Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers

Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers

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Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers

When you or a loved one is injured, it’s hard to know where to turn.

You need a trustworthy and experienced Elgin personal injury lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve. VanDerGinst Law can help.

Top Four Things That Should Matter to You Most When Selecting an Elgin Personal Injury Attorney

  1. Make the process easy and convenient.
  2. Be Affordable.
  3. Get you the maximum amount of money to which you are entitled.
  4. Keep you informed.

Speak With Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today

1. The VanDerGinst Law Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers Make the Process Simple and Convenient

An injury due to a crash or other accident can be life-altering. You might have serious injuries that have incurred costly medical bills. You might not be able to work due to your injuries. You shouldn’t need to deal with medical providers and the insurance industry at this difficult time.

Let VanDerGinst Law handle the stress 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 to suit your needs.

We are available 24/7 every day of the year! Simply click here or call 800-797-5391

Once we open your file, we make every effort to speedily and thoroughly investigate your case to get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Other law firms require injury clients to gather medical records and other evidence.  At VanDerGinst Law, we take care of that for you.  We obtain all the records from medical providers.  We coordinate any benefits that may apply to your case.  We negotiate on your behalf.  We position your case for the best possible settlement.  If the opponent’s settlement isn’t sensible or fair, our experienced Elgin personal injury lawyers prepare to do battle in court – where we will fight hard to get you the best result.

2. Be Affordable? How about Free? If our Elgin personal injury lawyers don’t get you compensation for your injury claim, you won’t owe us anything!

At VanDerGinst Law, 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 the costs necessary to work the case.  That can often be hundreds – even thousands – of dollars.  At VanDerGinst Law, there is NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases.  We front all costs necessary to pursue your claim.

3. The Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers at VanDerGinst Law Will Fight to Get You the Maximum Amount of Money for Your Injury Claim

At VanDerGinst Law, we know injury law.  But we also know the judges, lawyers, medical providers, and insurance adjusters who are involved in Elgin-area injury claims and lawsuits. We will fight to get you the money you deserve!

We have made record recoveries in counties across Illinois for all injury case types.  We have been recognized by peers, clients, and other professionals 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 Elgin 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!

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 much 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 attorneys aren’t able to handle an occasional injury claim. But, if you needed brain surgery you would see a brain surgeon, not your family doctor. 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.

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. We stay in touch to make sure you know exactly what’s going on with your case.

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.

Elgin Personal Injury Lawyers

The city of Elgin is located 38 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Nestled on the banks of the Fox River, Elgin is the eighth-largest city in Illinois with a population of 110,849.

Elgin began as an agricultural river town and manufacturing hub and grew into one of the fastest-growing cities in Illinois. The city was recently awarded the title of All American City, and its diverse community offers a variety cultural, entertainment, and recreational opportunities.

The city strives to be a safe and health community for all of its residents. Unfortunately, like many other towns and cities in Illinois, Elgin is not immune to accidents and injuries among its residents.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 312,988 crashes involving motor vehicles in 2019 in the state, with 20% of those crashes leading to injuries.

In Elgin, the number of fatal accidents is below the Illinois average. However, the city does have a significant number of pedestrian-involved fatal accidents. Its citizens are also injured from medical malpractice incidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, and faulty products.

If you live in Elgin and were injured on the job or due to someone’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your injuries.

Chicago's Most Dangerous Intersections

FREQUENTLY ASKED PERSONAL INJURY LAW QUESTIONS

1. What Should I Do and Not Do If I Have Been Injured?

If you have been injured, you should gather witness information and photos and/or video of the accident site if it is safe to do so. Contact the police or other emergency personnel if necessary, especially if your injuries are serious. It’s important that you get the appropriate medical attention necessary 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.

2. Do You Need an Elgin Personal Injury Lawyer?

Of course, a personal injury law firm would recommend you contact an attorney if you are injured. In truth, there are many reasons why it makes sense for you to seek legal representation 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.  An experienced personal injury attorney can exert the leverage necessary to get you the compensation to which you are entitled. VanDerGinst Law has that experience.

Second, no one wants to fill out loads of forms and deal with insurance people and medical providers.  You need rest and recuperation from your injuries, not additional stress. VanDerGinst Law will take the worry away. Opening a file with us is easy and convenient. We collect the necessary evidence to pursue your case, conduct the investigation, and negotiate to get you the best possible outcome.

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 an Elgin 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 lawyer as well. We suggest that you contact VanDerGinst Law as soon as possible after getting the initial medical care 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.

Why? If you wait, it may be too late. Important documentation could be lost. Witnesses’ memories might not be as reliable. You could make decisions or take actions that will cost you fair compensation. And you might lose your leverage with the insurance companies.

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.

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 file a lawsuit. At VanDerGinst Law, we have proven our devotion to our clients – and 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.  On average, 95% of all injury cases are settled before going to trial. During trial preparations, each side becomes more familiar with the case’s strengths and weaknesses – and 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.

