It’s official, VanDerGinst has been voted “Best Law Firm” and Dennis VanDerGinst has been voted “Best Attorney” in the 2022 edition of Quad-City Times Best of the Quad-Cities. We are thankful to have earned these honors in our community. ...

If you have been injured on the job or due to the negligence of another person or business, you need a trustworthy and experienced Dekalb personal injury lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve. VanDerGinst Law can help.
We know how difficult serious injuries can be. You may be experiencing pain and incurring costly medical bills. Your injuries might prevent you from working and earning income. The last thing you need is the stress of dealing with medical providers and insurance representatives.
Let VanDerGinst Law handle it so you can focus on getting better!
Opening a personal injury case is quick and convenient with VanDerGinst Law.
We can open most files over on the phone or online, and we even offer video conferencing.
We are available 24/7 every day of the year! Simply click here or call 800-797-5391
When we open your file, we immediately investigate your case to get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Other law firms require injury clients to hunt down medical documents and other evidence. At VanDerGinst Law, our personal injury lawyers do everything necessary to work your file.
We obtain all the records from medical providers.
We handle health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, medical payment insurance, and any other benefits that may apply to your case.
We negotiate with the insurance adjuster and other representatives of the opposing party. We position your case for the best possible settlement. If the opponent doesn’t offer a sensible settlement, our highly experienced Dekalb personal injury lawyers prepare to do battle in court – where we will fight hard to get you the best result.
At VanDerGinst Law, we handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. If we don’t get you money for your injuries, there is NO ATTORNEY FEE. We do not get paid unless and until you do. Our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. It 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 like filing fees or postage. That can often be hundreds – even thousands – of dollars. At VanDerGinst Law, there is NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases. We forward all costs necessary to pursue your claim.
They say a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the judge! At VanDerGinst Law, we know injury law. But we also know the judges, lawyers, medical providers, and insurance adjusters who are involved in Dekalb-area injury claims and lawsuits. We will fight to get you the money you deserve!
We have made record recoveries in numerous counties across Illinois for all injury case types. Peers, clients, and other professionals recognize us as among the best in the country in personal injury law.
(CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF OUR AWARDS AND ACCOLADES)
With national resources and local connections, our Dekalb personal injury lawyers can get you the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim.
We never have a conflict of interest in representing our injury clients because we do not represent insurance companies.
But we DO employ former insurance adjusters and insurance defense attorneys who know the tricks of the trade.
We put that knowledge to work for you!
The practice of law is much like the practice of medicine. There are practitioners who have “general” practices and others who specialize. 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.”
At VanDerGinst Law we focus on injury law.
We are not saying that general practice lawyers cannot handle an occasional injury claim. But consider this: if you needed brain surgery, would you see your family doctor? No.
By the same token, you can feel completely confident that you will be in great hands with the personal injury lawyers of VanDerGinst Law.
We can skillfully handle ANY injury case that comes our way.
Anyone can make that kind of statement. But can they prove it? We can. We stay in touch to make sure you know exactly what’s going on with your case.
You can put your trust in us – but don’t take our word for it. Listen to our clients.
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.
But don’t take our word for it. Click here to see testimonials from some of our clients.
The city of Dekalb is located about 65 miles west of downtown Chicago. Situated in the heart of Illinois farm country, Dekalb became important to the agricultural industry because of the development and manufacture of its key product: barbed wire. Additionally, the city played a key role in the evolution of commercial hybrid corn, producing high-yield seed varieties under the Dekalb brand (now owned by Bayer).
While the agricultural industry is prominent in the town, Dekalb is also the home of Northern Illinois University, a comprehensive teaching and research institution and the third-largest college campus in Illinois.
At the most recent count, the population of Dekalb numbered 42,847. The city’s population has grown by nearly 10% since the year 2000.
Perhaps due to this expansion in population, Dekalb has its fair share of accidents and injuries. The number of fatal pedestrian accidents in Dekalb over the last three years is nearly double the Illinois average.
