Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Dixon, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. For many, a car accident is an upsetting event that leaves your head spinning. The fact remains that any time you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to 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 necessitate legal help. It is essential that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your 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 are unsure of the legal procedures and rights following a car accident
- The negligent 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 Dixon, 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 offer 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 all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Dixon, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured by someone else's negligence, it is essential to pick the best law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a reputed and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for over three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Award-Winning Attorneys That Deliver
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who you know is not afraid to take the case to trial if they have to. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to look at their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from the Dixon, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all attorneys 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 made up 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 Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can cause. That is why we have a client-centered approach. With over 30 years of experience, 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 relentlessly to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to spend your time on healing; let us take on the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. That is why we take a personalized approach to each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and keep in constant contact so you know the status of your claim.
Commitment to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted 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 pursue every legal avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Reviews and Results
Any car accident attorney can say they know how to handle your case, but proving they are qualified is another matter entirely. We are among the highest-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from over 480 reviews. You can also check out our client testimonials and case victories.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Dixon, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to discover more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Dixon, IL?
Assigning fault in a car accident 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 safe. Under Illinois Law, all drivers need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with others on the road.
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their responsibility. Did they text while driving or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the accident directly led to 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 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?
Fault can be determined through a number of factors. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often reckless drivers try to avoid being held accountable for what they did. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining who they link is liable. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to assign liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, their primary goal 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.
In those cases, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorney will gather more evidence, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, 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 claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party tries to help both parties find common ground. If that fails, your car accident attorney can file a lawsuit in civil court and take your claim in front of a judge and jury.
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 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 accident, 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.
Meaning, if you share more of the blame than the other party, you cannot make a recovery in Dixon, IL.
Serious Injuries in Dixon, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, leading to long-term physical, emotional 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 fatigue, to severe, 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 sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- 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 damage to the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver and others, and require immediate medical attention in order not to be fatal.
- 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 find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us today to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.