Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Adams County, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that causes no small amount of residual stress. The fact remains that any time you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you may need a good car accident attorney to fight for you.
Sometimes you can resolve a minor car accident in a way that is favorable for all parties without involving car accident attorneys. However there are certain situations that call for legal representation. It is crucial that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your in the following situations:
- Your injuries are severe
- The insurance company's offer does not come close to covering your damages
- The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages
- You are unsure of the legal procedures and rights following a car accident
- The other driver or their insurance company is saying you are at fault
- There are other complications to your case, such as those involving multiple parties, hit and run accident or were hit by a government vehicle
Resources for Your Adams County, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm is more than simply arguing your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to provide free materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them through their injury claims. Burger Law has published books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Adams County, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is important to pick the best law firm to represent you. Burger Law is highly respected and experienced law firm that has been protecting the rights of the injured for over 30 years. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your legal needs.
Award-Winning Attorneys That Deliver
To ensure you get full compensation, you need to put your case in the capable hands of a car accident attorney who has earned the respect of the Adams County, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to look at their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the U.S.
- Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor that is comprised of the most qualified lawyers in each state.
- Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Less than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Empathetic and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can create. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. After having fought for over 30 years, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work tirelessly to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to focus on healing; let us stand up to the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. That is why we tailor our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high moral standards for the way we handle cases and the way we treat our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Ratings and Victories
Any car accident attorney can say they know how to handle your case, but proving they are qualified is another matter entirely. We are among the highest-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from almost 500 reviews. You can also check out our client testimonials and case victories.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Adams County, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to discover more about car accident claims and how Burger Law can help.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Adams County, IL?
Assigning fault in a car accident is the first step toward getting compensation. Fault comes down to proving the five elements of negligence:
- Duty of care — That the other driver had a responsibility to keep you safe. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their responsibility. Did they drive with excessive speed or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the accident caused your injury. For example, you were t-boned and broke your arm.
- Proximate cause — That the breach of duty caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was following you too close, or because a manufacturer was negligent and the other driver has faulty brakes.
- Damages — That you sustained harm because of your injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through a number of factors. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often reckless actors try to avoid being held accountable for their actions. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining who they link is liable. Then, insurance adjusters will analyze the police report and other evidence to assign fault. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to make sure their company's profits stay high by denying and minimizing claims. That means they may deny that it was the other driver's fault, even if that is demonstrably untrue.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will investigate the case further, take depositions of all parties involved, and hire crash experts to evaluate how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your attorney may seek mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge helps analyze the evidence and determine fault. If that fails, your car accident attorney can file a lawsuit in civil court, present the evidence to a jury and convince them the other driver was at fault.
The Illinois Comparative Negligence Rule
In many states, including Illinois, adjusters, lawyers and juries can apply the comparative negligence or comparative fault rule to personal injury claims. In comparative fault, you can recover for the portion of the blame you do not share.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, you will receive $70,000. Keep in mind 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 to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Adams County, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Adams County, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your life, leading to long-term physical, mental and financial consequences. Some common examples of serious injuries in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — This can occur when the the brain twists inside of the skull, causing damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, to significant, such as loss of consciousness or permanent disability.
- Spinal cord injuries — These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of mobility or sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can cause permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones — Fractures can often heal well, but cause months or years of pain and discomfort.
- Internal injuries — These can include damage to the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver and others, and require prompt medical attention in order not to be deadly.
- Burns — Burns can occur from the ignition of fuel or from contact with hot surfaces, such as a vehicle's engine or exhaust system. They can cause significant pain and scarring.
At Burger Law, we know how serious injuries can completely turn your life upside down. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us now to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.