Car crashes might seem rare. However, they are a growing concern in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, fatal crashes are trending higher in recent years. And while not every crash results in death, they can still cause devastating injuries, so it’s best to be prepared for the worst in case you are involved in a wreck.
Whether hurt in a car crash or another personal injury accident, victims are entitled to compensation from the liable party. By working with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer like the ones at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., you stand the best chance at maximum recovery. Let us help you with your Cook County accident needs, no matter how you were injured.
Personal injury cases fall in a broad practice area of the law, describing several different accidents. Under Illinois law, you can pursue compensation when someone’s negligent or reckless acts hurt you or damage your property. Car accidents are some of the most common personal injury cases. You might also get injured on the job by a defective product, or you could get hit while taking an Uber to O’Hare International Airport.
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Although some accidents will cause similar injuries, your case will be unique to the kind of injury you have. You could have more than one injury, too. Each will need to be examined for your insurance claim.
Some examples of Mount Prospect injuries include:
Under Illinois law, you could be entitled to a personal injury claim after someone hurts your or harms your property. It’s a type of tort and there are several laws that explain when you can file a claim and how much your claim is worth. Our Illinois personal injury lawyers will be able to discuss your Mount Prospect case details to help you calculate your possible compensation.
To win compensation for your personal injury, you have to prove the at-fault party caused your injuries or damages through negligent or reckless behavior. Your case relies on your lawyer’s ability to prove the liable party’s negligence. Legally, negligence means someone was supposed to uphold a duty of care, but once they didn’t someone else got injured.
When someone is supposed to act reasonably, but they don’t and someone gets hurt, they can be found negligent. Your attorney must prove the elements of a negligence case to win compensation.
There are four parts to every negligence claim. You have duty, a breach of duty, causation, and then damages. To win your claim, your attorney must show that the other party:
For context, drivers should not be driving under the influence while they’re on the road. If they cause an accident while under the influence, you need to show they were impaired when they shouldn’t have been, and that they caused you harm. In other circumstances, a driver would have been sober, and the accident could have been avoided.
Payouts for personal injury claims differ based on the circumstances of each case. You can pursue non-economic and economic damages under Illinois personal injury law.
Also known as monetary losses, your economic damages are out-of-pocket expenses. These are usually easier to calculate with good record-keeping. You can pursue compensation for your past and future expenses, like your medical bills, lost wages, or property damage.
Non-economic losses might be more challenging to calculate. These damages are conceptual and result from your monetary losses. You might seek damages for your mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder, or a change in the quality of life after the accident.
You should be mindful of anything that might reduce your claim or eliminate the chance of collecting compensation. Illinois has a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury claims. That’s the deadline you have to file a claim, and that period starts on the day of your accident. There are exceptions, but in most cases if you miss the deadline, you don’t have a claim for compensation.
You could also experience complications if the defendant argues you had some liability for your accident. Your payout could be reduced based on the idea of “comparative negligence. If the defendant proves your actions contributed to your injuries, any settlement will be reduced by the same proportion of blame.
So, if you were using your cell phone while walking through a store when you slipped and fell, the defendant might argue you share some of the blame. They can show you weren’t paying attention as you walked through the store, and you should have seen your surroundings.
They’ll say that you have some of the blame for any injuries or damages you received. If you won $200,000 in a settlement but the jury decided you were 20% at-fault for the accident, you would only receive $160,000. You can still pursue compensation if you share less than 50% of the blame.
The aftermath of an accident can be stressful, especially after dealing with a traumatizing event. You should remember to take some crucial steps to ensure the best chance at securing compensation.
Even when your case seems clear-cut, you still have to prove that the at-fault party was responsible for your damages. You need evidence and a cohesive argument. You can start working on building your case after the accident.
You can use police reports, incident reports, photos, videos, and expert testimony. You’ll work with your attorneys to dig through possible leads and anything that could dispute your claim. Some cases will have more documentation than others, so it’s critical to work with an attorney who can help you find every thread possible.
It is possible to file a claim alone after a Mount Prospect accident, like if you slipped and fell in a large retail store or got hurt in an accident on North Wolf Road. You really shouldn’t have to deal with the stress of fighting insurance companies after their client hurt you.
You might not be able to return to work, and your expenses could keep increasing. If your injuries are severe, you may not even be able to return to your previous role. An experienced attorney can help you build a case and search for every damage you can recover.
Not only will your attorney be able to work with the at-fault party’s insurer, but they will also use their knowledge of Illinois tort claims to ensure you’re fighting for the maximum compensation possible. They can search through your case, and help you establish your path to recovery. They can find the flimsy points in the defendant’s case, and they’ll handle negotiations for you. Your lawyer should care about your health and your case, seeing you as more than a payout.
If you’re hurt in Mount Prospect because of someone’s negligence, you deserve the representation you need to help you recover your damages. At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we know that accidents can be traumatic, and the aftermath is confusing, if not daunting. We’re ready to fight for you to ensure your claim is heard, and that you have all your legal bases covered.
Our team of seasoned personal injury lawyers have successfully recovered millions in compensation for our clients. We use a “no win, no fee, policy, meaning you don’t pay if we don’t win your case. If you’ve been hurt in Mount Prospect, use our experience. Call (312) 236-2900 or send a form for a free consultation.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
We’re ready to fight for you. We’re ready to be your ally. And we’re ready to start right now. Don’t waste time, contact our law offices today.
FREE CASE EVALUATION – (312) 236-2900Serious injuries don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, which is why we are always available to help if you have been hurt. Our team is available around the clock to provide the support you need.