Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Darien, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is an upsetting event that leaves your head spinning. The fact remains that any time you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to financial compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, 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 require legal help. It is important that you have a car accident attorney to fight on your behalf in the following situations:
- Your injuries are severe
- 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 disputes liability or fault in the accident
- There are other complications to your case, such as being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Darien, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond arguing 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 make the most of their injury claims. Burger Law 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 Darien, 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 highly respected and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for over 30 years. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
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 Darien, 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 less 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.
Empathetic and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional hardships an injury can create. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. With more than 30 years of experience, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are dedicated to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work faithfully to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; trust in us to 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 client. 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 committed to excellence in everything we do. We have high ethical standards for the way we handle cases and the way we treat our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Reviews and Victories
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but proving they are qualified is another matter entirely. We are one of the highest-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from almost 500 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case results.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Darien, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to learn more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Liability in Car Accident in Darien, 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 safe. Under Illinois Law, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their responsibility. Did they drive reckless or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the crash directly led to your injury. For example, you were t-boned and broke your arm.
- 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 manufacturer was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained harm because of your injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Fault can be determined through a number of factors. In some cases, the other driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless actors deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining what they believe happened. Then, insurance adjusters will evaluate the police report and other evidence to assign liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to pay out as little money as possible. 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 that you are treated fairly. The attorney will investigate the case further, take depositions of all parties involved, and hire crash experts to evaluate how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance company.
If the insurance company remains firm, your attorney may recommend mediation, where a neutral third party tries to help both parties come to a fair settlement. If they will not be fair in negotiations, your car accident attorney can file a lawsuit in civil court 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 can recover for the portion of the fault you do not bare.
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. 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 more than 50 percent to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Darien, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Darien, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, causing long-term physical, emotional 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 damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to significant, such as loss of consciousness or permanent cognitive impairment.
- 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 the worst case scenario, 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 require immediate 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 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.