Auto Accident Lawyer in Illinois

Auto Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. If you were seriously injured in an auto accident in Chicago or anywhere throughout Illinois, you need to call Burger Law immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online. Our experienced Illinois auto accident lawyers can discuss the specifics of your case during a free, confidential consultation.

If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in an auto accident, see how much your claim may be worth with our free personal injury calculator.

The Burger Law attorneys have successfully recovered over $200 million in settlement and trial results for our clients, including a multi-year legal battle resulting in a trial verdict of $113 million. We will fight for your rights and for complete compensation for your injuries, while protecting your future.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Illinois?

Auto accidents happen in what often feels like a blink of an eye. Though there are some potentially dangerous conditions and events outside of our control that can contribute to crashes, the majority of auto accidents are caused by driver error. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that human operators are responsible for 94 percent of accidents that take place.

Some of the most common causes of Chicago and Illinois auto accidents include:

• Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3,000 people die in crashes involving a distracted driver every year in the United States. A distracted driver does not have their complete attention on the road, and they may be paying closer attention to a mobile device, the stereo, passengers, or even a cheeseburger. Remember that your only job, your duty of care to other drivers, when you are behind the wheel is to safely get where you are going. Many distracted motorists are usually drivers who have been driving a long time and think they can multitask. We are not as skilled at multitasking as we like to believe, so do not fall into this line of thinking.

• Texting and Driving

Texting and driving lowers your reaction time to the same extent that four beers will. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, people who text and drive take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that means driving the length of a football field without looking at the road once. Illinois law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones, texting or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free devices or Bluetooth technology is allowed for persons age 19 and older.

• Drunk Driving

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts state that 19.7 percent of the 1,088 fatal crashes in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive. Any person who drinks and gets behind the wheel is a danger to themselves and others. According to 625 ILCS 5/11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a Class A Misdemeanor. When you drink, your senses and cognitive functions are dulled. If you get behind the wheel, your reaction times are slowed, and your decision-making capabilities are compromised.

• Speeding

According to 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, of the 246,752 motor vehicle collisions in Illinois, 32.9 percent involved speeding, including 37.3 percent of crashes that caused injury and 44.9 percent of fatal crashes. We have all had vehicles blast past us on the highway, even when going over the speed limit ourselves. It is not unusual for people to drive 10, 15, or even 20 mph over the posted speed limit. Speeding can not only increase your chances of getting into an accident, it can also greatly increase the potential for destruction, injury and even death if an accident does occur.

• Rain or Bad Weather

Whether it’s rain or snow, rough weather can create hazardous conditions for driving. Water creates slick roadways and can cause cars to slip and slide without warning, particularly when braking. While you cannot sue the weather, the Illinois Rules of the Road sets clear safety measures that drivers must follow in poor conditions, such as using turn signals long before making a turn in fog or increasing following distance when it is snowing. If another driver in Illinois does not account for weather conditions and causes you injury, your Burger Law auto accident lawyer will be able to make a claim against them for negligent driving. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to us online.

• Hit and Run
• Construction Zones
• Reckless Driving, including:
  • Cutting another car off
  • Tailgating
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Running red lights
  • Blocking a car or changing speed to prevent another car from changing lanes, passing, etc.
  • Refusing to use turn signals
  • Forcing a car off the road
  • Using high beams to interfere with another driver’s ability to see

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Chicago Auto Accident?

Auto accidents are violent events, even at low speeds. When these crashes happen, they can leave broken bones, internal injuries, and even cause death. Here are some of the most common injuries that can result from a Chicago auto accident:

• Whiplash – These injuries happen when the neck or head is thrown around in a forceful jerking motion. The force is created when a vehicle in motion is struck from a direction that it is not traveling. These types of injuries can lead to neck pain, back issues, spinal issues, tenderness in the shoulders and many other medical issues.
• Concussions – During an accident, if enough force is applied to the head or the neck, the brain can bounce back and forth inside the skull which can cause bleeding, swelling, bruising or other serious injuries to the brain. Concussions can lead to loss of motor functions, loss of memory, and can even be paralyzing.
• Broken Bones – When enough force is applied against a bone, it can snap or break, causing extreme pain. Auto accidents can easily lead to broken bones because of the force involved in the accidents. Broken bones can cause a loss of work, loss of function of the limb and cause other health complications.
• Internal Bleeding – This is a particularly dangerous injury that can result from an auto accident because the injury is not immediately apparent. Internal bleeding occurs when the organs inside your body are either punctured or rupture from the force of an accident.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – These injuries are often very serious due to the importance of the nervous system. The spinal cord is the main avenue that your brain uses to send commands throughout your body. According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of spinal cord injury cases are caused by trauma, and motor vehicle accidents are the leading source. Any damage to your spine can often cause serious injuries throughout other areas of the body and can even result in the loss of use of limbs.

