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Personal Injury Lawyers
Helping Injury Victims
In Iowa, Illinois and Nationwide
Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys with offices throughout Illinois and Iowa.
We are Honored to Help
Personal injuries can have a devastating impact on your life and that of your family. The physical and financial hardships caused by personal injuries can range from “inconvenience” to “life altering”. You don’t need to go through this struggle alone. The personal injury lawyers at VanDerGinst Law can ease your burden. We focus on your personal injury claim so you can focus on getting better. We are here to serve YOU.
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When you have been injured on the job or due to someone’s negligence or wrongdoing you can face a lot of hurdles. You need answers. You need help. You need it right away and you need your life to be disrupted as little as possible. VanDerGinst Law would be HONORED to help.
Personal injuries can obviously cause physical pain and disability. But they can also cause emotional trauma and drain you of the energy you need to function in your day-to-day life. You need peace of mind knowing that your medical bills will be paid, and that your family will be supported if you have lost wages due to missing work.
VanDerGinst Law is one of the most successful law firms in the country when it comes to getting compensation for personal injury victims. Just as important, we do all the little things necessary to make your life easier during a trying time.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a personal injury you probably have numerous questions about what to do and what to expect. Hopefully, most of your questions will be answered in the FAQs or somewhere else in our website. If not, feel free to call 800-797-5391 and speak with one of our personal injury professionals for FREE.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a personal injury you probably have numerous questions about what to do and what to expect. Hopefully, most of your questions will be answered in the FAQs or somewhere else in our website. If not, feel free to call 800-797-5391 and speak with one of our personal injury professionals for FREE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED PERSONAL INJURY LAW QUESTIONS
1. What Should I Do and Not Do If I Have Been Injured?
If you are able, without jeopardizing your health or safety, you should collect witness information and photos and/or video of the accident site. Of course, if necessary, contact the police or other emergency personnel. Get the proper medical attention necessary to address any acute injury as soon as possible. Do NOT sign anything for the other party’s insurance representatives. Do NOT give the other party’s insurance representatives a recorded statement.
2. Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Of course, you would expect a personal injury law firm to say “yes” to that question. Indeed, that is our short answer. But there are a lot of reasons that it makes sense for you to be represented by a personal injury lawyer when you have a claim.
First and possibly foremost, the right lawyer can make a huge difference on the amount of compensation you will recover from your claim. Insurance carriers and other big business defendants have lawyers looking out for their interests. They do not willingly give you what you are entitled to. In fact, it is the job of insurance adjusters to get claimants to settle for as little as possible. Only the leverage that can be exerted by an experienced personal injury attorney who is willing to file a lawsuit on behalf of clients, can get you the type of compensation to which you are entitled. VanDerGinst Law has that experience.
Second, why would you even want to tackle the mess associated with filling out mountains of forms and dealing with insurance people and medical providers? You need rest and recuperation from your injuries, not additional stress. VanDerGinst Law will take the worry away. We make opening a file as easy and convenient as possible. We collect the documentation necessary to pursue your case. We conduct the investigation. We deal with the insurance people and medical providers, and coordinate benefits. We negotiate and get you the best resolution possible.
Third, there is no financial risk to having VanDerGinst Law on your side. If we do not win your injury case and get you compensation, you will not owe us anything!
3. When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you were injured in an accident and required any type of treatment or attention to those injuries, your accident probably warrants the attention of a personal injury attorney as well. With respect to the question of how soon you should speak to a lawyer, we suggest that you contact VanDerGinst Law as soon as possible after getting the initial medical attention necessary to address your injuries.
- Do not wait until you are done treating.
- Do not wait until you have spoken to insurance representatives or adjusters.
- Do not wait until you get tired of negotiating on your own.
Adjusters set tentative values on injury claims at a very early stage. Having an experienced injury attorney on your side can ensure that those values are adjusted much higher than they would be with no attorney. Witness statements and evidence often needs to be secured at an early stage. A good lawyer will also advise you against signing medical authorization or giving recorded statements. There are just too many things that can go wrong if you do not get a personal injury lawyer onboard as soon as practicable after your injury.
