Car Accident Lawyer Lake Zurich, IL

Car Accident Lawyer in Lake Zurich, IL. If you were injured on the road due to someone else’s irresponsible behavior in Lake Zurich, IL, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review. We help our clients in Lake Zurich and throughout Missouri receive graeat compensation for their damages. You do not owe us any fees until we win your case.

In an ideal world, everyone would drive carefully without harming anyone. In a somewhat less ideal world, when people cause others injuries they would admit guilt for their actions and their insurance company would offer you just compensation without you having to argue with them. In the real world, irresponsible drivers all too often do not want to be held accountable for injuring you and their insurance companies will do whatever they can to devalue your financial recovery. That is where Burger Law steps in. Our car accident lawyer team supports the injured and vulnerable in Lake Zurich and throughout Missouri in insisting on full compensation for their damages, and we do not let up until you get it. Your life can be turned upside down in a fraction of a second because of another person’s thoughtless actions, and Burger Law will fight by your side to make sure you get the justice and economic certainty you are owed for your motor vehicle crash.

In over 30 years of defending the rights of the vulnerable, our car accident lawyer team has delivered over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Illinois clients. If you were harmed because another driver was reckless, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our complimentary personal injury calculator.

How Common are Car Accidents in Lake Zurich and Illinois?

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were 246,752 motor vehicle wrecks in the state, resulting in 72,989 injuries and 1,195 deaths. In 2021, close to 50 percent of fatal accidents occurred in urban locales such as Chicago and Cook County. Over a fourth of Chicago and Illinois collisions entailed alcohol and over 33 percent of the motorists who died had drunk alcohol before the wreck. Illinois is the 10th most hazardous state for winter driving, and the 10th most hazardous state in general.

While there is the uncommon crash that may be unpreventable, such as an animal leaping out in front of your automobile, just about every Lake Zurich, IL traffic accident is preventable. Human error is the foremost cause of car crashes, as it contributes to 94 percent of wrecks. When you are left to pick up the pieces after you are hurt owing to a driver’s inattention or careless behavior, you may experience a variety of emotions, which could include vulnerability, distress and worry about how you will pay for all the medical costs, especially if you have lost income. You do not have to go it alone. Every car accident lawyer at Burger Law has devoted their life to offering expert and empathetic advocacy and legal counsel to injured residents of Lake Zurich, IL. We will help shield you and your family’s future by securing you maximum compensation not only for your medical expenses, but for any emotional or physical distress and inconvenience you experienced. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT to start on your road to recovery.

Common Causes of Car Accidents | Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Lawyer

There are countless ways in which people can get hurt on the road. The National Safety Council has determine 23 factors that typically contribute to motor vehicle accidents. The following are some of the most frequent causes that your Burger Law car accident lawyer sees in Lake Zurich, IL:

Driving While Intoxicated

Drunk driving and drug-impaired driving are major causes of fatalities and injury in motor vehicle wrecks cases. About 28 people lose their life every day due to driving while intoxicated, or one person each 52 minutes. Drunk driving wrecks are one of the only cases in personal injury suits where you could also be able to receive punitive damages. When we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, we do it so they know just how dangerous and reckless their behavior was.

Distracted Driving

Multitasking is a lie. 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 combing your hair in the car.

Texting and driving can lessen a driver’s reaction time worse than when they are drunk.

Speeding

According to the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, of the 246,752 auto wrecks in Illinois, a third involved speeding, including 37.3 percent of wrecks that caused injury and 44.9 percent of deadly crashes. Speeding is dangerous because it greatly lowers the reaction time of both the negligent driver and others on the Lake Zurich, IL roads, and it generates more force in wrecks.

Drowsy Driving

While many people are cognizant of the hazards of distracted driving or drunk driving, driving with little sleep has analogous effects to drunk driving. Losing just two hours of sleep is the equivalent of having three beers. Drivers always need to pull over to the side of the road and rest if they are feeling drowsy.

Poor Weather

You cannot sue the weather, but the Illinois Rules of the Road sets clear safety procedures that drivers need to obey in inclement weather, for instance signaling far before making a turn in fog or increasing following distance when it is snowing. If somebody else in Lake Zurich, IL does not account for weather conditions and harms you, your Burger Law car accident lawyer will be able to hold them accountable for negligent driving.

Defective Parts

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

Whatever the cause of your damages, the Lake Zurich, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will discover the reason your crash happened, find out who is at fault, hold them accountable and secure you full compensation for your damages. We pride ourselves on offering accomplished and compassionate legal counsel to Lake Zurich, IL residents who have been injured through no fault of their own, regardless of of their economic standing. If a negligent driver hurt you, get in touch with a Lake Zurich, IL Burger Law car accident lawyer right away at (314) 500-HURT.

