Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Pontiac, IL?
Each car accident is 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 caused by someone else, 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 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 crucial 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 other 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 injured by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Pontiac, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond presenting 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 through their injury claims. Our team has written books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Pontiac, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is essential to choose the best law firm to represent you. Burger Law is a well-respected and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for over three decades. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Acclaimed Attorneys That Get Results
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 Pontiac, 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 their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from other attorneys include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the country
- 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 honor that is made up 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 American Bar Association accredited certification board.
Understanding and Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional hardships an injury can create. That is why we have a client-centered approach. After having fought for over 30 years, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your time on healing; trust in us to take on the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. That is why we take a personalized approach to each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
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 handle cases and the way we treat our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Ratings 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 almost 500 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case results.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Pontiac, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about car accident claims and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Pontiac, IL?
Determining fault in a car accident is the first step toward collecting damages. Fault comes down to proving 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 need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with pedestrians, bicyclist and other vehicles.
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their obligation. Did they run a red light or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck caused 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 looking at their phone, 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 bills, lost wages and emotional distress you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. In some cases, the other driver will admit fault, but too often negligent people 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 review the police report and other evidence to determine fault. While this is part of an adjuster's job, 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 false.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorney will investigate the case further, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your claim might require a mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge helps analyze the evidence and determine fault. If that fails, 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 percentage of the accident that is not your fault.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, you can recover $70,000. It is important to note 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 cannot make a recovery in Pontiac, IL.
Devastating Injuries in Pontiac, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your life, leading to 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 bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or fatigue, 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 feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- 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 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 immediately for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.