Normal Personal Injury Lawyers

Normal Personal Injury Lawyers

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Normal Personal Injury Lawyers

When you or a loved one is injured, it’s hard to know where to turn. You need a dependable and experienced Normal personal injury lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve. VanDerGinst Law is here to help.

Top Four Things That Should Matter to You Most When Selecting a Normal 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 Normal Personal Injury Lawyers Make the Process Simple and Convenient

We know how devastating serious injuries can be. You might be suffering pain and incurring costly medical bills. Your injuries might prevent you from working and earning income. You shouldn’t need to deal with medical providers and the insurance industry at this difficult time. 

Let us handle the stress so you can concentrate 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

We do whatever is reasonably necessary to open your file as speedily and effortlessly as possible.

Many law firms require injury clients to gather medical records and other evidence.  At VanDerGinst Law, our attorneys do everything necessary to work your file.  We obtain the records from medical providers.  We coordinate health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, medical payment insurance, and any other benefits that may apply to your case. We handle the negotiations with the opposing party.

Even more, we position your case for the best possible settlement. If the opponent’s settlement offer isn’t sensible or fair, our highly experienced Normal personal injury lawyers are prepared to fight in court. We work hard to get you the best result.

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

We handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis.  If VanDerGinst Law doesn’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 always reasonable.

Even though other personal injury attorneys say they charge a contingent fee, they may also require a retainer fee for other costs like filing fees, expert fees, records retrieval, or postage. That can add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. At VanDerGinst Law, we don’t charge a retainer fee on injury cases. We front all costs necessary to pursue your claim.

3. The Normal 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. Our attorneys have represented more than 50,000 injury victims over the years. But we also know the judges, lawyers, medical providers, and insurance adjusters who are involved in Normal-area injury claims and lawsuits.

We have made record recoveries in numerous counties across Illinois for a variety of injury cases.  Our peers, clients, and other professionals have recognized us as among the best in the country in personal injury law. 

(CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF OUR AWARDS AND ACCOLADES)

We Also Have the Inside Track into The Insurance Industry.  At VanDerGinst Law, we DO NOT represent insurance companies, so we never have a conflict of interest in representing our injury clients. But we DO employ former insurance adjusters and insurance defense attorneys who know the tricks of the trade.  We use that knowledge to your advantage!

At VanDerGinst Law, we focus on injury law.

The practice of law is much like the practice of medicine. There are practitioners who have “general” practices and others who specialize.

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 be 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 Normal 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 back it up? We can – and we have the positive reviews to prove it.
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.

But don’t take our word for it.  Click here to see testimonials from some of our clients.

Normal Personal Injury Lawyers

The city of Normal is located in central Illinois, and is the sister city to Bloomington. Normal is a featured stop on the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed passenger rail corridor. Because of this rail access – and the city’s proximity to three major interstate highways – Normal sees a lot of visitors to the city.

Normal is also home to Illinois State University, which draws students from across the state and the nation for study and research. In addition to this scholarly institution, Normal has a vibrant downtown area with museums, theaters, and historic attractions, as well as a variety of local shops and restaurants.

But even Normal residents suffer injuries from accidents and negligence.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 312,988 crashes involving motor vehicles in 2019 in Illinois, with 20% of those crashes leading to injuries. In Normal, the number of pedestrians involved in fatal accidents is higher than the state average.

In addition to car crashes, residents and visitors in Normal are also injured from medical malpractice incidents, construction accidents, and nursing home negligence and abuse.

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

VanDerGinst Law can help!

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 are safely able to do so, you should gather witness information and photos and/or video of the accident site. Of course, if necessary, contact the police or other emergency personnel to address your acute injuries 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 Normal Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have a claim, there are many reasons why you should seek out the experience and advice of a personal injury lawyer. 

First and foremost, the right lawyer can make a significant 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.  In fact, insurance adjusters will try to get you to settle for as little as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney can exert the necessary leverage to get you the compensation to which you are entitled. VanDerGinst Law has that experience.

