Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Carroll, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that leaves your head spinning. Any time you are injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to financial 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 pursue your claim.
Sometimes you can resolve a minor car accident in a way that is favorable for all parties without involving car accident attorneys. However some factors require legal help. It is vital that you have a car accident attorney to fight on your behalf if the following applies to your case:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- The insurance company's offer does not come close to fairly compensating you
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
- You need help with the insurance and legal process
- The negligent driver or their insurance company is blaming you for your injuries
- There are other complications to your case, such as being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were hit by a commercial vehicle
Resources for Your Carroll, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond arguing your case and communicating with the insurance company; we have also taken it upon ourselves to provide free materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them make the most of their injury claims. Burger Law has published books on car accident and personal injury cases, is active on our Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Carroll, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to pick the right law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a well-respected and experienced law firm that has been protecting the rights of the injured for more than 30 years. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your legal needs.
Premier Attorneys Know How to Win
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 Carroll, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury 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 other attorneys 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 attorneys 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. Fewer 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 we strive to build personal relationships with our clients. After having fought for more than 30 years, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are devoted to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to focus on healing; let us fight the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. 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 the status of your claim.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. We have high ethical standards for the way we pursue compensation 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
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 check out our client testimonials and case results.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Carroll, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to find out more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Carroll, IL?
Assigning liability in a car wreck 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 from unreasonable harm. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorists need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with pedestrians, bicyclist and other vehicles.
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their obligation. Did they text while driving 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 their negligence caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was looking at their phone, or because a manufacturer was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained losses 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 negligent actors try to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining what they believe happened. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to determine blame. While this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal is to pay out as little money as possible. That means they may say they do not owe you a recovery, 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 launch a full investigation into the accident, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to interpret photographs and the damage to both vehicles to show how the accident occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your attorney may seek mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge tries to help both parties come to a fair settlement. If that fails, your car accident attorney can take your claim to trial, 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 a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that you share 30 percent of the fault for your injury, 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.
Meaning, if you are more than 50 percent to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Carroll, IL.
Serious Injuries in Carroll, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, leading to long-term physical, mental and economic consequences. Some common examples of serious injuries in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — This can occur when the head is violently shaken or struck, causing damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or dizziness, 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 feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, they can lead 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 can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- 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 turn your life upside down. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us immediately to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.