Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Oak Forest, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. 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 that was not your fault, you deserve financial compensation from the person who caused you harm and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you may require the help of a good car accident attorney to pursue your claim.
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 necessitate legal help. It is crucial 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 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 being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a commercial vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility is more than simply presenting your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to offer free materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them through their injury claims. Our team has published books on car accident and personal injury cases, is active on our Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is crucial to choose the right law firm to represent you. Burger Law is highly respected and experienced law firm that has been defending the rights of the injured for more than three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your legal needs.
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 is not afraid to take the case to trial if they have to. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to look at their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from the Oak Forest, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant 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 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 American Bar Association accredited certification board.
Compassionate and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can cause. That is why we have a client-centered approach. After having fought for more than three decades, 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 tirelessly to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to focus on healing; trust in us to stand up to 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 case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and keep in constant contact so you know the status of your claim.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are dedicated to excellence in everything we do. We have high moral standards for the way we handle cases and the way we treat our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Reviews and Results
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 highest-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 Oak Forest, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to discover more about seeking compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Oak Forest, IL?
Assigning liability in a car accident is the first step toward collecting damages. 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 failed in their obligation. Did they text while driving or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the accident caused 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 distracted, or because a mechanic was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained losses because of the injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and emotional anguish you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless actors 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 determine liability. 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 false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will launch a complete investigation into the accident, take depositions of all parties involved, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party 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, 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 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 share more of the blame than the other party, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Oak Forest, IL.
Serious Injuries in Oak Forest, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, leading to 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 head is violently shaken or struck, causing damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, to significant, 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 sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, 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 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 be made whole again. Call us today to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.