Trucking Accidents Lawyer Decatur, IL

Trucking Accidents Lawyer Decatur, IL. If a truck driver or trucking company broke the rules of the road and caused you or a loved one harm, call a Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, economic and emotional damage they can do is immediate and cruel. Because of that, in addition to observing the typical rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent regulations that truck drivers and trucking companies have to act in accordance with in order to help keep everybody on the Decatur, IL roads out of harm's way. When they fail in their duty and you end up injured, the Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them accountable and get you the full financial recovery you are owed.

We have a wonderful team of attorneys and paralegals that fight on your behalf to get you the best possible compensation. Our Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the horrible impact being injured a truck accident can have on your life. We also know how to investigate, negotiate, litigate and win truck accident injury claims. We settle for only the best results for injured individuals and families in Decatur, IL. If you sustained and injury because somebody else did not value your safety, call a Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer now 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? | Decatur, IL Truck Accident Law Firms

Sadly, a trucking accidents lawyer in Decatur, IL is usually pretty busy. As of 2020, there were over 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it one of the 15 busiest trucking states nationwide. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck wrecks that caused injury or death in the state, according to data from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

If you have been harmed in a truck wreck as the result of another person's thoughtless actions, get in touch with a Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer now to discuss your legal options.

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

Truck accidents are a lot more dangerous than car accidents, particularly for people in smaller, passenger vehicles. On average trucks are 20 to 30 times heavier and take 20 to 40 percent longer to come to a stop than passenger cars. Meaning, they expend a colossal amount of force in accidents and that response time is significantly slower to events like congested traffic, accidents on the road ahead or weather conditions. Because of their size, trucks can be harder to evade and are likely to run into more cars if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer has knows all too well how truck crashes can be extremely destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that in 2019 there were 164,731 wrecks that involved large trucks, which led to 5,074 fatalities and 81,272 injuries. Although they make up merely 2.4 percent of total auto traffic accidents, truck accidents were responsible for 15.3 percent of total fatalities and 4.2 percent of all injuries, according to crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seventy-two percent of people who passed away in large truck collisions are occupants of other vehicles. The economic costs of being harmed in a truck collision are often massive, and that is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Decatur, IL has spent their life collecting the best possible compensation for their clients in Decatur and throughout Illinois.

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

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

• Eighty-seven percent of crashes involved "driver reasons," either by the truck driver or the driver of a passenger vehicle. The most common of those reasons are:
  • Use of prescriptions, over-the-counter and illegal drugs and drunk driving
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Fatigue or distracted driving
  • Illegal maneuvers, improper evasive action or aggressive driving
  • Not being familiar with the roadway or truck
• About 30 percent of all collisions involved issues with the truck, for example brake failure or defective tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related accidents
  • Traffic conditions
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or incorrectly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to driver even though fatigued
  • The driver being sick

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

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

In the majority of auto accident cases, you would make a claim against another Decatur, IL driver and their insurance company. In trucking accidents caused by human error, 56 percent of the time the liable driver was the driver of a passenger car, not the truck driver. When your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer conducts an investigation into your crash, they will determine 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 to fight on your behalf.

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

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies have a duty to care about our safety. They are required to:

• Contact drivers that fulfill the stringent conditions for Commercial Driver's Licenses in Illinois. Neglecting to do so, or hiring a driver with numerous traffic violations, constitutes negligent hiring practices.
• Ensure the safety of their vehicles. Illinois and Federal Law mandates pre-trip and yearly inspections conducted by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not conducting inspections or not repairing defective parts are instances of negligence. Brake failures were a contributing factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, compared to only 2 percent in other auto collisions.
• Not overwork their drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an Hours of Service Guide for Truck Drivers that must be obeyed. Thirteen percent of trucking accidents involved driver fatigue as a contributing factor, frequently because an employer was pressuring the driver to drive with little rest.

We will obtain maintenance and driver logs when we get to work on your truck wreck case. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Decatur, IL knows how to get all the evidence we need to prove your claim.

