What Happens If You’re Hit by a Delivery Truck While Walking or Biking in Illinois?

Being struck by a delivery truck—as a pedestrian or bicyclist—is not only terrifying, it often leads to serious injuries, complex legal processes, and life-altering consequences. At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand how devastating it can be to suffer a serious injury in a pedestrian or bicycle accident—especially one involving a delivery truck. These crashes often result in life-altering injuries, costly medical bills, and overwhelming stress for victims and their families. Our experienced Illinois truck accident attorneys have represented countless injured pedestrians and cyclists across Illinois and have secured substantial compensation on their behalf. If you’ve been hit by a delivery vehicle while walking or biking, you may be entitled to recover damages—and we’re here to help you understand your rights.

Delivery Truck Accidents Pose a Serious Risk to Illinois Pedestrians and Cyclists

In recent years, crashes involving delivery vehicles have become more common as online shopping and same-day delivery services have expanded. With more trucks from Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other companies crowding Illinois streets—particularly in busy urban areas like Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, and Aurora—the risk to pedestrians and bicyclists has increased substantially.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 219 pedestrian fatalities across the state in 2024, up nearly 10% from the prior year. In Cook County alone, pedestrian deaths accounted for a growing share of traffic fatalities. Similarly, fatal bicycle crashes remain a serious concern, with 41 cyclist deaths reported in 2023 and 35 more occurring in early 2024, according to data compiled by Ride Illinois. Vulnerable road users—those walking or biking—now make up over 21% of all traffic deaths in the state.

These numbers are not just statistics—they represent real people whose lives were upended or tragically lost due to preventable collisions.

Why Delivery Trucks Are So Dangerous for Pedestrians and Bikers

Delivery trucks are larger, heavier, and have more blind spots than standard passenger vehicles. Their sheer mass means that collisions with unprotected road users—like pedestrians or bicyclists—are far more likely to result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. IDOT data shows that while larger vehicles like pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans account for just over 26% of pedestrian and cyclist crashes in Illinois, they are involved in 44% of the resulting fatalities.

Pickup trucks specifically were responsible for 12.6% of fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, even though they only represented 5.6% of total collisions. Children hit by SUVs were eight times more likely to die compared to those hit by passenger cars, and seniors were nearly three times more likely to die when struck by pickup trucks. Delivery vans and trucks often weigh as much—or more—than these vehicles, which makes them especially hazardous to people on foot or bike.

Another factor contributing to the danger is visibility. Delivery trucks have significant blind spots, especially on the sides and rear. A pedestrian stepping off a curb or a cyclist riding alongside a parked delivery truck may be completely invisible to the driver. Add in the pressure on delivery drivers to meet tight schedules, and you have a dangerous combination of distraction, fatigue, and poor visibility that puts others at risk.

Common Injuries from Delivery Truck Collisions

When a pedestrian or bicyclist is hit by a delivery truck, the resulting injuries are often severe. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, broken bones, and crush injuries. Many are hospitalized for extended periods and require ongoing rehabilitation.

IDOT data shows that pedestrians and cyclists hit by pickup trucks and SUVs faced higher hospital charges, with median medical costs ranging from $23,000 to $27,000 depending on the type of vehicle. These figures don’t include follow-up surgeries, physical therapy, lost wages, or the emotional toll of such an event.

In some cases, the victim is left permanently disabled or disfigured. Cyclists may also suffer road rash, dental trauma, or orthopedic injuries that prevent them from returning to work or enjoying their previous quality of life.

Who Is Liable for the Truck Accident?

If you’re hit by a delivery truck in Illinois, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against several potentially liable parties, including:

• The delivery driver – for negligence, such as distracted driving, failure to yield, or speeding.
• The delivery company – for improper training, negligent hiring, lack of supervision, or unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage unsafe driving.
• Third-party contractors – such as companies that hire independent delivery drivers (common with Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners program).
• Vehicle maintenance providers – if faulty brakes, lights, or steering contributed to the crash.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the pedestrian or cyclist is found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, they cannot recover damages. However, if you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney who can build a strong case proving the delivery driver’s negligence and minimizing any claim that you contributed to the accident.

What Damages Can You Recover?

If you were injured in a crash with a delivery truck, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses – including emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehab, and future medical costs
• Lost wages – for time missed from work or loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering – for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or disability
• Wrongful death damages – if a loved one died as a result of the crash, surviving family members may be able to recover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support

In many cases, commercial delivery trucks are covered by substantial insurance policies, sometimes in the range of $1 million or more. However, insurers often try to limit their liability by offering low settlements or arguing that the pedestrian or cyclist was at fault. An experienced Illinois truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you are treated fairly.

What to Do After a Delivery Truck Crash

If you’ve been hit by a delivery truck while walking or biking, it’s crucial to take immediate action to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel seriously injured. Some injuries take time to appear.
2. Call the police and make sure an official accident report is filed.
3. Document everything – take photos of the scene, your injuries, the vehicle involved, and any road conditions. Get contact information from the driver and any witnesses.
4. Do not speak to the delivery company or their insurance adjusters without legal representation. What you say can be used to minimize your claim.
5. Contact an Illinois delivery truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can investigate the crash, preserve crucial evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Being hit by a delivery truck is not just a frightening experience—it’s one that can change your life in an instant. Medical bills can pile up quickly, work may be impossible, and emotional trauma can linger long after the crash. At John J. Malm & Associates, we are dedicated to holding negligent drivers and delivery companies accountable for the harm they cause. Our legal team has the experience, resources, and determination to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

“Too often, we see pedestrians and cyclists suffer devastating injuries simply because a driver wasn’t paying attention or a company didn’t put safety first,” says Illinois Amazon accident attorney John J. Malm. “Our mission is to help injured victims and their families recover—physically, emotionally, and financially.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in a delivery truck accident, don’t wait. Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and take the next step toward recovery.