Trucking Accidents Lawyer Gurnee, IL

Trucking Accidents Lawyer Gurnee, IL. If a truck driver or trucking company disregarded your safety and caused you or a loved one injuries, call a Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, economic and emotional damage they can do is sudden and cruel. Because of that, in addition to following the typical rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent regulations that truck drivers and trucking companies must follow in order to protect the well-being of everyone on the Gurnee, IL roads. When they fail in their duty and you end up injured, the Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them responsible and get you the great compensation you are owed.

We have an amazing team of attorneys and paralegals that fight the good fight to get you the best possible compensation. Our Gurnee, 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 lawsuits. We accept only the best results for the injured in Gurnee, IL. If you have been hurt because somebody else did not value your safety, reach out to a Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form to start on the road to being made whole again.

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

Unfortunately, a trucking accidents lawyer in Gurnee, IL is usually pretty busy. As of 2020, there were more than 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it one of the top 15 trucking states in the nation. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck accidents that involved injury or death in the state, according to data from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

If you have been hurt in a truck wreck because of somebody else’s thoughtless actions, call a Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away to go over your legal options.

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

Truck accidents are markedly more dangerous than car accidents, particularly for occupants of smaller, passenger vehicles. On average trucks have 20 to 30 times more mass and take 20 to 40 percent longer to stop than passenger cars. So, they deploy a colossal amount of force in accidents and that response time is substantially slower to hazards like traffic jams, accidents on the road ahead or inclement weather. Because of their size, trucks can be tougher to maneuver around and are probably going to impact more cars if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer has seen firsthand how truck wrecks can be tremendously destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that in 2019 there were 164,731 crashes that involved large trucks, which caused 5,074 deaths and 81,272 injuries. Even though they make up merely 2.4 percent of total motor vehicle traffic crashes, truck accidents were responsible for 15.3 percent of total fatalities 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 injured in a truck accident are often staggering, which is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Gurnee, IL has spent their life winning the best possible compensation for the injured in Gurnee and throughout Illinois.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes | Gurnee, 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 analyzing over 1,000 possible factors, they reached the following conclusions:

• Eighty-seven percent of collisions involved “driver reasons,” either by the truck driver or another driver. The most common of those reasons are:
  • Use of prescriptions, over-the-counter and illegal drugs and drunk driving
  • Speeding or driving faster than appropriate for road conditions
  • Fatigue or distracted driving
  • Illegal maneuvers, improper evasive action or aggressive driving
  • Unfamiliarity with the roadway or truck
• Almost a third of all wrecks involved issues with the truck, for instance brake failure or defective tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related collisions
  • Traffic congestion
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or incorrectly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to operate even though fatigued
  • The driver being sick

Whatever the cause behind your accident in Gurnee, 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 liable parties responsible.

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

In the majority of auto accident cases, you would file a claim against another Gurnee, 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 vehicle, not the truck driver. When your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer performs their investigation into your crash, they will determine which driver is responsible for your injuries. However, one of the unique things about truck accidents is that there are usually multiple parties that can be found liable. That is why you need a devoted, accomplished and expert trucking accidents lawyer in your corner.

Below are some examples of other parties in Gurnee, IL your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law may be able to find liable:

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies have an obligation to care about our safety. They must:

• Contact drivers that satisfy the rigorous requirements for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Failing to do so, or hiring a driver with many traffic violations, constitutes negligent hiring practices.
• Confirm the safety of their fleet. Illinois and Federal Law requires pre-trip and yearly inspections carried out by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not performing inspections or not repairing faulty parts are instances of negligence. Brake issues were a contributing factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, compared to just 2 percent in other auto wrecks.
• Ensure their drivers get enough rest. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an Hours of Service Guide for Truck Drivers that must be followed. 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 acquire maintenance and driver logs when we begin working on your truck collision suit. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Gurnee, IL knows how to acquire all the evidence necessary to prove your case.