Dekalb residents have also been injured from workplace accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, and faulty products.
If you live in Dekalb and were injured on the job or due to someone’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
VanDerGinst Law can help!
If you have been injured, you should gather witness information and photos and/or video of the accident site if you are safely able to do so. If necessary, contact the police or other emergency personnel to address your injuries as soon as possible.
Most importantly, DO NOT sign anything for the other party’s insurance representatives. DO NOT give the other party’s insurance representatives a recorded statement.
There are many reasons that it makes sense for you to be represented by a personal injury lawyer when you have a claim.
First and possibly most critically, the right lawyer can make a difference in 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 will not voluntarily give you what you are entitled to. In fact, it is the job of insurance adjusters to get you to settle for as little as possible. VanDerGinst Law has that experience to exert the necessary leverage to get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
Second, do you really want to fill out loads of forms and deal with insurance people and medical providers? You need to recuperate 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 necessary evidence to pursue your case. We conduct the investigation. We deal with the insurance people and medical providers, and coordinate benefits. We negotiate to get you the best possible outcome.
Finally, with VanDerGinst Law on your side, there is no financial risk for you. If we don’t win your injury case and get you compensation, you won’t owe us anything!
If you were injured in an accident and required treatment for those injuries, you probably need the help of a personal injury lawyer. We suggest that you contact VanDerGinst Law as soon as possible after getting the initial medical care necessary to address your injuries.
Adjusters set tentative values on injury claims at a very early stage. An experienced injury attorney can ensure that those values are much greater than they would be with no attorney working on your behalf. Witness statements and evidence often needs to be secured early in the investigation. 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 on your side as soon as possible after your injury.
Most personal injury claims can be resolved without having to file a lawsuit. At VanDerGinst Law, we have a long history of proving our devotion to our clients. Insurance companies know that. They know we will file lawsuits if necessary, to get the best results.
Even if it’s necessary to file a lawsuit for your injury case, that does not mean it will proceed all the way to a trial. On average, 95% of all injury cases are settled before going to trial. During trial preparations, each side becomes more familiar with their strengths and weaknesses. This 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.
If an attorney tells you what your case is worth after a brief conversation about your injuries, they are either misinformed or misleading you.
There are many elements that impact a personal injury case value.
These 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.
If you successfully show liability in your personal injury case, any of the following may apply for damages:
“Pain and suffering” is the physical pain and mental suffering that results from someone’s accident and injuries. The term encompasses not just pain and discomfort, but also the detrimental effects the injured person is likely to suffer, now and in the future.
At VanDerGinst Law, we handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. If we don’t get you money for your injuries, there is NO ATTORNEY FEE. You will never be out of pocket a dime. We do not get paid unless and until you do.
Even though other personal injury attorneys say they work on contingency, they may also require a retainer fee for costs like filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, etc. That can often add up to hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
At VanDerGinst Law, there is NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases. We forward all costs necessary to pursue your claim.
The statute of limitations is the law that sets the time in which a person must file a lawsuit. In Illinois, that time is generally two years from the date of the injury.
Some limited exceptions may extend that time, and there are also some situations which require notices be sent or lawsuits filed earlier than that two-year period.
If you don’t file a lawsuit within the applicable time, you are forever excluded from doing so. So it’s a good idea to get VanDerGinst Law in your corner as soon as possible.
Illinois recognizes something known as “Modified Comparative Fault”. Under the Modified Comparative Fault System, each party is responsible for damages in proportion to their own percentage of fault pro-rata, unless the plaintiff’s negligence reaches 51%.
If you are partly at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the proportionate percentage of fault. However, if you are 51% or more to blame, then you are not entitled to compensation.
For example, 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.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, the responsible party is required to pay the costs for all bills for reasonable and necessary treatment. That includes medical bills, chiropractic bills, dental bills, physical therapy bills and any other similar costs.
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 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.
