Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Oregon, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. For many, a car accident is a jarring event that leaves your head spinning. Any time 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. To get the full compensation for your damages, you will often need 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 there are certain situations that call for legal representation. It is important that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your in the following situations:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- The insurance company is not offering a fair settlement
- The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages
- 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 government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Oregon, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond arguing your case and communicating 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 car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
Other Resources
View More FAQs
Why Choose Burger Law For Your Oregon, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is crucial to choose the right 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 more than three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Premier 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 Oregon, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to look at the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from the Oregon, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Understanding 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 over 30 years, 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 faithfully to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to spend your time on healing; trust in us to fight 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.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to excellence in everything we do. We have high ethical expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. We pursue every possible avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Reviews and Victories
Any car accident attorney can say they know how to handle your case, but having a demonstrated track record of success is another matter entirely. We are among the highest-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from almost 500 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case victories.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Oregon, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to discover more about seeking compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in Oregon, IL?
Determining liability in a car crash 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 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorists owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their obligation. Did they drive reckless 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 losses because of your injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and emotional anguish 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 that they are to blame, but too often irresponsible 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 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 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 that you are treated fairly. The attorney will acquire more evidence, 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 letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party tries to help both parties find common ground. 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 portion of the blame you do not bare.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but 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 50 percent to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Oregon, IL.
Devastating Injuries in Oregon, 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 shakes inside of the skull, causing damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to grave, 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 severe cases, they can lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Broken bones — Fractures 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 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 scarring.
At Burger Law, we know how serious injuries can completely turn your life upside down. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can be made whole again. Call us now to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.