4. Do I Need to File a Lawsuit to get Compensation for My Personal Injury?
Most personal injury claims can be resolved without having to even file a lawsuit. That only happens if your personal injury lawyer has shown that he or she is willing to file lawsuits and fight for justice whenever it is necessary to get the best results for clients. At VanDerGinst Law we have a long history of proving our dedication to our clients. Insurance companies know that. They know we will file lawsuits, if necessary, to get the best results.
5. Will my personal injury case go to trial?
Even if your personal injury case must have a lawsuit filed, that does not mean it will proceed all the way to a trial. Probably 95% of all injury cases are settled before going to trial. During trial preparations each side becomes more familiar with their respective strengths and weaknesses. That often results in a settlement. At VanDerGinst Law we prepare all cases as if they will go to trial. That way we can be in the best position possible to get the best settlements for our clients.
6. How are Personal Injury Damages Determined? What is my case worth?
If a personal injury attorney tells you what your case is worth after a brief conversation about your injuries, they are either misleading or misinformed. There are many factors which impact a personal injury case value. Such factors include your age, the type of accident, where you live, the nature, extent and duration of your injuries and treatment needs, the impact of your injuries on your ability to work and earn income, scarring and disfigurement, the impact on family, the nature of the defendant and their insurance and/or assets, and other considerations too numerous to mention.
If successful in showing liability in a personal injury case the damages may include any of the following which may apply:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Past and future physical and mental pain and suffering
- Past and future loss of function of mind and body
- Past and future loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Out of pocket expenses
7. What is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering include harm caused by physical injury and mental anguish experienced due to ancillary issues related to the accident and injuries.
8. How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
At VanDerGinst Law we handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. That means that if we fail in getting you money for your injuries, there is NO ATTORNEY FEE. You will never be out of pocket a penny. We do not get paid unless and until you do.
Our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. The percentage depends on the type of case we handle and whether the case must be litigated. But it is never more than 40% of the recovery and is usually between 20% and one third.
Additionally, even though other personal injury attorneys say they charge a contingent fee, they may also require a retainer fee for costs (for filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, postage, records, etc.) That can often be hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
At VanDerGinst Law we charge NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases. We forward all costs necessary to pursue your claim.
9. What are the time limits that apply for Personal Injury Claims?
The statute of limitations is the law that limits the time in which a person must file a lawsuit. In Illinois and Iowa that time is generally two years from the date of the injury. There are very limited exceptions which may expand that time. There are also some situations which require notices be sent or lawsuits filed earlier than that two-year period. If you fail to file a lawsuit within the applicable time, you are forever barred from doing so. Therefore, it is always a good idea to get VanDerGinst Law in your corner as soon as possible.
10. If I was partially at fault can I still be compensated for injuries I sustained in an accident?
Illinois recognizes something known as “Modified Comparative Fault”. Under the Modified Comparative Fault System, each party is held responsible for damages in proportion to their own percentage of fault pro-rata, unless the plaintiff's negligence reaches 51%.
So, if you are partly at fault your compensation will be reduced be the proportionate percentage of fault. However, if you are 51% or more to blame, then you are entitled to no compensation. Therefore, if a reasonable award were determined to be $100,000 but you were 40% at fault, your award would be reduced by 40% so that you would receive $60,000.
11. Will medical bills I incurred due to my injury accident be paid by the responsible party?
The responsible party is obligated to pay the costs for all bills for reasonable and necessary treatment. That can include medical bills, chiropractic bills, dental bills, physical therapy bills and any other similar costs.
12. What happens if the responsible party did not have any insurance coverage?
Sometimes the party responsible for causing an injury accident does not have insurance to pay for the damages or does not have enough insurance. When that happens, VanDerGinst Law leaves no stone unturned to see if a compensation source can be identified. Sometimes we can find employers and other sources who may be vicariously liable. Sometimes we can turn to our client’s own uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage. Sometimes we determine the responsible party has ample assets available outside of insurance.
