Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Centralia, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is an upsetting event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Any time you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to financial 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, there are certain situations that call for legal representation. It is essential that you have a car accident attorney on your side if the following applies to your case:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- 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 negligent driver or their insurance company is blaming you for your injuries
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a government vehicle
Resources for Your Centralia, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility is more than simply arguing your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we have also taken it upon ourselves to offer 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, created a Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Centralia, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is crucial to pick the right law firm to represent you. Burger Law is a well-respected and experienced law firm that has been defending the rights of the injured for over 30 years. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Award-Winning Attorneys Know How to Win
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know is not afraid to take the case to trial if they have to. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to take into account 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 noteworthy achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all lawyers in the country
- 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 attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Understanding and Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know that being injured through another's negligence is stressful and overwhelming. That is why we have a client-centered approach. With over three decades of experience, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are committed to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work faithfully to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to focus on healing; trust in us to stand up to the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. That is why we treat each claim individually. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and keep in constant contact so you know the status of your claim.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to excellence in everything we do. We have high moral standards for the way we pursue compensation and the way we communicate with our clients. We pursue every possible avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Ratings and Victories
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but proving they are qualified is another matter entirely. We are among the most- and best-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from over 480 reviews. You can also check out our client testimonials and case results.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Centralia, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to find out more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Centralia, IL?
Assigning fault in a car wreck is the first step toward getting compensation. To do that, you and your car accident attorney must prove 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 motorists owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their obligation. Did they drive with excessive speed or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck 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 mechanic was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained harm because of the injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Liability is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often irresponsible drivers 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 this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal 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 launch a complete 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 remains firm, your attorney may recommend 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 can recover 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 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.
That means that if you share more of the blame than the other party, you cannot make a recovery in Centralia, IL.
Serious Injuries in Centralia, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, 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 the brain twists inside of the skull, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to grave, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong disability.
- 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 paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- 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 change your life in an instant. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us today for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.