Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

If you or a loved one 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 (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

At Burger Law, we represent Chicago and Illinois residents who sustained injuries in truck accidents. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, collisions involving passenger vehicles as well as pedestrians and other people on the road often lead to catastrophic injuries even at low speeds. Trucking companies and their drivers are legally obligated to follow federal and state trucking regulations, and any failure to abide by these laws presents a risk of harm to others. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, our Chicago truck accident attorneys can help you demand and recover maximum compensation from the responsible parties. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Trucks cause serious damage when they are involved in accidents. In fact, recent Illinois Department of Transportation data shows that truck accidents account for nearly 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 Chicago truck accident lawyers have decades of experience fighting for clients and their families to get maximum compensation and help them on the path to recovery.

When you have been harmed in a truck accident, you should be fully compensated for the damages you have experienced, but you are unlikely to receive a fair recovery without the skilled legal advocacy of a proven Chicago truck accident lawyer. Find out how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator and call (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form to consult a Burger Law lawyer for free today.

What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents in Chicago?

As experienced truck accident lawyers in Chicago 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 committed to helping truck accident victims like you hold 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 Chicago and throughout Illinois are:

• 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

Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

Truck Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. If you or a loved one 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 (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

At Burger Law, we represent Chicago and Illinois residents who sustained injuries in truck accidents. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, collisions involving passenger vehicles as well as pedestrians and other people on the road often lead to catastrophic injuries even at low speeds. Trucking companies and their drivers are legally obligated to follow federal and state trucking regulations, and any failure to abide by these laws presents a risk of harm to others. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, our Chicago truck accident attorneys can help you demand and recover maximum compensation from the responsible parties. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Trucks cause serious damage when they are involved in accidents. In fact, recent Illinois Department of Transportation data shows that truck accidents account for nearly 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 Chicago truck accident lawyers have decades of experience fighting for clients and their families to get maximum compensation and help them on the path to recovery.

When you have been harmed in a truck accident, you should be fully compensated for the damages you have experienced, but you are unlikely to receive a fair recovery without the skilled legal advocacy of a proven Chicago truck accident lawyer. Find out how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator and call (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form to consult a Burger Law lawyer for free today.

What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents in Chicago?

As experienced truck accident lawyers in Chicago 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 committed to helping truck accident victims like you hold 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 Chicago and throughout Illinois are:

• 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

What Can Cause a Chicago Truck Accident?

Distracted driving is a leading contributor to Chicago trucking accidents as 71 percent of truck crashes happened when the driver was doing something besides driving the truck. Other commons contributors to Chicago truck accidents include:

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, as well as keep 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 Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, it is imperative you contact the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Burger Law right away. As part of our truck accident investigation, we will acquire any and all reports. If we find the driver or truck company was negligent, you can be sure our truck accident injury lawyers will hold them accountable.

2. Fatigued Driving

Fatigued driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Being awake for 18 consecutive hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of .05 percent. While Arkansas and New Jersey are the only states to have laws against drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted strict hours-of-service regulations to ensure that truck drivers get enough rest when they have to drive long hours:

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 beyond 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
• No more 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 max 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
• No more 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

Truck drivers should pull over when they are feeling drowsy or fatigued. According to the groundbreaking Large Truck Crash Causation Study, pressure from employers to meet tight schedules was a leading reason that truck drivers drove fatigued. If you or a loved one in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois was injured because a trucking company obligated their drivers to drive longer than they should, Burger Law’s Chicago truck accident lawyers will prove that they were liable and make sure you receive maximum 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 much higher risk to those on the Chicago 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 allowed to drive for 24 hours

If a truck driver made the terrible decision to drive drunk or impaired by drugs and caused you injuries, Burger Law’s Illinois truck accident injury lawyers in Chicago will hold them accountable. When we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, we seek punitive damages 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 Chicago and Illinois use amphetamines and cocaine in order to stay awake when driving long hours.

Strict adherence to any FMCSA regulation is necessary to keep our Chicago and Illinois roads safe. 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 a loved one has been injured in a Chicago truck accident it’s important to allow the lawyers at Burger Law to investigate your case, build a strong claim and successfully fight for full compensation. Call us as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Chicago Truck Accident?

