Can a Truck Accident Law Firm in Chicago Help Me with My Case?

Do I need to hire a truck accident firm after being injured in a truck accident in Illinois? For almost crashes involving a large truck, the answer is yes. If you were injured in a truck accident that was not your fault, you need a law firm of skilled truck accident lawyers and paralegals on your side to make sure justice is restored and you are made whole through compensation.

It is a good idea to hire an accident law firm after any accident that injures you. Truck accidents nearly always require competent legal representation not only because they are generally dangerous and harmful, but also because of the characteristics of truck accidents that make them unique and difficult as injury claims. It is highly unlikely that the insurance company of the at-fault driver will voluntarily offer you an adequate settlement, so you will need a truck accident lawyer with a firm grasp on Illinois personal injury litigation and trucking regulations to demand the compensation you deserve.

If you are still unsure whether a truck accident lawyer in Illinois is necessary in your situation, remember that it is much better to be safe than sorry. Do your own due diligence and learn about your legal situation and options through resources like our free books including one on winning your truck crash case, answers to frequently asked questions, and other Illinois resources. Then, speak with the knowledgeable lawyers of our Chicago area truck accident law firm. We provide free, no-obligation case reviews and answer your truck accident questions for free. And we will never take a case unless we know we can add value, meaning you will get a higher settlement with us than you would without representation. Contact us online or call (314) 500-HURT now.

You only have one opportunity to recover compensation to make you whole following your injuries and other damages from your Chicago truck accident. You have to make sure you use that chance to collect a financial recovery that covers the extent of your damages. Hire a truck accident law firm you trust to fight on your behalf and advise you on the best path toward your full recovery.

What Makes a Truck Accident Different from a Typical Car Crash?

There are multiple parties involved.

There are multiple parties involved in the operation of commercial vehicles like big rigs and other trucks. When a truck accident happens in Chicago, more than one party may bear responsibility for your damages. You may be able to hold any of the responsible parties accountable for your losses, including the:

• Trucking company that hired the driver
• Truck driver
• Owner of the truck
• A company that manufactured any freight being hauled
• Loading company that packed cargo into the truck
• The truck manufacturer that built the truck
• Auto parts manufacturers that built the parts installed in the truck
• Mechanics who were responsible for truck maintenance

Understanding liability in a truck accident with several parties involved is difficult and communicating and negotiating with one or more defendants and their insurance companies, even more so. It is stressful and confusing. The trucking company has an entire team at its disposal. Do not attempt to go against them on your own. Our truck accident lawyers in Chicago know how to put large insurance companies and trucking corporations in their place and make them pay for the harm they have done.

They will put up a fight.

Unfortunately, our truck accident law firm has worked on enough truck accident claims to know that the insurance companies will not go quietly when we demand your full compensation. Do not expect a quick and fair settlement, and make sure you speak to a truck accident lawyer in Chicago before accepting any kind of deal from the insurance adjuster. All of these parties and their insurance carriers have an interest in denying responsibility to minimize the financial fallout following a truck accident. You can expect the trucking companies to quickly deploy representatives from their insurance companies and aggressive attorneys to the scene of the accident and to mount various defenses as to why they should not have to pay you what is fair.

They are more destructive.

It should come as no surprise that truck accidents have the potential to be incredibly destructive in comparison to other motor vehicle accidents. Why is this obvious? Big rigs, tractor-trailers, busses and other commercial vehicles are enormous. And the majority of Illinois and US truck accidents happen on highways and freeways where the speed limit is often more than 60 miles per hour. Newton's second law of motion tells us that force equals mass times acceleration. The huge size and weight of trucks and the high speeds they often travel are a recipe for high-force collisions. Even when traveling at lower speeds, when compared to typical passenger vehicle car accidents, truck accidents cause catastrophic harm.

If you need further convincing of the sheer devastation caused by large trucks, consider that:

• Every year, around 130,000 people are injured in truck accidents.
• Trucks weigh 20 to 30 times the average passenger vehicle.
• In fatal crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 97% of those killed are occupants of the passenger vehicle, not the truck.
• Large trucks make up 4% of all registered vehicles in the United States but account for 9% of all vehicles in fatal accidents.
• Nearly 70% of injury victims in truck accidents are occupants of the other vehicle, not the truck.

Due to the severity of most truck crashes, the magnitude of damages can often be much higher in truck accidents than in regular passenger car accidents. These are complicated cases with high stakes and it is vital that you find a truck accident lawyer properly equipped to deal with your claim and adequately represent you in your case. Burger Law's truck accident law firm in Chicago knows how to approach cases like yours and are not intimidated by the high damage values that depend on our ability to negotiate your settlement. We will ensure you are fully compensated, no matter how severe your Chicago truck accident was. Contact us now at (314) 500-HURT.

There are complex laws and regulations at play.

