Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in St. Charles, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that causes no small amount of residual stress. Any time you are hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to financial compensation from the person who caused you harm 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 fight for you.
While some minor car accidents can be resolved successfully without the use of an auto accident attorney, some factors necessitate 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'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 being in a multi-vehicle accident, hit and run accident or were injured by a commercial vehicle
Resources for Your St. Charles, 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 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 written books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and we are always willing to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your St. Charles, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to choose the right law firm to fight for you. Burger Law is a reputed and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for more than three decades. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your case.
Acclaimed Attorneys Know How to Win
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 St. Charles, 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 their previous victories, 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 noteworthy achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all lawyers 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 lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.
Understanding and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know that being injured through another's negligence is stressful and overwhelming. 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 have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are devoted to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work faithfully to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to spend your energy on healing; trust in us to fight the insurance company.
Personalized Approach
At Burger Law, we know that no two clients or cases are alike. 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 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 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 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 victories.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in St. Charles, IL immediately at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to find out more about seeking compensation in a car accident and how Burger Law can help.
How Do You Determine Fault in Car Accident in St. Charles, IL?
Determining fault in a car accident 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 neglected their responsibility. Did they text while driving or drive drunk?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck directly led to your injury. For example, you were t-boned and broke your arm.
- Proximate cause — That their negligence caused the crash. Were you rear ended because a driver was following you too close, 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 expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Fault can be determined through a number of factors. Sometimes, the other driver will admit fault, but too often reckless actors deny they did anything wrong. After an accident, police officers will evaluate the accident scene and speak to both parties to help make their report. Then, insurance adjusters will analyze the police report and other evidence to assign fault. 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 that you are treated fairly. The attorney will launch a complete investigation into the accident, take depositions of both drivers and eyewitnesses, and hire crash experts to determine how the accident likely occurred. Then they will compile a settlement demand letter to the insurance company.
If the insurance company remains firm, your attorney may seek 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 file a lawsuit in civil court 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 can recover 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 blame for your accident, you will receive $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.
That means that if you share more of the blame than the other party, you cannot make a recovery in St. Charles, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in St. Charles, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your life, causing long-term physical, emotional 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 dizziness, 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 sensation in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, 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 bleeding or other injuries 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 change your life in an instant. But, with the help of Burger Law, you can find justice, recognition and a financial recovery. Call us now to discuss your case at (314) 500-HURT.