Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney in South Holland, IL?
Everyone who has been injured in a car accident has a unique experience. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that leaves your head spinning. Any time you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to compensation from the responsible person and their insurance company. However, to receive the compensation you are rightfully owed, you will often require the help of 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 some factors require legal help. It is crucial that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your if the following applies to your case:
- Your injuries are significant
- The insurance company is lowballing you
- The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages
- You are unsure of the legal procedures and rights following a car accident
- The other driver or their insurance company is saying you are at fault
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as those involving multiple parties, hit and run accident or were hit by a commercial vehicle
Resources to Help With Your South Holland, IL Car Accident Claim
Our philosophy at Burger Law is that, as your personal injury law firm, our responsibility extends beyond arguing your case and communicating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to provide 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, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your South Holland, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured in a car accident, it is essential to choose the best law firm to represent you. Burger Law is a reputed and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for over 30 years. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
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 South Holland, 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 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 lawyers in the United States
- 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 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. Less than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Empathetic and Experienced Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional burdens an injury can create. That is why we have a client-centered approach. 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 dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work faithfully to ensure they do. You need to spend your energy on healing; trust in us to stand up to the insurance company.
Customized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. 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 dedicated to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high ethical standards for the way we pursue compensation and the way we communicate with our clients. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Reviews and Victories
A car accident attorney can say just about anything, but proving they are qualified 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 victories.
Get a free consultation with an car accident attorney in South Holland, 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 South Holland, IL?
Determining fault in a car wreck 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 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 neglected their responsibility. Did they drive reckless or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- 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 mechanic 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?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often negligent drivers try to avoid being held accountable 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 liability. While adjusters are trained to do this, their real job 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 untrue.
When that happens, you need to hire a car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you are owed. The attorney will launch a complete investigation into the accident, 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 refuses to be fair, your attorney may recommend mediation, where an unbiased attorney or judge tries to help both parties find common ground. If they will not be fair in negotiations, 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 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 accident, you can recover $70,000. Keep in mind 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 share more of the blame than the other party, you will not be able to recover any compensation in South Holland, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in South Holland, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have a significant impact on your life, causing long-term physical, mental and financial 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 bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or temporarily blurry vision, to grave, 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 lead paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Fractures — 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 disfigurement.
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 for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.