Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in North Chicago, IL?
Everyone who has been injured in a car accident has a unique experience. For many, a car accident is a jarring event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to financial compensation from the responsible person 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 factors that call for legal representation. It is vital that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your in the following situations:
- Your injuries are severe
- 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
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as those involving multiple parties, hit and run accident or were hit by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your North Chicago, 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 written books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your North Chicago, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured in a car accident, it is essential 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. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your legal needs.
Acclaimed Attorneys Know How to Win
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 North Chicago, 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 their previous victories, 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 remarkable achievement awarded to less 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 award that is comprised 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. 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 the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can cause. 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 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 relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; allow us to fight the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. 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.
Commitment to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are committed to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high moral standards for the way we handle cases and the way we treat our clients. We pursue every possible avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Reviews and Victories
Any car accident attorney can say they will fight for you, 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 over 480 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case results.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in North Chicago, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about seeking compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in North Chicago, IL?
Assigning fault 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 an obligation to keep you safe. Under Illinois Law, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their obligation. 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 following you too close, 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. Sometimes, the other driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless drivers try to avoid taking responsibility 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 analyze the police report and other evidence to assign fault. While adjusters are trained to do this, their primary goal is to pay out as little money as possible. That means they may deny that it was the other driver's fault, even if that is patently untrue.
In those cases, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. 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 send this information to the insurance adjuster to get them to be fair.
If the insurance company remains firm, your claim might require a mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge tries to help both parties come to a fair settlement. If that fails, your car accident attorney can file a lawsuit in civil court, 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 a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that you share 30 percent of the fault for your injury, 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.
That means that if you share more of the blame than the other party, you will not be able to recover any compensation in North Chicago, IL.
Serious Injuries in North Chicago, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, causing long-term physical, emotional and economic 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 fatigue, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or permanent cognitive impairment.
- 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 permanent paralysis.
- Fractures — Fractures 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 today to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.