Car Accident Lawyer Oak Forest, IL

Car Accident Lawyer in Oak Forest, IL. If you were injured on the road due to another person’s irresponsible behavior in Oak Forest, IL, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer right away at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation. We help our clients in Oak Forest and throughout Missouri receive great compensation for their injuries. You do not owe us any fees until we win your case.

In a perfect society, everyone would drive carefully and no one would get hurt. In a somewhat less ideal society, when people harm others they would take responsibility for their behavior and their insurance company would give you equitable compensation without you having to argue with them. In the real world, irresponsible drivers often do not want to be held accountable for harming you and their insurance companies will do anything possible to undervalue your claim. That is when Burger Law acts. Our car accident lawyer team supports the injured and vulnerable in Oak Forest and throughout Missouri in insisting on full compensation for their injuries, and we do not stop until you receive it. Your life can be turned upside down in a nanosecond because of someone else’s irresponsible actions, and Burger Law will stand by your side to ensure you get the justice and economic security you deserve for your damages.

In over three decades of experience, our car accident lawyer team has delivered upwards of $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Illinois clients. If you were hurt because somebody else was reckless, find out the value of your case by using our free personal injury calculator.

How Common are Car Accidents in Oak Forest and Illinois?

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were 246,752 motor vehicle crashes in the state, which caused 72,989 injuries and 1,195 fatalities. In 2021, nearly half of fatal collisions took place in metropolitan locales such as Chicago and Cook County. Over 25 percent of Chicago and Illinois wrecks involved alcohol and over one-third of the drivers who perished had drunk alcohol before the collision. Illinois is the 10th most hazardous state for winter driving, and the 10th most hazardous state overall.

While there is the infrequent accident that may be unavoidable, such as an animal running out in front of your car, pretty much every Oak Forest, IL traffic collision is avoidable. Human error is the primary cause of motor vehicle wrecks, as it contributes to 94 percent of crashes. When you have to pick up the pieces after you are harmed because of a driver’s negligence or thoughtless actions, you may experience a variety of emotions, such as vulnerability, distress and uncertainty about how you will pay for all the medical expenses, especially if you have lost wages. You do not have to go it alone. Every car accident lawyer at Burger Law has pledged their life to offering professional and compassionate advocacy and legal representation to injured residents of Oak Forest, IL. We will help shield you and your family’s future by winning you the best possible compensation not only for your medical expenses, but for any mental or physical agony and inconvenience you experienced. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT to start on your road to recovery.

Common Causes of Car Accidents | Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Lawyer

There are many ways in which people can become injured on the road. The National Safety Council has established 23 factors that commonly contribute to traffic collisions. Below are some of the most frequent causes that your Burger Law car accident lawyer sees in Oak Forest, IL:

Driving While Intoxicated

Drunk driving and drug-impaired driving are principal causes of fatalities and injury in auto collisions cases. About 28 people lose their life every day due to driving while intoxicated, or one person every 52 minutes. Drunk driving crashes are one of the few instances in personal injury claims where you could also be able to recover punitive damages. When we sue drunk drivers on your behalf, we do it so they see precisely how dangerous and impulsive their decisions were.

Distracted Driving

Multitasking is a misconception. While we may think we can multitask behind the wheel, often as a time saving mechanism, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ascribed 3,142 deaths to distracted driving in 2020. It is never worth those two extra minutes to finish getting dressed on the road.

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

Speeding

According to data from the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, of the 246,752 auto crashes in Illinois, a third entailed speeding, including 37.3 percent of crashes that caused injury and almost half of fatal crashes. Speeding is hazardous because it considerably reduces the reaction time of both the negligent driver and others on the Oak Forest, IL roads, and it causes more force in wrecks.

Drowsy Driving

While many people know about the risks of distracted driving or driving while impaired, driving with little sleep has comparable effects to driving while impaired. Missing out on 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 sleepy.

Poor Weather

You cannot sue the weather, but the Illinois Rules of the Road establishes clear safety procedures that drivers have to bear in mind in inclement weather, such as using turn signals far before turning in fog or increasing following distance when it is snowing. If someone else in Oak Forest, IL does not drive properly for weather conditions and causes you injury, your Burger Law car accident lawyer will be able to hold them responsible for negligent driving.

Defective Parts

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that faulty components were the leading factor in more or less 2 percent of car wrecks. Manufacturers must safely design vehicles, test them and issue recalls whenever a defective parts is learned of. If your injuries were caused by faulty brakes or an airbag that did not deploy, your Burger Law car accident lawyer will help you make a claim against a manufacturer.

No matter the cause of your injuries, the Oak Forest, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will find the explanation of your crash, determine who is at fault, hold them accountable and get you full and fair compensation for your damages. We pride ourselves on offering qualified and empathetic legal counsel to Oak Forest, IL individuals and families who have been hurt through no fault of their own, whatever of their economic status. If a careless driver hurt you, get in touch with a Oak Forest, IL Burger Law car accident lawyer right away at (314) 500-HURT.

Take a look at some of the following links to see the great results Burger Law’s Oak Forest, IL car accident lawyer team has delivered 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 | Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Lawyer

In order to prove 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 person had a responsibility to prioritize your safety. In auto crash cases this is automatic. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1) says that motorists are “to exercise due care.” So anybody who gets behind the wheel automatically owes you a duty of care.
2. Breach of Duty: Then, your car accident lawyer must prove that the defendant violated that duty. In car collisions, there can be obvious breaches like driving while intoxicated or reckless driving, and there can be less evident cases like not signaling correctly. Your Oak Forest, IL car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows all the rules of the road and how to investigate crashes to demonstrate how someone else was negligent and injured you.
3. Cause in Fact: Also referred to “causation,” you have to demonstrate that the driver’s violation of duty directly caused your injury. Sometimes insurance companies try to say that you already had your injuries, or that they are because of decline with old age. Your car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to prove precisely how the collision caused your injuries. For instance, we can show through presentations and medical expert official statements that your whiplash injury was caused by being rear-ended.
4. Proximate Cause: This is what finally decides liability. Picture a situation where a driver does not stop at a stop light and crashes into you in an intersection, leading to your injuries. If the driver was inattentive, they are obviously at fault. If the other driver’s brakes were inherently dangerous and did not work correctly, then a manufacturer, mechanic or vendor could be liable in a product liability claim.
5. Damages. The final thing to demonstrate is that there was some form of loss, for example medical expenses, emotional anguish or time away from work because of your injury. One of the largest benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer is that we know every variety of loss you are owed and know how to quantify them. The defendant and their insurance company will strive to minimize your damages, but the Oak Forest, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law will demand that you recover the best possible compensation.

Can I Still Get Compensation in Illinois if I Was Partially to Blame? | Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Lawyer

If you were partially to blame for your auto collision in Oak Forest, IL, your car accident lawyer will still be able to get you a financial recovery, yet the sum will be less. Illinois is a modified contributory fault state, which means that your recovery will be reduced by the portion of liability you share in your wreck.

Meaning, if you are awarded $100,000 for damages experienced in a rear-end collision, but a jury finds that you are liable for 30 percent of the blame because you stopped all of a sudden, you will collect $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 liable for the accident, you will not be able to be awarded any financial recovery in Oak Forest or anywhere Illinois.

Transferring blame onto you is a common trick insurance adjusters use to minimize claims or avoid paying them altogether. The Oak Forest, IL car accident lawyer team of Burger Law stands up to bullies like insurance companies who employ unethical gambits to eschew their obligation to pay you the money you rightfully deserve. If an insurance company in Oak Forest, IL is unjustly attempting to place blame for your accident on you, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT.

