Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Park 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 introduces sudden pressure. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, 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 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 essential 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 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 to Help With Your Park Forest, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm is more than simply presenting your case and communicating with the insurance company; we have also taken it upon ourselves 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 published 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 Park Forest, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured by someone else's negligence, it is important to pick the best law firm to represent 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 legal needs.
Recognized Leaders in Car Accident Claims
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 their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from other attorneys include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all lawyers 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Understanding 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. With more than 30 years of experience, 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 they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; let us stand up to the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. That is why we personalize our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each client. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on the status of your claim.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high moral 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 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 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 Park Forest, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to learn more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Park Forest, IL?
Determining fault in a car accident 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 motorists owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their obligation. Did they text while driving or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the accident directly led to your injury. For example, you were rear ended and that gave you a whiplash injury.
- Proximate cause — That the breach of duty caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was looking at their phone, 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 can be determined through numerous factors. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often irresponsible drivers deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining who they link is liable. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to assign liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, 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 demonstrably false.
In those cases, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will investigate the case further, take depositions of all parties involved, 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 change their position.
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 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 portion of the blame you do not share.
Meaning, if a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that you share 30 percent of the fault 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.
That means that if you are more than 50 percent to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Park Forest, IL.
Serious Injuries in Park Forest, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, causing long-term physical, mental and financial 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 temporarily blurry vision, 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 mobility or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, they can lead permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones — 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 bleeding or other injuries 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 upend your life. 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.