As commercial operations, there are a number of Illinois state and federal rules and regulations that apply to operating commercial trucks. When truck drivers, trucking companies, truck owners and other parties violate these clear rules, compromising your safety and severely injuring you, you need a lawyer who is familiar with Illinois truck driving laws and the responsibilities of each party involved in a trucking operation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for establishing the rules that apply to interstate drivers. These regulations are extensive and include topics such as:

• Driver qualifications
• Truck operations
• Vehicle maintenance requirements
• Insurance coverage requirements
• Inspections
• Accident investigations
• Vehicle repairs
• Weight distribution
• Drug and alcohol prohibition

There are frequently a number of factors involved in causing a truck accident. The driver and other responsible parties could have made multiple errors leading to your ultimate injuries and suffering. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident and demand all available evidence to build your case. When truck drivers and other people break the rules, Burger Law's truck accident lawyers in Chicago make them pay.

Illinois Truck Accident Law Firm Videos

Proving a Truck Accident Injury Claim in Illinois

The first step toward making a recovery for your truck accident is to determine whether you do indeed have a legitimate claim under Illinois law. The law requires that your situation satisfy the elements of negligence in order to be eligible for compensation by the responsible party. Essentially, we must be able to show that:

1. the responsible party had a duty to keep you safe;
2. they breached that duty;
3. their breach of duty was the cause of your harm; and
4. you suffered damages as a result.

To win your Chicago truck accident claim and collect a great settlement, it is not enough to prove negligence and liability. Your Chicago truck accident lawyers will work hard to build an irrefutable argument and demand nothing less than full payment for all of your damages. We do this by collecting vital evidence to present your case.

• Inspection and maintenance records
• Employee personnel information
• Complaints or records of violations
• Black box data from the truck
• Trucker’s logbook
• Police accident reports
• Internal accident reports
• Results of drug and alcohol testing
• Photos of the scene
• Dash cam recordings of the driver
• Traffic camera video

The lawyers with our Chicago truck accident law firm have the knowledge and experience to discern the evidence available to build your case and have the connections and resources to properly track down and obtain any evidence than could potentially help prove your claim.

Our team of experienced truck accident lawyers work tirelessly on your behalf to help you win your Chicago truck accident claim. Contact our Chicago truck accident law firm now to hire our firm so we can begin working toward getting you compensation to make you whole.

What Damages Can I Recover in My Illinois Truck Accident Case?

Large truck accidents are devastating. It is very likely that if you were in an accident with a large commercial vehicle like a big rig or an 18-wheeler while in a smaller passenger vehicle, you have been seriously injured. Your severe injuries not only require emergency medical care but likely require ongoing treatment. You could be looking at months, years or even a lifetime of surgeries, medications, therapies or other treatments.

In an accident like your commercial truck accident, physical injuries and medical care are only the tip of the iceberg. Because of your injuries, you are suddenly facing a mountain of expenses and losses now and in the future. Your Burger Law St. Louis truck accident law firm's job is to help you obtain compensation for the full extent of your damages. This means that we must thoroughly investigate your claim, collect evidence, present your case to the defendant's insurance company and demand full payment.

There are various forms of damages for which you may be able to receive compensation. Examples of damages in an Illinois truck accident case include:

• Medical expenses – You could be reimbursed for the cost of your past and current medical expenses such as the ambulance ride, emergency room visit, hospital bills, doctors’ bills, and medications.
• Future medical expenses – If your accident has left you suffering from injuries that require long-term care or therapy, you should receive compensation to cover your recovery treatment. That could include physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy, and even assistive devices, for example, like a wheelchair or brace.
• Loss of income – For many people involved in serious accidents, they need to take time away from work to recover. We will help you receive reimbursement for your lost wages.
• Loss of future earning capacity – If you have suffered injuries from the accident that make it impossible to continue working to your full capacity or prevent you from returning to your previous career, we will demand compensation for a loss of future income.
• Pain and suffering – Your Burger Law attorney will also help you recover compensation for your physical pain and suffering following a serious accident.
• Mental anguish – Being in a serious wreck like a truck accident is emotionally scarring. We demand compensation for the mental and emotional trauma you have experienced from the crash, such as anxiety, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and distress.
• Physical impairment or disfigurement – When your truck accident injuries result in permanent scarring, disfigurement or loss of use of a body part, you are entitled to additional compensation.
• Loss of consortium, comfort or companionship – When someone is seriously injured or killed in a truck accident, the victim's spouse may suffer intangible damages from being deprived of comfort, affection, companionship, assistance, society or sexual relations.
• Wrongful Death – If, unfortunately, you have lost a loved one due to a truck accident, our truck accident law firm will secure a wrongful death settlement, including compensation for their final expenses, medical costs and loss of your support. It is heartbreaking to lose a loved one, and we can’t make that pain go away, but we can help make sure that you are left with some financial stability.

Our Illinois truck accident lawyers are not intimidated by the trucking companies' large insurance corporations. We fight until the insurance company in your claim agrees to pay you in full for the losses you have sustained. We will not stop until you win a great settlement.