All motorists have a legal responsibility to keep the road safe and avoid endangering other people. Unfortunately, not all drivers take this responsibility seriously. If you were hit by a driver who showed a clear disregard for safety, you may have a strong case for compensation through a personal injury claim. Our Orland Park, IL car accident attorney can help you file a claim against a careless driver to help you recover payment for your damages.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we can help you get to the root of the accident and show who was…
Continue Reading Holding Bad Drivers Accountable for Car Accidents

It is no exaggeration to say that many truck accidents are life-threatening. If you or a loved one has been badly injured in one of these collisions, it is only natural to want justice. But who can be held responsible? The answer depends on the specifics of your case. The trucking company itself can be held liable in some circumstances. A Cook County, IL auto accident attorney can help you pursue a claim, standing up for your rights.
No case is too big or too small for our firm. At Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we can assist…
Continue Reading When Can a Trucking Company Be Held Liable for an Accident?

If you have been injured in an accident caused by another person, you may be entitled to significant compensation. In order to get the compensation you deserve, you must prove that the other party caused the accident through negligence. In Illinois, the law of comparative negligence can play a major role in how much compensation you receive for your damages. An Orland Park, Illinois personal injury attorney can work with you to maximize the value of your claim.
At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we provide dedicated counsel and representation for a wide variety of accidents. As…
Continue Reading What Is Comparative Negligence and Why Does It Matter?

When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe to use. Unfortunately, some products cause serious injuries and illnesses. Whether you use a defective appliance or an unsafe medical device, the harm you could suffer from these products can be painful, costly, and impact your life. Most personal injury cases require you to establish that someone else’s negligence directly caused your accident, injuries, and related losses. If you were hurt by a defective product, you may be wondering whether you have to prove someone was negligent to file a claim for compensation.
In many product liability cases,…
Continue Reading Do I Have to Prove Negligence for a Product Liability Claim?

You probably see Amazon, UPS, and FedEx delivery trucks on the roads every day. These huge companies deliver billions of packages every year to both businesses and residences. Like any other type of motor vehicle, these last-mile delivery trucks can cause accidents that harm others.
Last-mile delivery accidents often lead to complex personal injury claims. To maximize your compensation, it is best to work with our skilled Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer.
What Complications Could You Face in a Last-Mile Delivery Crash Claim?
To obtain compensation in a personal injury case, you need to provide evidence…
Continue Reading What Makes Last-Mile Delivery Accident Claims More Complex?

Summer in Illinois brings sun, festivals, and family adventures. But it is also a time of increased preventable injuries. As children race across wet pool decks or people drive off-road vehicles without helmets, the potential for accidents can escalate quickly. When those accidents are caused by someone else’s carelessness, they are not just misfortunes. They may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Not every injury leads to legal action, but when someone’s negligence directly causes harm, the law may offer a path to recovery. If you want to know more, you can talk to our Cook County, IL personal…
Continue Reading Common Summer Injuries That Give Rise to Lawsuits

In Illinois, slip-and-fall accidents that occur because of someone else’s negligence can become personal injury claims, requiring the responsible party to pay for the related damages. However, not every slip-and-fall incident is a valid civil claim, even if it results in an injury. If you fell and were injured on someone else’s property, a Cook County, IL personal injury attorney will assess your case for liability and recoverable damages.
What Counts as a Slip-and-Fall Accident in Illinois?
The phrase “slip and fall” can be misleading. What constitutes a personal injury from a slip-and-fall accident under Illinois law can include many…
Continue Reading Who Pays for Losses if You Slip and Fall on Someone’s Property?

A drunk driving accident can change your life in an instant. If you were injured by an intoxicated driver, you may assume their fault will be obvious — but even in these cases, the burden still falls on you to prove that the other driver’s actions directly caused your injuries. Working with a skilled Cook County, IL DUI injury attorney is essential for building a strong personal injury case and recovering the compensation you deserve.
At Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we represent people who have been injured by impaired drivers in serious car accidents. We understand…
Continue Reading How Can a DUI Injury Attorney Prove Liability After a Crash?

Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare companies that complete billions of rides for global customers every year. Rideshare services are generally reliable, but accidents happen. When you are injured in a rideshare accident by another party, you may have questions about liability for the incident.
Our Illinois personal injury attorney at the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. understands how concerned you could be about your medical bills, lost earnings, and other losses after a rideshare crash. Illinois personal injury attorney J. Francis Barker offers free consultations to those who think another party’s negligence has injured them.
Liability…
Continue Reading What Should I Know About Rideshare Accident Liability? 

Spring is in the air, meaning that baseball season is underway. Whether you are watching your child’s T-ball game, your favorite high school game, or a Cubs home game, you expect the facility to be safe and well-maintained. Many times, you can file a premises liability claim if you are hurt at a game.
If you are injured as a spectator at a baseball game, you could be entitled to compensation. However, the Baseball Facility Liability Act may apply if the source of your injury is a foul ball or a thrown bat that entered the spectator seating area. Our…
Continue Reading What Is the "Baseball Rule" If I Am Hurt at a Game?

At some point during the day, most people are pedestrians. You may walk from your car into a store, to catch a bus, or into your office from a parking area. Many people also walk, jog, and run for exercise. Unless you remain on a sidewalk at all times, chances are that you will share the street with motor vehicles.
Some people believe that pedestrians always have the right of way, and that drivers are always at fault in pedestrian accidents. The reality is that that is not always true. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, a…
Continue Reading Can Pedestrians Share Fault for Car Accidents?

Rush hour in Chicagoland happens twice every weekday, generally from 6 AM to 9 AM and again from 3 PM to 7 PM. Lunchtime traffic is heavier also. The chances of being injured in an I-80 collision increase during rush hour traffic, especially with so many large trucks in the area. I-80 in Will County sees around 80,000 vehicles every day, with approximately 20,000 being tractor-trailers. A multi-year road construction project is underway to improve safety on I-80, but until it is complete, road construction zones add to the rush hour dangers.
It may not be possible to avoid traveling…
Continue Reading Is Rush Hour Traffic on I-80 More Dangerous?

Accident-related injuries happen every day, ranging in severity from extremely minor to exceptionally severe. Catastrophic injuries are often life-threatening; if the victim survives, her life is likely altered permanently.
If someone else’s negligence caused your catastrophic injuries, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. However, no insurance company actually wants to pay fair value for claims, especially those with high damages. Partnering with the aggressive Orland Park, IL car accident attorney at the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. means I will fight to obtain the highest possible amount of compensation on your behalf…
Continue Reading Will My Settlement Be Higher for Catastrophic Injuries?