Trucking Accidents Lawyer McLean County, IL

Trucking Accidents Lawyer McLean County, 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 McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case review.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, economic and emotional damage they can do is unexpected and severe. That is why, in addition to adhering to the typical rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent stipulations that truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow in order to guarantee the safety of everyone on the McLean County, IL roads. When they fail in their responsibility and harm you, the McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them responsible and get you the best possible financial recovery you deserve.

We have a first-class team of attorneys and paralegals that fight on your behalf to get you the best possible financial recovery. Our McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the horrible impact an injury from 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 demand only the best results for the injured in McLean County, IL. If you sustained and injury because someone else disregarded your safety, reach out to a Burger Law McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer now at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form to start on your road to recovery.

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

Unfortunately, a trucking accidents lawyer in McLean County, IL often has a a lot of work to do. As of 2020, there were more than 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, meaning Illinois is one of the 15 busiest trucking states in the United States. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck collisions that caused injury or death in the state, according to data from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

If you have been injured in a truck collision due to somebody else’s careless actions, contact a Burger Law McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away to talk over your legal options.

How Are Truck Accidents Different? | McLean County, 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 heavier and stopping takes 20 to 40 percent longer than passenger cars. That means they expend an incredible amount of force in accidents and that response time is significantly slower to road conditions like traffic jams, accidents on the road ahead or inclement weather. Because of their size, trucks can be tougher to avoid and are likely to collide with more cars if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer has knows all too well how truck collisions can be incredibly destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that in 2019 there were 164,731 crashes that involved large trucks, which resulted in 5,074 deaths and 81,272 injuries. Despite making up only 2.4 percent of total motor vehicle traffic wrecks, truck accidents accounted for 15.3 percent of total deaths and 4.2 percent of all injuries, according to crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seventy-two percent of people that died in large truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles. The financial costs of being harmed in a truck collision are usually enormous, which is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in McLean County, IL has spent their life recovering the best possible compensation for the vulnerable in McLean County and throughout Illinois.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes | McLean County, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released its groundbreaking Large Crash Causation Study in 2009. The study analyzed the causes and associated factors of 18-wheeler accidents. After studying 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:
  • 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, improper evasive action or aggressive driving
  • Not being familiar with the roadway or truck
• Almost a third of all collisions involved issues with the truck, such as brake failure or faulty tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related collisions
  • Traffic conditions
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or improperly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to operate even though fatigued
  • Illness

Whatever the reasons behind your crash in McLean County, IL, your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer has seen it before. We will get to the bottom of your crash and hold the liable parties accountable.

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

In typical auto accident cases, you would make a claim against another McLean County, 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 carries out an investigation into your crash, they will determine which driver is at fault. However, one of the unique things about truck accidents is that there are usually multiple parties at fault. That is why you need a committed, veteran and adept trucking accidents lawyer in your corner.

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

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies have an obligation to look out for our safety. They are required to:

• Hire drivers that meet the rigorous conditions for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Neglecting to do so, or hiring a driver with a history of traffic violations, amounts to negligent hiring practices.
• Verify the safety of their trucks. Illinois and Federal Law obligates pre-trip and yearly inspections performed by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not carrying out inspections or not fixing faulty parts are instances of negligence. Brake problems were an associated factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, compared to only 2 percent in other motor-vehicle crashes.
• Not overwork their drivers. 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, in many cases because an employer was pressuring the driver to drive with little rest.

We will request maintenance and driver logs when we get to work on your truck crash case. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in McLean County, IL knows how to get all the evidence required 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 unbalanced weight distribution are more likely to rollover. Incorrectly loaded cargo can also spill onto McLean County 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 situations or dangers on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have a duty to safely design and test their products and recall any parts when they find 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.” Not doing so is an example of product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has experience with every type of personal injury case and knows how to deliver you maximum financial recovery regardless of the circumstances surrounding your truck accident injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident occurred because of infrastructure that was improperly constructed or inadequately maintained, your truck accident injury lawyer may be able to assist you in making a claim against a public service such as the Illinois Department of Transportation. If a guardrail suddenly swings into the road or a substantial crack in the concrete leads a vehicle to turn over, causing a domino-effect until you get in an accident, your truck accident attorneys will help you hold the local organization that runs that property accountable.