How Can an Illinois Auto Accident Lawyer Help My Case?

Burger Law can help with any car accident in a number of ways:

• Ensuring you get the right medical treatment
• Taking depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
• Combating the insurance adjuster’s tricks if they are not being fair
• Proving liability if the other party denies fault
• Calculating your full damages so you get maximum compensation
• Handling all negotiation, documentation and litigation
• Keeping you updated on your case
• Giving you sound legal counsel so you can make the best decision for you and your Chicago family

In an Illinois auto accident case, your attorney’s investigative skills are especially important. In order to prove negligence, you have to show that the other driver caused your crash. In order to do that, your attorney may need to track down eyewitnesses and obtain nearby security footage.

Call us now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online. You can read more about how a Burger Law attorney can help your auto accident case in some of our FAQs:

• Should I Get a Lawyer For a Car Accident That Was Not My Fault?
• Is It Worth It to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
• When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident
• What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?

If you have any questions about what our Chicago auto accident lawyers can do for your claim, call us now at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form. We will discuss your case for free and give you an honest assessment of how much value we can add to your claim.

How Can an Illinois Auto Accident Lawyer Win My Case?

In order to win your case, your Illinois auto accident lawyer will have to prove the five elements of negligence found in tort law:

1. Duty of Care: Your auto accident attorneys needs to show that the defendant had an obligation to care for your safety. In motor vehicle accident cases this is a given. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1) states that drivers are “to exercise due care.” So anybody who gets behind the wheel automatically owes you a duty of care.
2. Breach of Duty: Next, your auto accident attorney must demonstrate that the defendant neglected that duty. Your Chicago auto accident lawyer at Burger Law knows all the rules of the road and how to investigate crashes to prove how another driver breaking those rules caused you harm.
3. Cause in Fact: Also called “causation,” you must prove that the driver’s breach of duty directly caused your injury. Your auto accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to conclusively show exactly how the accident caused your injuries.
4. Proximate Cause: This is what ultimately determines liability. Imagine a scenario where someone runs a red light and hits you in an intersection, causing you injuries. If the driver was drunk or inattentive, they are clearly liable.
5. Damages. The last thing to prove is that there was some form of loss, which can include medical bills, emotional distress or time away from work because of your injury. The defendant and their insurance company will try to minimize your damages, but the Chicago-based Illinois auto accident lawyer team of Burger Law will demand that you get full compensation.

Can I Still Receive Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially to Blame in My Auto Accident?

If you were partially at fault for your car crash in Illinois, your auto accident lawyer will still be able to secure you compensation, although the amount will be less. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of blame you share in your accident.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 for injuries sustained in a rear-end collision, but a jury finds that you share 30 percent of the blame because you stopped suddenly, you will receive $70,000 in total. It is important to note that 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 says 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 are over 50 percent to blame for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Chicago or Illinois.

Insurance companies often try to use tricks to minimize claims or avoid paying them altogether. The Illinois car accident lawyer team of Burger Law fights back against bullies like insurance companies who employ dishonest tactics to evade their obligation to pay you the money you rightfully deserve. If an insurance company in Chicago or throughout Illinois is unfairly trying to place blame for your accident on you, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

Get a Free, Confidential Consultation

Contact a Burger Law Illinois Auto Accident Lawyer Today

Do not settle for less than you deserve. One of the biggest benefits of hiring a Burger Law auto accident lawyer is that we know every type of damage you are owed and know how to calculate them. We have knowledgeable, aggressive and unwavering auto accident lawyers ready to stand in your corner and fight for your rights throughout your claim.

Call our auto accident lawyer team today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online. You are not charged any fees until we win. Get legal representation when you need it, and pay when you get paid.

• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Drunk Driving
• Distracted Driving
• Texting and Driving
• Speeding Accidents
• Fatal Car Crash
• Head-On Collisions
• Rear-Ended
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents
• Intersection Accidents
• Road Construction Accidents
• Carpool Accidents
• Backup Accident
• Whiplash Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Brain Injuries
• Underinsured Motorist Claims
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Phantom Motorist Claims

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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