Car Accident Lawyer Champaign County, IL

If you were hurt on the road due to someone else’s negligence in Champaign County, IL, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation. We help our clients in Champaign County and throughout Northern Illinois secure full financial recoveries for their injuries. We do not charge any fees until we win your case.

In a perfect world, everyone would operate cars in a safe manner and no one would become injured. In a moderately less ideal society, when people injure others they would take responsibility for their actions and their insurance company would give you full compensation without you having to fight for it. In the real world, at-fault drivers all too often do not want to be held accountable for harming you and their insurance companies will do whatever possible to minimize your claim. That is where Burger Law steps in. Our car accident lawyer team empowers the injured and vulnerable in Champaign County and throughout Northern Illinois to demand the best possible compensation for their damages, and we do not stop until you recover it. Your life can be altered in a split second because of someone else’s negligence, and Burger Law will stand by your side to make certain you get the justice and economic certainty you are owed for your accident.

In more than three decades of practice, our car accident lawyer team has gotten more than $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Illinois clients. If you were injured because another driver was negligent, learn how much your claim may be worth by using our complimentary personal injury calculator.

How Common are Car Accidents in Champaign County and Illinois?

According to reporting from Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were 246,752 auto wrecks in the state, resulting in 72,989 injuries and 1,195 fatalities. In 2021, almost 50 percent of fatal wrecks took place in metropolitan locales like Chicago and Cook County. Over one-fourth of Chicago and Illinois wrecks entailed alcohol and over 33 percent of the motorists who died had drunk alcohol before the crash. Illinois is the 10th most dangerous state for winter driving, and the 10th most hazardous state overall.

While there is the uncommon wreck that may be inevitable, such as an animal jumping in front of your automobile, just about every Champaign County, IL traffic wreck is avoidable. Human error is the leading cause of car accidents, as it causes 94 percent of wrecks. When you are left to pick up the pieces after you are hurt because of a driver’s negligence or reckless actions, you may experience a variety of emotions, which could include vulnerability, distress and doubt about how you will get out from under the rising pile of the medical bills, especially if you have lost wages. You do not have to go it by yourself. Every car accident lawyer at Burger Law has devoted their career to offering qualified and passionate advocacy and legal representation to injured individuals and families in Champaign County, IL. We will help protect you and your family’s future by winning you complete compensation not only for your medical bills, but for any emotional or physical agony and inconvenience you experienced. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT to start on your road to recovery.

• Common Causes of Car Accidents | Champaign County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

  There are numerous ways that people can become injured on the road. The National Safety Council has determine 23 factors that typically contribute to traffic accidents. The following are some of the most frequent causes that your Burger Law car accident lawyer sees in Champaign County, IL:

  Drunk Driving

  Drunk driving and drug-impaired driving are leading causes of fatalities and injury in car wrecks cases. About 28 people die each day because of driving while intoxicated, or one person every 52 minutes. Drunk driving crashes are one of the only cases in personal injury lawsuits where you might also be able to receive punitive damages. When we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, we do it so they realize just how dangerous and reckless their actions were.

  Distracted Driving

  Multitasking is a misconception. While we may think we can multitask behind the wheel, frequently to save time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ascribed 3,142 fatalities to distracted driving in 2020. It is never worth those 90 extra seconds to finish getting dressed on the road.

  Texting and driving can lessen a driver’s reaction time more than when they are impaired by alcohol.

  Speeding

  According to data from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, of the 246,752 motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, one-third involved speeding, including 37.3 percent of accidents that led to injury and 44.9 percent of fatal crashes. Speeding is dangerous because it substantially reduces the reaction time of both the liable driver and others on the Champaign County, IL roads, and it generates more force in crashes.

  Drowsy Driving

  While many people are cognizant of the hazards of distracted driving or driving while impaired, driving while sleep deprived has similar effects to driving while impaired. Losing just two hours of sleep is the equivalent of drinking three beers. Drivers always need to pull over to the side of the road and rest if they are feeling drowsy.

  Inclement Weather

  You cannot sue the weather, but the Illinois Rules of the Road sets clear safety procedures that drivers must obey in poor conditions, for example using turn signals much before making a turn in fog or increasing following distance when it is snowing. If another person in Champaign County, IL does not drive correctly for weather conditions and causes you injury, your Burger Law car accident lawyer will be able to hold them accountable for negligent driving.

