Trucking Accidents Lawyer Streamwood, IL

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

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. The physical, financial and emotional damage they can do is sudden and ruthless. Because of that, in addition to obeying the conventional rules of the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stringent rules that truck drivers and trucking companies are required to obey in order to help keep everybody on the Streamwood, IL roads safe. When they fail in their duty and harm you, the Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer team will hold them responsible and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

We have an incredible team of attorneys and paralegals that fight the good fight to get you the best possible financial recovery. Our Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer team knows the horrible 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 cases. We settle for nothing but the best results for injured individuals and families in Streamwood, IL. If you sustained and injury because somebody else broke the rules, reach out to a Burger Law Streamwood, 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? | Streamwood, IL Truck Accident Law Firms

Unfortunately, a trucking accidents lawyer in Streamwood, IL frequently has a a lot of cases. As of 2020, there were over 70,000 licensed truck drivers in Illinois according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, meaning Illinois is among the 15 busiest trucking states nationwide. In 2020 there were 9,966 truck accidents that lead to 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 accident because of someone else’s thoughtless behavior, call a Burger Law Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away to talk over your legal options.

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

Truck accidents are far more dangerous than car accidents, especially for people 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. So, they deploy a tremendous amount of force in wrecks and that reaction time is considerably slower to events like tight traffic, accidents that already happened or inclement weather. Their size also means that trucks can be more difficult to steer clear of and are probably going to run into more cars if the driver loses control of the truck. Every Burger Law Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer has seen firsthand how truck accidents can be extremely destructive.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that in 2019 there were 164,731 wrecks that involved large trucks, which led to 5,074 deaths and 81,272 injuries. Despite making up merely 2.4 percent of total auto traffic wrecks, truck accidents accounted 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 collisions are occupants of other vehicles. The financial costs of being hurt in a truck wreck are often massive, which is why every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Streamwood, IL has spent their career securing great compensation for their clients in Streamwood and throughout Illinois.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes | Streamwood, 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 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 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 faster than appropriate for road conditions
  • Fatigue or distracted driving
  • Illegal maneuvers, improper evasive driving or aggressive driving
  • Unfamiliarity with the roadway or truck
• Almost a third of all wrecks involved problems with the truck, such as brake failure or defective tires.
• Environmental factors, such as:
  • Weather-related crashes
  • Traffic conditions
  • Roadway hazards
• Other factors, such as:
  • Overloaded trucks or incorrectly loaded cargo
  • The driver being pressured to driver even though fatigued
  • Illness

Whatever the cause behind your wreck in Streamwood, IL, your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer has seen it before. We will discover the causes of your crash and hold the negligent parties accountable.

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

In the majority of auto accident cases, you would make a claim against another Streamwood, 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 determine which driver is responsible for your injuries. However, one of the things that makes truck accidents unique is that there are frequently several parties that can be found liable. That is why you need a devoted, accomplished and talented trucking accidents lawyer standing by your side.

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

The Trucking Company

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

• Contact drivers that meet the stringent requirements for Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois. Hiring drivers that do not, or hiring a driver with a history of traffic violations, constitutes negligent hiring practices.
• Guarantee the safety of their fleet. 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 fixing faulty components are examples of negligence. Brake issues were a contributing factor in 27 percent of trucking accidents, compared to only 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 heeded. Thirteen percent of trucking accidents involved driver fatigue as an associated factor, in many cases 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 accident case. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Streamwood, IL knows how to acquire all the evidence required to prove your case.

A Shipping Company

Cargo must be adequately loaded onto trucks in order to ensure safety. Overloaded trucks or trucks with unbalanced weight distribution are susceptible to rollover accidents. Improperly loaded cargo can also spill onto Streamwood or Illinois streets and result in multi-vehicle collision. Overweight trucks also take longer to stop, which restricts the driver’s ability to react to situations or dangers on the road.

Mechanics or Manufacturers

Manufacturers have a responsibility to safely design and test their products and recall any components when they find it to be dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a recall is necessary when a vehicle or vehicle equipment “does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.” Failure to do so is an example of product liability. Burger Law’s trucking accidents lawyer team has seen every sort of personal injury case and knows how to get you the best possible compensation no matter the circumstances surrounding your truck wreck injury.