If you wish to make a claim against a government entity in McLean County, 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 must be filed within two years of when you sustained your injury. If you or someone you love has been injured because of a public truck driver or entity’s negligence, there is no time to wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in McLean County, IL now so we can get working on your claim straight away.

Bringing a claim against a public entity in McLean County, IL is tricky, but your trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law knows how to apply the law to your case and collect the best possible compensation in even the hardest cases. Call our trucking accidents lawyer team straight away at (779) 800-HURT.

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in McLean County, IL

You require a trucking accidents lawyer you can believe in; an attorney who is devoted to your claim and takes your recovery personally. You only have one chance to get the best possible financial recovery, so hiring the best trucking accidents lawyer in McLean County, IL is crucial. Below are some of the aspects you should examine when looking at attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. Most trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are experienced, that they know how to beat insurance companies and that their McLean County, IL clients matter to them. No one knows an attorney’s abilities better than the people they have stood up for in the past. Burger Law is the most- and highest-reviewed trucking accidents lawyer team in Missouri and Illinois. You can check out some of the great results we have delivered our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Is Important to You. It is recommended to have a checklist for any potential McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer. Some things you may want to examine are:
  • Their experience with your particular type of injury claim
  • If they have a demonstrable history of delivering great recoveries
  • 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 to trial if necessary
• Consider the Size of the Firm. A trucking accidents lawyer team at a large firm may seem like the best option because of their resources and ability to frighten McLean County, IL insurance companies. That is not consistently the case, and your case might not get the attention you deserve at a larger firm. We are unique among McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we provide you with the personalized attention of a small firm, but still have the resources and network required to deliver you great results. Insurance companies are afraid of us because they know that we accept nothing but the best possible compensation for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is devoted and compassionate, you will also want an attorney that has experience taking on tough 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 — much more than a lot of truck accident law firms — holding careless truck drivers and trucking companies accountable.
• Meet With Them. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer operates using a contingency fee basis. Rather than charging by the hour, we are paid by collecting a percentage of your final compensation. Consequently, our first consultation and investigation are free, and we require no upfront attorneys fees. There is no reason not to call us to discuss your claim with a McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, we have no doubt that you will see why we have such a high opinion of our McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer team. Call us immediately at (779) 800-HURT so we can get started on your case at once.

What Compensation Can I Receive For My Injuries? | McLean County, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The compensation you are awarded will come down to the severity of your injuries, the consequences they have had on your life, and the savvy of your McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are typically two categories of compensation available to people who are injured owing to someone else’s reckless behavior.

• 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 serious your injuries, the more time you’ll lose from work, the more medical expenses you’ll have and the more you will get in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a McLean County, IL insurance adjuster, judge or jury to step inside your shoes and see the full consequences your injuries have had on your life. Call Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT to get a maximum financial recovery.

How Much Time 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 bulk of personal injury cases, according to 735 ILCS 5/. That means you must file a claim within two years of when the truck accident took place. However, there are two significant 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 your injury occured, you have two years from the day the injury was “removed.”

Delaying could bring hurdles to your case. Your trucking accidents lawyer will need to fully investigate your claim in order to hold irresponsible parties accountable. Moreover, you need compensation as soon as possible in order to fully heal and be made whole again. You cannot afford to delay. Call a Burger Law McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

Can I Still Recover Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially At Fault? | McLean County, 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 wreck that is not your fault.

So, if a jury awards you $100,000 in compensation, but finds that you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, you will receive $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 accident, you will not be able to received any compensation in McLean County, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to prove that you are not to blame for the damage another person caused.

Call Burger Law Today

McLean County, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer | Burger Law

No one should have to shoulder the burden of emotional anguish, physical pain, lost wages and medical expenses that are piling up just because another person broke the rules. At Burger Law, our McLean County, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team fights hard 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 greedy corporations and lying insurance companies. When you hire a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer, we start working on your case immediately and do not let up until you collect every dime that you deserve. You do not have to wait any longer to start on your road to healing and being made whole again. Call a Burger Law McLean County, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary 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!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp