Expertise.com carefully selects the top lawyers and law firms across geographical regions based on the following numerous variables across five categories: Reputation, Credibility, Experience, Availability, and Professionalism.

After reviewing the quality and history of thousands of firms in the area, Expertise.com has selected Clifford Law Offices to be recognized among the top legal professionals in the categories of Best Car Accident Lawyers, Best Truck Accident Lawyers, and Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers categories, demonstrating their excellence in these practice areas.

Clifford Law Offices has also been named to the following Expertise.com lists for 2024:

• Personal Injury Lawyers
• Litigation Lawyers
• Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Clifford Law Offices has significant experience representing individuals who have been injured in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents. They have the track record and resources to help you fight for complete compensation and stand up to large corporations.

Click here to learn more about Chicago’s premier personal injury law firm or to schedule a free case consultation.

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The tragedy occurred on September 29, 2023, when several vehicles were involved in a crash near Teutopolis, about 75 miles from the state’s capital, Springfield. At least five other people were injured and airlifted to area hospitals for treatment. Responders in hazmat suits tried to rescue those involved and clean up the highway, which area residents in the tight-knit community called a catastrophe.

A truck carrying about 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia rolled over in a ditch causing the toxic substance to leak out and forcing the evacuation of several hundred residents in the area until late September 30, 2023. About 4,000 gallons reportedly were released in the air. Exposure to anhydrous ammonia exposure can cause breathing difficulty, irritation of the eyes, nose or throat, and burns or blisters.

The Chicago Tribune reported that in addition to having a commercial driver’s license, the person behind the wheel of a toxic-substance tanker must study further and successfully complete a test for a hazardous material endorsement, according to Don Schaefer, CEO of the Mid-West Truckers Association.

“All truck drivers and trucking companies are strictly regulated by the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Regulations, however, those that transport hazardous materials have even much stricter requirements under the regulations,” said Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices and who has successfully tried a number of trucking crash cases, some to record verdicts and settlements. “A thorough investigation of this horrific accident is needed to determine the failures that led to this in order to enhance public safety. While the NTSB likely will investigate this as will the Illinois State Police, the results will be months off. An immediate investigation is needed to protect the interests of the injured and the families who lost loved ones. Clifford Law Offices has conducted many of these investigations in the past and it is important to hire someone who has experience and knows how to get to the bottom of what occurred.”

A 15-member team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are reportedly at the scene and officials expect to hold a press conference on October 1, 2023. Illinois State Police reportedly continue to investigate the scene as the highway remains closed.

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Sofiane Bessai, 33, of Elgin, was driving a car westbound on Interstate 80 with Brayan Jimenez Velasquez, 26, of Lake County, Indiana, when they were rear-ended by a West Side Transport, Inc. semi-truck on Aug. 12, 2022, at approximately 5 p.m. The force of the crash caused the car to veer across the median into eastbound traffic where an oncoming truck crashed into their car. Both men were killed in the crash.

“This crash was caused by the semi-truck driver’s failure to pay attention to the surrounding traffic before changing lanes,” said Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices. “The deaths of these two young men were entirely preventable.”

The case was settled last week before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas V. Lyons II of the Law Division.

“Both men were such wonderful people who came to the United States in search of a better life and were in the prime of making their dreams a reality. Because of this tragic event, their lives and dreams were needlessly cut short,” Pullos said.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Case Name: Abdul Basroui, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Sofiane Bessai, and The Chicago Trust Company, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Brayan Mauricio Jimenez Velasquez v. West Side Transport, Inc., et al.
Case No. 2022 L 011296
Court: Cook County
Defense Counsel: Carlton Fisher, Hinshaw & Culbertson

The post Clifford Law Offices Receives $19.3 Million Settlement on Behalf of Two People Killed When Rear-Ended by Semi appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Durkin spoke about what to do when a large-scale incident occurs and what federal law requires when commercial trucks are involved.

Listen to the entire segment by clicking here.

The post Kevin P. Durkin Speaks on WGN Radio on Tragedy In Downstate Illinois on Interstate 55 appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

As the investigation continues on a two-mile stretch of highway in downstate Illinois, it makes one pause to think if the 72-car pileup should have even happened at all. The Federal Motor Vehicle Carrier Administration and the Department of Transportation expect trucking companies and motor carriers to practice defensive driving – an industry term to mean exercising caution in emergency situations and refraining from operating 80,000-pound tractor-trailers when visibility conditions dictate otherwise.

“Driving a tractor-trailer with little to no visibility is reckless and wanton conduct that can place other motorists in the worst possible scenario – the death and injuries of innocent people,” said Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago. “This terrible tragedy needs to be thoroughly examined so those whose lives have been forever changed have answers.”

Six people have been reported dead and at least 30 more were injured when Interstate 55, outside of Springfield, Illinois, experienced what state police described as zero-visibility on the road for about a two-mile stretch around 11 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2023, when a “dust-out” storm occurred.

Federal motor vehicle laws governing truck drivers require that truck drivers pull over in such conditions. The FMVCA rules state, “If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, operations must immediately be discontinued until the vehicle can again be safely operated.”

Instead, it was reported that semi-trucks carrying heavy loads, and perhaps hazardous materials, crashed into helpless others. “It was very dangerous – the drivers couldn’t see. Truck drivers know that it takes a long time to stop their heavy vehicles when traveling on highways at higher speeds, and if they strike something, the other person doesn’t have a chance,” Clifford said. “Drivers, particularly truck drivers, cannot be in a hurry. In situations like this, safety must take precedence over everything else.”

In the pile-up on I-55 near the state’s capital of Springfield, six people are now dead. Dozens of others are critically injured ranging in age from 2 to 80 years old, including some who had to be airlifted to hospitals. Several tractor-trailers turned over and others burned out on the highway. I-55 reopened Tuesday morning as police continue to examine what happened in this horrible wreckage.

This “dust-out” is very similar to a winter “white-out” when responsible drivers pull off the road and seek shelter to avoid tragedies like this that can be caused by zero-visibility conditions. The incident brings back horrible memories of a family whose car was crushed in a pile-up on I-90 near Rockford, Illinois, during a white-out snowstorm. The Yoder’s car was crushed. Their four-year-old daughter in the back seat was killed and their little two-year-old boy suffered permanent brain damage that required round-the-clock care for the rest of his life. The mom suffered severe skull and facial injuries requiring 31 surgeries. Of course, that family was devastated. Kevin Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a record $38.3 million verdict in 2004 on their behalf.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner, Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

www.CliffordLaw.com

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Because these vehicles are owned and insured by companies rather than individuals, they fall under a different set of standards when it comes to accidents. Knowing you’re dealing with a commercial vehicle can affect the steps you take in the immediate aftermath of the crash, as well as how you and your attorney will handle the claim.

What Exactly Is a Commercial Vehicle?

The Federal Motor Carrier Regulations define a commercial vehicle as:

any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—

1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
4. Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

Translated to everyday language, that means a commercial vehicle is one that’s driven or towed (e.g., a trailer), transporting goods or services, and meets one or more of the following criteria:

1. It weighs more than 10,000 pounds. This point can get confusing quickly, because there are two ways to determine that weight. There’s the gross vehicle weight, which is simply how much the vehicle physically weighs. The gross vehicle weight rating, on the other hand, is the maximum operating weight as determined by the vehicle manufacturer. Typically this information can be found on the sticker inside the vehicle door.Whichever of those is greater — the actual weight or the manufacturer rating — will determine if the vehicle is commercial.For example, a vehicle might weight only 9,000 pounds, but if the manufacturer’s sticker sets the gross vehicle weight rating at 11,001 pounds, you’re dealing with a commercial vehicle.
2. It’s transporting nine or more people for commercial purposes. If a vehicle is carrying eight people plus the driver for a commercial purpose, it’s a commercial vehicle. Common examples of this include paid tourist activities or shuttle vans.
3. It’s transporting more than 15 people, period. Even when no one’s getting paid, if a vehicle is transporting more than 15 people, it’s considered commercial. A church or synagogue outing and other private events fall into this area.
4. It’s moving hazardous materials. Any vehicle will be commercial if it’s transporting any material the government deems hazardous in quantities that require the vehicle to display a special placard. So even a tiny, two-door Smart car carrying compressed gas or radioactive material will be a commercial vehicle.

How Does This Affect My Claim?

Knowing the kind of vehicle you’re dealing with is important in the event of an accident, as it affects how the collision is investigated, who is at fault, and what rights you have in the face of serious injuries or significant property damage.

The good news is, you don’t have to navigate the complex world of commercial vehicle accidents alone should you find yourself in the middle of it. An experienced attorney will be able to help you through its many details to get the best claim possible. That said, it never hurts to arm yourself with a little extra knowledge of what’s on the road ahead of time.

Clifford Law Offices understands the unique elements involved in commercial vehicle accident lawsuits. Contact our Chicago personal injury lawyers to schedule your free consultation.

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Expertise.com carefully selects the top lawyers in the city based on the following five criteria: Reputation, Credibility, Experience, Availability, and Professionalism.

After reviewing 724 Car Accident Lawyers, Expertise listed Clifford Law Offices as one of the top 30 firms. Additionally, the firm was listed in the top 16 Motorcycle Accident Lawyers out of the 2,243 reviewed and in the top 21 Truck Accident Lawyers in Chicago after scoring 2,244 firms.

Clifford Law Offices has also been named to the following Expertise.com lists for 2023:

• Personal Injury Lawyers
• Litigation Lawyers
• Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Clifford Law Offices has extensive experience representing individuals who have been injured in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents. They will fight for fair compensation and offer free case evaluations.

Click here to learn more about Chicago’s premier personal injury law firm.

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At least 16 members of the St. Ignatius Prep High School junior varsity hockey team were injured Saturday, November 12, 2022, when a semi-truck driver slammed into their school bus after the team played in Culver, Indiana, near South Bend. The media reports that the truck driver from New York is being held in police custody pending chemical testing of his blood. DUI-related felony charges are reportedly pending.

“Tragically, companies today face a shortage of competent and responsible truck drivers,” said Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices which has handled similar trucking cases across the country. “Tragically, innocent motorists fall victim to companies that fill the roadways with incompetent and reckless truck drivers. It remains to be seen if that is an issue in this tragic crash.”

Clifford Law Offices obtained an $18.15 million trucking verdict in 2021 in a truck crash in a southern suburb near the Indiana border and previously settled a case in 2020 regarding a truck driver who had known alcohol and drug abuse issues yet was allowed to continue to work by the company. That case settled for a confidential amount.

The truck struck the school bus carrying 26 people on board, mostly 15-year-old student-athletes, as it was making a northbound turn onto Center Street along U.S. Route 30 in Warsaw, Indiana. St. Ignatius is a private college prep school run by Jesuit Catholics; several lawyers at Clifford Law Offices attended that school years ago.

For further information or to speak to a lawyer at Clifford Law Office, contact the firm’s Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

The post Truck Injures St. Ignatius Hockey Team; Clifford Law Speaks Out About Truck Driver Safety Concerns appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Statistically, accidents involving a truck have a much higher potential to leave a victim in critical condition or cause a fatality. Our Chicago-based truck accident attorneys meet your needs with compassion and commitment, knowing that you or your loved one may be suffering for years to come, and seek the physical, emotional, and financial compensation deserved. 

Every truck accident is unique and requires an individualized approach that considers a multitude of factors possibly including the driver, the manufacturer, road conditions, and how the truck was loaded, among other variables. The lawyers at Clifford Law Offices meet these challenges head-on with the goal of uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable for their negligence. 

