Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Englewood, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that introduces sudden pressure. 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 person who caused you harm and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, 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 there are certain situations that call for legal representation. It is crucial that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are severe
- 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 other driver disputes liability or fault in the accident
- There are other complications to your case, such as being in a multi-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were hit by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Englewood, 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 materials 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.
Other Resources
View More FAQs
Why Choose Burger Law For Your Englewood, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to pick the best law firm to represent you. Burger Law is a well-respected and experienced law firm that has been protecting the rights of the injured for more than three decades. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
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 will not back down from a fight. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a 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 our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all attorneys 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 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 Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can create. That is why we have a client-centered approach. With more than 30 years of experience, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work tirelessly to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to spend your time on healing; let us take on the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. That is why we customize 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 providing the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high ethical expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. 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 check out our client testimonials and case results.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Englewood, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to learn more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Englewood, IL?
Determining fault 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 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorists owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their responsibility. Did they drive with excessive speed or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the accident 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 distracted, 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 is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often negligent 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 blame. While adjusters are trained to do this, their primary goal is to save their insurance company money. 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 launch a full investigation into the accident, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party helps analyze the evidence and determine fault. 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 percentage of the accident that is not your fault.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the fault for your injury, you can recover $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 are more than half to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Englewood, IL.
Serious Injuries in Englewood, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, causing 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 damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or temporarily blurry vision, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or permanent dysfunction.
- 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 the worst case scenario, they can lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Fractures — Broken bones 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 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 find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us immediately to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.