Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Blue Island, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, you deserve financial compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, you may require the help of a good car accident attorney to pursue your claim.
While some minor car accidents can be resolved successfully without the use of an auto accident attorney, some factors necessitate legal help. It is essential that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are significant
- The insurance company is not offering a fair settlement
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
- You need help with the insurance and legal process
- 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 injured by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Blue Island, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm is more than simply presenting your case and communicating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to offer free education and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them make the most of their injury claims. Burger Law has written books on all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Blue Island, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured through no fault of your own, it is crucial 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 three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Recognized Leaders in Car Accident Claims
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 Blue Island, 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 the cases they have won, 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 not more than 5 percent of all attorneys in the United States
- 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 award 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.
Understanding and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know that being injured through another's negligence is stressful and overwhelming. 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 dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your time on healing; trust in us to take on the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. That is why we treat each claim individually. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
Commitment to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to excellence in everything we do. We have high ethical expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Ratings and Results
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but having a demonstrated track record of success is another matter entirely. We are among the highest-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from almost 500 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case victories.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Blue Island, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Blue Island, IL?
Determining fault in a car crash is the first step toward getting compensation. Liability comes down to proving the five elements of negligence:
- Duty of care — That the other driver had an obligation to keep you from unreasonable harm. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their obligation. Did they drive with excessive speed or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the accident caused your injury. For example, you were rear ended and got a concussion from hitting your head on the dashboard.
- Proximate cause — That the breach of duty caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was looking at their phone, or because a mechanic was negligent and the other driver has faulty brakes.
- Damages — That you sustained losses because of your injuries. Do you have medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. Sometimes, the other driver will admit fault, but too often reckless drivers deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will evaluate the accident scene and speak to both parties to help make their report. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to determine liability. While this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal is to save their insurance company money. That means they may deny that it was the other driver's fault, even if that is demonstrably false.
In those cases, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will launch a full investigation into the accident, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to evaluate how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party helps analyze the evidence and determine fault. If they will not be fair in negotiations, your car accident attorney can take your claim to trial and take your claim to trial.
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 will be compensated for the percentage of the accident that is not your fault.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the blame for your accident, you will receive $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 half to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Blue Island, IL.
Devastating Injuries in Blue Island, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, leading to long-term physical, mental and economic consequences. Some injuries we have helped people get compensation for are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — This can occur when the head is violently shaken or struck, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong dysfunction.
- Spinal cord injuries — These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of movement or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can lead permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones — Fractures can occur in any part of the body in a car accident, leading to severe pain and long-term disability.
- 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 fatal.
- 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 change your life in an instant. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us now for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.