Personal Injury Lawyers in Evanston, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt due to negligent and reckless actions. When you or someone you love are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (573) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To calculate the value of your personal injury claim in Glen Carbon, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

Those who hurt you are responsible for compensating you for all of your damages, but that does not mean they will do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights back for the injured against whoever is standing in the way of justice. That includes anything from making claims against drunk drivers, holding negligent healthcare professionals, product manufacturers, store owners responsible, taking the fight to the government, to getting justice and financial security for Glen Carbon residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, IL today at (573) 500-HURT.

Why Burger Law Is The Evanston, IL Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you is essential. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and what their clients and peers say about them:

Premier Evanston, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The many awards and accolades Burger Law has received from other attorneys include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all lawyers in the country
• 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 award that is comprised of the most qualified lawyers 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Evanston, IL – Recent Victories

Our Evanston, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We take on all who have hurt our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our lawyers are committed to giving our clients amazing legal advocacy, and we take great pride in our well-deserved successes. Check out some of our recent victories in personal injury claims below:

• $5 Million Settlement – Father Killed By Reckless Truck Driver
• $3 Million Judgment – Son Murdered by Pam Hupp
• $2.5 Million Settlement for Father’s Fatal Car Accident
• From $0 to $2 Million Car Accident Settlement
• $2 Million Settlement – Injured Woman Settles Highway Crash Lawsuit
• $1.435 Million Settlement For Deck Collapse That Injured Couple
• $1 Million Settlement to Family of Man with Sepsis Infection
• Medical Malpractice Case Settles for Over $1 Million
• $900,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $765,000 Settlement After Fatal Collision
• $600,000 Tractor-Trailer Crash
• $600,000 Settlement – Widow in ATV Accident Settles with Property Owner
• Class Action $600,000 Settlement Against the State of Illinois
• $495,000 Uninsured Motorcycle Verdict
• $400,000 Settlement in Employment Discrimination Case
• $350,000 Settlement in Ladder Case

It is important to remember that no two cases are the same, and the financial recovery you receive is going to depend on the your specific accident. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that you secure what you deserve.

Burger Law Reviews

In addition to the videos below, you can see our full list of client testimonials here.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Evanston, IL?

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get monetary reimbursement for the harm another person is responsible for, and to achieve justice. The recovery you receive is meant to make one whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

In some cases, no outcome in your claim can fully “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While you can be reimbursed for medical bills, time spent off work recovering and other financial losses, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If a family member died, you are permanently disabled, are disfigured or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no one can truly make that go away. What empathetic and experienced personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and acknowledgment, and to provide you with relief from the financial losses resulting from your injuries.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Evanston, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to recover the full value of your claim in Evanston, IL. The question to ask when thinking about whether or not to hire a lawyer is, will I get more money with them? If your injuries were minor, you have minimal lost wages and the insurance company is being mostly fair, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire legal representation in Evanston, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is a dispute about liability, or you are being blamed for your injuries
• The initial settlement offer is substantially below what you are owed
• Your injuries are serious and require ongoing care
• There are multiple parties at fault
• Your damages are more than an insurance company’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we are always honest about whether or not it is in your best interest to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and we have no reason to accept you as a client if we do not think we can get you substantially more money.

What Do You Need to Prove to Win a Personal Injury Claim in Evanston, IL?

While state statutes can be confusing, whether or not you can seek compensation depends on the answer to one particular question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? From a legal standpoint, you must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to show that the person you are making a claim against owed it to you to value your safety. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as motorists all owe everyone on the Evanston, IL roads a duty of care, or store owners need their properties to be reasonable safe for anyone who legally enters. Other times, a special relationship must have formed, for instance the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did someone fail in that obligation? Did a driver hit you while they were texting and driving? Did a doctor not order the appropriate tests? Did a product manufacturer fail to recall a product they knew was dangerous?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must demonstrate how the accident resulted in your injuries. For example, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines liability. If you were hit by a vehicle, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the brakes were not safe, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you have to demonstrate that you sustained some form of financial loss as a direct result of your injuries. In most cases damages are medical bills and lost wages. If you keep solid records of your medical expenses, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. Once we establish financial losses, we can also pursue a financial recovery for the other ways your injuries have affected you.

