Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer
Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury is when someone gets hurt because of another’s carelessness or harmful actions. Instead of the government punishing the wrongdoer like in criminal cases, the injured person can sue the responsible party in a civil court.
Our team is knowledgeable about Illinois personal injury law and can help people get compensation from those at fault. We’re experienced in handling different kinds of personal injury cases, like car accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, and many more.
What is a Personal Injury?
A personal injury refers to physical, emotional, or psychological harm suffered by an individual due to the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions of another party. These injuries can occur in car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, product malfunctions, and other situations.
The process of filing a personal injury claim involves gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and filing a lawsuit to recover fair compensation for the victim’s losses.
Careful evaluation by a skilled Illinois personal injury lawyer can help determine liability and pursue maximum compensation for the injured party.
Contact our Illinois personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with your Illinois personal injury lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Accept in Illinois
Personal injuries aren’t merely physical damages like slips and falls or accidents. The victim has to navigate the complex legal process, going through both emotional and financial stress. Our Illinois personal injury lawyers accept different types of personal injury cases. We will help you file an injury or accident claim to receive the financial compensation you need.
Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause mild, moderate, or severe injuries, and our personal injury attorneys are ready to assist you. We also handle wrongful death claims in Illinois for those who have lost loved ones in such accidents. Usually, car accidents occur due to the driver’s negligence and involve:
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle crashes
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit and runs
- Distracted driving accidents
- Adverse weather
- Road hazards
Truck Accidents
Truck collisions are common because of their large size, long stopping distance, and the driver fatigue trick drivers experience owing to long work hours. In 2021 alone, a total of 523,796 large truck accidents were recorded across the United States, as reported by Forbes Advisor. If you are involved in a truck accident, our Illinois personal injury lawyers will help you hold the truck driver and the company that hired them liable for the truck accident.
Bike Accidents
Inadequate bicycle-friendly infrastructure, lack of caution when driving near cyclists, and unsafe biking practices are the reasons why bicycle accidents are on the rise. Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and 130,000 are injured in road crashes in the United States every year. Our law firm accepts all kinds of Illinois personal injury cases related to bike crashes.
Motorcycle Accidents
Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents have a whopping 80% injury or death rate, while car accidents remain around 20%. Lack of proper rider training, safety gear, and obeying traffic laws often cause fatal motorcycle crashes. Contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys to file a lawsuit against those at fault.
Pedestrian Accidents
Distracted driving and hazardous road conditions have increased pedestrian-related accidents and fatalities. The NHTSA estimates that nearly 1 out of every 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2021 (23%) were struck by hit-and-run drivers. Secure justice for your rights with strong representation by our Illinois personal injury attorney.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common types of accidents. Most of the slip and falls are not severe, fatal injuries may include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, and other fall-down injuries. Talk to our Illinois personal injury lawyers right away if you need help getting compensation.
Medical Malpractices
A case of medical malpractice is when a doctor or a hospital is sued by the patient for negligence. Annually, over 20,000 medical malpractice lawsuits are filed nationwide. Our Illinois personal injury lawyers can help you file lawsuits involving:
- Misdiagnosis
- Birth injuries
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Nursing negligence
- Hospital negligence
Nursing Home Abuse or Negligence
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), nearly 1 in 10 nursing home residents experience some form of abuse. Many elders face nursing home abuse such as:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional distress
- Financial exploitation
As personal injury lawyers, we handle nursing home abuse claims where patients have received inadequate care and negligence, resulting in serious medical complications.
Sexual Abuse Claims
Each year, more than 600,000 children are abused in the US, with 3.6 million cases reported annually. Sexual abuse can have a deep physical and emotional impact on survivors, and our personal injury lawyers understand that. We can serve as your compassionate legal counsel and representation in your battle against sexual abusers.
Workplace and Construction Accidents
Construction workers are more prone to serious injuries than other occupations and this leads to expensive hospital bills and longer recovery periods. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry made up 46.2% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2021. Exposure to harmful environments, falls, trips, slips, and overexertion cause workers illnesses, injuries, or even deaths.
Work injury victims often face complications due to Workers’ Compensation rules, which can limit their options for legal recourse. Talk to our experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers to understand your rights and pursue personal injury damages.
Premises and Product Liability
We file lawsuits for premises liability claims, in cases involving someone else’s negligence:
- Electrocution
- Fires
- Drownings
- Structure or railing collapses
- Falls from heights
On the other hand, if you were hurt by a defective product, our Illinois personal injury lawyers can help you file your claim to secure damages from the manufacturer or seller of the product.
Wrongful Death Claims
Our Illinois personal injury lawyers help surviving family members file claims for their deceased loved ones. If your loved one is killed due to a road accident, negligence, medical malpractice, or other criminal actions, we would claim the damages for the harm you experienced because of the loss.
Dog Bite Claims
Many aggressive dog breeds like Pitbull, Rottweiler, and Bull Mastiff can attack people, especially children if not trained properly. The dog bite statistics shared by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) indicate that more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually in the U.S. Dog bite injuries can cause mild to severe injuries, or life-threatening diseases like rabies. If you have been injured by a dog bite, reach out to us for legal help.
