Trucking Accidents Lawyer Chicago, IL

If a truck driver or trucking company broke the rules of the road and caused you or a loved one injuries, call a Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, financial and emotional damage they can do is immediate and harsh. Because of that, in addition to obeying the basic rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent laws that truck drivers and trucking companies must abide by in order to guarantee the well-being of everyone on the Chicago, IL roads. When they fail in their responsibility and hurt you, the Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them responsible and get you the full compensation you are owed.

We have a dedicated team of attorneys and paralegals that fight the good fight to get you the best possible compensation. Our Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the horrible impact being injured a truck accident can have on you and your loved ones. We also know how to investigate, negotiate, litigate and win truck accident injury cases. We settle for only the best results for our clients. If you have been hurt because somebody else was negligent, contact a Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (314) 500-HURT or complete our online form to start on the road to being made whole again.

How Common Are Truck Accidents in Illinois? | Chicago, IL Truck Accident Law Firms

Unfortunately, a trucking accidents lawyer in Chicago, IL is usually pretty busy. As of 2020, there were over 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it among the top 15 trucking states in the United States. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck accidents that caused injury or death in the state, according to the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

If you have been hurt in a truck crash because of someone else’s reckless behavior, call a Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

How Are Truck Accidents Different? | Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

Truck accidents are much more dangerous than car accidents, specifically for people in smaller, passenger vehicles. On average trucks are 20 to 30 times more massive and stopping takes 20 to 40 percent more time than passenger cars. So, they expend a huge amount of force in accidents and that reaction time is considerably slower to events like traffic jams, accidents that already happened or weather conditions. Their size also means that trucks can be tougher to maneuver around and are probably going to hit more cars if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer has seen firsthand how truck crashes can be exceedingly destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that in 2019 there were 164,731 wrecks that involved large trucks, which resulted in 5,074 fatalities and 81,272 injuries. Even though they make up only 2.4 percent of total auto traffic accidents, truck accidents accounted for 15.3 percent of total deaths and 4.2 percent of all injuries, according to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seventy-two percent of drivers and passengers who passed away in large truck wrecks are occupants of other vehicles. The financial costs of being hurt in a truck accident are often staggering, which is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Chicago, IL has spent their life recovering the best possible compensation for the injured in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes | Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released its groundbreaking Large Crash Causation Study in 2009. The study evaluated the causes and contributing factors of 18-wheeler accidents. After studying over 1,000 possible factors, they reached the following conclusions:

• Eighty-seven percent of accidents involved “driver reasons,” either by the truck driver or the driver of a passenger vehicle. The most common of those reasons are:
  • Prescription drug use, over-the-counter drug use, and illegal drug use or drunk driving
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Fatigue or distracted driving
  • Illegal maneuvers, inadequate evasive driving or aggressive driving
  • Unfamiliarity with the roadway or truck
• Almost a third of all collisions involved problems with the truck, for example brake failure or faulty tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related crashes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or improperly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to operate even though fatigued
  • The driver being sick

Whatever the cause behind your crash in Chicago, IL, your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer has investigated and won a case like yours before. We will get to the bottom of your crash and hold the at-fault parties responsible.

Who Is Liable for My Truck Crash Injuries? | Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

In typical auto accident cases, you would file a claim against another Chicago, IL driver and their insurance company. In trucking accidents, truck drivers were responsible for 44 percent of crashes caused by driver error, with drivers of other vehicles being liable for the rest. When your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer performs an investigation into your crash, they will ascertain which driver is to blame. However, one of the unique things about truck accidents is that there are frequently several parties at fault. That is why you need a committed, experienced and knowledgeable trucking accidents lawyer standing by your side.

Below are some examples of other parties in Chicago, IL your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law may be able to hold accountable:

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies have a duty to look out for our safety. They are required to:

• Hire drivers that fulfill the strict requirements for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Hiring drivers that do not, or hiring a driver with many traffic violations, constitutes negligent hiring practices.
• Certify the safety of their vehicles. Illinois and Federal Law requires pre-trip and yearly inspections performed by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not performing inspections or not fixing defective parts are examples of negligence. Brake issues were a contributing factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, contrasted with only 2 percent in other motor-vehicle wrecks.
• Not overwork their drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an Hours of Service Guide for Truck Drivers that must be adhered to. Thirteen percent of trucking accidents involved driver fatigue as an associated factor, in many cases because an employer was pressuring the driver to drive off little rest.

We will acquire maintenance and driver logs when we get to work on your truck collision case. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Chicago, IL knows how to gather all the evidence necessary to prove your case.

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be correctly loaded onto trucks in order to ensure safety. Overloaded trucks or trucks with lopsided weight distribution are more likely to rollover. Incorrectly loaded cargo can also leak onto Chicago or Illinois streets and lead to multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also need more time to stop, which hinders the driver’s ability to react to conditions or hazards on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have an obligation to safely manufacture their products and recall any parts when they discover it to be faulty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a recall is mandatory when a vehicle or vehicle equipment “does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.” Failure to do so is an example of product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has seen every sort of personal injury case and knows how to secure you the best possible compensation whatever the circumstances surrounding your truck collision injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident happened because of infrastructure that was improperly constructed or improperly repaired, your truck accident injury lawyer may be able to assist you in making a claim against a public entity such as the Illinois Department of Transportation. If a guardrail suddenly swings into the road or a sizeable crack in the concrete leads a vehicle to go airborne, causing a domino-effect until you get in a crash, your truck accident attorneys will help you hold the local entity that runs that property accountable.

