Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Collinsville, IL?
Everyone who has been injured in a car accident has a unique experience. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that introduces sudden pressure. Regardless of the specifics, when you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve financial compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you may require the help of 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 some factors require legal help. It is crucial that you have a car accident attorney on your side if the following applies to your case:
- 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 need help with the insurance and legal process
- The other driver disputes liability or fault in the accident
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were hit by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Collinsville, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility is more than simply presenting 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 written books on car accident and personal injury cases, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Collinsville, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured through no fault of your own, it is crucial to pick the best law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is highly respected and experienced law firm that has been protecting the rights of the injured for over 30 years. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Recognized Leaders in Car Accident Claims
It can be hard to know how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for you. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous 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 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 honor that is made up 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.
Understanding and Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and mental hardships an injury can create. That is why we have a client-centered approach. 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 tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; allow 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 tailor our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each client. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on the status of your claim.
Commitment to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high ethical 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.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Collinsville, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to discover more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Collinsville, IL?
Assigning liability 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 a responsibility 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 neglected their responsibility. Did they run a red light or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the crash 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 following you too close, or because a mechanic was negligent and the other driver has faulty brakes.
- Damages — That you sustained losses because of the injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and emotional anguish you can make a claim for?
Fault is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often negligent people 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 evaluate the police report and other evidence to assign liability. 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 false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will gather more evidence, take depositions of all parties involved, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance company.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your attorney may recommend 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, 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 blame you do not bare.
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.
Meaning, if you share more of the blame than the other party, you cannot make a recovery in Collinsville, IL.
Serious Injuries in Collinsville, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your life, causing 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 bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or dizziness, to significant, such as loss of consciousness or permanent 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 bleeding or other injuries 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 scarring.
At Burger Law, we know how serious injuries can completely upend your life. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us immediately for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.