Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Bucktown, IL?
Everyone who has been injured in a car accident has a unique experience. For many, a car accident is an upsetting event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to compensation from the person who caused you harm and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you may need 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 crucial that you have a car accident attorney to fight on your behalf in the following situations:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- The insurance company's offer does not come close to fairly compensating you
- 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 blaming you for your injuries
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as being in a multi-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a government vehicle
Resources for Your Bucktown, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond presenting your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we have also taken it upon ourselves to provide free education and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them through their injury claims. Our team has published books on all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Bucktown, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to choose 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 more than three decades. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Acclaimed 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 Bucktown, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from the Bucktown, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all lawyers nationwide
- 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 Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional hardships an injury can cause. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. With more than three decades of experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are devoted to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; let us stand up to the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are the same. That is why we take a personalized approach to each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on the status of your claim.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. We have high moral expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. We pursue every legal avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Ratings and Victories
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but having a demonstrated track record of success is another matter entirely. We are one of the most- and best-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 Bucktown, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to learn more about car accident claims and how Burger Law can help.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Bucktown, IL?
Determining liability in a car wreck is the first step toward collecting damages. Fault 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 Illinois Law, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their obligation. Did they run a red light or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the accident caused your injury. For example, you were t-boned and broke your arm.
- Proximate cause — That their failure caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was speeding, or because a manufacturer 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?
Fault can be determined through numerous factors. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often irresponsible people try to avoid being held accountable for what they did. 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 fault. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to pay out as little money as possible. That means they may say they do not have to compensate you, even if that is demonstrably false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorney will acquire more evidence, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party 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 will be compensated for the portion of the fault you do not share.
Meaning, if a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that you share 30 percent of the fault for your injury, you can recover $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 half to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Bucktown, IL.
Serious Injuries in Bucktown, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, causing long-term physical, mental and financial consequences. Some injuries we have helped people get compensation for are:
- 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 loss of balance, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or permanent dysfunction.
- 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 the worst case scenario, they can lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Fractures — 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 disfigurement.
At Burger Law, we know how serious injuries can completely upend your life. 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.