If you wish to make a claim against a government entity in Chicago, IL, you must file a written notice or a lawsuit with the Attorney General and the Clerk of the Court of Claims within one year after the date of the injury. If you file a notice before the lawsuit, the lawsuit must be brought within two years of when you sustained your injury. If you or someone you care about has been injured because of a public truck driver or entity’s negligence, do not wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Chicago, IL now so we can get started on your claim right away.

Filing a claim against a public entity in Chicago, IL is complex, but your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law knows how to apply the law to your case and win even the most difficult cases. Call our trucking accidents lawyer team now at (314) 500-HURT.

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in Chicago, IL

You need a trucking accidents lawyer you can believe in; one that is devoted to your case and takes it personally. You only have one chance to get great compensation, so hiring the right trucking accidents lawyer in Chicago, IL is essential. Below are a few of the aspects you should consider when looking at attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. All trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are accomplished, tough on insurance companies and that they care about their Chicago, IL clients. No one knows a lawyer better than the people they have represented in the past. Burger Law is the most- and highest-reviewed trucking accidents lawyer team in Missouri and Illinois. You can look at some of the great recoveries we have delivered our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Is Important to You. It is a good idea to have a checklist for any possible Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer. Some things you may want to contemplate are:
  • Their experience with your specific variety of injury claim
  • If they have a demonstrable history of getting great results
  • Their qualifications, awards and accolades
  • If they will consistently communicate with you throughout your case
  • If they are willing to fight by your side and take your case in front of a judge and jury if they have to
• Consider the Size of the Firm. A trucking accidents lawyer team at a large firm may seem like a better option because of their resources and ability to intimidate Chicago, IL insurance companies. That is not consistently the case, and your case may not get the attention you deserve at a larger firm. We are unique among Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we give you the personal touch of a small firm, but still have the resources and network required to secure you great results. Insurance companies are afraid of us because they know that we demand maximum compensation for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is committed and driven, you will also want an attorney that has experience taking on hard cases, standing up to bullies like resistant insurance companies and receiving full compensation for their clients. Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience — far more than a lot of truck accident law firms — holding liable truck drivers and trucking companies accountable.
• Meet With Them. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer operates using a contingency fee basis. Rather than an hourly rate, we are paid by taking a percentage of your final payout. What that means is our preliminary case review and investigation are at no-cost, and there are no upfront attorneys fees. There is no reason not to call us to discuss your claim with a Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, we are confident you will see why we have such a high opinion of our Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer team. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT so we can get started on your case at once.

What Damages Can I Be Awarded For My Injuries? | Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The money you are awarded will depend on the significance of your injuries, how they have impacted your life, and the skill of your Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are generally two categories of compensation available to people who are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.

• Economic damages, such as:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost or diminished earning potential
  • Medical expenses, such as:
    • Emergency room visits
    • Surgeries
    • Doctors appointments
    • Physical therapy
    • Medication
    • In-home care
    • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or household modifications
  • Property damage, such as damage to your car
  • Transportation fees
• Noneconomic damages, which 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.2 defines as:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of society

The more grave your injuries, the more time you will go without wages, the more medical costs you’ll have and the more you will receive in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Chicago, IL insurance adjuster, judge or jury to understand things from your perspective and see the full effect your injuries have had on your life. Call Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT to get a maximum financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Illinois?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is quite short at two years for the majority of personal injury cases, according to 735 ILCS 5/. That means you must file a claim no later than two years after the truck crash transpired. However, there are two noteworthy exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 when your injury occured, you have two years to file a claim after your 18th birthday.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when you sustained your injury, you have two years from the day the injury was “removed.”

Delaying could bring hitches to your claim. Your trucking accidents lawyer has to completely investigate your claim in order to hold negligent parties accountable. Moreover, you need a financial recovery as soon as possible in order to truly heal and be made whole again. You cannot afford to wait. Call a Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT.

Can I Still Collect Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially to Blame? | Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer might still be able to help you get a financial recovery, although the sum will be smaller. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that you will be compensated for the percentage of the wreck that is not your fault.

So, if a fact-finder gives you $100,000 in compensation, but determines that you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, you will collect $70,000. It is important to note that 735 ILCS 5/ §2-1116 states that:

The plaintiff shall be barred from recovering damages if the trier of fact finds that the contributory fault on the part of the plaintiff is more than 50 percent of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought.

That means that if you are over 50 percent at fault for the crash, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Chicago, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to show that you are not at fault for the harm somebody else is responsible for.

CALL BURGER LAW TODAY

Chicago, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer | Burger Law

You do not have to bear the weight of mental distress, physical limitations, lost wages and rising medical bills just because somebody else broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Chicago, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team works tirelessly for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have devoted our lives to ensuring people in bad situations are not exploited by unethical corporations and lying insurance companies. When you hire a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer, we start working on your case right away and do not rest until you receive every penny that you are owed. You do not have to wait any more time to start on your road to healing and being made whole again. Call a Burger Law Chicago, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

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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