What To Do After Suffering a Personal Injury?
After suffering a personal injury, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to protect your safety and increase your chances of a successful injury case.
- Seek medical attention promptly to assess and treat your injuries.
- Document the accident scene, including taking photographs and obtaining witness contact information.
- Report the incident to the relevant authorities, such as the police or property owner.
- Preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as clothing or damaged property.
- Refrain from accepting settlement offers from insurance companies until you have consulted with an Illinois personal injury lawyer.
- Avoid sharing details about your personal injury case on social media.
Finally and most importantly, seek legal representation to guide you through the personal injury claims process and advocate for your rights.
Statute of Limitations for Illinois Personal Injury Claims
Like each state, Illinois also has its statutes of limitations for civil cases like personal injury claims. A statute of limitations is a legal deadline within which you can file an injury claim.
The Illinois statute of limitations is two years, meaning you must file your personal injury claim within two years of the date of the accident. Filing your injury claim after two years will get you zero damage recovery. If injured or abused, call a personal injury attorney in Illinois right away so that your injury claim is filed on time.
Comparative Fault in Illinois Personal Injury Claims
As stated in 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule as the standard for recovery of damages. In comparative fault, the victim may recover damages only if they are less than 50% fault for the accident.
For instance, if you were 20% at fault in a bike accident, your damages decrease by 10%, and the other party will pay you 80% compensation. However, Illinois’s modified comparative fault rule states that if the injured party is more than 50% at fault, they will not be awarded any compensation.
With modified comparative fault law in Illinois personal injury claims, it’s extremely important to work with an expert personal injury lawyer who can accurately investigate and prove the values of fault assigned to each party. Trust the Injury Lawyer Team’s personal injury attorneys to become your legal representative.
What are the Important Steps in Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Filing a personal injury lawsuit involves multiple steps, which can be better executed by a lawyer who can negotiate a just financial settlement. In a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois, the steps typically include:
Step 1 – Consultation with a personal injury attorney to evaluate the case.
Step 2 – Filing a complaint, outlining the claimant’s allegations.
Step 3 – The defendant responds to the complaint.
Step 4 – Both parties gather evidence and compile facts.
Step 5 – Settlement negotiations or mediation to resolve the case without trial.
Step 6 – If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to trial.
Step 7 – Trial, where evidence is presented, and a verdict is reached.
Step 8 – Appeals may follow if either party disputes the verdict.
Throughout, legal representation from our skilled injury lawyers will help you navigate complexities and advocate for fair compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in Personal Injury Cases?
Generally, compensatory damages in Illinois are divided into economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages – These damages are the type of expenses that are easy to calculate by gathering medical expenses, proof of out-of-pocket expenses, proof of lost wages and income, etc. Economic damages in a personal injury case include the following:
- Coverage of medical expenses
- Coverage of lost wages
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage losses
Non-Economic Damages – These damages cannot be measured in bills or receipts as they are referred to as “pain and suffering,” of the victims and their families. Non-economic damages can include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Loss of quality of life damages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for a spouse
Punitive Damages – Illinois law only allows the victim to seek punitive damages if they sustain a physical injury, property damage, or are injured due to a faulty product. These damages are not only meant to punish the defendant’s negligence but also send a message that such behavior is not acceptable.
Seek help from our experienced Illinois personal injury attorney to calculate your expenses and reach an exact valuation of the case.
How Much Fee Does a Personal Injury Attorney in Illinois Take?
The attorney fee in personal injury cases is based on the amount of compensation you get awarded through your insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Most injury attorneys in Illinois charge around ⅓ or between 33% to 40% of your recovery.
However, these fees depend on the work amount and complexity of the personal injury case. Once you receive an injury settlement, your injury lawyer will cover medical bills, outstanding debts, and other miscellaneous expenses on your behalf before deducting their share of fees.
Personal injury attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay no upfront fees until your claim is resolved.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois
If you or your loved one has suffered serious injuries and needs legal advice, seek the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to win the case.
Before attending the initial consultation, know the top benefits of hiring an injury lawyer in Illinois:
- Attorneys are deeply educated in the personal injury law. They share a great rapport with legal professionals like judges, court clerks, bailiffs, and civil defense litigation attorneys.
- Personal injury attorneys can negotiate strategically with insurance companies and other parties on our behalf to get you fair compensation.
- If your personal injury case reaches the trial, a skillful accident attorney can secure a favorable decision.
- Personal injury attorneys offer peace of mind to victims while they recover, negotiate settlements and prepare for trial.
- The contingency fee agreement based on which most Illinois lawyers work, ensures the best possible outcome for the client.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Did you suffer injuries or abuse, or lose a loved one because of another person’s negligence? Do you need help to file an insurance claim to seek compensation for your physical and emotional damages?
Injury attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, accept all personal injury claims, malpractice lawsuits, and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis.
Contact us at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case evaluation. All shared information with your injury attorney will be protected through a confidential relationship.