Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that introduces sudden pressure. Any time you are injured in a car accident caused by someone else, 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 will often 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 factors that call for legal representation. It is important that you have a car accident attorney on your side if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are severe
- The insurance company is lowballing you
- The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages
- You need help with the insurance and legal process
- The negligent driver disputes liability or fault in the accident
- There are other complications to your case, such as those involving multiple parties, hit and run accident or were hit by a commercial vehicle
Resources for Your Mount Vernon, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility extends beyond presenting your case and communicating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to provide free materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them make the most of their injury claims. Our team has published books on all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, is active on our Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
View More FAQs
Why Choose Burger Law For Your Mount Vernon, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured by someone else's negligence, it is imperative to choose the right law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a reputed and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for more than 30 years. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Premier Attorneys That Deliver
It can be hard to know how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for you. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases 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 take into account the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all attorneys in the United States
- 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 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.
Empathetic and Knowledgeable 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 achieve the best possible outcome, and we work tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; trust in us to take on the insurance company.
Customized 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 providing the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high moral standards for the way we pursue compensation and the way we communicate with our clients. 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 among the most- and best-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from over 480 reviews. You can also check out our client testimonials and case results.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Mount Vernon, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to find out more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Mount Vernon, IL?
Determining 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 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their responsibility. Did they run a red light or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the accident directly led to your injury. For example, you were rear ended and got a concussion from hitting your head on the dashboard.
- 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?
Fault is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. Sometimes, 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 review the police report and other evidence to assign liability. While this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal is to make sure their company's profits stay high by denying and minimizing claims. That means they may say they do not have to compensate you, even if that is patently false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorney will obtain 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 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 will be compensated for the percentage of the accident that is not your fault.
Meaning, if a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that 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 are more than half to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Mount Vernon, IL.
Devastating Injuries in Mount Vernon, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, causing 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 head is violently shaken or struck, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, to grave, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong disability.
- Spinal cord injuries — These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of movement or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can cause permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones — Broken bones can often heal well, but cause months or years of pain and discomfort.
- Internal injuries — These can include bleeding or other injuries 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 be made whole again. Call us today for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.