A Government Entity

If your truck accident happened because of infrastructure that was poorly 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 substantial crack in the concrete causes a vehicle to go airborne, causing a domino-effect until you get in a wreck, 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 Streamwood, 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 first, the lawsuit must be brought no later than two years of the date of the accident. If you or a family member has been harmed because of a public truck driver or entity’s negligence, do not wait. Call a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in Streamwood, IL immediately so we can begin working on your case straight away.

Bringing a claim against a public entity in Streamwood, IL is complicated, 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 immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

How to Choose Trucking Accidents Lawyer in Streamwood, IL

You need a trucking accidents lawyer you can trust; an attorney who is committed to your claim and takes it personally. You only have one chance to get a great financial recovery, so finding the right trucking accidents lawyer in Streamwood, IL is essential. Below are some of the things you should contemplate when searching for attorneys:

• Look for Referrals and Recommendations. The majority of trucking accidents lawyer teams will say that they are experienced, that they know how to beat insurance companies and that they care about their Streamwood, IL clients. No one knows a lawyer better than the individuals and families they have stood up for previously. 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 delivered our clients in their video testimonials.
• Make a List of What Matters to You. It is a good idea to have a checklist for any prospective Streamwood, 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 history of getting great recoveries
  • Their qualifications, awards and accolades
  • If they will consistently keep you informed throughout your case
  • If they are willing to fight on your behalf and take your case to trial 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 scare Streamwood, IL insurance companies. That is not always true, and your claim may get lost in the shuffle at a larger firm. We stand out among Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer teams because we offer you the personalized attention of a small firm, but still have the resources and network necessary to secure you great results. Insurance companies fear us because they know that we demand full compensation for our clients.
• Look at their Experience. While you want a Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer that is dedicated and compassionate, you will also want an attorney that has experience taking on complicated cases, fighting back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and collecting full compensation for their clients. Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience — a lot more than many truck accident law firms — holding reckless 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 receiving a percentage of your final compensation. Consequently, our initial case evaluation and investigation are free, and we charge no upfront attorneys fees. There is no reason not to call us to discuss your claim with a Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer.

When you first meet with us, you will see why we have such a high opinion of our Streamwood, 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 Be Awarded For My Injuries? | Streamwood, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer

The money you are awarded will come down to the severity of your injuries, how they have affected your life, and the savvy of your Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer. There are normally two types of compensation available to people who are injured as a result of somebody 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 collect in noneconomic damages. Every Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer knows how to get a Streamwood, 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 (779) 800-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 relatively short at two years for the bulk of personal injury cases, according to 735 ILCS 5/. That means you must file a claim no later than two years after the truck wreck happened. However, there are two notable exceptions:

1. If you were under the age of 18 when you sustained your injury, you have two years to file a claim after your 18th birthday.
2. If you had a “legal disability” when you sustained your injury, you have two years from the day the injury was “removed.”

Delaying could bring impediments to your case. Your trucking accidents lawyer must completely investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury in order to hold negligent parties accountable. Moreover, you need a financial recovery as soon as possible in order to fully heal and be made whole again. Do not delay. Call a Burger Law Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law straight away at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Yes. Your trucking accident lawyer might still be able to secure you compensation, but the sum will not be as high. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that you will be compensated for the part of the crash that is not your fault.

So, if a fact-finder awards you $100,000 in compensation, 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 over 50 percent at fault for the wreck, you will not be able to received any compensation in Streamwood, IL. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer will know how to prove that you are not at fault for the damage someone else caused.

Call Burger Law Today

Streamwood, IL Trucking Accidents Lawyer | Burger Law

You do not have to take on the burden of mental anguish, physical limitations, lost wages and medical expenses that are piling up just because somebody else broke the rules. At Burger Law, our Streamwood, IL-based trucking accidents lawyer team fights hard for the injured and vulnerable throughout Illinois. We have devoted our careers to making sure people in bad situations are not exploited by greedy corporations and dishonest insurance companies. When you hire a Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer, we begin working on your case straight away and do not stop until you are awarded every nickel that you are owed. You do not have to wait any longer to start on your road to healing and being made whole again. Call a Burger Law Streamwood, IL trucking accidents lawyer right away at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.