Truck Accident Lawyers Mount Vernon, IL

Truck Accident Lawyer in Mount Vernon, IL. If you or a family member has been seriously injured due to a truck accident caused by a driver or trucking company who decided not to follow the rules of the road, there is no time to waste. Call Burger Law right away at (618)-500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

At Burger Law, we steadfastly represent Mount Vernon, IL residents who sustained injuries in truck accidents because of someone else’s negligence. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, collisions involving passenger vehicles, along with pedestrians and other individuals on the road, may lead to catastrophic injuries even at low speeds. Trucking companies and their drivers are obligated to follow federal and state trucking regulations, and any failure to abide by these regulations presents a risk of harm to others in Mount Vernon, IL. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash, our Mount Vernon, IL truck accident attorneys can help you seek maximum compensation from the responsible parties. Give us a call now at (618)-500-HURT or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Trucks can cause serious damage when they are involved in incidents near Mount Vernon, IL. In fact, recent Illinois Department of Transportation data states that truck accidents make up approximately 10 percent of all fatal traffic accidents within the state. From the same set of data, 18.6 percent of all Illinois truck accidents involved serious injuries. The Burger Law Mount Vernon, IL truck accident lawyers have years of experience fighting in the corner of clients and their families to get maximum compensation and help them along the path to recovery.

When you have been seriously injured due to a truck accident in Mount Vernon, IL, you deserve a complete financial recovery for the losses you have endured, but you have little chance of success without the skilled legal advocacy of a proven Mount Vernon, IL truck accident lawyer. Find out how much your claim might be worth by using our free personal injury calculator. Call Burger Law as soon as possible at (618)-500-HURT or complete our online contact form.

What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents in Mount Vernon, IL?

As knowledgeable truck accident lawyers in Mount Vernon, IL and throughout Illinois, we have seen truck accident cases resulting from many different negligent behaviors and leading to a wide variety of serious and life-threatening injuries. We are dedicated to assisting truck accident victims like you hold the truck driver, the trucking company, insurance company and other negligent parties accountable for the harm they have caused and we have the experience to do just that. Some of the types of truck accident cases we have seen in Mount Vernon, IL include:

• Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents
• Overloaded and Overweight Truck Accidents
• Rollover Truck Accidents
• Commercial Truck Accidents
• Big Rig Truck Accidents
• 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
• Tractor Trailer Crash
• Night Time Truck Accidents
• Jackknife Truck Accidents

The Mount Vernon, IL truck lawyers at Burger Law have the experience and knowledge to help you receive the full compensation you deserve following any truck crash caused by someone else leaves you injured. Learn more about our firm and fields of expertise below.

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Dog Bites
• Wrongful Death
• Construction Accidents

What Can Cause a Truck Accident in Mount Vernon, IL?

One of the leading causes of Mount Vernon, IL truck accidents is distracted driving, as 71 percent of truck accidents happened when the truck driver was doing something aside from driving the truck. Other common contributors to Mount Vernon, IL truck accidents are:

1. Faulty Truck or Equipment

The Code of Federal Regulations §396 stipulates that every “motor carrier, its officers, drivers, agents, representatives and employees” consistently inspect, repair and maintain their trucks, along with keeping detailed records.

They must inspect:

• Time and frame assemblies
• Suspension systems
• Axles
• Wheels and rims
• Steering systems
• Brakes

If you were hit by a truck driver in Mount Vernon, IL or anywhere in Illinois, it is imperative you contact the Mount Vernon, IL truck accident lawyers at Burger Law as soon as possible. As part of our truck accident investigation, we will acquire any and all reports. You can be certain our truck accident injury lawyers will hold them accountable if we find the truck company or driver was negligent.

2. Fatigued Driving

One of the most reckless things a driver can do behind the wheel is operate a truck while fatigued. Having no sleep for 18 consecutive hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of .05 percent. While New Jersey and Arkansas are the only states to have laws against drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted strict hours-of-service regulations to make sure that truck drivers get enough rest when they have to log long hours on extended trips:

Property-Carrying Drivers

• A max of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours
• A max of 14 hours on-duty, meaning that the trucker may not drive past the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty after 10 consecutive off-duty hours
• No more than 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days
• Fewer than 70 hours on duty over eight consecutive days
• Any driver using a sleeper berth must take eight consecutive hours in it, plus a separate two hours in the sleeper berth or off duty, or any combination of the two.

Passenger-Carrying Drivers

• A max of 10 hours driving after eight consecutive hours off duty
• A maximum of 15 hours on-duty, meaning that the commercial driver may not drive beyond the 15th consecutive hour after eight consecutive off-duty hours
• No more than 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days
• Fewer than 70 hours on duty over eight consecutive days
• Drivers who use a sleeper berth must take at least eight hours in it with the option of splitting the time into two periods, provided that neither is less than two hours

When truck drivers are feeling drowsy or fatigued, they should pull over. According to the groundbreaking Large Truck Crash Causation Study, pressure from employers to meet tight schedules was a leading cause of truck drivers driving fatigued. If you or a loved one in Mount Vernon, IL was injured because a trucking company obligated their drivers to drive longer than they should under law, Burger Law’s Mount Vernon, IL truck accident lawyers will show they were liable and make sure you get the best possible compensation.

3. Alcohol Impairment

It is federal law that no one can operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. Because large trucks pose a greater risk to those on the Mount Vernon, IL and Illinois roads, the United States Department of Transportation’s FMCA and its Code of Federal Regulations §392.82 places even higher restrictions on truck drivers:

• No truck driver may drive with a blood alcohol content of .04 percent or higher
• Having a blood alcohol content over .02 may make a truck driver subject to disciplinary action, and they will not be permitted to drive for 24 hours

Burger Law’s truck accident injury lawyers near Mount Vernon, IL will hold any truck driver making the terrible decision to drive drunk or impaired by drugs accountable. We seek punitive damages when we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, so they know never to get behind the wheel intoxicated again.