Top Four Things That Should Matter to You Most When Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer
1. The VanDerGinst Law Personal Injury Lawyers Make the Process Easy and Convenient
We know how devastating serious injuries can be. You may be suffering pain and incurring medical bills. You may not be able to work due to your injuries. The personal injury claims process can be agonizing, confusing and frustrating. The last thing you need is to hassle with medical providers, insurance carriers and adjusters.
Let VanDerGinst Law handle the stress and mess so you can concentrate on getting better!
We make opening a personal injury case as quick and convenient as possible. You can visit one of our convenient office locations, or if you prefer, we can come to you.
We can also open most files right on the phone or online! Video conferencing is also available!
We are available 24/7 every day of the year! Simply click here or call 800-797-5391
We do whatever is reasonably necessary to open your file as quickly and easily as possible. Once we open your file, we take immediate action to investigate and position your case to get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Many law firms require injury clients to track down medical and other documents. At VanDerGinst Law our Personal Injury Lawyers and professional staff do all the work necessary to document your injuries. We obtain all the records from medical providers. We coordinate health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, medical payment insurance, and any other benefits which may apply to your case. We negotiate with the insurance adjuster and other representatives of the opposing party. We do our best to position your case for the best settlement possible. If the opponent doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement, our highly experienced personal injury attorneys are prepared to do battle in court, where we will fight hard to get you the best result.
2. Be Affordable? How about Free? If our personal injury lawyers don’t get you compensation for your injury claim, you won’t owe us a dime!
At VanDerGinst Law we handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. That means that if we fail in getting you money for your injuries, there is NO ATTORNEY FEE. You will NEVER be out of pocket a penny. We do not get paid unless and until you do. Our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. The percentage depends on the type of case we handle and whether the case must be litigated. But it is never more than 40% of the recovery and is usually between 20% and one third.
Additionally, even though other personal injury lawyers say they charge a contingent fee, they may also require a retainer fee for costs (for filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, postage, records, etc.) That can often be hundreds, even thousands of dollars. At VanDerGinst Law we charge NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases. We forward all costs necessary to pursue your claim.
3. The Personal Injury Lawyers at VanDerGinst Law Will Fight to Get You the Maximum Amount of Money for Your Injury Claim
They say a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the judge! At VanDerGinst Law we know injury law. We have represented over 50,000 injury victims over the years. But we also know the judges, lawyers, medical providers, and insurance adjusters who are involved in injury claims and lawsuits!
We have made record recoveries for a variety of different types of injury cases. We have been recognized by peers, clients, and other professionals as among the best in the country in personal injury law.
We recover millions of dollars for injury victims each year. We will fight hard to get you the money you deserve!
(CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF OUR AWARDS AND ACCOLADES)
With national resources and local connections, our personal injury attorneys can get you the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Also Have the Inside Track into The Insurance Industry. We do not, and never will, represent insurance companies, thus always ensuring that we never have a conflict of interest in representing our injury clients. But we employ former insurance adjusters and insurance defense lawyers who know the tricks of the trade. We put that knowledge to work for you!
If you have suffered serious injuries, you need a personal injury law firm that focuses on injury law, rather than a lawyer who occasionally “dabbles”. The practice of law is a lot like the practice of medicine. There are practitioners who have “general” practices and others who specialize.
At VanDerGinst Law we focus on injury law.
We are not saying that general practice lawyers cannot handle an occasional injury claim. But, if you needed brain surgery you would see a brain surgeon, not the family doctor, nor a gynecologist. By the same token, you can feel completely confident that you will be in good hands with the personal injury lawyers of VanDerGinst Law.
We can expertly handle ANY injury case that comes our way.
4. The Personal Injury Lawyers of VanDerGinst Law Will Keep You Informed Every Step of the Way
Anyone can make that kind of statement. But can they prove it? We can. VanDerGinst Law is one of the only law firms in the country to have been awarded the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Ethics.
We have also been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from Avvo Lawyer Rating Service and the Client Champion Award from Martindale-Hubbell Attorney Rating Service.
