Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Western Springs, IL?
Each car accident is different. For many, a car accident is a shocking event that introduces sudden stress. Regardless of the specifics, when you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to financial compensation from the person who caused you harm and their insurance company. To get the full compensation for your damages, you may require the help of a good car accident attorney to pursue your claim.
While some minor car accidents can be resolved successfully without the use of an auto accident attorney, some factors necessitate legal help. It is important 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 is uninsured or underinsured
- You need help with the insurance and legal process
- The negligent driver or their insurance company is saying you are at fault
- 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 Western Springs, IL Car Accident Claim
At Burger Law, we believe that our role as your personal injury law firm 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. Burger Law has published books on car accident and personal injury cases, created a Youtube channel and is always available to answer questions.
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Why Choose Burger Law For Your Western Springs, IL Car Accident Claim
When you are facing a legal issue, it is imperative to choose the best 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. 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 Western Springs, IL legal community and knows how to get results. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to look at 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 notable achievement awarded to less 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 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 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 our attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping our clients be made whole again. With more than 30 years of experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex legal cases. We are committed to helping our clients recovery both physically and financially, and we work faithfully to ensure that their rights are protected. You need to focus on healing; trust in us to 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 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 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
Any car accident attorney can say they know how to handle your case, 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 almost 500 reviews. You can also look at our client testimonials and case results.
Discuss your case for free with an car accident attorney in Western Springs, IL today at (314) 500-HURT, or keep reading to find out more about pursuing compensation in a car accident and what Burger Law can do for you.
How Do You Determine Liability in Car Accident in Western Springs, IL?
Assigning liability in a car crash is the first step toward collecting damages. Fault comes down to proving the five elements of negligence:
- Duty of care — That the other driver had an obligation to keep you safe. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorists 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 rear ended and that gave you a whiplash injury.
- 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 the other driver has faulty brakes.
- 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 is determined by a police officer, insurance adjuster, attorney, mediator or jury. In some cases, the negligent driver will admit that they are to blame, but too often negligent people 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 evaluate the police report and other evidence to determine fault. While this is part of an adjuster's job, their primary goal is to make sure their company's profits stay high by denying and minimizing claims. That means they may say they do not owe you a recovery, even if that is demonstrably false.
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 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 claim might require a mediation, where a neutral third party tries to help both parties find common ground. If that fails, 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 your damages total $100,000 but you share 30 percent of the blame for your injury, 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.
Meaning, if you are more than half to blame for the accident, you cannot make a recovery in Western Springs, IL.
Catastrophic Injuries in Western Springs, IL Car Accidents
Devastating injuries in car accidents have devastating consequences for your daily life and future, leading to 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 damage to the brain. Symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or fatigue, 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 feeling in the arms, legs or other parts of the body. In the worst case scenario, they can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Fractures — 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 require prompt medical attention in order not to be fatal.
- 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 today for a free consultation at (314) 500-HURT.