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be appropriately 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 spill onto Gurnee or Illinois streets and cause a multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also take longer to stop, which restricts the driver’s ability to react to situations or risks on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have an obligation to safely manufacture their products and recall any products when they discover it to be faulty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a recall is obligatory when a vehicle or vehicle equipment “does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.” Neglecting to do so constitutes product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has seen every category of personal injury claim and knows how to secure you the best possible compensation no matter the circumstances of your truck accident injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident happened because of infrastructure that was poorly constructed or improperly repaired, your truck accident injury lawyer may be able to assist you in making a claim against a public institution 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 overturn, causing a chain reaction until you get in an accident, your truck accident attorneys will help you hold the local entity that runs that property accountable.

To make a claim against a government entity in Gurnee, 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 you sustained your injury. If you file a notice before the lawsuit, the lawsuit has to be filed within two years of the date of the accident. If you or someone you love has been harmed because of a public truck driver or entity’s negligence, there is no time to wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Gurnee, IL now so we can get started on your case right away.

Making a claim against a public entity in Gurnee, IL is complicated, but your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law knows how to apply the law to your case and get great results in even the hardest cases. Call our trucking accidents lawyer team right away at (779) 800-HURT.

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in Gurnee, IL

You require a trucking accidents lawyer you can trust; one that is dedicated to your case and takes your recovery personally. You only have one opportunity to get great compensation, so finding the right trucking accidents lawyer in Gurnee, IL is vital. Below are several of the aspects you should contemplate when looking at attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. Most trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are accomplished, that they fight back against insurance companies and that their Gurnee, IL clients matter to them. No one knows an attorney better than the individuals and families 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 secured for our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Is Important to You. It is preferable to have a checklist for any prospective Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer. Some things you may want to contemplate are:
  • Their experience with your particular variety of injury claim
  • If they have a proven track record of getting great results
  • Their qualifications, awards and accolades
  • If they will consistently let you know the progress of your case
  • If they are willing to fight on your behalf and take your case in front of a judge and jury if necessary
• Consider the Size of the Firm. A trucking accidents lawyer team at a large firm may seem like the superior option because of their resources and ability to intimidate Gurnee, IL insurance companies. That is not always the case, and your claim might get lost in the shuffle at a larger firm. We stand out among Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we give you the individualized 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 settle for nothing but maximum compensation for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is devoted and compassionate, you will also want an attorney that has experience taking on hard cases, pushing back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and getting full financial recoveries for their clients. Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience — much 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 works under a contingency fee basis. As a substitute for an hourly rate, we are paid by taking a percentage of your final payout. What that means is our first consultation and investigation are at no-cost, and we accept no upfront attorneys fees. There is no harm in calling us to go through your case with a Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, you will see why we think so highly of our Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer team. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT so we can get working on your case straight away.

What Damages Can I Receive For My Injuries? | Gurnee, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The money you are awarded will depend on the significance of your injuries, the consequences they have had on your life, and the tenacity of your Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are commonly two types of damages available to people who are injured because 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 serious your injuries, the more time you will go without wages, the more medical expenses you’ll have and the more you will collect in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Gurnee, IL insurance adjuster, judge or jury to step inside your shoes and see the full repercussions your injuries have had on your life. Call Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT to get the best possible financial recovery.

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

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is fairly 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 took place. However, there are two significant exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 at the time of injury, you have two years to file a claim after you turn 18.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when you sustained your injury, you have two years from the date the injury was “removed.”

Delaying could bring obstacles to your case. Your trucking accidents lawyer will need to completely investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury in order to hold negligent parties accountable. Furthermore, you need compensation as soon as possible in order to fully recover and be made whole again. You cannot afford to delay. Call a Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law right now at (779) 800-HURT.

Can I Still Collect Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially At Fault? | Gurnee, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer may still be able to secure you compensation, although the amount will not be as much. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, meaning you will be compensated for the percentage of the accident that is not your fault.

So, if a fact-finder awards you $100,000 in damages, but determines 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 50 percent at fault for the accident, you cannot received any compensation in Gurnee, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to show that you are not responsible for the harm another person is liable for.

No one should have to carry the weight of mental distress, physical hardships, lost wages and medical expenses that are piling up all because somebody else broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Gurnee, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team works tirelessly for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have committed our lives to making certain that people in bad situations are not taken advantage of by unethical corporations and dishonest insurance companies. When you hire a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer, we start working on your case at once and do not let up until you are awarded every nickel that you deserve. You do not have to wait any more time to start on your road to recovery and being made whole again. Call a Burger Law Gurnee, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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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