terminals where passengers enter and exit, or in airfields that are not properly maintained by their owner or operator. If an accident occurs, in most cases an investigation into what caused the accident is warranted.

The majority of aviation accidents end with fatalities, regardless of the size or type of aircraft involved. Those suffering from the loss of a loved one may be eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim and receive compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and other damages.

Pedestrians and cyclists are not always shown the same courtesy as other vehicles, which can lead to serious injuries for cyclists and pedestrians. An accident or collision can happen in the blink of an eye, especially today when our attention is easily diverted by electronics and technology. This creates an even more dangerous situation for other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Bike accidents continue to be a problem in Chicago. The area averages over 5 deaths a year, and the total number of accidents is creeping towards 3000. A 2012 study from the City found that, at that time, the number of bicycle commuters rose 150%. Between 2005-2010, the number of crashes rose by 27%. In 2020, the "pandemic biking boom" occurred alongside an increase of biking crashes and fatalities. 

Chicago pedestrian accident numbers have stayed mostly steady throughout the years—and nationally, numbers have risen—meaning far too many people are injured or killed in pedestrian versus vehicle incidents. 

Many conditions can lead to the injury of pedestrians and bicyclists by motor vehicles, including failure to pay attention to them on the road. Common situations in which a pedestrian or bicycle is struck and injured include:

• Blindly backing out of driveways or parking areas
• Driving in construction zones
• Disobeying traffic signs and signals
• Distracted or inattentive driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Speeding in residential areas and common walkways
• Unsafe driving practices during inclement weather

While cyclists can sustain worse injuries in an accident involving a motor vehicle, that doesn't necessarily mean that the driver is always at fault. So much depends on the road, the rules, and the context of the accident.

What to Know About liability in car versus bicycle accidents 

The personal injury law firm of Cooney & Conway can assist injured bicyclists and pedestrians who suffer an injury at the hands of others. Catastrophic injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists can have devastating effects for victims and their families that can last a lifetime.

In 2013, the Chicago Department of Transportation rolled out the Divvy bike-share program, providing residents and tourists a convenient, fun, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation option for getting around and exploring the city. Bike-sharing programs such as Chicago’s Divvy are becoming increasingly popular in Chicago and across the country, and the increase of bike rentals and docking stations indicates the demand for these services continues to rise. It also means motorists must continue to adjust to the increased presence of bikes in the city.

More bikes on the streets and pathways increase the risk of suffering a personal injury in an accident involving a bicycle.

When injuries are sustained in accidents caused by negligence or reckless acts of another, whether a driver, pedestrian, or fellow cyclist, injured parties have the right to be compensated for their injuries. If a death occurs, the families of the decedent are entitled to recover due to the loss of their loved one. The attorneys Cooney & Conway can provide expert representation to help victims and their families recover monetary damages from those liable for the accident. 

Find an Experienced Serious Injuries Attorney 

Millions of commuters rely on public transportation services in the United States every day. They use public transportation to get to and from work, school, vacation destinations, visits to family, and social outings across the country. Public transportation services are required to exercise the “highest degree of care” when performing their services, but accidents involving public transportation happen every day and people get seriously hurt or killed. Anyone injured in a public transportation or common carrier accident involving a bus, train, boat, or plane should consult with an experienced public transportation accident lawyer as soon after the incident as possible, as they may have a limited amount of time to file a claim.

Unfortunately, human error, negligence, and reckless acts often cause accidents in which innocent people get hurt. Many of these common carrier accidents involve large and heavy machines, traveling at accelerated rates or in congested urban areas. When a collision occurs, serious injuries and death are often the result.

The causes of accidents vary widely, and fault can lie with multiple entities or people. Many factors can contribute to collisions including:

• Alcohol or drug use
• Driver error and failure to pay attention
• Failure to follow or require safety protocol
• Mechanical failures
• Faulty repairs
• Speeding
• Sleep deprivation

Over the past few years, ridesharing services including Lyft and Uber have become very popular. Mobile apps provide Chicagoans a fast and affordable option for getting from one place to another. Unfortunately, with the convenience of ridesharing comes an increased likelihood for serious accidents to occur. Common causes for rideshare accidents are speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, failure to maintain the vehicle, and driving under the influence.

Rideshare accidents can be difficult to resolve because of complex insurance issues. These accidents involve multiple insurance agencies including the corporation’s insurance, the rideshare driver’s personal insurance, and the insurance companies of other drivers involved.

The knowledgeable rideshare lawyers at Cooney & Conway can guide you through the complexities of rideshare litigation and assist you in maximizing the value of your case. 

Boating accident injuries, which are often the result of collisions, capsized vessels and falling overboard, can be wide-ranging with the most serious leading to paralysis and even death. Serious injuries can be sustained on small boats and large ships alike. As our waterways have become increasingly more congested, boating accidents continue to rise. Accidents involving intoxicated boat operators also add to the problem.

A number of issues may lead to a boating accident that results in serious injury. Causative factors include speeding, errors by operators, insufficient training or knowledge of watercraft operation or equipment, defects in boat components or equipment, improper maintenance, and more.

Victims of a boat accident may be faced with medical expenses, long-term pain, loss of income, and other damages caused through no fault of their own. Individuals who are injured as a result of a boating accident may need to contact a boating accident attorney to assess their legal options and seek monetary compensation for these and other future damages.

Learn more about common boating accident causes & more  

Top Chicago Transportation Injury Attorneys

The Chicago personal injury lawyers of Cooney & Conway are available to assist transportation accident victims in holding responsible parties accountable. Call us toll-free at 800-322-5573, or fill out the form below for a free case evaluation.

Fill Out Your Free Case Evaluation