(Click here to see testimonials from some of our clients)
Our personal injury attorneys can assist you with just about every type of injury related claim, including but not limited to car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, worker’s compensation, slip and fall accidents, dog attacks, injuries caused by dangerous or faulty products, medical negligence, boating accidents, plane accidents, railway accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death, and just about any other accident caused by negligence or the wrongdoing of another.
With over thirty years of experience and having represented over 50,000 injured clients, VanDerGinst Law understands what you are going through. We can relieve your worries and stress and get you the compensation you deserve.
Don’t delay, contact us today. Click here or call 800-797-5391 for a FREE, no obligation consultation.
12 Important Things You Should Consider When You Have Been Injured
TYPES OF PERSONAL INJURY CASES WE HANDLE
Personal injury lawyers focus on helping people who have been injured in any number of ways. The list and descriptions below are just a sampling of the types of cases VanDerGinst Law can help with. Never hesitate to reach out and ask if you are injured in a way not outlined here.
Car Accidents: Our personal injury lawyers can get you the best compensation for your car accident-related injuries. Even minor accidents can cause serious injuries.
Truck Accidents: Commercial trucks accidents (also known as semis, tractor-trailers, or big rigs) can cause devastating injuries. The rules that apply to truckers and tucking companies are different than typical motor vehicle accidents. To get the best recovery you need lawyers who have the experience and special education on how to handle these cases. VanDerGinst Law’s personal injury attorneys have those credentials.
Traumatic Brain Injury: Serious brain injuries can result from accidents that may seem minor. Symptoms may include headaches, memory loss, agitation, slurring, loss of consciousness and others. Proper investigation and treatment are crucial towards getting reasonable compensation for these types of injuries.
Motorcycle Accident: Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. Bikers are so exposed on our roadways. Our injury attorneys help bikers and their families when serious motorcycle accidents occur.
Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death can occur due to someone’s negligence, intentional actions, or other types of wrongdoing. We can help your family get through a tough and confusing time and get the financial recovery necessary to assist in easing some of the burden that comes when a loved one is lost.
Bus Accidents: Bus accidents may involve municipalities who can rely on governmental immunities to avoid liability. They say you cannot fight city hall. Well, we do! Every day! And we win!
Pedestrian accidents: If you or a loved one is struck as a pedestrian by a vehicle the injuries can be devastating. See what our injury lawyers can do to help.
Premises Liability: Premises liability can include any number of accident or injury causing incidents that occur on commercial or residential property.
Dog Bites: There are a lot of dog lovers. VanDerGinst Law has a lot of dog lovers. Nevertheless, if a dog attacks, serious injuries can occur. Often, compensation is necessary to address medical bills and sometimes even plastic surgery. See how our personal injury lawyers can help.
Class Action Lawsuits: VanDerGinst Law is involved in several class and mass action lawsuits. Class action lawsuits and mass tort actions are the result of many people being adversely affected or otherwise harmed by the actions or inactions of one, or a handful, of wrongdoers.
They are similar in that the grievances of a large group of people are usually consolidated into one action. However, with mass tort actions each member of the group is still treated as an individual and must prove the elements of their specific damages. With class actions the entire group is represented by a class representative and all members are treated as one plaintiff
Both, class, and mass tort actions, often arise in the context of product liability or consumer actions. Frequently, they are seen in the context of pharmaceutical or medical device litigation. Whenever the FDA mandates a new warning or a product recall is issued, there is a good chance that a mass and/or class action will follow.
Personal injury lawyers often pool their resources to pursue compensation for those who have been harmed in these situations. Not all personal injury attorneys are inclined to participate in these cases due to the drain on resources. But a good injury attorney can either handle these cases for you or refer you to a law firm who can.
Spinal Cord Injury: Spinal cord injuries can result from many different types of accidents. Serious spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or a loved one has suffered this type of injury contact VanDerGinst Law right away. Our personal injury attorneys will fight hard to get the compensation necessary to help you return to as normal a life as possible after such devastation.
Swimming Pool Injuries: Swimming pools are a great way to relax, exercise or recreate. But they can also result in slip and fall accidents and diving accidents that lead to serious injuries, or even drowning.
Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents can occur indoors or outdoors. They can happen at commercial properties and residential properties. They can happen on sidewalks, in parking lots and other public areas. They happen in the winter. But they also happen in the summer. They often result in serious injuries. VanDerGinst Law can help get you the compensation you deserve when faced with a slip and fall accident.
Worker’s Compensation Claims: Even if you were at fault in causing the accident which led to injuries at work, you can still be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. If you were working and doing something in furtherance of your employment you may qualify for compensation. Our injury lawyers can help you get proper compensation and explore other possible sources of compensation.
Construction Accidents: As you might imagine, construction accidents are a frequent occurrence. They can lead to serious injuries that require the attention of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Construction accidents can occur in a variety of ways. Sometimes two or more claims may arise from the same accident that caused the injuries. There may be a claim for worker’s compensation as well as potential claims against manufacturers of faulty or dangerous products (Product liability) and/or claims against other negligent parties who were not employed by the same company as the injured person.
Because of the complex issues and serious injuries that can arise from construction accidents it is always a good idea to have a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in your corner if you have been a victim of such an accident.
Insurance Claims: Insurance claims can be made in relation to injuries from accidents. But they can also be related to other rights you may have under any insurance policy you may have. (Commercial, Homeowner’s, Health, Liability, etc.).
Medical Malpractice: Medical providers are held to a high standard of care in rendering care and treatment to patients. When they breach that standard of care the consequences can be dire. Medical malpractice refers to any situation where a treatment provider’s failure to meet the applicable standard of care then causes harm or injury to a patient. It can apply to the actions or inactions of hospitals, doctors, nurses, or any other health care professional.
Medical malpractice cases are very difficult cases for several reasons. First, they are typically complex and often require the assistance of medical experts to prove liability and damages. For that reason, they are also often very expensive to pursue. The experts often charge thousands, and even tens of thousands of dollars, for their services. Further, the law treats the practice of medicine more as an art than a science and can be very forgiving when determining if there has been negligence. Additionally, juries are often very sympathetic to treatment providers due to the nature of the work they do.
A good personal injury lawyer can handle your medical malpractice claim and have the resources to finance it so that you will not need to worry about the costs associated with retaining experts. However, due to the risks and costs associated with these types of cases, not all personal injury attorneys are prepared to handle these claims.
Nursing Home Negligence: When a loved one has been neglected in a nursing home a personal injury lawyer can assist in securing compensation. Examples of nursing home negligence include failing to properly treat injuries or illness, failing to address fall risks, failing to properly turn patients to avoid bed sores and ulcers, failing to address extreme weight loss, and numerous other scenarios.
Nursing Home Abuse: When a loved one has been abused in a nursing home a personal injury lawyer can assist in securing justice. Examples of nursing home abuse include sexual abuse from residents or staff, other physical abuse from residents or staff, mental and emotional abuse, financial abuse, and other similar situations.
Other Cases
The list above is just a small sampling of the types of cases a good personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you with.
At VanDerGinst Law we have the experience, knowledge, and compassion to help with all these types of claims and many more. If you have been injured, we would be honored to help.
Some of Our Recent Results
At VanDerGinst Law, each client provides us with an opportunity to help someone in a stressful situation. Every case is different, and we cannot promise the same results for every case. But we can promise to use every effort to get the best results possible for your injury case.
Real People, Real Stories.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of serving many people who were injured at the hands of others and needed a personal injury lawyer to handle their case. Our clients are at the heart of our practice, and their situations inspire us to be the best that we can be.
Community Spotlight
We focus on helping people both in and out of the courtroom. Community involvement is a passion of the VanDerGinst Law team.
Whether through our time or charitable donations, we’re happy to help.
Check Out Our Podcasts
VanDerGinst Law now sponsors two fantastic podcasts. Learn about “Legal Squeaks” and “Uncommon Convos” below.
Legal Squeaks
Concise bits of legal and consumer info.
Uncommon Convos
Entertaining and interesting conversations with entertaining and interesting people