You should not have to endure the consequences of someone else’s bad decisions. If you have been injured in an accident, our team can help hold the person at fault accountable and file a lawsuit to cover your damages.
To begin, consult with our lawyers regarding the specifics of your personal injury claim. The details of your accident will help determine who is liable and how we can prove your case. Our team has experience handling various personal injury matters, including construction accidents, vehicle accidents, and many others. No matter your situation, it is important to act swiftly, as you generally have two years to file your case. Before filing, we can gather evidence to support your claims, such as collecting information from the accident scene, obtaining witness statements, and other forms of evidence to strengthen your case.
Call our personal injury lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 to schedule a free, confidential case review today.
Types of Personal Injury Claims Our Team Litigates in Crystal Lake, IL
Personal injury law is quite expansive, encompassing a wide array of accidents, incidents, and injuries that can be classified as personal injuries. A personal injury claim typically arises when the plaintiff suffers some form of bodily harm. Given the diverse range of cases and claims within personal injury law, it is wise to seek out a legal firm that has a solid track record with similar situations. Our personal injury attorneys have expertise in many types of practice areas, including auto accidents, premises liability, and even aviation accidents, among many others. The following is just a sampling of the claims we have helped clients recover compensation in.
Aviation and Train Accident Claims
Accidents involving trains and planes happen more often than many people realize, and passengers can suffer serious injuries due to the negligence of the companies operating trains, planes, and helicopters. While dramatic crashes tend to grab the headlines, various other incidents can also result in significant harm.
For example, passengers often sustain injuries while moving through an airport when they encounter unsafe conditions like wet floors, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning escalators and elevators. This is particularly common in busy terminals like nearby Chicago O’Hare International Airport where maintenance sometimes falls by the wayside, leaving travelers at risk of slips and falls.
Many aviation accidents stem from some form of pilot error, as pilots are responsible for operating the aircraft. Injuries frequently arise during difficult takeoffs or careless landings. In other cases, pilots might fail to adapt their flying techniques or change their routes in light of air traffic warnings about hazardous weather conditions. For instance, if a helicopter pilot ignores wind warnings before taking customers on a sightseeing flight over Chicago, injuring them, the pilot and the company they work for can be held responsible in a lawsuit.
Similarly, accidents can occur on or near train platforms. When a platform is poorly maintained, such as uncleaned debris, broken tiles, or inadequate lighting, passengers can easily trip or even fall onto the tracks. Moreover, overcrowded platforms and poor crowd control can create hazardous situations, leading to injuries from pushing and shoving as people board or disembark from trains. In these situations, you can sue a person if they injure you on an overcrowded platform and potentially the government agency that manages the station.
Auto Accident Claims
A significant number of personal injury claims stem from motor vehicle accidents. Every day, cars, buses, and trucks collide for various reasons. Many of these accidents result from driver negligence. Actions such as drunk driving, speeding, failing to signal, and other violations of traffic laws are all seen as negligent behaviors. If you have been injured due to such actions, you can file a claim against the responsible driver. If multiple drivers are involved, our team can identify and name each as a defendant and sort liability out after the lawsuit is filed.
Additionally, some drivers face extra responsibilities beyond the standard traffic laws that all motorists in Crystal Lake must follow. For instance, truck drivers must adhere to specific regulations set by the FMCSA, which dictate how many hours they can drive consecutively. Drowsy driving is highly hazardous, and the risk is amplified when the driver is operating a large, heavy vehicle. Similarly, a driver on stimulants to keep pace can be just as dangerous, especially if they are speeding to complete a delivery.
If the driver violates a federal or state regulation, we can typically sue the driver and the company that employs them under the legal principle of respondeat superior. You will also have a good claim for “punitive” damages intended to punish defendants such as these.
Premises Liability Claims
Many individuals suffer injuries because of hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. A common example of this is when someone slips and falls in a grocery store on a freshly mopped floor. If there were no warning signs nearby, the store should be held responsible for your injuries.
Various other dangerous conditions can also result in injuries. Property owners can be liable for issues like broken windows, unstable stairs, falling ceiling tiles, and malfunctioning elevators. If the property owner failed to make reasonable inspections to discover and correct these conditions, we can help prove that they violated their duty of care.
Construction Accident Claims
Construction zones are inherently hazardous environments. Hazards can be found at every turn, from dangerous power tools and exposed wiring to heavy machinery. Despite their best efforts to stay safe, construction workers often face injuries from falling objects and faulty overhead protection.
Not only do construction workers face dangers, but members of the public who accidentally venture into these zones can also be at risk. Without proper barriers and warning signs in place, a construction site can present a serious safety threat, and the property owner and general contractor can usually be held liable together.
Call Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Crystal Lake Today to Get Your Claim Started
For a confidential case assessment free of charge with our personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices, contact us at (312) 578-8502.
Resources