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be properly loaded onto trucks in the interest of ensuring safety. Overloaded trucks or trucks with unequal weight distribution are susceptible to rollover accidents. Poorly loaded cargo can also spill onto Decatur or Illinois streets and cause a multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also take longer to stop, which hampers the driver's ability to respond to conditions or risks on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have an obligation to safely design and test their products and recall any products when they discover it to be hazardous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that a recall is required when a vehicle or vehicle equipment "does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard." Neglecting to do so is an example of product liability. Burger Law's trucking accidents lawyer team has experience with every kind of personal injury case and knows how to deliver you maximum financial recovery regardless of the circumstances of your truck accident injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident occurred because of infrastructure that was improperly designed 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 large 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 organization that oversees that property accountable.

If you wish to make a claim against a public entity in Decatur, IL, you must file a written notice or a lawsuit with the Attorney General and the Clerk of the Court of Claims no later than one year after the date of the injury. If you file a notice before the lawsuit, the lawsuit needs to be filed no later than two years of when you sustained your injury. If you or a family member has been injured because of a public truck driver or entity's negligence, you cannot wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Decatur, IL immediately so we can get started on your claim straight away.

Filing a claim against a public entity in Decatur, IL is complex, but your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law knows how to apply the law to your case and receive the best possible compensation in even the toughest cases. Call our trucking accidents lawyer team straight away at (314) 500-HURT.

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in Decatur, IL

You need a trucking accidents lawyer you can believe in; an attorney who is devoted to your claim and takes it personally. You only have one chance to get great compensation, so hiring the right trucking accidents lawyer in Decatur, IL is vital. Below are several of the things you should contemplate when searching for attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. Most trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are experienced, that they fight back against insurance companies and that they care about their Decatur, 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 see some of the great compensation we have secured for our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Matters to You. It is recommended to have a checklist for your potential Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer. Some things you may want to contemplate are:
  • Their experience with your particular kind of injury claim
  • If they have a demonstrable history of securing 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 frighten Decatur, IL insurance companies. That is not consistently true, and your claim might get lost in the shuffle at a larger firm. We are distinct among Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we provide you with the personalized attention of a small firm, but still have the resources and network needed to secure you great results. Insurance companies fear us because they know that we demand a great financial recovery for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is dedicated and driven, you will also want one that has experience taking on complicated cases, fighting back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and receiving full compensation for their clients. Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience — much more than many truck accident law firms — holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies responsible.
• Meet With Them. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer works under a contingency fee basis. Instead of charging by the hour, we are paid by collecting a percentage of your final compensation. That means that our initial consultation and investigation are at no-cost, and there are no upfront attorneys fees. There is no reason not to call us to go through your case with a Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, we know you will see why we think so highly of our Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer team. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT so we can get working on your case straight away.

What Compensation Can I Collect For My Injuries? | Decatur, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The financial recovery you are awarded will come down to the seriousness of your injuries, how they have impacted your life, and the knowledge of your Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are normally two categories of compensation if you were hurt because of another person's negligence.

• Economic damages, such as:
• Lost wages
• Lost or reduced 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 significant your injuries, the more time you will go without wages, the more medical bills you'll have and the more you will collect in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Decatur, IL insurance adjuster, judge or jury to understand your injuries from your perspective and see the full repercussions 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 rather 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 you sustained your injuries. However, there are two significant exceptions:

1. If you were under the age of 18 when your injury occured, you have two years to file a claim after you turn 18.
2. If you had a "legal disability" when you sustained your injury, you have two years from the time the injury was "removed."

Delaying could bring complications to your claim. Your trucking accidents lawyer has to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident in order to hold liable parties accountable. Additionally, you need compensation as soon as possible in order to completely recover and be made whole again. There is no reason to delay. Call a Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT.

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

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer might still be able to help you receive compensation, although the sum will not be as high. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that you will be compensated for the percentage of the accident that you are not to blame for.

So, if a fact-finder awards you $100,000 in compensation, but finds that you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, you will recover $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 more than half to blame for the wreck, you will not be able to received any compensation in Decatur, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to prove that you are not culpable for the harm somebody else caused.

No one should have to take on the burden of emotional distress, physical pain, lost wages and accumulating medical bills just because another person broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Decatur, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team fights hard for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have dedicated our careers to making certain that people in bad situations are not exploited by greedy corporations and deceitful insurance companies. When you hire a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer, we get started on your case straight away and do not let up until you collect every dime that you deserve. You do not need to wait any more time to start on your road to recovery and being made whole again. Call a Burger Law Decatur, IL trucking accidents lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.