6. How are Personal Injury Damages Determined? What is my case worth?

If an attorney tells you what your case is worth after a brief conversation about your injuries, do not trust them. They are either misinformed or misleading you.

The truth is, there are many elements that impact a personal injury case value – and none of them can determine exactly how much your settlement will be.

These elements 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. 

Any of the following may apply for damages if you successfully show liability in your personal injury case:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Past and future lost income
  • Past and future loss of function of mind and body
  • Past and future physical and mental pain and suffering
  • Past and future loss of enjoyment of life
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Out of pocket expenses
  • Other potential damages
7. What is Pain and Suffering?

“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.

8. How Much Does an Elgin Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

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. 

If you do end up getting a settlement, 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.

Even though other personal injury attorneys say they charge a contingent fee, 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.

9. What are the time limits that apply for Elgin Personal Injury Claims?

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 neglect to file a lawsuit within the applicable time, you are forever excluded from doing so. Therefore, it’s 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 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.

11. Will medical bills I incurred due to my injury accident be paid by the responsible party?

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 costs for treatment of your injuries. 

12. What happens if the responsible party did not have any insurance coverage?

If the party responsible for causing an injury accident does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance, there might be other sources of compensation.  The attorneys at VanDerGinst Law exhaust every possible avenue to identify those sources.

Sometimes we can find employers, people, or entities who may be vicariously liable. Sometimes we can turn to our client’s own uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage. And sometimes we determine that the responsible party has ample assets available outside of insurance.

TYPES OF COOK COUNTY PERSONAL INJURY CASES WE HANDLE

Elgin Car Accidents: Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the best compensation for your car accident-related injuries. Learn more about VanDerGinst Law’s track record with securing compensation for car accident victims. 

Elgin Truck Accidents: Accidents with commercial trucks (also known as semis, tractor-trailers, or big rigs) can cause devastating injuries. To get the best recovery, you need attorneys who have the experience to handle these cases. VanDerGinst Law’s Elgin personal injury lawyers have those credentials. Click to see more.

Elgin 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.

Elgin Motorcycle Accidents: Bikers are exceptionally exposed on our roadways. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. Read more about how our Elgin injury lawyers help bikers and their families when serious motorcycle accidents occur.

Elgin 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 time. Learn how VanDerGinst Law can get the financial recovery necessary to assist in easing some of the burden that comes when a loved one is lost.

Elgin Bus Accidents: Whether you were hit by a bus or were injured as a passenger, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. 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!

Elgin Pedestrian Accidents: Injuries in pedestrian accidents can be severe. See what our Elgin injury lawyers can do to help get you compensation.

Elgin Premises Liability: “Premises liability” includes any number of accident or injury-causing incidents that occur on commercial or residential property. Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property so it doesn’t pose harm to others. Click to read more about these types of accidents – and to see how VanDerGinst Law can help.

Elgin 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 Elgin injury attorneys can help.

Elgin 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.

Elgin 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 Elgin injury lawyers will fight hard to get the compensation necessary to help you return to some semblance of a normal life.

Elgin 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. Read more on how our Elgin injury lawyers can help. 

Elgin Slip and Fall Accidents:  Slip and fall accidents can occur indoors or outdoors, at commercial properties and residential properties. They can happen on sidewalks, in parking lots and other public areas. They happen in the winter OR in the summer. And they sometimes result in serious injuries. VanDerGinst Law can help get you the compensation you deserve when you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident.

Elgin Worker’s Compensation Claims:  If you were working and doing something in furtherance of your employment when you were injured, you may qualify for compensation. Our attorneys can help you get proper compensation and explore other possible sources of compensation.

Elgin Construction Accidents:  Unfortunately, construction accidents are a frequent occurrence. They can lead to serious injuries. If you were in a construction accident, an experienced Elgin personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.

Elgin Insurance Claims:  Insurance claims can be related to rights you may have under many different insurance policies, such as Commercial, Homeowner’s, Health, Liability, and more. See how we can help.

Elgin 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 if your insurance carrier denied your claim.  Contact us to see if we can help. 

Elgin 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.

Elgin Nursing Home Negligence:  When a loved one has been neglected in a nursing home, an Elgin personal injury lawyer can assist in securing compensation.

Elgin Nursing Home Abuse:  If your loved one has been abused in a nursing home, an Elgin personal injury lawyer can assist in getting justice.

Contact an Elgin Personal Injury Lawyer Today.

We know that the personal injury claims process can be frustrating and overwhelming.

Let the injury attorneys at VanDerGinst Law fight for you while you focus on recovery. 

Reach out to our firm by calling (800) 797-5391, or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

VanDerGinst Law, P.C. - Injury Attorneys

205 W Randolph St #1440
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 960-8529

Elgin Personal Injury Blog Posts

Attorney Eric Bodo receives award honors

Attorney Eric Bodo receives award honors

We would like to share that our very own Eric Bodo earns a very high honor in receiving the American Institute of Legal Professionals award.   The American Institute of Legal Professionals is a organization made up of professional premier trial attorneys for each...

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