Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in Ravenswood, 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. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve compensation from the responsible person 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 essential that you have a car accident attorney on your side if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are severe
- 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 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 Ravenswood, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm is more than simply 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, is active on our Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Ravenswood, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is important to pick the right law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is highly respected and experienced law firm that has been defending the rights of the injured for more than 30 years. Here 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 the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to not more 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers 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 burdens an injury can create. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. With over 30 years of experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to focus on healing; let us take on the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are the same. That is why we personalize our legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each case. Our attorneys explain the legal process to you and always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
Dedication to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are committed to providing the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high ethical expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. We pursue every legal avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Reviews and Victories
Any car accident attorney can say they will fight for you, 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 check out our client testimonials and case results.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Ravenswood, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to learn more about car accident claims and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Liability in Car Accident in Ravenswood, IL?
Assigning fault in a car accident is the first step toward collecting damages. 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 from unreasonable harm. Under Illinois Law, all drivers owe all others on the road "due care."
- Breach of duty — That they neglected 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 tailgating, or because a manufacturer was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained harm because of the injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering 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 people deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining what they believe happened. Then, insurance adjusters will analyze the police report and other evidence to determine blame. While this is part of an adjuster's job, 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 untrue.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will gather 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 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 a neutral third party tries to help both parties come to a fair settlement. If they will not be fair in negotiations, 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 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 accident, you will receive $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 will not be able to recover any compensation in Ravenswood, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Ravenswood, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your daily life and future, leading to long-term physical, emotional and financial consequences. Some common examples of serious injuries in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — This can occur when the the brain moves inside of the skull, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong dysfunction.
- Spinal cord injuries — These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of mobility or sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can lead 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 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 turn your life upside down. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us now for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.