  Defective Parts

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that defective parts were the main factor in approximately 2 percent of auto wrecks. Manufacturers must safely manufacture vehicles, test them and issue recalls whenever a defective parts is found. If your injuries were due to faulty brakes or an airbag that did not deploy, your Burger Law car accident lawyer will help you bring a claim against a manufacturer.

  Irrespective of the cause of your injuries, the Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will discover the reason your crash transpired, determine who is liable, hold them accountable and get you the best possible compensation for your damages. We pride ourselves on offering skilled and compassionate legal counsel to Champaign County, IL residents who have been hurt through no fault of their own, regardless of of their economic status. If a thoughtless driver hurt you, call a Champaign County, IL Burger Law car accident lawyer today at (312) 500-HURT.

  Have a look at some of the following links to see the great results Burger Law’s Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer team has won for our clients:

  • $2 million Multi-Vehicle Collision Settlement
  • $765,000 Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlement Against Fire Department
  • $327,000 Settlement for Rear-End Collision
  • $250,000 Settlement for Crash After A Driver Ran a Red Light
  • $205,000 Settlement After Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign
  • $125,000 Settlement After Rear-End Collision at a Stop Light
  • $100,000 Settlement for Distracted Driving
  • $100,000 Settlement for Head-On Collision
  • $90,000 Settlement for an Injured Passenger

  Winning Your Car Crash Case | Champaign County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

  In order to win your claim, your car accident lawyer must prove the five elements of negligence found in tort law:

  1. Duty of Care: Your car accident lawyer must prove that the other driver had a duty to care for your safety. In traffic crash cases this is automatic. 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: After establishing a duty of care, your car accident lawyer must demonstrate that the defendant neglected that duty. In car wrecks, there can be egregious breaches such as driving while intoxicated or reckless driving, and there can be less apparent cases such as driving too fast for weather conditions. Your Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows all the rules of the road and how to investigate wrecks to demonstrate how somebody else was negligent and caused you harm.
  3. Cause in Fact: Also called “causation,” you have to demonstrate that the driver’s violation of duty directly caused your injury. Sometimes insurance companies try to tell you that you already had your injuries, or that they are because of weakening with old age. Your car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to prove precisely how the crash caused your injuries. For example, we can show through presentations and medical expert testimony that your whiplash injury was caused by being rear-ended.
  4. Proximate Cause: This is what ultimately determines liability. Picture a situation where someone runs a stop light and runs into you in an intersection, resulting in your injuries. If the driver was drunk, they are obviously to blame. If the other driver’s brakes were faulty and did not work properly, then a manufacturer, mechanic or vendor could be to blame in a product liability suit.
  5. Damages. The final thing to show is that there was some type of loss, which can include medical bills, mental distress or lost wages or lost earning capacity. One of the largest pros to hiring a car accident lawyer is that we know every variety of damage you are owed and know how to put a figure on them. The other driver and their insurance company will strive to lessen your damages, but the Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will demand that you get full compensation.

  Can I Still Collect a Financial Recovery in Illinois if I Was Partially to Blame? | Champaign County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

  If you were partially to blame for your motor vehicle wreck in Champaign County, IL, your car accident lawyer will still be able to get you compensation, although the total will be less. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that your recovery will be decreased by the portion of liability you share in your accident.

  Meaning, if you are granted $100,000 for injuries experienced in a rear-end collision, but a jury finds that you are responsible for 30 percent of the blame because you stopped suddenly, you will recover $70,000 in total. 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.

  That means that if you are over 50 percent to blame for the crash, you will not be able to recover any compensation in Champaign County or anywhere Illinois.

  Shifting responsibility onto you is a familiar tactic insurance companies employ to devalue claims or avoid paying them at all. The Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law pushes back against bullies like insurance companies who utilize devious tricks to eschew their duty to reimburse you what you are rightfully owed. If an insurance company in Champaign County, IL is unjustly attempting to place blame for your accident on you, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (312) 500-HURT.

  How Long Do I Have to Bring an Injury Claim in Illinois? | Champaign County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

  After an injury in a traffic collision, the state of Illinois’s statute of limitations lays out how long you have after the injuries occur to file your claim.