Clifford Law Offices recently published a truck accident timeline that highlights the firm’s successes in settlements and verdicts from truck accidents throughout our many years of experience. Some key case results from our years in practice include:

2004 – $38.3 Million Verdict 
A mother and her two children were involved in a devastating truck-car collision on Interstate 90. The mother and one child survived. This was the largest verdict in Illinois that year involving a motor vehicle crash and was featured as one of the Top 100 Verdicts in the National Law Journal in 2005.

2008 – $9.05 Million Settlement
A married couple was killed while driving north on Interstate 55 when a van, heading in the opposite direction, crossed the road and struck them head-on.

2014 – $11 Million Settlement
A 55-year-old man sustained head injuries that caused permanent cognitive and neurological impairments, along with extensive burns, after his car was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer truck and burst into flames.

2015 – $20 Million Settlement
A 47-year-old man sustained fractures and internal injuries, leaving him permanently disabled when a tanker truck, carrying hazardous materials, t-boned his vehicle.

2021 – $18.15 Million Verdict
A 17-year-old sustained a traumatic brain injury and serious internal injuries that necessitated an airlift to Stroger Hospital when a truck driver, driving for a large trucking company and under the direction of a national shipper, lost control and crashed onto the shoulder of a highway, striking the teen. At the time of the crash, the plaintiff was lawfully on the shoulder of a highway determining if the brake lights and tail lights on his trailer were working. The plaintiff requires a lifetime of future therapy and caretaking services.

To read the full list of our trucking case highlights, click here. 

Clifford Law Offices is prepared to assist you with your truck accident case, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. The firm’s proven track record of success with litigating trucking accidents speaks for itself. Call our office at (312) 899-9090 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. 

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If you are in an accident with a commercial truck and believe the driver of that vehicle to be responsible, you have the right to file a lawsuit against that person, the trucking company, and any other negligent entity. Illinois is an “at-fault” insurance state, meaning that after a collision, the party found to be responsible for the crash is liable to pay damages.

Crashes involving large trucks often result in more damage and greater injuries simply because of the size of the truck. Because of this, it can take longer to settle these types of cases than it does for those that only involve passenger vehicles.

No two accidents are the same. The exact timeline of your truck accident lawsuit will depend on the specific details of your case. Cases can take anywhere from a few months to well over one year to settle. In general, the more extensive the injuries to people and the damage to property, the longer the timeline for the case.

A few factors can impact your settlement’s timeline:

Investigation. If determining liability gets complex — and it often does in truck accident cases — you can expect the timeline for your settlement to take much longer. Part of this is because the investigation may take longer. A good lawyer will want to examine the potential evidence as thoroughly as possible in order to claim as many bases for liability as they can. It is important for you to collect as much evidence as possible immediately following a truck accident, and to keep a careful record of any medical paperwork and bills relating to your injuries. That will help expedite the acquisition of the important medical records for your care.

Injuries. It is critical to seek medical attention as soon as you can after an accident, even for seemingly small injuries. The extent of your injuries will be a major influence in how long it takes to settle your claim. Often, personal injury cases are resolved only after the victim is fully recovered. Since truck accidents tend to cause greater property damage and personal injuries, it may take longer to resolve such a case.

Insurance. The truck’s insurance company will need time to investigate your claim and negotiate with your attorney. This can be a lengthy process depending on the severity of the accident. The extent of your injuries and subsequent medical treatment are a major factor in these discussions, and if liability is disputed, that could lengthen the proceedings.

Note that trucking companies and their insurance providers do not have your best interests at heart. In all likelihood they will try to avoid paying what they rightfully owe you. Because of that, it is best to navigate a truck accident claim with the help of an experienced truck accident attorney who has gone up against such companies before.

For decades, attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have represented victims of truck accident cases. We are here to help you through this challenging time. Please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090.

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