Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Round Lake Beach, IL?
Everyone who has been injured in a car accident has a unique experience. For many, a car accident is a jarring event that leaves your head spinning. The fact remains that any time you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve 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 crucial that you have a car accident attorney to fight on your behalf if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are severe
- The insurance company is lowballing you
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
- You are unsure of the legal procedures and rights following a car accident
- The negligent driver disputes liability or fault in the accident
- There are other complications to your case, such as being in a multi-car accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a government vehicle
Resources to Help With Your Round Lake Beach, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility is more than simply arguing your case and negotiating 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 published books on all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Round Lake Beach, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to pick the right law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a well-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 claim.
Recognized Leaders in Car Accident Claims
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 Round Lake Beach, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The many awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from our peers include:
- Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys 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 made up 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.
Empathetic and Experienced 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. After having fought for over three decades, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work relentlessly to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to focus on healing; allow us to take on the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that every client and every case is unique. That is why we treat each claim individually. 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 devoted 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 Ratings and Results
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but proving they are qualified is another matter entirely. We are among 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.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in Round Lake Beach, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to learn more about seeking compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Round Lake Beach, IL?
Assigning liability in a car crash 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 failed in their responsibility. Did they drive reckless or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck directly led to 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 your injuries. Do you have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Fault is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit fault, but too often irresponsible people 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 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 demonstrably untrue.
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 all parties involved, and hire crash experts to evaluate how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand package to the insurance adjuster.
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 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 can recover for the portion of the blame you do not share.
Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the blame 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 Round Lake Beach, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Round Lake Beach, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, causing long-term physical, emotional and economic consequences. Some common examples of serious injuries in car accidents include:
- 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 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 mobility or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In severe cases, they can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Broken bones — Broken bones 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 find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us today to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.