How Much Time Do I Have to Bring an Injury Claim in Illinois? | Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Lawyer

After an injury in a traffic crash, the state of Illinois’s statute of limitations stipulates how long you have after you sustain your injuries to bring your claim.

• In most cases, Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 5/13-202 states that you have two years after you sustain your injuries to bring a personal injury claim.
• To file a wrongful death claim, Illinois Compiled Statute §740 ILCS 180/ states that you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death – not the collision.
• If your claim is only related to property damage, you have five years from the date of your wreck to file a claim, under Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-205.
• According to Illinois Compiled Statute §735 ILCS 13-211, if if a minor was hurt, they have up to two years after the date of their 18th birthday to bring a claim. Likewise, if someone is disabled at the time you sustained your injuries, they have until two years after the “disability is removed.”

If you have been injured in a traffic wreck, the clock is already ticking for when you can file your claim. Do not delay, reach out to a Burger Law car accident lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT to get justice and full compensation for your injuries. We begin working on your case straight away and do not give up until we win your case.

How to Avoid Auto Accidents | Oak Forest, IL Car Accident Lawyer

Over three quarters of people who perish in auto crashes are drivers. Every Burger Law car accident lawyer has seen with their own eyes the damage that a thoughtless driver can cause. While you cannot always control what other people do, there are several measures you can take to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others on the Oak Forest, IL streets.

• Always use a seatbelt. In 2017, seatbelts saved an estimated 14,955 people from death. More than 83 percent of drivers and passengers who are entirely ejected from the vehicle perish, and most of the rest sustained grave, life-changing injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that wearing a seatbelt decreases the risk of death by almost half and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
• Be aware of the rules of the road. The Illinois Secretary of State has published a Quick Guide to Safe Driving for Oak Forest, IL drivers. Simple tips like driving slower and increasing following distance in winter conditions not only go a long way in keeping you and everyone else on the road safe, but they also shield you from liability or being partially blamed for a crash if you do find yourself in one.
• If you drive a motorcycle, use a helmet. While Oak Forest, IL does not have laws requiring motorcycle drivers to use helmets, they are literal life-savers. In 2017, helmets saved 1,872 lives.
• Put down your cell phone. While you can always text somebody later, you can never take back the effects of an auto crash. Pull over to the side of the road if you need need your phone for an emergency. If you use your phone for directions, turn the volume up 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. We all share the road, and we all should be respectful to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Recognize that you are in control of several tons of metal moving at high speeds. Safety should be the first thing on your mind. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost 25 percent of traffic deaths are people under the age of 25. A less cautious attitude is probably a contributing factor.
• Keep both hands on the wheel. Just driving with one hand can considerably lessen your control of the car. Quickly changing the A/C settings is probably OK, but both hands should be on the wheel the majority of the time.
• Call a taxi or ridesharing service if you have been drinking. Not only does alcohol considerably impair your ability to operate a car safely, but it also raises your confidence and makes you feel more powerful, so you could think driving while drunk will be fine. Your brain may deceive you into thinking you can drive home safely, but it is never true.

You can take every possible precaution when you get behind the wheel, but unfortunately the thoughtless behavior of irresponsible drivers can still hurt you. When you get hurt because someone else broke the rules of the road, you deserve complete compensation for all of your damages. Every Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest, IL

You should never have had to bear the financial, physical and emotional hardships of someone else’s poor choices and careless behavior. Fortunately, the law offers an avenue for restitution, however you only have one opportunity to attain it. Trust in a car accident lawyer in Oak Forest, IL who has attained results and won the hard cases before. Burger Law aggressively pursues lawsuits so insurance companies know we will settle for nothing but complete compensation. We intimidate insurance companies because they know we use our hard work, savvy, experience, determination and devotion to always secure the best possible results for our Oak Forest, IL clients and see them made whole again. When you hire a Burger Law car accident lawyer, we start working on your case right away and do not rest until you get the full financial recovery you deserve. Call a Burger Law car accident lawyer in Oak Forest, IL immediately at (314) 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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