4. Drug Impairment

The Code of Federal Regulations §392.82 also requires commercial truck drivers to be tested for the following controlled substances:

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Opiates, including opium itself and derivative drugs such as heroin
• Amphetamines and methamphetamine
• Phencyclidine (a.k.a. PCP)

Unfortunately, drug use among truck drivers is high and often linked to poor working conditions. Many drivers traveling through Mount Vernon, IL use amphetamines and cocaine so that they remain awake when driving long hours.

A necessity in keeping our Mount Vernon, IL and Illinois roadways safe is strict adherence to FMCSA regulations. If anyone who owns, manages or drives a truck is negligent in satisfying any state or federal regulations and injures you or your loved one, they need to pay and you need to be compensated for your damages. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in Mount Vernon, IL it is important to allow the lawyers at Burger Law to investigate your case, fortify a strong claim and successfully fight for full compensation. Call us now at (618)-500-HURT or reach out to us online.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Truck Accident in Mount Vernon, IL?

Commercial trucks can weigh in the range between 30,000 and 80,000 pounds. The average passenger vehicle weighs 4,100lbs. This definitive difference in weight is precisely why truck drivers must closely and carefully follow the rules of the road. When a 18-wheeler that is laden with product collides with a car, the injuries that result from that crash are often devastating and life-threatening. Here are a few kinds of injuries sustained in Mount Vernon, IL truck accidents our lawyers have been involved with:

• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding can be dangerous anywhere in the body. One of the most common causes of internal bleeding is trauma from truck and car accidents, including impact and penetrating injuries as well as deceleration injuries, when the sudden stop of a vehicle causes internal organs or vessels to break or rupture. Internal bleeding can bring about fatal organ failure when left untreated. The issue with internal bleeding is that it is sometimes difficult to spot, and you may not realize the gravity of your condition after a Mount Vernon, IL truck crash.
• Broken Bones – The most common cause of broken bones is trauma from truck accidents and other vehicular accidents. Extreme breaks like displaced fractures or comminuted fractures when the bone is shattered into several pieces can be particularly dangerous.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Spinal injuries are serious injuries that can affect your mobility and the motor function of your limbs. The spinal cord is the main avenue that your brain uses to send commands throughout your body. Research from the World Health Organization shows that 90 percent of spinal cord injury cases are brought on by trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are the leading source. Any harm to your spine can often result in serious injuries throughout other parts of the body.

How Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Prove My Case in Mount Vernon, IL?

To successfully prove and present your case and, ultimately, get you fair compensation for your injuries from a serious truck wreck, your truck accident injury lawyer’s first job is to come up with a detailed understanding of the situation in question. Your Mount Vernon, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer from Burger Law will investigate your case and carefully collect all evidence and documentation surrounding the accident and your ensuing damages. We then use that evidence to discover who is a fault and show how their behavior have negatively affected your life and well-being.

Our talented Mount Vernon, IL truck accident injury lawyers are masters at building a truck accident injury case. We are even willing to go to trial if that is what it takes to get you maximum compensation. Whether we are able to settle the case quickly out of court or have to go through a heated trial process, your Mount Vernon, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer may utilize the following valuable sources of evidence to demonstrate that the defendant is in fact responsible for injuring you.

• The truck’s black box: The black box holds valuable information about the operation of the truck ,such as speed, braking activity and other behavior.
• Truck cameras: A lot of commercial trucks have cameras recording the inside of the cab, the road ahead or both. Traffic conditions and the driver’s actions were likely recorded if this is the case.
• Witness statements: Witnesses may have vital perspective on how the truck accident took place. They can aid your case by corroborating facts or offering a new insight about the accident.
• Police reports and citations: Police file their report after arriving at an accident site and gathering information. If they find that a driver did something wrong or broke a law, they may issue a formal citation or written violation.
• Surveillance footage: Your Mount Vernon, IL truck accident injury lawyer can acquire pertinent surveillance footage if a traffic camera or a building’s outdoor camera recorded any information pertinent to the accident.
• The scene of the accident: Road conditions, visibility, skid marks and the position of vehicles and vehicle parts directly following the accident can reveal a lot about what happened, and how.
• Employer files: Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies and other involved parties must conform to regulations when they operate. When a driver makes a mistake, the trucking company can be responsible as well if they failed to sufficiently train the driver, did not drug test the driver as often as required, hired a driver with a history of traffic violations or have incomplete or missing records demonstrating the above.
• Maintenance records: Commercial trucks must be frequently inspected and maintained. As your truck accident injury lawyer, we will obtain maintenance records to confirm that they followed the rules and that the truck was accepted for road use when the accident occurred.

Call Our Mount Vernon, IL Truck Accident Lawyers Now

When you work with our Mount Vernon, IL truck accident lawyer, you can rest easy knowing that you are working with a skilled and knowledgeable professional who is familiar with your case, knows the ins and outs of the law and has your best interests in mind. Burger Law has successfully handled truck accident cases in Mount Vernon, IL, recovering millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.

Call Burger Law today at (618)-500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation and to get the recovery you deserve. Our Mount Vernon, IL truck accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not get paid until we win your case.

• Truck Driver Blind Spot Accidents
• Driver Fatigue Accidents
• Commercial Trucking Accidents
• Fatal Accidents
• Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents
• Overloaded / Overweight Trucks
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Jackknife Accidents
• Night Time Truck Accidents
• Rollover Accidents
• Liable Parties in a Truck Accident
• Public Transportation Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• RV Accidents

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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