Commercial trucks can weigh anywhere from 30,000lbs to 80,000lbs. The average car weighs 4,100lbs. This incredible difference in weight is why truck drivers must closely and carefully adhere to the rules of the road. When a commercial truck that is laden with product smashes into a car, the injuries that result from that accident are often traumatic and life-threatening. Here are several types of injuries sustained in Chicago truck accidents that our lawyers have been involved with:

• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding can be dangerous anywhere in the body and 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 cause fatal organ failure when untreated. The problem with internal bleeding is that it is sometimes difficult to detect, and you may not realize the severity of your condition following a Chicago truck accident.
• Broken Bones – Trauma from truck accidents and other vehicular accidents is the most common cause of broken bones. 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. According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of spinal cord injury cases are caused by trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are the leading source. Any damage to your spine can often result in serious injuries throughout other areas of the body.

How Does a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Prove My Case?

How Does a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Prove My Case?

To effectively present and prove your case and, ultimately, get you fair compensation after being injured in a truck crash, your truck accident lawyer’s first task is to develop a detailed understanding of the situation in question. Your Chicago truck accident lawyer will investigate your claim and meticulously collect all evidence and documentation surrounding the accident and your resulting damages. We then use that evidence to determine who is a fault and prove how their actions have negatively affected your life and well-being.

Our experienced truck accident lawyers are masters at building a truck accident case. We are even prepared to go to trial if that is what it takes to get you fairly compensated. Whether we are able to settle the case quickly out of court or have to go through a contentious trial process, your Chicago-based truck accident lawyers may use the following valuable sources of evidence to prove that the defendant is indeed responsible for harming you.

• The truck’s black box: The black box holds valuable information about the operation of the truck including speed, braking activity and other behavior.
• Truck cameras: Some commercial trucks have cameras recording the inside of the cab, the road ahead or both. Cameras may have captured the traffic events or the driver’s actions leading up to the accident.
• Witness statements: Witnesses may have valuable perspective on how the truck accident unfolded. They can help your case by confirming facts or offering a new observation about the events.
• Police reports and citations: When police are called to the scene of the accident, they gather information and file a report. 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 Chicago truck accident lawyer can obtain relevant surveillance footage if a traffic camera or a building’s outdoor camera recorded any information relevant to the crash.
• The scene of the accident: Road conditions, visibility, skid mark and the position of vehicles and vehicle parts immediately after the collision can tell us a lot about what happened, and how.
• Employer files: Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies and other involved parties must follow regulations when they operate. When a driver makes a mistake, the trucking company can be at fault as well if they failed to properly train the driver, did not drug test the driver as often as called for, hired the driver despite a history of traffic violations or have incomplete or missing records to such effect.
• Maintenance records: Commercial trucks must be regularly inspected and maintained. As your truck accident injury lawyer, we will obtain maintenance records to verify that they followed the rules and that the truck was cleared for road use when the accident took place.

FOCUS ON YOUR RECOVERY WHILE BURGER LAW HANDLES YOUR CASE

Call Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Now
When you work with our Chicago 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 Chicago and throughout Illinois, recovering millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. To date, we have recovered $200 million for our clients, including out-of-court settlements as well as contentious trial verdicts.

To get the recovery you deserve, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not get paid until we win your case. class=”wdac-relative”>
What Can Cause a Chicago Truck Accident?

What Can Cause a Chicago Truck Accident?

Distracted driving is a leading contributor to Chicago trucking accidents as 71 percent of truck crashes happened when the driver was doing something besides driving the truck. Other commons contributors to Chicago truck accidents include:

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, as well as keep 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 Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, it is imperative you contact the Chicago truck accident lawyers at Burger Law right away. As part of our truck accident investigation, we will acquire any and all reports. If we find the driver or truck company was negligent, you can be sure our truck accident injury lawyers will hold them accountable.

