Burr Ridge Truck Accident Lawyer

After a Burr Ridge Truck Wreck, Speak to an Experienced Cook County Injury Lawyer

Located at the border of Cook and DuPage Counties, Burr Ridge offers the solace of an Illinois small-town getaway coupled with the convenience of access to Chicago’s big-city amenities. As of the 2020 census, Burr Ridge was home to 11,192 people living in over 4,200 households.

Burr Ridge’s access to Hinsdale, Western Springs, Indian Head Park, Willow Springs, and Willowbrook makes Burr Ridge a popular destination for visitors. Travelers, workers, and other commuters also pass through Burr Ridge daily. Traffic counts include many large trucks, which travel to and through Burr Ridge to make deliveries, pick up loads, and carry cargo.

Truck traffic is a vital part of the nation’s economy. Yet large trucks can cause devastating injuries in a crash. If you’re injured in a truck wreck in Burr Ridge, speak to an experienced Burr Ridge truck accident lawyer today. The team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can help.  

Burr Ridge, Illinois Truck Accident Statistics

Truck accidents include any type of commercial truck, from box trucks making deliveries to fully-loaded tractor-trailers. Any truck accident can cause serious injuries.

In 2023, Cook County recorded:

• 5,220 crashes involving a tractor hauling a semi-trailer
• 579 crashes involving a tractor without a semi-trailer attached
• 4,780 crashes involving a single-unit truck
• 786 crashes involving a single-unit truck hauling a trailer

Of these collisions:

• 23 semi-with-trailer crashes were fatal, and 671 caused injuries.
• 2 crashes involving a semi tractor without a trailer claimed lives and 90 caused injuries.
• 16 single-unit truck crashes caused death, and 635 caused injuries.
• 5 single-unit trucks hauling trailers were involved in fatal accidents, and 93 caused injuries.

For 2023, DuPage County had 719 tractor-trailers involved in three fatal accidents and 121 injury-causing wrecks. Trucks without semi-trailers were involved in nine crashes that caused injuries. Single-unit trucks were involved in over 540 collisions; one death and 95 injuries resulted. 

Common Sites of Truck Crashes In and Near Burr Ridge

Burr Ridge encompasses several major Illinois roads and highways. These are also common sites for car wrecks.

• Interstate 294: I-294 carries a large portion of northeastern Illinois’s daily traffic. Commuters to and from Chicago frequently rely on I-294, as do trucks carrying cargo and deliveries through the area. The interchange at I-294 and I-55 can be especially challenging to navigate due to high truck traffic. Drivers unfamiliar with the area may be confused by the layout of this interchange, which differs significantly from many conventional US interstate interchanges.
• Interstate 55: I-55, locally known as the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, connects to both I-294 and County Line Road in Burr Ridge. These interchanges and the traffic they direct can become sites of truck crashes.
• County Line Road: Running north to south through Burr Ridge, County Line Road provides access to many of Burr Ridge’s hotels, restaurants, and businesses. This makes County Line Road a common thoroughfare for large trucks, increasing the risk of a truck crash. 

Busy roads and roads full of businesses are more likely to see high rates of truck traffic. However, it’s important to recognize that trucks are everywhere. The quietest Burr Ridge neighborhood may see daily truck traffic from delivery trucks, maintenance and repair professionals, and other sources. Any road can become the site of a dangerous truck crash. 

What Causes a Truck Wreck?

Trucking is a big business, and trucks are complex machines. Many people and companies share responsibility for putting trucks on the road and maintaining safety. When a truck crash happens, several parties might share responsibility for the wreck. 

