If you have been injured on the job or due to the negligence of another person or business, you need a trustworthy and experienced Decatur 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. You don’t need the stress of dealing with insurance representatives.
Let us handle the details so you can focus on getting better!
VanDerGinst Law makes opening a file quick and convenient.
We can open most files over on the phone or online. We also 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
When we open your file, we immediately investigate your case to get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Other law firms force their 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 the medical records from your 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 Decatur 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 such as 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 Decatur-area injury claims and lawsuits. We will use those relationships to fight for you.
Our firm has made record recoveries in numerous counties across Illinois for all injury case types. Even more, 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)
Our Decatur personal injury lawyers can get you the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim with our national resources and local connections
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 use that knowledge to fight 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 if you needed brain surgery, you wouldn’t see your family doctor. You would probably feel more comfortable going to a specialist.
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 skillfully handle ANY injury case that comes our way.
At VanDerGinst Law, we make a habit of staying 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 Decatur is located in central Illinois, and it is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County.
Decatur is the location of Millikin University, a private 4-year college, and is also the headquarters of agricultural company Archer Daniels Midland. In fact, Decatur’s economy is largely based on agricultural commodity processing and production.
At the most recent count, the population of Decatur numbered 70,746. Despite its average size, however, since 2011 the number of fatal car accidents in Decatur has consistently exceeded the Illinois average.
In addition to car crashes, Decatur citizens were also injured from workplace accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, and faulty products.
If you live in Decatur 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 and 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.
When you have an injury claim, there are many reasons that it makes sense for you to be represented by a personal injury lawyer.
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 care of the details. We will open your file as conveniently 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 should contact VanDerGinst Law as soon as possible.
Adjusters set tentative values on injury claims at a very early stage. The attorneys at VanDerGinst Law can ensure that those values are much greater than they would be without us working on your behalf. We can also advise you against taking actions that may negatively impact your potential compensation, including signing medical authorization or giving recorded statements.
There are just too many things that can go wrong if you do not get VanDerGinst Law on your side as soon as possible after your injury.
Here’s the good news: 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.
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.
The attorneys at VanDerGinst Law 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 includes harm caused by physical injury and mental distress related to the accident and injuries.
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. The percentage depends on the type of case we handle and whether the case must be litigated.
Other personal injury attorneys may say they work on contingency, but then require a retainer fee for costs like filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, etc. Over the course of working a personal injury case, those fees can add up to a significant sum.
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.
At VanDerGinst Law, we do everything we can to make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
Decatur Car Accidents: Car accidents can result in severe injuries. Click to see how our Decatur personal injury lawyers can help you get the best compensation for your car accident-related injuries.
Decatur 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 Decatur personal injury lawyers have those credentials. Click to see more.
Decatur Traumatic Brain Injury: Even minor accidents can unfortunately result in severe brain injuries, especially if the injured person does not seek immediate treatment. Click here to see how VanDerGinst Law can help if you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Decatur Motorcycle Accidents: Bikers are exceptionally exposed on our roadways. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. Read more about how our Decatur injury lawyers help bikers and their families when serious motorcycle accidents occur.
Decatur Wrongful Death Claims: If a loved one died as a result of an injury accident, you have the right to pursue legal action against the responsible party. 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.
Decatur Bus Accidents: Bus accident cases are complicated. Whether you were hit by a bus or were injured as a passenger, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Read more about these types of accidents and how VanDerGinst Law will build a case against the responsible parties in a bus accident.
Decatur Pedestrian Accidents: If you or a loved one is struck as a pedestrian by a vehicle, the injuries can be devastating. See what our Decatur injury lawyers can do to help.
Decatur 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.
Decatur Dog Bites: At VanDerGinst Law, we love dogs. But if a dog attacks, serious injuries can occur. Often, compensation is necessary to address medical bills and even plastic surgery to repair the damage. See how our Decatur injury attorneys can help.
Decatur 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.
Decatur 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 Decatur injury lawyers will fight hard to get the compensation necessary to help you return to some semblance of a normal life.
Decatur Swimming Pool Injuries: Swimming pools are a great way to relax, exercise, or recreate. But they can also result in accidents that lead to serious injuries or drowning. Read more on how our Decatur injury lawyers can help.
Decatur 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.
Decatur Worker’s Compensation Claims: If you were working at the time of your injury, you may qualify for compensation. 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.
Decatur 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 Decatur personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.
Decatur 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.
Decatur 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.
Decatur Medical Malpractice: When a medical practitioner fails to uphold their duty to deliver a reasonable standard of care, you or a loved one might suffer as a result. Click here to learn how VanDerGinst Law can help you get compensation.
Decatur Nursing Home Negligence: When a loved one has been neglected in a nursing home, a Decatur personal injury lawyer can assist in securing compensation.
Decatur 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.
You focus on recovery; let VanDerGinst Law fight your battles.
Reach out to our firm by calling (800) 797-5391, or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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Personal Injury
Wrongful Death Claims
Animal Attacks/Dog Bites
Car Accidents
Commercial Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents
Premises Liability Accidents
Construction Accidents
Worker's Compensation Claims
Product Liability/Dangerous Products
Nursing Home Negligence/Abuse
Medical Malpractice
Class Actions/Mass Tort Claims
Other Injury Claims
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Swimming Pool Injuries
Fractures
Soft Tissue Injuries/Whiplash
Chest Injuries
Shoulder Injuries
Knee Injuries
Hip and Pelvis Injuries
Burn Injuries
Amputation
Crush Injuries
Degloving Injuries
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