Trucking Accidents Lawyer Springfield, IL

Trucking Accidents Lawyer Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer straight away at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, financial and emotional damage they can do is immediate and harsh. That is why, in addition to obeying the conventional rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent standards that truck drivers and trucking companies have to obey in order to safeguard the safety of everyone on the Springfield, IL roads. When they fail in their duty and harm you, the Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them responsible and get you the maximum compensation you are owed.

We have a dedicated team of attorneys and paralegals that fight by your side to get you the best possible compensation. Our Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the terrible impact an injury from a truck accident can have on your life. We also know how to investigate, negotiate, litigate and win truck accident injury claims. We insist on nothing but the best results for the injured in Springfield, IL. If you have been injured because someone else was negligent, contact a Burger Law Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form to start on the road to being made whole again.

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

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

If you have been injured in a truck crash due to somebody else’s dangerous actions, contact a Burger Law Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer now to go over your legal options.

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

Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than car accidents, particularly for drivers and passengers in smaller, passenger vehicles. On average trucks are 20 to 30 times heavier and stopping takes 20 to 40 percent more time than passenger cars. That means they bring a huge amount of force in accidents and that response time is significantly slower to hazards like traffic jams, accidents that already happened or weather conditions. Their size also means that trucks can be more difficult to steer clear of and are probably going to collide with more vehicles if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer has knows all too well how truck accidents can be tremendously 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 fatalities and 81,272 injuries. Despite making up just 2.4 percent of total motor vehicle traffic wrecks, truck accidents were responsible 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 killed in large truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles. The financial costs of being harmed in a truck collision are often enormous, and that is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Springfield, IL has spent their life securing full compensation for their clients in Springfield and throughout Illinois.

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

• Eighty-seven percent of crashes 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, inadequate evasive action or aggressive driving
  • Not being familiar with the roadway or truck
• Almost a third 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 incorrectly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to operate even though fatigued
  • Illness

Whatever the cause behind your wreck in Springfield, 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 negligent parties accountable.

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

In the majority of auto accident cases, you would file a claim against another Springfield, 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 their 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 often multiple parties at fault. That is why you need a devoted, accomplished and skilled trucking accidents lawyer to fight on your behalf.

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

The Trucking Company

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

• Contact drivers that satisfy the stringent conditions for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Not doing so, or hiring a driver with a history of traffic violations, amounts to negligent hiring practices.
• Confirm the safety of their vehicles. Illinois and Federal Law obligates pre-trip and annual inspections carried out by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively. Not performing inspections or not fixing defective parts are examples of negligence. Brake problems were an associated factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, compared to only 2 percent in other auto crashes.
• Make sure their drivers get enough rest. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an Hours of Service Guide for Truck Drivers that must be heeded. Thirteen percent of trucking accidents involved driver fatigue as a contributing factor, frequently because an employer was pressuring the driver to drive off little rest.

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

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be properly loaded onto trucks in order to ensure safety. Overloaded trucks or trucks with lopsided weight distribution are more likely to rollover. Improperly loaded cargo can also spill onto Springfield or Illinois streets and result in multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also have increased stopping times, which restricts the driver’s ability to respond to conditions or hazards on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have a responsibility to safely design and test their products and recall any components when they discover it to be hazardous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states 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 product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has seen every variety of personal injury claim and knows how to deliver you the best possible financial recovery whatever the circumstances of your truck crash injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident happened because of infrastructure that was poorly designed or inadequately 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 causes a vehicle to overturn, causing a chain of events until you get in a crash, your truck accident attorneys will help you hold the local entity responsible for that property accountable.

To file a claim against a public entity in Springfield, 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 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 Springfield, IL immediately so we can get working on your claim without delay.

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

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in Springfield, IL

You require a trucking accidents lawyer you can trust; an attorney who is devoted to your claim and takes your recovery personally. You only have one chance to get the best possible compensation, so finding the right trucking accidents lawyer in Springfield, IL is crucial. Below are several of the things you should consider 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 they care about their Springfield, IL clients. No one knows an attorney’s abilities better than the people they have advocated for previously. Burger Law is the most- and highest-reviewed trucking accidents lawyer team in the Midwest. You can check out some of the great compensation we have won for our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Matters to You. It is recommended to have a checklist for any prospective Springfield, 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 recoveries
  • Their qualifications, awards and accolades
  • If they will consistently let you know the progress of your case
  • If they are willing to fight for you and take your case to trial if they cannot secure a fair settlement in negotiations
• Consider the Size of the Firm. A trucking accidents lawyer team at a large firm may seem like the best option because they have the resources and ability to scare Springfield, IL insurance companies. That is not consistently the case, and your case may get lost in the shuffle at a larger firm. We are distinct among Springfield, 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 secure you great results. Insurance companies fear us because they know that we settle for nothing but full compensation for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is committed and driven, you will also want an attorney that has experience taking on complex cases, fighting back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and receiving full financial recoveries for their clients. Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience — far more than a lot of 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. Rather than charging by the hour, we are paid by receiving a percentage of your final compensation. Meaning, our initial case review and investigation are at no-cost, and there are no upfront attorneys fees. There is no risk in calling us to go through your case with a Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, we have no doubt that you will see why we think so highly of our Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer team. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT so we can get working on your case right away.

What Damages Can I Recover For My Injuries? | Springfield, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The money you collect will depend on the significance of your injuries, the effect they have had on your life, and the skill of your Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are generally two categories of damages available to people who are injured as a result of someone else’s negligent actions.

• 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 worse your injuries, the more time you’ll lose from work, the more medical costs you’ll have and the more you will get in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Springfield, IL insurance adjuster, judge or jury to see your injuries from your perspective and see the full consequences your injuries have had on your life. Call Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT to get a full 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 most 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 important exceptions:

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

Delaying could bring impediments to your claim. Your trucking accidents lawyer will need to completely investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident in order to hold the at-fault parties accountable. Moreover, you need compensation as soon as possible in order to truly heal and be made whole again. There is no reason to delay. Call a Burger Law Springfield, 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? | Springfield, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer might still be able to secure you compensation, although the sum will not be as high. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, meaning you will be compensated for the part of the accident that you are not at fault for.

Meaning, if a fact-finder gives you $100,000 in compensation, but determines that you are 30 percent at fault 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 more than 50 percent to blame for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation in Springfield, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to prove that you are not responsible for the damage another person caused.

CALL BURGER LAW TODAY

Springfield, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer | Burger Law

You do not have to shoulder the weight of mental anguish, physical pain, lost wages and rising medical expenses just because another person broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Springfield, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team fights hard for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have committed our careers to making sure 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 get working on your case right away and do not rest until you receive every dollar that you are owed. 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 Springfield, IL trucking accidents lawyer now at (314) 500-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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