Common parties whose negligence may lead to a truck crash include:

• Drivers. A truck’s driver must pay attention to the road and handle the truck safely to avoid preventable crashes. A driver who is intoxicated, distracted, drowsy, speeding, or failing to follow the rules of the road may trigger an accident. 
• Trucking companies. Trucking companies are required to screen and train the drivers they hire. If they fail in this responsibility, a crash may occur. Trucking companies must also ensure drivers follow Hours of Service (HOS) and other safety rules intended to decrease the risk of a preventable crash. 
• Repair and maintenance teams. Some truck drivers, called “owner-operators,” own their trucks. Some trucks are owned by trucking companies. And some companies or drivers lease their trucks – relying on the leasing company’s repair and maintenance teams. When repairs are neglected, maintenance is delayed, or a truck’s parts contain hidden defects, a serious crash may result. Often, the driver will not realize there is a problem until it’s too late to prevent a tragedy.
• Loading and cargo companies. Loading and unloading cargo, especially from tractor-trailers, is an industry all its own. Many drivers handle “no-touch” freight, which means they do not load or unload the truck. Instead, crews load at the loading dock. If cargo is loaded incorrectly, it may shift or fall during transport, causing serious injuries. 
• Truck parts and equipment manufacturers. Even when repair, maintenance, and cargo teams do their jobs correctly, a hidden defect in a truck part, chain, strap, or other cargo equipment can fail. When this happens, a serious accident can result – and the driver, trucking company, and others on the road may be powerless to stop it. 

Each truck crash is unique. An experienced lawyer can investigate the cause of your crash and identify the parties responsible for your injuries. 

What Do I Need To Do To Start A Truck Accident Claim?

Truck accident cases can be complex. When you’re struggling with serious injuries or the sudden death of a loved one, fighting for compensation can be even tougher. Understanding the basics of a truck accident lawsuit can help you ask informed questions and choose an attorney you trust. 

Time Limits for Personal Injury in Illinois

In Illinois, a personal injury claim must be filed in court within two years of the date of injury in most cases. Only a few exceptions exist, and these exceptions only apply in a few narrow cases. 

The two-year limit applies to the date the case is filed. Some complex cases last for more than two years before they are resolved. As long as the case is filed before the two-year deadline arrives, it can be heard in court. 

It’s important not to confuse the two-year court deadline with the deadline to file an insurance claim. Insurers often have shorter deadlines to file a claim – sometimes as short as a few months. An attorney can help you meet every deadline that applies to your case. 

Proving Fault in a Truck Crash Case

Truck crashes can have complex causes. To prove any one party is at fault, an injured person will need to show that:

• The other party (the defendant) had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent harm.
• The defendant “breached” this duty, or failed to use reasonable care to prevent harm.
• The injuries were the actual and foreseeable cause of the defendant’s breach.
• The injuries can be compensated, usually via monetary damages. 

In a truck crash, several parties may share fault. Any of these parties might also try to argue that you are partly or totally at fault for your own injuries. Proving fault can be challenging; an experienced attorney can help. 

Compensation for Injuries After a Large Truck Collision

A truck accident lawsuit seeks compensation for losses inflicted by a truck wreck. These losses include your physical injuries and other losses. 

Common losses compensated in a Burr Ridge truck accident lawsuit include:

• Medical bills, including costs for future medical care,
• Lost wages, including future lost wages if you cannot work due to injury,
• Property damage,
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Loss of care, companionship, support, or consortium. 

Every case is unique. To learn more about the losses and compensation your case might include, speak to an experienced local attorney.

Why You Deserve Representation From an Experienced Burr Ridge Truck Accident Attorney

Trucking is big business. Trucking companies and their insurers rely on attorneys who specialize in defending these companies after a truck crash – even if the company or the driver is at fault. To win a personal injury claim for compensation, you need an experienced attorney to help you level the playing field.

When you hire an attorney with knowledge of Burr Ridge and experience fighting for injured Illinois residents, you get:

• An experienced, top-rated personal injury attorney who will dig deep into your claim and make sure all the facts are fairly presented,
• A dedicated representative who knows how to push back against insurance company delays, denials, and other tactics,
• A passionate advocate who will fight to protect your legal rights throughout the process,
• A committed ally who will ensure you receive full, fair compensation for your current and future needs. 

To learn more, speak to an experienced Burr Ridge truck accident lawyer today. The team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg is here to help. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.