Truck Accident Lawyer in Evanston, IL

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a truck accident because a truck driver, trucking company employee or another individual broke the laws we have in place to keep us safe, 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 Evanston, IL residents who sustained injuries in truck accidents because of someone else’s negligence. Collisions involving trucks and passenger vehicles, as well as pedestrians and other individuals on the roadway, may lead to devastating injuries even at low speeds due to the sheer weight and size of trucks. Trucking companies and their drivers must follow federal and state trucking regulations, and any failure to follow these laws presents a risk of harm to others in Evanston, IL. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, our Evanston, IL truck accident attorneys 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 cause serious damage when they are involved in incidents near Evanston, IL. In fact, recent Illinois Department of Transportation data shows 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 Evanston, 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 pathway to recovery.

When you or someone close to you has been seriously injured in a truck accident in Evanston, IL, you deserve a complete financial recovery for the losses you have suffered, but you have little chance of success without the skilled legal advocacy of a proven Evanston, IL truck accident lawyer. See how much your claim might be worth by using our free personal injury calculator. Call Burger Law as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

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

As knowledgeable truck accident attorneys in Evanston, 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 helping truck accident victims like you hold the trucking company, the truck driver, insurance company and other negligent parties accountable for the damages they have caused and we have the experience to do just that. Some of the types of truck accident cases we have seen in the Evanston, IL area 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

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

• Survival Action Lawyer in Illinois
• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

What Can Cause a Truck Accident in Evanston, IL?

What Can Cause a Truck Accident in Evanston, IL?

One of the leading causes of Evanston, IL truck accidents is distracted driving, as 71 percent of truck crashes happened when the truck driver was doing something aside from driving the truck. Other common contributors to Evanston, 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” routinely repair, inspect and maintain their trucks, along with keeping detailed records.

They must inspect:

• Time and frame assemblies
• Suspension systems
• Axles
• Rims and wheels
• Steering systems
• Brakes

If you were hit by a truck driver in Evanston, IL or anywhere in Illinois, it is imperative you contact the Evanston, IL truck accident attorneys at Burger Law as soon as possible. As part of our truck accident investigation, we will acquire any and all reports. You can be sure 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. 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 regulations against drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted strict hours-of-service regulations to ensure that truck drivers get sufficient rest when they have to log long hours:

Property-Carrying Drivers

• A maximum of 11 hours of driving following 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
• 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 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
• Fewer than 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days
• Fewer 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 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. Pressure from employers to meet tight schedules was a leading reason that truck drivers drove fatigued, according to the groundbreaking Large Truck Crash Causation Study. If you or a loved one in Evanston, IL was injured because a trucking company obligated their drivers to drive longer than they should, Burger Law’s Evanston, IL truck accident attorneys will show they were liable and ensure 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. 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 much higher risk to those on the Evanston, 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 permitted 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 truck accident injury lawyers near Evanston, 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 these 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 Evanston, IL use amphetamines and cocaine so that they remain awake when driving extended hours.

A necessity in keeping our Evanston, IL and Illinois roads safe is absolute adherence to FMCSA regulations. 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, you need to be compensated for your damages and they need to pay. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a truck accident in Evanston, IL it is vital to allow the lawyers at Burger Law to investigate your claim, develop a strong claim and successfully fight for maximum compensation. Call us as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

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

Commercial trucks can weigh in the range between 30,000 and 80,000 pounds. The average passenger vehicle weighs 4,100lbs. This incredible variation in weight is exactly why truck drivers must carefully and closely 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 accident are often traumatic and life-threatening. Here are a few types of injuries that resulted from Evanston, IL truck accidents 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 crashes, including impact and penetrating injuries along with deceleration injuries, when the sudden stop of a vehicle brings about internal organs or vessels to break or rupture. Internal bleeding can cause fatal organ failure when untreated. The issue with internal bleeding is that it is sometimes hard to diagnose, and you may not realize the gravity of your condition following a Evanston, IL truck accident.
• Broken Bones – The most common cause of broken bones is trauma from truck crashes and other vehicular accidents. Extreme breaks like displaced fractures or comminuted fractures when the bone is splintered into several pieces can be especially dangerous.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – The spinal cord is the main avenue that your brain uses to send commands throughout your body. Spinal injuries are serious injuries that can affect your mobility and the motor function of your limbs. Research from the World Health Organization states that 90 percent of spinal cord injury cases are caused 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 Evanston, IL ?

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

To successfully prove and argue your case and, ultimately, get you fair compensation for your injuries from a serious truck wreck, your truck accident injury lawyer’s first task is to develop a detailed understanding of the circumstances of your accident. Your Evanston, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer from Burger Law will investigate your accident and meticulously collect all evidence and documentation surrounding the crash and your ensuing damages. We then use that evidence to ascertain who is liable and prove how their behavior have negatively impacted your life and health.

Our accomplished Evanston, IL truck accident injury lawyers are experts at building a truck accident injury case. We are even ready 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 fierce trial process, your Evanston, IL-based truck accident injury lawyer can use the following valuable sources of evidence to show beyond doubt that the defendant is in fact responsible for injuring you.

• The truck’s black box: The black box holds valuable information about how the truck was being driven ,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. Cameras may have captured the traffic events or the driver’s actions leading up to the accident.
• Witness statements: Witnesses may have vital perspective on how the truck accident happened. They can aid your case by corroborating facts or offering a new observation about the wreck.
• Police reports and citations: Police file their report after arriving at an accident site and collecting information. If they find that a motorist did something wrong or broke a law, they may issue a formal citation or written violation.
• Surveillance footage: Your Evanston, IL truck accident injury lawyer can procure relevant surveillance footage if a traffic camera or a building’s outdoor camera recorded any footage relevant to the crash.
• The scene of the accident: Road conditions, visibility, skid marks and the position of vehicles and vehicle parts directly following the accident can let us know a lot about what took place, 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 at fault also if they neglected to adequately train the driver, did not issue drug tests as often as called for, hired the driver despite a history of traffic citations or have incomplete or missing records to such effect.
• Maintenance records: Commercial trucks must be frequently inspected and maintained. As your truck accident injury lawyer, we will procure maintenance records to verify that they complied with the rules and that the truck was cleared for road use when the accident occurred.

FOCUS ON YOUR RECOVERY WHILE BURGER LAW HANDLES YOUR CASE

Call Our Evanston, IL Truck Accident Lawyers Now

When you work with our Evanston, IL truck accident attorney, you can be certain that you are working with a knowledgeable and skilled 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 recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients by successfully handling truck accident cases in Evanston, IL.

Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation and to get the recovery you deserve. Our Evanston, 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!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp