Fatal Car Accident in Chicago, IL

When your life has been shattered by the senseless tragedy of a fatal car accident that killed someone you love, there are few things more important than finding a lawyer you trust and rely on. Burger Law’s fatal car accident lawyers have the experience and track record you want from a lawyer, and the compassion and dedication you need. Call us now at (866) 935-4153 or send us a message online.

The legal team of Burger Law in Chicago has been fighting on behalf of Chicago and Illinois injury and wrongful death victims for nearly three decades. Our car accident claim attorneys have dedicated their lives to standing up for the vulnerable and making reckless and careless actors pay for the irreparable pain and damage they have inflicted. Meet our incredible team of leading Chicago fatal car accident lawyers and paralegals or speak to one of us for free about your case at (866) 935-4153.

Our fatal car accident lawyers have helped our clients receive more than $170 million in verdicts and damages for the losses they have experienced. The outcome in your case, the recovery you collect and your peace of mind and security for your future all depend upon the abilities of your fatal car accident lawyer in Chicago. You must find a car accident lawyer who not only possesses the technical capabilities, resources and track record to win your case, but also is personally dedicated to your cause. Burger Law’s fatal car accident team in Chicago understands that what you are going through is unspeakably painful, and that each wrongful death and the people it affects are unique. We approach your case with compassion and revere the solemn responsibility of providing you with the same level of legal advocacy and litigation that the insurance companies have at their disposal.

Fatal Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois

If your family member was killed by a reckless or negligent driver in a fatal car accident in Illinois, you have the legal option to make a wrongful death claim. Illinois law on wrongful death allows those who have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, such as in the event of a fatal car accident, to be compensated for their losses and to make the negligent person pay for the harm they have caused.

Illinois Compiled Statutes 740 ILCS 180/ defines the legal requirements for a wrongful death claim in the state of Illinois. The statute identifies who may file a claim, what damages they may recover, how long they have to file a claim and other details related to filing a wrongful death suit in Illinois.

If your loved one was killed in a fatal car accident in [city], [state], one of the first things you must determine, in addition to whether the situation qualifies as wrongful death, is who is eligible to make a claim and recover damages. First preference is given to the decedent’s surviving spouse and next of kin. When the decedent has no surviving spouse or next of kin, the court will appoint a personal representative — typically someone close to the decedent. Our experienced Chicago attorneys have a deep understanding of Illinois law and will put our skills to use to ensure that you are compensated for the loss of your loved one and that the person responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

In filing a wrongful death claim, you will most certainly need a great wrongful death lawyer in Chicago who has experience representing families who have lost their loved ones due to the negligence or poor decisions of another person, such as in a fatal car accident. Burger Law has a team of dedicated wrongful death lawyers in Chicago who specialize in cases like car accidents. Our attorneys have experience winning tough fatal car accidents and other wrongful death claims, securing the maximum possible compensation for our deserving clients.

What Damages Are Available in a Chicago Fatal Car Accident Claim?

Under Illinois law, you may be eligible to make a wrongful death claim if your family member was killed in a fatal car accident in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois. In order to get the full recovery you and your family truly deserve, you need an experienced Chicago fatal car accident lawyer on your side. Burger Law has a team of unstoppable Chicago attorneys ready to demand your full recovery and fight ceaselessly until you win your wrongful death claim.

Unlike some states, Illinois imposes no cap or limit on the dollar amount of damages that can be rewarded to the claimants in a wrongful death case. While no amount of money could ever replace your loved one or their presence in your life, filing a wrongful death claim after your family member is killed in a fatal car accident in Chicago can accomplish three things.

• First, it lifts the burden of dealing with the practical, financial side of things, both in the immediate aftermath of the crash — such as funeral expenses — and in the future, making up for the income your loved one was earning and helping to support you in your daily needs.
• Secondly, it is an acknowledgment that your loved one lost their life undeservedly, that you are suffering needlessly. This was an accident that could have been prevented; it did not have to happen. Yet, it did. Filing a wrongful death claim with Illinois courts and winning your case with the help of a dedicated Chicago wrongful death lawyer at Burger Law can feel like a form of validation. Your settlement is the official, legal acknowledgment that you and your family have experienced loss.
• Thirdly, it sends a message. Sadly, survivors of wrongful death victims such as those killed in fatal car accidents in Chicago are generally not able to recover punitive damages, or damages meant to punish the defendant, as established in the US Appellate Court of Illinois 2009 case Marston v. Walgreens. Still, winning a civil case against the person responsible for your loved one’s death is a way to hold them accountable and make them pay.

You only have one chance to demand and receive complete compensation in your Illinois wrongful death case, and limited time to make your claim. Make the most of this chance to collect compensation that can support you and your family in the long term and help you honor your loved one’s memory the way you want to. Burger Law’s wrongful death legal team in Chicago will be a fierce advocate for you and get you the recovery you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case for free.

Answering your Chicago Fatal Car Accident Wrongful Death Questions

Burger Law is a leading personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving those who have been harmed by others in Chicago and across Illinois and other states. In our more than 25 years as a Chicago law firm, we have helped our clients recover more than $170 million in verdicts and settlements. We believe that part of what makes a successful case and a good relationship between attorney and client is by providing our clients with the answers and the resources they need to understand their legal options and be empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

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Our Chicago attorneys fight relentlessly for victims in fatal car accidents, and our clients’ case results reflect that tenacity. You can hear some of our clients’ stories directly by viewing our testimonial videos or you can read about some of our recent successes now.

What Are Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago?

Though laws and advancements in safety technology and road design have improved immensely since the days of the Model T, cars can still be incredibly dangerous — lethal, even, in the hands of a negligent or reckless motorist. As motorists, we owe everyone around us a duty of care to drive safely and responsibly to avoid inflicting harm. One mistake or lapse in judgment could mean a life is cut tragically short. Common causes of fatal car accidents we see are speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, drowsy driving and aggressive driving.

Car accidents from all types of causes can become fatal, especially when high speeds and excessive force are involved. After any fatal car accident in Chicago, call (866) 935-4153 right away. Below, our fatal car accident lawyers identify a few of the top causes of fatal car accidents in Chicago and throughout the US.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major threat to public safety, causing car accidents that result in serious injuries and even fatalities. The CDC identifies three main types of distractions: visual, manual and cognitive. As humans, we naturally overestimate our ability to multitask. Doing anything from that takes your eyes, hands or mind away from the task of driving — eating, grooming, texting, talking on the phone, smoking, looking at something else, trying to grab a moving object in the car or even just daydreaming — can distract a driver.

A National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration study identified that driver inattention took place within the three seconds before 80% of car crashes, indicating that distracted driving is a major cause of car crashes. Distracted driving is also tied to its fair share of fatal car accidents, causing more than 3,000 deaths in the United States every year, including 3,142 deaths due to fatal car accidents caused by distracted driving incidents.

Speeding

Speed limits exist for a reason. High speed collisions make any car accident more dangerous and likely to cause fatalities. Speeding is a factor in about one third of all car accident fatalities in the United States every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), equating close to 10,000 deaths. In Illinois, the proportion is even higher. According to the annual Illinois Car Crash Facts and Statistics manual, 39.2% of fatal car accidents in Illinois involved speeding.

Illinois State Police have identified that, in recent months, drivers are speeding at a higher rate in 65 mile per hour zones, increasing the risk of both collision and fatality. While the police and other government agencies have continued to work to discourage speeding and punish drivers who do speed, it is impossible to catch everyone. If your loved one was killed in a speeding accident in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, call Burger Law’s fatal car accident lawyers right away.

Drunk Driving

It is no secret that drunk driving is deadly. Everyone knows that it is dangerous and driving under the influence is never a good idea. It still presents a prevalent public safety threat affecting thousands of people in Illinois and the United States every year, though fortunately fatal car accidents attributed to drunk drivers has decreased nationwide by 45% over the last forty years, since 1982 when the NHTSA began collecting data on alcohol impaired driving.

Despite many public campaigns to highlight the dangers of drunk driving and deter drivers from getting behind the wheel, drunk driving is still a significant contributor to fatal car accidents in Illinois and the US. 28 people a day, or one person every 52 minutes, dies in a drunk driving crash in the United States. Compared to the national rate which comes out to 28% of all car crash fatalities, drunk driving is responsible for 30% of car crash fatalities in the state of Illinois.

Though it is legal to drive with a blood alcohol content of less than .08, a driver’s abilities can be compromised with any amount of alcohol in their system. In fact, in 2019 1,775 people were killed in fatal car accidents where the at fault driver had a BAC of between .01-.07, meaning they were under the legal limit.

Regardless of whether or not they broke the law by driving with a BAC over the legal limit, if someone chose to get behind the wheel after drinking and caused the fatal car accident that killed your loved one, they need to be held accountable. Call Burger Law’s wrongful death lawyers right away at (866) 935-4153 to help you hold the driver responsible for their reckless, dangerous actions and collect the compensation you and your family need and deserve.

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is a dangerous habit that has not received the amount of attention or alarm it deserves. Historical data from the last ten years shows around 800 drowsiness-related fatal car accident deaths in the United States every year, meaning that drowsiness would account for around 2.5% of car accident fatalities every year. However, studies acknowledge that the data does not accurately reflect the reality, and that the real figure is likely more than 6,000 deaths caused by drowsy driving every year. This is supported based on may other key data points, such as 41% of drivers reporting that they have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once, and 27% of drivers having driven while struggling to keep their eyes open within the past month.

Scientific studies have likened the effects of fatigue or lack of sleep to being inebriated — causing slowed reaction times, diminished alertness and impaired decision-making abilities. Driving after 20 consecutive hours of being awake is functionally equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol content of .08, the legal limit, and the numbers quickly go up from there. Even driving slightly tired, such as getting only five or six hours of sleep the night before, is also undeniably dangerous.

Advances in technology like crash avoidance technologies in newer, smarter cars as well as community interventions and education propelled by nonprofit organizations and activist groups have worked toward reducing the impact of drowsy driving and other forms of impaired driving on the Chicago area community and the country as a whole. You can do your part to protect others from suffering death or the loss of a loved one in a drowsy driving fatal car accident in Chicago by bringing a wrongful death claim against the driver who drove fatigued and killed your loved one. Burger Law’s wrongful death attorneys in Chicago will help you win maximum compensation in your fatal car accident claim. Learn more at (866) 935-4153.

Aggressive Driving

Reckless driving, careless driving, aggressive driving — whatever you want to call it, it is a big deal. According to the NTSHA, aggressive driving plays a role in 56% of fatal car crashes. This number comes despite the fact that it is considerably difficult to quantify and measure the full extent of aggressive driving occurrences. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 87% of drivers admitted to risky behavior while driving at least once in the past month.

What does aggressive driving look like? Reckless, aggressive driving comes in all sorts of appalling behaviors. A few examples of reckless driving include racing, passing in areas where passing is not permitted or safe, swerving, weaving in and out of traffic, failure to yield the right of way, and disobeying traffic signals. The act of running red lights alone killed 846 people in 2019 in the United States.

When a driver gets a bad case of road rage, is running late, wants to evade the police, or is under the delusion that they are invincible and can do anything they want without being hurt, and makes the decision to drive aggressively, they put everyone around them in grave danger. If you lost a loved one in fatal car accident in Illinois due to an aggressive driver, Burger Law’s wrongful death lawyers in Illinois demand justice. It is a senseless tragedy that could have been prevented, and aggressive drivers must pay for the harm they cause. Call (866) 935-4153 now to discuss your fatal car accident case in Illinois and get your family justice.

Common Types of Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago

• Head-On Collisions: motor vehicle crashes where vehicles traveling in opposite directions meet each other and collide head-on, or into the front of both vehicles. Head-on collisions can often be fatal, especially when they occur at high speeds. These car accidents are commonly caused by distracted drivers, fatigued drivers or drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Rollover Accidents: when a vehicle rotates to the point that the side or roof of the vehicle meets the ground. Rollover crashes are caused by loss of control over the vehicle, often due to swerving to avoid an obstacle or to overcorrect the vehicle’s direction. Rollover car accidents can be dangerous and even fatal, as passengers in the vehicle can be struck by loose objects or can sustain head and spine injuries if the roof of the car caves in.
• Pedestrian Accidents: a vehicle crashing into or otherwise causing harm to someone who is not in a vehicle, typically on foot. Pedestrian car crashes can be fatal for pedestrian victims because they are exposed and do not have the protection of a vehicle around them. A human body is no match for a large, fast-moving modern vehicle.
• T-bone Accidents: a type of crash where one vehicle runs head-first into the side of another vehicle. T-bone car wrecks happen when a driver ignores traffic signals, runs a red light or misjudges the speed and distance of an oncoming vehicle. T-bone collisions often become fatal car accidents for those in the vehicle situated on the side where it was impacted by the other vehicle.

Any kind of motor vehicle collision can be fatal, especially when one or more of the vehicles involved are traveling at high speeds at the time of the impact. If you or a loved one are seriously injured or killed in a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, contact a Chicago fatal car accident lawyer right away.

Our team of passionate litigators and trial lawyers are dedicated to standing up for the vulnerable and making the negligent pay for the harm they have caused. When a car accident in Illinois becomes fatal, Burger Law’s fatal car accident lawyers demand justice and a maximum recovery for you. Get a free review with an experienced car accident wrongful death lawyer in Chicago at (866) 935-4153.

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Chicago Fatal Car Accident Lawyers Who Fight

There is no right or wrong way to mourn or an expiration date for grieving a loved one. No matter how you deal with the loss of a family member after a fatal car accident, make sure you contact a wrongful death lawyer in Chicago right away at (866) 935-4153. Once you have a dedicated, determined and diligent Burger Law fatal car accident wrongful death lawyer on your case, you do not have to worry about anything else. Grieve at your own pace while our fatal car accident legal team works hard to help you win your Chicago wrongful death case.

We know that when it comes to something as sensitive, personal and profound as the wrongful death of a loved one in a tragic fatal car accident, you should not and cannot make the decision of hiring a lawyer lightly. You deserve thoughtful, skilled, and tenacious legal representation in your fatal car accident case. That is why our Chicago legal team has worked hard to provide a wealth of resources to help those who have been harmed by others in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Before you make a decision, learn more about how to choose the right law firm, answers to frequently asked questions about wrongful death claims and other insights into your legal options through our free books and podcasts.

Our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Chicago are always available to answer your questions for free. If you have questions about what to do, if you have a wrongful death case, whether you need a lawyer or would like to discuss anything else regarding your case, contact our knowledgeable and compassionate lawyers today. If your loved one was killed in a fatal car accident in Illinois, take the first step toward justice and closure by calling Burger Law now at (866) 935-4153.

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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