  • Typically, Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 5/13-202 states that you have two years after you sustain your injuries to make a personal injury claim.
  • To file a wrongful death claim, Illinois Compiled Statute §740 ILCS 180/ states that you have two years from the day of your family member’s death – not the collision.
  • If your claim is only related to property damage, you have five years from the date of your crash to file a claim, according to Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-205.
  • According to Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-211, if the injury was incurred by a minor, they have up to two years after they turn 18 to make a claim. Similarly, if someone is disabled at the time you sustained your injuries, they have until two years following the date the “disability is removed.”

  If you have been injured in a traffic collision, the clock is already ticking for when you can make your claim. Do not hesitate, get in touch with a Burger Law car accident lawyer immediately at (312) 500-HURT to get justice and the best possible financial recovery for your injuries. We start working on your case straight away and do not rest until we win your case.

  How to Avoid Auto Accidents | Champaign County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

  More than three quarters of people who perish in traffic wrecks are drivers. Every Burger Law car accident lawyer has seen with their own eyes the destruction that a reckless driver can cause. While you cannot always control what other people do, there are several steps you can take to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others on the Champaign County, IL streets.

  • Always wear a seatbelt. In 2017, seatbelts saved approximately 14,955 lives. More than 83 percent of drivers and passengers who are completely ejected from the vehicle perish, and most of the rest sustained serious, life-altering injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that wearing a seatbelt lessens the chances of death by 45 percent and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
  • Be aware of the laws and best driving practices. The Illinois Secretary of State offers a Quick Guide to Safe Driving for Champaign County, IL drivers. Fundamental tips like driving slower and increasing following distance in poor weather not only do a lot to keep you and other drivers and passengers safe, but they also protect you from liability or being partially blamed for a collision if you do find yourself in one.
  • If you drive a motorcycle, wear a helmet. While Champaign County, IL does not have laws requiring motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, they can save your life. In 2017, helmets saved 1,872 lives.
  • Put down your cell phone. While you can always call someone back, you can never take back the effects of an auto collision. Pull over to the side of the road if you need need your phone for an emergency. If you use your phone for directions, put the volume on high and do not listen to music or podcasts so you can clearly hear the directions and do not have to look down at your phone.
  • Have the right attitude. The road is for everyone, and we all should be polite to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Be aware of the fact that you are controlling several tons of metal moving at high speeds. Safety should be your prime concern. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost one-fourth of motor vehicle deaths are people under the age of 25. Maturity is probably a contributing factor.
  • Keep both hands on the wheel. Just having one hand on the wheel can considerably lessen your control of the car. Quickly changing the A/C settings is likely OK, but you should mostly be driving with both hands.
  • Call a taxi or ridesharing service if you have been drinking. Not only does alcohol substantially diminish your ability to drive safely, but it also raises your confidence and makes you feel more powerful, so you might think driving while drunk will be fine. Your brain may deceive you into thinking you can drive home safely, but it is never the case.

  You can take every possible precaution when driving, but regrettably the reckless actions of irresponsible drivers can still injure you. When you get hurt because somebody else broke the rules of the road, you are owed full compensation for all of your damages. Every Champaign County, IL car accident lawyer at Burger Law takes on and wins the tough cases, and knows how to attain great results.

  Learn more about our various practice areas by clicking the links below:

  • Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
  • Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
  • Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
  • Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

  

  CALL BURGER LAW NOW

  Car Accident Lawyer Champaign County, IL

  You should never have had to carry the financial, physical and emotional burden of somebody else’s selfish decisions and careless behavior. Fortunately, the law offers an avenue for restitution, however you only have one chance to achieve it. Trust in a car accident lawyer in Champaign County, IL who has achieved results and won tough cases before. Burger Law aggressively pursues litigation so insurance companies know we will accept nothing but complete compensation. Insurance companies fear us because they know we use our hard work, knowledge, experience, grit and dedication to always secure the best possible results for our Champaign County, IL clients and see them made whole again. When you hire a Burger Law car accident lawyer, we get to work on your case at once and do not rest until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Call a Burger Law car accident lawyer in Champaign County, IL now at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

  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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  Frequently asked questions

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