Second, you need rest and recuperation from your injuries, not additional stress. Let VanDerGinst Law handle the stressful part. We make opening a file as easy and convenient as possible. We collect the evidence to pursue your case. We conduct the investigation. We deal with the insurance representatives and medical providers, and we coordinate benefits. We negotiate to get you the best resolution possible.

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!

3. When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you were injured at work or due to negligence and required medical treatment for those injuries, you probably need the help of a personal injury lawyer. Contact an attorney 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. And you might lose your leverage with the insurance companies.

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 even having to 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 it’s necessary to file a lawsuit for your injury case, that does not mean it will proceed all the way to a trial. About 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 position your case to get the best possible settlement.

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

There are many elements that impact a personal injury case value. Such 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 too numerous to mention.

If an attorney tells you how much you can expect to win after a brief conversation about your injuries, they are either misinformed or misleading you. 

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 a Normal Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

We can’t speak for all personal injury attorneys, but at VanDerGinst Law, we handle personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. That means that 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.

Other personal injury attorneys may say they charge a contingent fee, but then they charge a retainer fee for costs like filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, etc. These costs can add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

At VanDerGinst Law, there is NO RETAINER FEE on injury cases.  We take care of all costs necessary to pursue your claim.

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

The amount of time in which a person must file a lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations. In Illinois, that time is generally two years from the date of the injury, and there are very limited exceptions which may extend that time.

Some situations might require notices to be sent or lawsuits to be 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 is always a good idea to get VanDerGinst Law on your side 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?

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. 

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 exhausts every possibility 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. 

TYPES OF NORMAL INJURY CASES WE HANDLE

Normal Car Accidents: Even minor accidents can cause severe injuries. Our Normal personal injury lawyers can help you get the best compensation for your car accident-related injuries. 

Normal Truck Accidents: Commercial trucks (also known as semis, tractor-trailers, or big rigs) can cause devastating injuries. The rules that apply to truckers and trucking companies are different than conventional motor vehicle accidents.  If you have been in a commercial trucking accident, VanDerGinst Law’s injury attorneys have the experience to handle the complexities of your case.

Normal Traumatic Brain Injury:  Minor accidents can sometimes result in severe brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury symptoms may include headaches, memory loss, agitation, slurring, loss of consciousness, and others. Proper investigation and treatment are vital to getting reasonable compensation for these types of injuries.

Normal Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or even death.  VanDerGinst Law has helped bikers and their families recover compensation when serious motorcycle accidents occur.

Normal 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 – and get the financial recovery necessary to assist in easing some of the burden from a loved one’s wrongful death.

Normal 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!

Normal Pedestrian Accidents: If you or a loved one is struck as a pedestrian by a vehicle, the injuries can be severe.  Our Normal injury lawyers can help.

Normal Premises Liability: Premises liability includes any number of accident or injury-causing incidents that occur on commercial or residential property.

Normal Dog Bites:  If a dog attacks, serious injuries can and do occur. Often, compensation is necessary to address medical bills. Plastic surgery might be required to repair the damage. VanDerGinst Law can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Normal 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.

Normal 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 injury lawyers will fight hard to get the compensation necessary to help you return to as normal a life as possible after such devastation.

Normal 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. 

Normal 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 the summer. And, they can result in serious injuries. VanDerGinst Law can help get you the compensation you deserve after a slip and fall accident.

Normal Worker’s Compensation Claims:  If you were working at the time of your injury, you may qualify for compensation. Your employer’s worker’s compensation SHOULD cover your medical treatment and compensate you for lost wages. If you were injured at work and/or were denied benefits, VanDerGinst Law can help. We will fight to get you the benefits you deserve and hold your employer and the insurance company accountable for your compensation.

Normal 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 Normal personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.

Normal 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.

Normal Business Interruption Insurance Claims:  Small businesses may be forced to close or restrict their operations when catastrophes occur. Many Illinois businesses were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if your insurance carrier tells you that business interruption coverage does not apply, you may have a path to compensation. 

Normal 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.

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

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

Contact a Normal Personal Injury Lawyer Today.

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

Let the injury attorneys at VanDerGinst Law help 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.

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