2. Fatigued Driving

Fatigued driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Being awake for 18 consecutive hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of .05 percent. While Arkansas and New Jersey are the only states to have laws against drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted strict hours-of-service regulations to ensure that truck drivers get enough rest when they have to drive long hours:

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 beyond 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
• No more 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 max 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
• No more 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

Truck drivers should pull over when they are feeling drowsy or fatigued. According to the groundbreaking Large Truck Crash Causation Study, pressure from employers to meet tight schedules was a leading reason that truck drivers drove fatigued. If you or a loved one in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois was injured because a trucking company obligated their drivers to drive longer than they should, Burger Law’s Chicago truck accident lawyers will prove that they were liable and make sure you receive maximum 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 much higher risk to those on the Chicago 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 allowed to drive for 24 hours

If a truck driver made the terrible decision to drive drunk or impaired by drugs and caused you injuries, Burger Law’s Illinois truck accident injury lawyers in Chicago will hold them accountable. When we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, we seek punitive damages 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 Chicago and Illinois use amphetamines and cocaine in order to stay awake when driving long hours.

Strict adherence to any FMCSA regulation is necessary to keep our Chicago and Illinois roads safe. 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 a loved one has been injured in a Chicago truck accident it’s important to allow the lawyers at Burger Law to investigate your case, build a strong claim and successfully fight for full compensation. Call us as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Chicago Truck Accident?

Commercial trucks can weigh anywhere from 30,000lbs to 80,000lbs. The average car weighs 4,100lbs. This incredible difference in weight is why truck drivers must closely and carefully adhere to the rules of the road. When a commercial truck that is laden with product smashes into a car, the injuries that result from that accident are often traumatic and life-threatening. Here are several types of injuries sustained in Chicago truck accidents that our lawyers have been involved with:

• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding can be dangerous anywhere in the body and 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 cause fatal organ failure when untreated. The problem with internal bleeding is that it is sometimes difficult to detect, and you may not realize the severity of your condition following a Chicago truck accident.
• Broken Bones – Trauma from truck accidents and other vehicular accidents is the most common cause of broken bones. 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. According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of spinal cord injury cases are caused by trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are the leading source. Any damage to your spine can often result in serious injuries throughout other areas of the body.

How Does a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Prove My Case?

To effectively present and prove your case and, ultimately, get you fair compensation after being injured in a truck crash, your truck accident lawyer’s first task is to develop a detailed understanding of the situation in question. Your Chicago truck accident lawyer will investigate your claim and meticulously collect all evidence and documentation surrounding the accident and your resulting damages. We then use that evidence to determine who is a fault and prove how their actions have negatively affected your life and well-being.

Our experienced truck accident lawyers are masters at building a truck accident case. We are even prepared to go to trial if that is what it takes to get you fairly compensated. Whether we are able to settle the case quickly out of court or have to go through a contentious trial process, your Chicago-based truck accident lawyers may use the following valuable sources of evidence to prove that the defendant is indeed responsible for harming you.

• The truck’s black box: The black box holds valuable information about the operation of the truck including speed, braking activity and other behavior.
• Truck cameras: Some commercial trucks have cameras recording the inside of the cab, the road ahead or both. Cameras may have captured the traffic events or the driver’s actions leading up to the accident.
• Witness statements: Witnesses may have valuable perspective on how the truck accident unfolded. They can help your case by confirming facts or offering a new observation about the events.
• Police reports and citations: When police are called to the scene of the accident, they gather information and file a report. 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 Chicago truck accident lawyer can obtain relevant surveillance footage if a traffic camera or a building’s outdoor camera recorded any information relevant to the crash.
• The scene of the accident: Road conditions, visibility, skid mark and the position of vehicles and vehicle parts immediately after the collision can tell us a lot about what happened, and how.
• Employer files: Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies and other involved parties must follow regulations when they operate. When a driver makes a mistake, the trucking company can be at fault as well if they failed to properly train the driver, did not drug test the driver as often as called for, hired the driver despite a history of traffic violations or have incomplete or missing records to such effect.
• Maintenance records: Commercial trucks must be regularly inspected and maintained. As your truck accident injury lawyer, we will obtain maintenance records to verify that they followed the rules and that the truck was cleared for road use when the accident took place.

FOCUS ON YOUR RECOVERY WHILE BURGER LAW HANDLES YOUR CASE

Call Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers Now
When you work with our Chicago 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 Chicago and throughout Illinois, recovering millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. To date, we have recovered $200 million for our clients, including out-of-court settlements as well as contentious trial verdicts.

To get the recovery you deserve, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers 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