Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Riverdale, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that introduces sudden pressure. The fact remains that any time you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to compensation from the person who caused you harm and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, 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 some factors require legal help. It is important 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 negligent 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 commercial vehicle
Resources for Your Riverdale, 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 have also taken it upon ourselves to offer free materials and resources to people injured in car accidents to to help them make the most of their injury claims. Our team has published books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Riverdale, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured in a car accident, it is essential to pick 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. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Acclaimed Attorneys That Deliver
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who you know will not back down from a fight. 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 notable achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys 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 attorneys are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.
Empathetic and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know that being injured through another's negligence is stressful and overwhelming. That is why we have a client-centered approach. With more than 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 recovery both physically and financially, and we work relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your time 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 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.
Commitment 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 possible avenue to get you the compensation you deserve.
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 one of the most- and best-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 Riverdale, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Riverdale, IL?
Assigning fault in a car wreck is the first step toward getting compensation. Fault comes down to proving 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 failed in their responsibility. Did they run a red light or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the crash directly led to your injury. For example, you were rear ended and got a concussion from hitting your head on the dashboard.
- 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 mechanic was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained harm because of the injuries. Do you have medical bills, lost wages and emotional anguish you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. Sometimes, the other driver will admit fault, but too often negligent drivers try to avoid being held accountable for their actions. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining who they link is liable. Then, insurance adjusters will evaluate the police report and other evidence to determine liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to pay out as little money as possible. That means they may say they do not owe you a recovery, even if that is patently false.
When that happens, 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 both drivers and eyewitnesses, 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 refuses to be fair, your attorney may seek 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 to trial.
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 portion of the blame you do not bare.
Meaning, if a jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but finds that you share 30 percent of the blame for your accident, 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 Riverdale, IL.
Devastating Injuries in Riverdale, IL Car Accidents
Catastrophic injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, leading to long-term physical, mental 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 bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to significant, 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 mobility or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can cause 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 damage to the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver and others, and require prompt medical attention in order not to be deadly.
- 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 turn your life upside down. 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.