The only way to know for certain if you have an injury claim is to speak to an attorney who has handled your type of claim in Evanston, IL before. Call a personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT.

Types of Cases Our Evanston, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

Being a personal injury lawyer in Evanston, IL mandates that your lawyers and firm have a vast knowledge of the different types of cases that people deal with. Knowing the difference between the laws and defendants applicable to different types of claims is paramount. A lawyer that only specializes in a certain type of injury claim may not have the experience to take on other cases. At Burger Law, we know how to hold the liable party accountable whenever negligence results in an injury. We have won millions for our Evanston, IL clients in the following types of cases:

Auto Accidents

Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims annually. Just over half of those are auto accident claims, for instance:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

Truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because trucks emit an incredible amount of force, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at increased risk of being severely injured due to their relatively limited protection. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorist must “exercise due care” to avoid colliding with anybody or anything else on the Illinois roads. If someone breaks the rules of the road and you end up hurt, you can file a claim.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or governmental entity may be at fault. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your claim to find every liable party and hold them accountable.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a duty to ensure their premises does not carry any risks for invitees and licensees. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unreasonably dangerous, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also called the Illinois Premises Liability Act, mandates that proprietors have a duty of care to people who lawfully enter their property that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Generally, if there is a hazardous condition that is not obvious, the owner needs to either repair the hazard, post signage or rope it off. Examples of hazardous conditions are:

• Spills
• A recently mopped floor
• Broken concrete on a walkway
• Broken stairs
• Broken decks and balconies
• Potholes
• Sudden changes in surface level
• Ledges
• Poorly lit stairs and walking paths
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Uneven rugs
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Absence of safety rails

You do not automatically have a claim just because a property had a dangerous condition. If you were in a part of a property you were not allowed to be, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or acting dangerously, it might be hard to get compensation. The following must be true in order to make a claim:

• The owner or manager created the hazardous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the danger and failed to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the condition and repaired it negligently; or
• The owner or manager should have known about the condition, either because it happens often, had been there for an extended length of time or due to other complaints

A property owner or insurance company in Evanston, IL may tell you they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. Do not believe them, and always speak with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement.

Medical Malpractice

According to a 2016 study from John Hopkins University, medical errors cause over 250,000 deaths each year. While not all of those constitutes negligence, when it does, you can make a medical malpractice claim.

Your medical malpractice cases is based on what is referred to as the standard of care. The standard refers to how a prudent doctor, in a specific field and specific location, would treat a specific condition.

According to 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice claim must be accompanied by an affidavit from a health professional who:

• is knowledgeable in the relevant issues of the claim
• practices or teaches the same field as the doctor you are suing, or has practiced or taught in that field within the last six years
• is qualified to review the facts of your case, and determines your claim is “reasonable and meritorious”

It is vital that the health professional corroborating your claim has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are making a claim against. A neurologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Camden, Maine. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Evanston and all over Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Evanston, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in after surgery
• Hospital system errors
• Lack of consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Blowing off a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan is not working
• Prescription errors

Dog Bites

Every day, nearly 1,000 people require emergency care for dog bites, and every year dog bites lead to about 12,480 hospitalizations. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois has the second-highest rate of dog bites in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, mandates that a dog owner is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, assuming there was no provocation and you were legally allowed to be where you were. “Strict liability” means that the owner is automatically liable, whether they were negligent or not. This means that the owner owes you a recovery even if they did not necessarily do anything wrong.

While some dog bites are minor, others result in reconstructive surgeries or lifelong disfigurement. In any case, trust in a Burger Law Evanston, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the best possible compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, anyone in the chain of distribution of a product is strictly liable for the damages a defective product causes. There are typically three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Evanston, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that occurs even if the product is manufactured correctly. This could include an SUV that is prone to rollover accidents, or a power tool whose guard rails do not prevent injuries.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect affects several individual products instead of every product with the same design. Examples include a bug getting caught in packaging, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Insufficient instructions — This refers to a product that did not carry sufficient warnings when it was put to foreseeable use. For example, a medication that does not include certain side-effects in the labeling.

In order to make a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the product carried inherent risks when it was used in a way a manufacturer could anticipate, that it caused your injuries and that you had not significantly altered the product.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers know how to get great results whenever a rule breaker injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Evanston, IL personal injury lawyer is that our team takes on all types of personal injury claims, and this actually gives our lawyers exceptional experience that they can use to benefit all their clients. We understand that case types often overlap, and having experience with each type of claim gives our team the perfect understanding of how to fight for our clients’ rights and recoveries.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process in Evanston, IL?

The journey to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries begins the day you are injured. While some cases only take a few months, others go completely through to a jury trial. Generally, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical care as soon as possible after an injury, and do not miss any appointments with your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not attending all your appointments will lower how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers work with several trustworthy Evanston, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists who can help you in your recovery.
• Speaking With an Attorney — Even if you do not know if you need an attorney, it is best to know what your options are as soon as possible. A good lawyer will be honest with you about the value of your claim and how they can help.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will carry out a comprehensive investigation into your claim, determine every liable party and obtain the evidence they need to get you the best possible financial recovery. You should also keep detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how they affect your day-to-day life.
• Settlement Demand and Negotiations — Once we have determined the full extent of your damages, we will send a settlement demand package to the liable party’s insurance company. In the package we will include full documentation of all of your damages, and demand a financial recovery for all the ways your injuries have affected you. Usually, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and there will be several back-and-forths until they offer full compensation.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If the insurance company will not be fair in negotiations, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. During this time, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last chance for an agreement before trial. In mediation, an objective third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation still does not result in a fair settlement, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In this phase, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, obtain more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to bring up at trial.
• Trial — It is rare that a personal injury claim makes it all the way to trial. Indeed, many times we have gotten a fair settlement offer on the eve of trial. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, we will defend your rights in court. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most people who speak with our Evanston, IL personal injury lawyers have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and do not know what to expect. Burger Law will be your advocate from our initial consultation to full compensation, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and oversee all the legal aspects of your case so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in My Evanston, IL Personal Injury Claim?

In general, there are two types of damages you can be compensated for in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm resulting from your injuries, including:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Medical costs, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

Though rare, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the negligent harmed you on purpose or they were incredibly reckless. Examples can include a drunk driver, or a doctor who performs surgery after drinking. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue possible to maximize your compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Evanston, IL?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is relatively short at two years for most personal injury claims, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means the clock starts ticking when your accident occurs, and expires after two years. However, there are three noteworthy exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 at the time of injury, you have two years to file a claim after your 18th birthday.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when the injury occurred, you have two years from the date the disability was “removed.”
3. In medical malpractice cases, you have two years from the date you discovered the injury or could reasonably have been expected to discover the injury. No medical malpractice claim can be made more than four years after the injury occurred, unless you were under 18. Then you would have until your 22nd birthday.

While two years may not cause immediate concern, your attorney will want as much time as possible to build your case. Do not wait to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Other types of claims we win in Evanston, IL include:

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

HIRE BURGER LAW

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in Evanston, IL Now

Burger Law’s Evanston, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, investigate your case thoroughly, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you are awarded the maximum recovery you are owed. We offer the highest standard of legal advocacy; all of our advice will be based on the facts of the case and our experience, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your Evanston, IL family. You do not have to pay for someone else’s careless actions. To start on your road to true recovery, call a Burger Law Evanston, IL personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

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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