Being injured because of another person’s reckless or negligent behavior might leave you with more than painful injuries. Many people feel as if they have been violated in a way. They might incur significant financial costs, and their life might be altered in deeply painful and uncomfortable ways. If this sounds like you, our lawyers can help you get fair compensation, justice, and closure.
One of the most important elements of a personal injury case is the plaintiff’s damages. Your economic damages revolve around how much money the accident cost you, while non-economic damages are all about physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering. To get compensation for your damages we need to determine who is at fault and what kind of evidence we need to prove it. We should also be prepared to refute claims that you somehow caused the accident, as this is a common tactic by defendants. While many people try to handle their personal injury cases alone, this is unwise. A personal injury lawyer can help you assess your claims and damages, find evidence, and handle complex legal documentation.
Call (312) 578-8502 and talk to our personal injury lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices about a free case review to get started.
Damages Available in Park Ridge, IL Personal Injury Cases
Damages in personal injury cases vary from plaintiff to plaintiff. In some cases, damages are relatively minor. In others, they are astronomically high. Regardless, you have the right to bring your claims to court as long as you have a valid cause of action. Our personal injury attorneys may need financial records and evidence of costs and injuries to help you determine the true extent of your damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Some damages are not assessed by their financial costs. Instead, non-economic damages are measured by the toll they take on the plaintiff’s life. For example, if your injuries lead to permanent disfigurements or disabilities, your entire life might be altered in ways you cannot imagine. You might have to emotionally come to terms with how your body has changed, and you might also experience a reduction in your overall quality of life. While these experiences might not come with a price tag, they should be worth significant compensation.
Economic Damages
Injuries are famously expensive. Between medical bills, property damage, and other expenses, it might be difficult to financially recover from a personal injury. Be sure to keep track of your expenses. Save all your receipts, invoices, and other records of costs, no matter how big or small. If your costs directly relate to your injuries, we can claim them in your overall damages.
Common examples of economic damages include hospital bills, damages property, lost income from being unable to work because of your injuries, the costs of traveling to medical treatment, and more.
Determining Who is Responsible for Your Personal Injuries in Park Ridge, IL
First, we need to figure out who is responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. Once we know who we should include in your case, we can begin gathering evidence to support your claims. In the process, we might bump against claims from the defendant that you are at fault for the accident. This is a fairly common defense strategy, and we can rebut it with the right evidence.
Proving Fault
Proving fault requires that we present evidence that meets the burden of proof. In a civil case, the burden of proof is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning the evidence must show that the defendant is more likely than not liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. What kind of evidence we need depends on the unique circumstances of your case.
We should have evidence that establishes the extent of your injuries and evidence that connects the defendant to the accident. Much evidence comes from the location where the accident occurred. For example, if you were injured in a car crash, we can use photos and security camera footage from the accident scene to support your claims.
There might be more than one possible defendant. It is not unusual for multiple people to be responsible for someone’s injuries. Alternatively, a business or organization might be named in the case. This is more common in cases where someone is injured because of an employee of a business or on the business’ property.
Contributory Fault
The defendant might claim that you caused your injuries to deflect blame and evade liability. According to 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1116(c), if a plaintiff is deemed partially at fault for an accident, their damages may be reduced according to their share of blame. For example, if a court deems a plaintiff 20% responsible for the accident that caused their injuries, the plaintiff’s overall damages may be reduced by 20%.
At a certain point, a plaintiff might be in big trouble if the court believes they are responsible for too much of the accident. Under the law, you may be barred from recovery if you are more than 50% responsible. This means you cannot recover any compensation at all.
How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Park Ridge, IL Can Assist You
Your attorney can help you start your case by evaluating your damages and finding evidence. Before filing your case, we need information about damages and evidence in the formal complaint. If damages are left out by accident, we might not be able to claim them later. Additionally, we need at least some evidence to show the court that your claims have merit and are not baseless.
Your attorney can also help develop legal strategies and plans. Is it best to take the case to court or accept a settlement? Should we rely on physical evidence, records, or witness testimony? The answer to these questions will vary from case to case, and your lawyer can help you make sure you have the strongest legal strategies.
Contact Our Park Ridge, IL Personal Injury Attorneys to Get Help Now
Call (312) 578-8502 and talk to our personal injury lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices about a free case review to get started.
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