Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Rolling Meadows, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case 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 that was not your fault, you deserve 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 there are certain factors that call for legal representation. It is essential that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your if the following applies to your case:
- You sustained serious injuries in a car accident
- The insurance company is not offering a fair settlement
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
- 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 Rolling Meadows, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm extends beyond arguing your case and negotiating with the insurance company; we have also taken it upon ourselves to provide free materials 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 Rolling Meadows, 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 defending the rights of the injured for over 30 years. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
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 will not back down from a fight. 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 the Rolling Meadows, IL legal community include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a remarkable achievement awarded to not more 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 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 attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Compassionate and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and mental burdens an injury can create. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. After having fought for more than three decades, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are committed to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work tirelessly to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; allow us to stand up to the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. 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 offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high ethical standards for the way we pursue compensation and the way we treat our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
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 one of the most- and best-reviewed law firms, with a 4.9 rating from over 480 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case victories.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Rolling Meadows, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to find out more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Liability in Car Accident in Rolling Meadows, IL?
Assigning liability 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 a responsibility to keep you from unreasonable harm. Under Illinois Law, all drivers need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with others on the road.
- Breach of duty — That they neglected their responsibility. Did they run a red light 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 tailgating, or because a manufacturer was negligent and their brakes were not working.
- Damages — That you sustained losses because of the injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Fault can be determined through a number of factors. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often reckless drivers try to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. After an accident, police officers will write a report explaining what they believe happened. Then, insurance adjusters will review the police report and other evidence to assign liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job is to make sure their company's profits stay high by denying and minimizing claims. That means they may say they do not have to compensate you, 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 acquire more evidence, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to evaluate how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your attorney may seek mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge helps analyze the evidence and determine fault. If they will not be fair in negotiations, your car accident attorney can file a lawsuit in civil court 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 will be compensated for the portion of the fault 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 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.
Meaning, if you are over 50 percent to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Rolling Meadows, IL.
Serious Injuries in Rolling Meadows, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your life, 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 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 disability.
- 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 the worst case scenario, 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 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 scarring.
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.