Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Irving Park, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a jarring event that introduces sudden pressure. Regardless of the specifics, when 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. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you will often need 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 vital that you have a car accident attorney to fight on your behalf in the following situations:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- The insurance company's offer does not come close to covering your damages
- 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-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were hit by a commercial vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Irving Park, 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 materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them make the most of their injury claims. Burger Law has published books on all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Irving Park, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is important to choose the best law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a reputed and experienced law firm that has been protecting the rights of the injured for over three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Premier Attorneys That Deliver
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 Irving Park, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from the Irving Park, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to less 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 award that is comprised 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. Less than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Compassionate and Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know that being injured through another's negligence is stressful and overwhelming. 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 have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are devoted to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, 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 no two clients or cases are the same. That is why we personalize our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are dedicated to excellence in everything we do. 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 Results
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but having a demonstrated track record of success 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 Irving Park, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Irving Park, IL?
Assigning fault in a car wreck is the first step toward getting compensation. Liability comes down to proving the five elements of negligence:
- Duty of care — That the other driver had a responsibility 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 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 their negligence caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was tailgating, or because a manufacturer 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 distress you can make a claim for?
Fault can be determined through a number of factors. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless drivers try to avoid being held accountable for what they did. After an accident, police officers will evaluate the accident scene and speak to both parties to help make their report. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to determine blame. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job 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 patently untrue.
In those cases, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorney will launch a complete 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 send this information to the insurance adjuster to get them to be fair.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, 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 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 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 accident, 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 half to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Irving Park, IL.
Serious Injuries in Irving Park, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, 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 moves inside of the skull, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, 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 mobility or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Broken bones — Broken bones 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 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 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.