Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Justice, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is an upsetting event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Regardless of the specifics, when you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to financial compensation from the person who caused you harm and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, you may need a good car accident attorney to fight for you.
While some minor car accidents can be resolved successfully without the use of an auto accident attorney, there are certain situations that call for legal representation. 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 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
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as being in a multi-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a commercial vehicle
Resources for Your Justice, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility extends beyond arguing your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to provide free education and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them through their injury claims. Burger Law has written books on car accident and personal injury cases, is active on our Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Justice, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to choose 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. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Recognized Leaders in Car Accident Claims
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 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 our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a remarkable 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 lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Empathetic 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. After having fought for more than three decades, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are devoted to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your time on healing; allow 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 tailor our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of 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 committed to excellence in everything we do. We have high moral 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 most- and best-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 Justice, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to learn more about seeking compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Justice, 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 motorists need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with others on the road.
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their obligation. Did they text while driving or drive drunk?
- 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 distracted, or because a manufacturer was negligent and the other driver has faulty brakes.
- 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?
Liability is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often irresponsible actors deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining who they link is liable. Then, insurance adjusters will analyze the police report and other evidence to assign blame. While this is part of an adjuster's job, their real job is to make sure their company's profits stay high by denying and minimizing claims. That means they may deny that it was the other driver's fault, even if that is patently false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will investigate the case further, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to interpret photographs and the damage to both vehicles to show how the accident occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance company.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your claim might require a mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge 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 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.
Meaning, if you share more of the blame than the other party, you cannot make a recovery in Justice, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Justice, 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 the brain shakes inside of the skull, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to grave, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong cognitive impairment.
- 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 lead permanent paralysis.
- 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 change your life in an instant. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us immediately for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.