Is It Worth It to Hire Car Accident Attorney in Streator, IL?
There are countless factors involved in car accidents that make each case different. 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 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 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 essential that you have a car accident attorney to fight for your in the following situations:
- Your injuries are significant
- 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 other driver or their insurance company is blaming you for your injuries
- You are dealing with complex legal issues, such as those involving multiple parties, hit and run accident or were hit by a government vehicle
Resources for Your Streator, 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 communicating with the insurance company; we believe it is also important to provide free education 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 all types of personal injury cases including car accidents, is active on our Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
Other Resources
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Streator, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are injured through no fault of your own, it is imperative to choose the right law firm to represent you. Burger Law is a well-respected and experienced law firm that has been fiercely fighting for the injured for more than three decades. Below are some of the reasons why you should choose Burger Law for your claim.
Acclaimed Attorneys Know How to Win
It can be hard to know how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for you. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who you know is not afraid to take the case to trial if they have to. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a 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 the Streator, IL legal community 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 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 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. Less than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.
Compassionate and Knowledgeable Attorneys
At Burger Law, we know the terrible financial, physical and emotional hardships an injury can cause. That is why our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. After having fought for more than 30 years, our attorneys are willing to take on the tough cases other law firms are not. We are committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome, and we work relentlessly to ensure they do. You need to focus on healing; let us stand up to 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 always keep you up-to-date on how your case is going.
Commitment to Excellence
At Burger Law, we are devoted to offering the highest standard of legal advocacy. We have high moral expectations for ourselves and the insurance adjusters we stand up to. We leave no stone unturned when we investigate cases and search for insurance coverage.
Our Reviews 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 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 Streator, IL now at (314) 500-HURT, or read on below to discover more about car accident claims and how Burger Law can help.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident in Streator, IL?
Determining 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 motorists need to "exercise due care to avoid colliding" with pedestrians, bicyclist and other vehicles.
- Breach of duty — That they failed in their obligation. Did they run a red light or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Cause in fact — That the wreck caused 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 following you too close, 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 bills, lost wages and pain and suffering you can make a claim for?
Liability can be determined through numerous factors. Sometimes, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often negligent actors try to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. 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 this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal is to save their insurance company money. 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 obtain more evidence, 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 package to the insurance adjuster.
If the insurance company remains firm, your attorney may recommend mediation, where a neutral third party 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 can recover 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 injury, 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.
Meaning, if you are more than half to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Streator, IL.
Serious Injuries in Streator, IL Car Accidents
Serious injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, leading to long-term physical, emotional and financial consequences. Some common examples of serious injuries in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — This can occur when the the brain moves inside of the skull, causing bleeding and disrupting the brain's function. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or loss of balance, to grave, such as loss of consciousness or lifelong dysfunction.
- Spinal cord injuries — These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of movement or feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, they can cause permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones — Broken bones 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 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 be made whole again. Call us now for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.