We do everything we can to make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
Dekalb Car Accidents: Even minor accidents can cause severe injuries. Click to see how our Dekalb personal injury lawyers can help you get the best compensation for your car accident-related injuries.
Dekalb Truck Accidents: Accidents with commercial trucks (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 conventional motor vehicle accidents. To get the best recovery, you need attorneys who have the experience to handle these cases. VanDerGinst Law’s Dekalb personal injury lawyers have those credentials. Click to see more.
Dekalb Traumatic Brain Injury: Some accidents may seem minor, but can result in severe brain injuries. Proper investigation and treatment are vital to getting reasonable compensation for these types of injuries. Click here to see how VanDerGinst Law can help.
Dekalb Motorcycle Accidents: Bikers are exceptionally exposed on our roadways. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. Read more about how our Dekalb injury lawyers help bikers and their families when serious motorcycle accidents occur.
Dekalb 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 difficult 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.
Dekalb 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!
Dekalb Pedestrian Accidents: If you or a loved one is struck as a pedestrian by a vehicle, the injuries can be devastating. See what our Dekalb injury lawyers can do to help.
Dekalb Premises Liability: Premises liability includes any number of accident or injury-causing incidents that occur on commercial or residential property. Click to read more about these types of accidents – and to see how VanDerGinst Law can help.
Dekalb Dog Bites: At VanDerGinst Law, we love dogs. But if a dog attacks, serious injuries can and do occur. Often, compensation is necessary to address medical bills and even plastic surgery to repair the damage. See how our Dekalb injury attorneys can help.
Dekalb Class Action Lawsuits: Class actions arise when many people are harmed by a single defendant (or a few defendants). VanDerGinst Law is involved in several class action lawsuits. Click here to find out which ones.
Dekalb Spinal Cord Injury: Countless types of accidents can cause spinal cord injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered this type of injury, contact VanDerGinst Law right away. Our Dekalb injury lawyers will fight hard to get the compensation necessary to help you return to some semblance of a normal life.
Dekalb 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 drowning. Read more on how our Dekalb injury lawyers can help.
Dekalb Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, at any time. They sometimes result in serious injuries. VanDerGinst Law can help get you the compensation you deserve after a slip and fall accident.
Dekalb Worker’s Compensation Claims: Even if you were at fault in causing the accident which led to injuries at work, you might still be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. Our attorneys can help you get proper compensation and explore other possible sources of compensation.
Dekalb Construction Accidents: Construction is a dangerous line of work. Accidents are a frequent occurrence, and they can lead to serious injuries. If you were in a construction accident, an experienced Dekalb personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.
Dekalb Insurance Claims: Insurance claims can be made in relation to injuries from accidents. But they can also be related to rights you may have under other insurance policies, such as Commercial, Homeowner’s, Health, Liability, and more. See how VanDerGinst Law can help you with these types of claims.
Dekalb Business Interruption Insurance Claims: Small businesses are sometimes forced to close or restrict their operations when catastrophes occur. Many Illinois businesses were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business interruption coverage may apply even when the insurance carrier says it does not. Contact us to see if we can help.
Dekalb Medical Malpractice: Medical providers are held to a high standard when rendering treatment to patients. When they breach that standard of care, the consequences can be disastrous. Click here to learn how VanDerGinst Law can help.
Dekalb Nursing Home Negligence: When a loved one has been neglected in a nursing home, a Dekalb personal injury lawyer can assist in securing compensation.
Dekalb Nursing Home Abuse: If your loved one has been abused in a nursing home, VanDerGinst Law’s personal injury lawyers can assist in getting justice.
We know that the personal injury claims process can be frustrating and overwhelming.
Let the injury attorneys at VanDerGinst Law help fight your battles while you focus on recovery.
Reach out to our firm by calling (800) 797-5391, or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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It’s official, VanDerGinst has been voted “Best Law Firm” and Dennis VanDerGinst has been voted “Best Attorney” in the 2022 edition of Quad-City Times Best of the Quad-Cities. We are thankful to have earned these honors in our community. ...
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