Have a look at some of the links below to see the great results Burger Law’s Lake Zurich, IL car accident lawyer team has secured 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 | Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Lawyer

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

1. Duty of Care: Your car accident lawyer must demonstrate that the other driver had an obligation to prioritize your safety. In traffic crash cases this is a given. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1) says that drivers are “to exercise due care.” So anybody who gets behind the wheel inherently owes you a duty of care.
2. Breach of Duty: After establishing a duty of care, your car accident lawyer must prove that the defendant violated that duty. In car collisions, there can be obvious cases such as drunk driving or reckless driving, and there can be less obvious cases such as driving too fast for weather conditions. Your Lake Zurich, IL car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows car crash cases and how to investigate crashes to demonstrate how somebody else was negligent and caused you harm.
3. Cause in Fact: Also called “causation,” you must demonstrate that the driver’s violation of duty directly caused your injury. Frequently insurance companies try to tell you that you already had your injuries, or that they are due to deterioration with old age. Your car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to conclusively show exactly how the wreck caused your injuries. For instance, we can show through presentations and medical professionals’ depositions that your whiplash injury was caused by being rear-ended.
4. Proximate Cause: This is what ultimately establishes liability. Picture a situation where somebody runs a red light and runs into you in an intersection, causing you injuries. If the driver was distracted, they are plainly at fault. If the other driver’s brakes were defective and did not work properly, then a manufacturer, mechanic or vendor could be held responsible in a product liability suit.
5. Damages. The last facet to prove is that there was some form of loss, such as medical costs, mental distress or lost wages or lost earning capacity. One of the biggest advantages to hiring a car accident lawyer is that we know every kind of damage you are owed and know how to put a figure on them. The other driver and their insurance company will endeavor to minimize your damages, but the Lake Zurich, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will demand that you receive full compensation.

Can I Still Recover Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially Liable? | Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Lawyer

If you were partially at fault for your motor vehicle wreck in Lake Zurich, IL, your car accident lawyer will still be able to secure you compensation, yet the sum will be less. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that your compensation will be decreased by the portion of fault you share in your crash.

Meaning, if you are granted $100,000 for damages sustained in a rear-end collision, but a jury finds that you share 30 percent of the blame because you stopped unexpectedly, you will receive $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 share over half liable for the accident, you will not be able to recover any financial recovery in Lake Zurich or anywhere Illinois.

Transferring responsibility onto you is a familiar tactic insurance adjusters employ to diminish claims or avoid paying them altogether. The Lake Zurich, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law fights back against bullies like insurance companies who implement unethical tactics to eschew their responsibility to reimburse you what you are rightfully owed. If an insurance company in Lake Zurich, IL is unjustly trying to place fault for your accident on you, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT.

How Long Do I Have to Make an Injury Claim in Illinois? | Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Lawyer

After an injury in a traffic accident, the state of Illinois’s statute of limitations dictates how long you have after the injuries occur to make your claim.

• Typically, Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 5/13-202 stipulates that you have two years after the injuries occur to bring a personal injury claim.
• To make a wrongful death claim, Illinois Compiled Statute §740 ILCS 180/ stipulates that you have two years from the day of your family member’s death – not the wreck.
• If your claim is only related to property damage, you have five years from the date of your collision to make a claim, under Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-205.
• According to Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-211, if if a minor was harmed, they have up to two years after the date of their 18th birthday to bring a claim. Similarly, if someone is disabled at the time of the accident, they have until two years following the date the “disability is removed.”

If you have been injured in a car crash, the clock is already ticking for when you can file your claim. Do not delay, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer right away at (314) 500-HURT to get justice and the best possible compensation for your damages. We get to work on your claim straight away and do not let up until we win your case.

How to Avoid Auto Accidents | Lake Zurich, IL Car Accident Lawyer

More than 75 percent of people who perish in auto collisions are drivers. Every Burger Law car accident lawyer has seen firsthand the devastation that a careless driver can cause. While you cannot always control other people’s actions, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself as well as others on the Lake Zurich, IL roads.

• Always wear a seatbelt. In 2017, seatbelts saved approximately 14,955 lives. Over 83 percent of drivers and passengers who are entirely ejected from the vehicle die, and most of the rest suffered grave, life-altering injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that wearing a seatbelt reduces 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 Lake Zurich, IL drivers. Simple suggestions like driving at lower speeds and increasing following distance in poor weather not only go a long way in keeping you and everyone else on the road safe, but they also protect you from liability or being partially blamed for an accident if you do find yourself in one.
• If you are a motorcyclist, use a helmet. While Lake Zurich, IL does not have laws requiring motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, they are literal life-savers. In 2017, helmets saved 1,872 lives.
• Put away your cell phone. While you can always call someone back, you can never take back the consequences of a traffic wreck. Pull over safely if you need to make an urgent call. If you use your phone for directions, turn the volume up and turn the music off 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 need to be respectful to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Understand that you are controlling thousands of pounds of metal moving at high speeds. Safety should be your prime concern. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost 25 percent of motor vehicle deaths are people under the age of 25. A less cautious attitude is likely a contributing factor.
• Drive with both hands on the wheel. Just driving with one hand can considerably lessen your control of the vehicle. Quickly changing the A/C settings is probably 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 considerably diminish your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, but it also boosts your confidence and makes you feel more powerful, so you could think driving while drunk will be fine. Your brain may trick you into thinking you can drive home safely, but it is never true.

You can take every possible precaution when driving, but unfortunately the negligent actions of irresponsible drivers can still cause you harm. When you get hurt because another person broke the rules of the road, you are entitled to full compensation for all of your damages. Every Lake Zurich, 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 Lake Zurich, IL

You should never have had to bear the financial, physical and emotional burden of another driver’s selfish choices and irresponsible actions. Fortunately, the law provides a path to restitution, although you only have one chance to achieve it. Trust in a car accident lawyer in Lake Zurich, IL who has attained results and won the hard cases before. Burger Law persistently pursues litigation so insurance companies know we will settle for nothing less than full and fair financial recovery. We intimidate insurance companies because they know we use our hard work, expertise, experience, tenacity and dedication to consistently get the best possible results for our Lake Zurich, IL clients and see them made whole again. When you hire a Burger Law car accident lawyer, we begin working on your case at once and do not let up until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Call a Burger Law car accident lawyer in Lake Zurich, IL now at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary 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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