Trucking Accidents Lawyer Plainfield, IL

Trucking Accidents Lawyer Plainfield, IL. If a truck driver or trucking company did not value your safety and caused you or a loved one injuries, call a Burger Law Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, economic and emotional damage they can do is unexpected and ruthless. That is why, in addition to observing the typical rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict standards that truck drivers and trucking companies must obey in order to help keep everybody on the Plainfield, IL roads out of harm’s way. When they neglect their duty and harm you, the Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them accountable and get you the great compensation you deserve.

We have a great team of attorneys and paralegals that fight the good fight to get you the best possible compensation. Our Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the terrible impact being hurt a truck accident can have on you and your loved ones. We also know how to investigate, negotiate, litigate and win truck accident injury claims. We accept only the best results for injured individuals and families in Plainfield, IL. If you have been hurt because someone else did not value your safety, get in touch with a Burger Law Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer immediately 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? | Plainfield, IL Truck Accident Law Firms

Sadly, a trucking accidents lawyer in Plainfield, IL frequently has a a lot of work to do. As of 2020, there were over 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it one of the top 15 trucking states in the United States. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck wrecks that caused injury or death in the state, according to statistics from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report.

If you have been injured in a truck crash as the result of another person’s reckless actions, reach out to a Burger Law Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away to discuss your legal options.

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

Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than car accidents, specifically for drivers and passengers in 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. That means they deploy a monumental amount of force in wrecks and that reaction time is substantially slower to road conditions like congested traffic, accidents on the road ahead or weather conditions. Because of their size, trucks can be more difficult to evade and are probably going to run into more vehicles if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer has has firsthand knowledge of how truck collisions can be tremendously destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that in 2019 there were 164,731 crashes that involved large trucks, which resulted in 5,074 fatalities and 81,272 injuries. Despite making up merely 2.4 percent of total auto traffic collisions, truck accidents accounted 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 drivers and passengers that died in large truck collisions are occupants of other vehicles. The economic costs of being harmed in a truck collision are usually enormous, which is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Plainfield, IL has spent their life winning great compensation for their clients in Plainfield and throughout Illinois.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes | Plainfield, 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 contributing factors of 18-wheeler accidents. After analyzing 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 include:
  • 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 driving or aggressive driving
  • Not being familiar with the roadway or truck
• About 30 percent of all crashes involved problems with the truck, such as brake failure or faulty tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related crashes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or poorly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to operate even though fatigued
  • The driver being sick

Whatever the reasons behind your crash in Plainfield, 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? | Plainfield, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

In typical auto accident cases, you would make a claim against another Plainfield, 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 an investigation into your crash, they will find which driver is responsible for your injuries. However, one of the unique things about truck accidents is that there are usually several parties at fault. That is why you need a dedicated, accomplished and expert trucking accidents lawyer standing by your side.

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

The Trucking Company

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

• Contact drivers that satisfy the strict requirements for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Not doing so, or hiring a driver with a lot of traffic violations, constitutes negligent hiring practices.
• Guarantee the safety of their fleet. Illinois and Federal Law obligates pre-trip and yearly inspections conducted by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not conducting inspections or not repairing defective components are instances of negligence. Brake issues were a contributing factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, contrasted with just 2 percent in other motor-vehicle 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, in many cases because an employer was pressuring the driver to drive with little rest.

We will obtain maintenance and driver logs when we start working on your truck accident suit. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Plainfield, IL knows how to obtain all the evidence necessary to prove your case.

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be appropriately loaded onto trucks in the interest of ensuring safety. Overloaded trucks or trucks with unequal weight distribution are more likely to rollover. Improperly loaded cargo can also spill onto Plainfield or Illinois streets and result in multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also take longer to stop, which restricts the driver’s ability to respond to situations or hazards on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have an obligation to safely manufacture their products and recall any components when they discover it to be defective. 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.” Not doing so amounts to product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has experience with every kind of personal injury case and knows how to secure you maximum compensation no matter the circumstances surrounding your truck crash injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident occurred because of infrastructure that was improperly designed or improperly maintained, 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 in front of a truck or a substantial crack in the concrete causes a vehicle to go airborne, causing a chain of events until you get in an accident, your truck accident attorneys will help you hold the local entity that manages that property accountable.

To file a claim against a government entity in Plainfield, 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 brought no later than two years of when you sustained your injury. If you or someone you care about has been hurt because of a public truck driver or entity’s negligence, there is no time to wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Plainfield, IL now so we can begin working on your claim without delay.

Filing a claim against a public entity in Plainfield, IL is tricky, 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 Plainfield, IL

You need a trucking accidents lawyer you can believe in; an attorney who is dedicated to your claim and takes it personally. You only have one shot to get the maximum financial recovery, so finding the best trucking accidents lawyer in Plainfield, IL is imperative. Below are a few of the aspects you should examine when searching for attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. The majority of trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are accomplished, that they know how to beat insurance companies and that they care about their Plainfield, IL clients. No one knows an attorney’s abilities 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 check out some of the great compensation we have gotten 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 possible Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer. Some things you may want to contemplate are:
  • Their experience with your specific kind of injury claim
  • If they have a proven track record 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 on your behalf 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 the superior option because they have the resources and ability to scare Plainfield, IL insurance companies. That is not consistently true, and your claim might not get the attention you deserve at a larger firm. We stand out among Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we give you the personal touch of a small firm, but still have the resources and network needed to get you great results. Insurance companies are afraid of us because they know that we demand a full financial recovery for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is devoted and passionate, you will also want one that has experience taking on tough cases, pushing back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and getting 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 negligent 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 fee, we are paid by collecting a percentage of your final recovery. What that means is our initial consultation and investigation are at no-cost, and there are no upfront attorneys fees. There is no harm in calling us to talk over your claim with a Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

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

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

The financial recovery you collect will be based on the severity of your injuries, the impact they have had on your life, and the savvy of your Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are typically two categories of damages available to people who are injured owing to somebody else’s irresponsible 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 significant your injuries, the more time you’ll lose from work, the more medical costs you’ll have and the more you will collect in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Plainfield, 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 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 majority of personal injury claims, 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 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” at the time of injury, you have two years from the date the injury was “removed.”

Delaying could bring hurdles to your claim. Your trucking accidents lawyer will need to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury in order to hold liable parties accountable. Furthermore, you need compensation as soon as possible in order to truly recover and be made whole again. Do not delay. Call a Burger Law Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer might still be able to secure you a financial recovery, but the sum will not be as high. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, meaning you will be compensated for the percentage of the crash that you are not to blame for.

So, if a jury determines you should collect $100,000 in compensation, but finds that you are 30 percent at fault 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 more than 50 percent to blame for the crash, you cannot recover any compensation in Plainfield, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to prove that you are not responsible for the harm somebody else caused.

Call Burger Law Today

Plainfield, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer | Burger Law

You do not have to shoulder the burden of mental anguish, physical pain, lost wages and accumulating medical bills just because somebody else broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Plainfield, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team fights hard for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have devoted our careers to ensuring people in bad situations are not preyed on by greedy corporations and lying 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 recover 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 Plainfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away 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!

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