Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Lake Zurich, 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. Any time you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, you will often 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 important 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'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 negligent driver or their insurance company is blaming you for your injuries
- There are other complications to your case, such as being in a multi-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a government vehicle
Resources for Your Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm is more than simply arguing your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important 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 is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured in a car accident, it is crucial 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 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 noteworthy achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the U.S.
- 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 lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Understanding and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and mental burdens an injury can cause. 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 dedicated 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; trust in us to take on the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. 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 dedicated to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. 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
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 over 480 reviews. You can also check out our client testimonials and case results.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Lake Zurich, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to learn more about seeking compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Lake Zurich, IL?
Determining fault in a car crash 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 a responsibility to keep you safe. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorists need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with pedestrians, bicyclist and other vehicles.
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their responsibility. Did they run a red light or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck 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 speeding, or because a manufacturer 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 emotional anguish you can make a claim for?
Fault is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. Sometimes, the other driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless drivers deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will evaluate the accident scene and speak to both parties to help make their report. Then, insurance adjusters will analyze the police report and other evidence to assign fault. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to save their insurance company money. That means they may say they do not owe you a recovery, even if that is demonstrably untrue.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will gather more evidence, take depositions of all parties involved, 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 letter to the insurance adjuster.
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 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 can recover for the portion of the blame you do not bare.
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.
Meaning, if you are more than half to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Lake Zurich, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Lake Zurich, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, leading to 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 damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or fatigue, 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 movement or sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, they can cause 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 prompt 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 change your life in an instant. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us now to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.