Truck Accident Lawyer in Des Plaines, IL

If you or a family member were seriously injured in a truck accident caused by a driver or trucking company who decided not to follow the rules of the road, time is of the essence. Call Burger Law right away at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

At Burger Law, we steadfastly represent Des Plaines, 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 roadway, may lead to devastating injuries even at low speeds. Truck drivers and their companies are obligated to follow federal and state trucking regulations, and any failure to follow these laws presents a risk of harm to others in Des Plaines, IL. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash, our Des Plaines, IL truck accident lawyers can assist you in pursuing maximum compensation from the responsible parties. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to us online for a no-cost, no-obligation case review.

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

When you or someone close to you has been harmed because of a truck accident in Des Plaines, IL, you should be fully compensated for the damages you have endured, but you have little chance of success without legal representation from a proven Des Plaines, IL truck accident lawyer. See how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator. Call Burger Law as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or complete our online contact form.

What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents in Des Plaines, IL?

We have seen truck accident cases resulting from many different negligent behaviors and leading to a wide variety of serious and life-threatening injuries as knowledgeable truck accident lawyers in Des Plaines, IL and throughout Illinois. We are committed 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, IL truck attorneys at Burger Law have the knowledge and experience to help you receive the full compensation you deserve after any truck crash caused by another person leaves you injured. Learn more about our fields of expertise below.

What Can Cause a Truck Accident in Des Plaines, IL?

One of the leading causes of Des Plaines, IL truck accidents is distracted driving, as 71 percent of truck crashes happened when the driver was doing something besides driving the truck. Other common contributors to Des Plaines, IL 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” routinely 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 injured by a truck driver in Des Plaines, IL or anywhere in Illinois, it is imperative you contact the Des Plaines, IL 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 certain our truck accident injury attorneys will hold them accountable.

2. Fatigued Driving

One of the most dangerous 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 Arkansas and New Jersey are the only states to have regulations against drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted strict hours-of-service regulations to make sure that truck drivers get sufficient sleep when they have to log long hours:

Property-Carrying Drivers

• A max of 11 hours of driving following 10 consecutive off-duty hours
• A maximum 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
• Fewer 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 utilize a sleeper berth must take at least eight hours in it with the choice 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 someone you love in Des Plaines, IL was injured due to a trucking company forcing their drivers to drive longer than they should under law, Burger Law’s Des Plaines, IL truck accident attorneys will prove that they were liable and make sure you get 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. The United States Department of Transportation’s FMCA and its Code of Federal Regulations §392.82 places even higher restrictions on truck drivers due to the fact that large trucks pose a greater risk to those on the Des Plaines, IL and Illinois roads:

• 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 operate a truck 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 truck accident injury lawyers near Des Plaines, IL will hold them 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 frequently linked to dismal working conditions. Many drivers traveling through Des Plaines, IL use amphetamines and cocaine so that they remain awake when driving long hours.

Strict adherence to any FMCSA regulation is necessary to keep our Des Plaines, IL and Illinois roadways safe. If anyone who drives, manages or owns 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 sustained injuries in a truck accident in Des Plaines, IL it is important to let the attorneys at Burger Law investigate your case, develop a strong claim and successfully fight for maximum compensation. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Truck Accident in Des Plaines, IL?

Commercial trucks can weigh in the range between 30,000 and 80,000 pounds. The average car 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 tractor-trailer that is laden with product collides with a car, the injuries that result from that crash are frequently traumatic and life-threatening. Here are a few kinds of injuries that resulted from Des Plaines, IL truck accidents our lawyers have been involved with:

• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding can be hazardous 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 along with deceleration injuries, when the sudden stop of a vehicle causes internal vessels or organs to break or rupture. Internal bleeding can lead to fatal organ failure when left untreated. The issue with internal bleeding is that it is sometimes difficult to diagnose, and you may not recognize the severity of your condition following a Des Plaines, IL truck accident.
• Broken Bones – The most common cause of broken bones is trauma from truck crashes and other vehicular accidents. Extreme breaks such as comminuted fractures or displaced fractures when the bone is splintered into several pieces can be especially 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 caused by trauma, and motor vehicle collisions are the leading source. Any damage to your spine can often end in serious injuries throughout other regions of the body.

How Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Prove My Case in Des Plaines, IL?

To effectively prove and argue your case and, ultimately, get you just compensation after being injured in a serious truck crash, your truck accident injury lawyer’s first job is to develop a detailed understanding of the circumstances of your accident. Your Des Plaines, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer from Burger Law will investigate your accident and diligently collect all evidence and documentation surrounding the accident and your ensuing damages. We then use that evidence to determine who is liable and demonstrate how their actions have negatively affected your life and well-being.

Our expert Des Plaines, 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 the best compensation possible. Whether we are able to settle the case quickly out of court or have to go through a confrontational trial process, your Des Plaines, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer can utilize the following valuable sources of evidence to prove that the defendant is in fact responsible for harming 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: Many 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 key insights on how the truck accident unfolded. They can assist your case by verifying facts or offering a new insight about the situation.
• Police reports and citations: Police file their report after arriving at an accident site and collecting information. If they decide that a motorist behaved recklessly or broke a law, they may issue a formal citation or written violation.
• Surveillance footage: Your Des Plaines, IL truck accident injury lawyer can acquire relevant surveillance footage if a traffic camera or a building’s outdoor camera recorded any information pertinent to the incident.
• The scene of the accident: Road conditions, visibility, skid marks and the position of vehicles and vehicle parts immediately following the wreck can let us know a lot about what happened, and how.
• Employer files: Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies and other involved parties must abide by regulations when they operate. When a driver makes an error, the trucking company can be at fault as well if they neglected to sufficiently train the driver, did not conduct drug tests as often as required, hired the driver despite a history of traffic violations or have incomplete or missing records to such effect.
• Maintenance records: Commercial trucks must be consistently inspected and maintained. As your truck accident injury lawyer, we will acquire maintenance records to confirm that they complied with the rules and that the truck was authorized for road use when the accident took place.

Focus On Your Recovery While Burger Law Handles Your Case

Call Our Des Plaines, IL Truck Accident Lawyers Now

When you hire our Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, IL, recovering millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.

To get the recovery you deserve, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Our Des Plaines, IL truck accident lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not collect any fees 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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